The class of 2017

Rewind to this time last year as we began 2017. I reported here that during the previous 12 months I had heard 167 Dutch MW pirate stations at our location in England, a figure that included a few operating with second names and the odd one from over the border in Germany. 

At the end of January 2017 I wrote how during that single month I had monitored broadcasts from 101 pirates - 98 individual operators - and speculated that perhaps by the end of 2017 I might have hit a double-century.

I might not have reached 200 Dutch MW pirates, but an examination of my logs for the year reveals 172 names on the list, just topping the total for the previous year and not far away from the 185 stations I heard during 2015.

Given the upsurge in activity from the Dutch authorities and their campaign to silence illegal broadcasters on AM, this figure is very impressive and suggests the scene is still thriving.

Sure, we don't have anywhere near the amount of stations broadcasting what we used to call 'international music programmes' - a mix of music from across the ages with announcements in English aimed at an audience overseas; there are plenty of stations concentrating solely on what has often been labelled 'agricultural music'; there are some stations who broadcast only to test equipment that have made for other pirates, and there are some who use the band just for qsoing. However, there is no denying that interest certainly remains at a decent level in the Netherlands for switching on an illicit transmitter every now and again and having a chat with another operator or playing some music.

How many people are actually listening to these broadcasts is an interesting subject. I was talking recently to Radio Barones about this. He is of the opinion that it's a small list of listeners, most of whom can be found lurking in the well-used pirate chatroom. 

I like to think, however, that there is a band of people out there who remain hidden, subterranean and never revealing their identity, but tuning in to these pirate broadcasts in the very true sense of the word 'pirate'. In fact, I know somebody who fits into this category. His favourite station is actually Radio Barones and he's been listening for many years, often making recordings, but never contacting the station and making himself known. I hope there are many other people like this and I have a hunch there are. 

And so to the list of pirates I heard in England during 2017. Have a browse and see how many you recognise . . .

Adje Van Der Steur

Admiraal

Akenzo

Alabama

Alaska

Alice

Alpenjager (Groningen)

Anton

Arizona

Armada

Atlantic

Atletico

Bandoeng

Barcelona

Barones

Batavia

Batavier

Bizon

Blackstone

Blauwe Daihatsu

Blauwe Koe

Blauwe Panda

Blauwe Piraat

Bluebird

Bootsman

Brandaris

Brugwachter

Capri

Carona

Casablanca (Emmen)

Casablanca (Twente)

Centurion

Charlie Brown

Columbia

Curacau

Dageraad

Daniel en Soto

De Kat

Derdeman

Desperado

Digitaal

Dikke Betta

Dinkelland

Dolfijn

Drukstroomjager

Edelkampioen

Eldorado

Electron

Eskimo

Friese Piraat

Golfbreker

Havanna

Horizon

Ijsselstein

Interpol

Jack Sparrow

JB

Jeneverstoker

Johan

Jonge Boer

Johnny Camaro

Kaaiman

Kachel Boer

Kamelen Boer

Keizer en Keizerin

Kooiplas

Kristal

Kruik

Loreley

Lotus

Malibu

Marianne

Marskramer

Melkbus

Meteoor

Mi Amigo

Mike

Moby Dick

Monaco

Monte Carlo

Monza

Moonbreaker

Morgen Ster

Moscou

Musky

Nachtzwerver

Napoleon

Noorderzon

Noordzee

Odynn

Oldtimer

Oliebollen Bakkers

Omega

Orion

Osaka

OSM

Paradiso

Pecon

Pereboom

Pioneer

Polidor

Polkaman

Pontiac

Professor Sickbok

Quintus

Rebecca

Rebel (Drenthe)

Rebel (Friesland)

Reintje de Vos

Relmus

Rode Rover

Rodester

Romax

Ros Am

Ruimzicht

Ruisbreker

Sallandseboer

Sapporo

Santana

Schaduwjager

Schorpioen

Scotland

Silvia

Skywire

Snowman

Spakenburg

Spanningzoeker

Speedygonzales en Mexicano

Skywire

Sterrekijker

Sterrenboog

Technical Man

Telefunken

Torpedojager (North-west Overijjsel)

Torpedojager (Twente)

Toulouse

Transparant

Turfsteker

Turftrekker

Twentana

Uitzendkracht

Uniek

Uruguay

Utopia

Veldwachter

Verona

Veronica

Viking en Tante Foek

Voice Of The Netherlands

Vonkenboer

Vriendschap

Vrij Drenthe

Vrijevogel

Vrolijke Mijnwerker

Wadloper

Waterman

Weduwe

Wegpiraat

Wilskracht

Witte Raaf

Witte Tornado

Yogi Bear en Einstein

Zeewolf

Zonnester

Zwarte Arabier

Zwarte Bizon

Zwarte BMW

Zwarte Boer

Zwarte Bouvier

Zwarte Panter (North Holland)

Zwarte Panter (Oldenzaal)

Zwarte Schaduw

There you have it - a bumper year for the Dutch MW pirates. If you've got more to add to the list, perhaps some recordings that we could use on the blog, or any questions, please get in touch. You can email as ever, and you can find us on Facebook and Twitter