In the air at Easter

I hope you all had a good Easter with plenty of time at home with your families and perhaps a chance to listen to some pirate radio broadcasts. With lockdown due to the coronavirus continuing here in England and across much of Europe it's certainly good to have a hobby to spend plenty of time with and, as you'll see from the stations listed below, there has been plenty of MW activity from the Netherlands over the last few days:

Freq      Time     Station name SINPO Type of broadcast

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

1643      0430      Eskimo 25322-35333 music programme

1645      1726      Wegpiraat 25222-35333 asking for report

1640      1735      Casablanca 45444 report for Wegpiraat

1646      1741      Dageraad 25332 qsoing

1617      1920      Marianne 45434 music programme

1642      2156      Monte Carlo 35333 music programme

1620      2258      Philadelphia 25222 music programme

Observations

●     Eskimo is a station I don’t hear very often, mainly because he seems to operate very early in the morning when I am in bed! However, I caught him today playing some tunes on 1643 kHz before a qso with various other pirates.

Monday, April 13, 2020

1635      2102      Bluebird 55444-55555 music programme

1617      2103      Interpol 25332-35333 music programme

Sunday, April 12, 2020

1512      0430      Mike Radio 34443-45444 music programme

1635      0533      Santana en Cobra 35333 music programme

1646      0536      Vrolijke Mijnwerker 25222-35333 music programme

1620      0543      Noordzee 25222 qsoing

1647      0601      Alabama 35333-45434 music programme

1633      0624      Schaduwjager 45444-55555 qsoing

1617      0628      Noordster 45444 qsoing

1635      0630      Hemmeling 35333 qsoing

1614      0649      Eigen Risico 25222 music programme

1620      1825      Weduwe 44444 music programme

1615      1826      Blauwe Koe 34333-44444 music programme

1671      1827      Viking en Tante Foeke 24232-45444 music programme

1656      1829      Moonbreaker 35333-45444 music programme

1647      1830      Witte Tornado 35333-45444 music programme

1633      1831      Barones 45444 music programme

1612      1831      Akai 32432-33433 music programme

1633      1900      Mondeo 35443-44444 music programme

Saturday, April 11, 2020

1633      0430      Barcelona 45434 music programme

1633      0552      Klaverboer weak signal report for Barcelona

1636      0555      Alabama 35443 report for Barcelona

1636      0603      Romax 35333 report for Barcelona

1617      0612      Eigen Risico 25332 music programme

1611      0625      Zender Johan 35333 qsoing

1635      0625      Havanna 35333-45444 music programme

1615      1845      Turftrekker 35333-45444 music programme

1635      1846      Pandora 45444 music programme

1640      1846      Mi Amigo 34433 music programme

1656      1854      Nachtzwerver 35333 music programme

1611      1854      Zwarte Boer 23432 music programme

1652      2042      Moby Dick 35333-45444 music programme

1645      2056      OSM 45434-55444 600 watts qsoing

1494      2135      Laser Hot Hits 35333-45444 music programme

1620      2144      Philadelphia weak signal music programme

1640      2152      Nachtzwerver 43433 asking for report

1650      2200      Monte Carlo 34333-44444 report for Nachtzwerver

1670      2220      De Kat 24222 music programme

1648      2225      Jeneverstoker 33333 report for Pandora

1633      2242      Polkaman 25222 music programme

1656      2256      Snowman 34333 music programme

1640      2312      Nachtzwerver 35443 qsoing

1640      2314      Monte Carlo 55444-55555 qsoing

Observations

●     It was a busy morning at the high end of the MW band today. Kicking off Easter Saturday early was Barcelona on 1633 kHz - his usual frequency and time of the week. His signal was solid, as was that of Havanna, who later popped up on his regular channel of 1635 kHz to spin some records once Barcelona had gone off air. The signal was still doing well as the clock ticked past 0800 local time here in England (0700 UTC), some two hours after the sun had risen and when most Dutch pirate signals have disappeared from the receivers at this location.

●     I got a message this evening to let me know that a new station was testing on 1512 kHz. Radio Nooitgedacht, not to be confused with the MW stalwart of the same name from the Achterhoek, whose operator sadly died in February 2015. This station is broadcasting from the province of Overijjsel with a power of 40 watts using a coil antenna that is going to be improved upon in the coming weeks. I’ll certainly be listening out for him again.

●     Reception was not so stable during the first part of the evening once the sun had gone down and there was plenty of fading on signals that are usually solid. At their peaks, however, the likes of Turftrekker, Pandora and Moby Dick were all coming in loud and clear. However, by around 2300 signals had started to stabilize and there was some superb reception available. Monte Carlo was all the way up to a sinpo of 55555 at times, while low-power Snowman from Friesland was putting in a very listenable signal.

●     Last time I heard OSM he was running just 20 watts of power. Tonight I noticed a considerably more powerful sound on 1645 kHz and it was O’Superman cranking up the output to 600 watts of carrier from Flevoland. There was plenty of fading on the signal at times, but it was strong and Superman’s voice never fails to put a smile on my face. It was great to be able to send him a direct report as he was talking on air and hear the excitement as he understood his signal was crossing the North Sea loud and clear. The recordings below will give you an idea of reception tonight:

Friday, April 10, 2020

1615      2202      Technical Man 44444 music programme

1635      2203      Bluebird 54444 music programme

1655      2203      Barones 55444 music programme

1620      2205      Philadelphia weak signal music programme

1670      2206      Monte Carlo 35333

1660      2221      Vonkentrekker 25322 music programme

1633      2246      Polkaman weak signal music programme

Thursday, April 9, 2020

1636      0710      Torpedojager 24332 music programme

1642      1823      Twentana 35443 music programme

1634      1844      Marskramer 34333-45444 music programme

1655      2046      Vonkenboer 25332 qsoing

1655      2051      Turfsteker 25332-35443 qsoing

1640      2119      Professor Sickbok 34333-45444 music programme

1620      2143      Polkaman 24322 music programme

1654      2205      Jeneverstoker 25332-35333 report for Marskramer

1650      2210      Monte Carlo 34333-44444 asking for report

1640      2227      Casablanca 55444-55555 report for Professor Sickbok

1647      2230      Professor Sickbok 44444 report for Monte Carlo

1638      2303      Philadelphia weak signal music programme

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

1617      1810      Eigen Risico 25442 music programme

1635      2211      Bluebird 45444-55555 music programme

1631      2214      Polkaman 23432 testing with 50 watts

1656      2215      Snowman 25442 music programme

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

1655      1807      Eigen Risico 24442 music programme

1617      1843      Marianne 35443-45444 music programme

1670      1844      Digitaal 35333-45444 music programme

1644      2132      Vrolijke Mijnwerker 35443 qsoing

1638      2135      Philadelphia 25332 music programme

1645      2135      Monte Carlo 35333 qsoing

Monday, April 6, 2020

1635      1815      Bluebird 35433, 55444 at 2058 music programme

1614      2034      Twee Gebroeders 23432 music programme

1647      2036      Oldtimer 35333 music programme

Lockdown

When I last wrote on the blog it was March 22 and I mentioned how it looked likely Britain would very soon be placed on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. That actually happened the following day when the Prime Minister told us to stay at home in an attempt to reduce the spread of Covid-19, with trips out limited to essential visits to the supermarket, 30 minutes a day for exercise and travel to work if individuals are unable to do their jobs from home.

So I've been working remotely since then and quite enjoying the slowed-down pace of life. I might not be able to go out and about in the way I did previously, but I have more time now and the chance to spend those extra hours with my family, and also with a little radio listening. 

There is a similar situation in the Netherlands with many people also working from home instead of their usual place of employment. As you might have guessed, this has resulted in somewhat more pirate radio activity on the airwaves as station operators make the most of their time for regular qsos with each other and some music programmes as well. 

Take a look at what I've been hearing with my updated logs, together with some recordings:

Freq      Time     Station name SINPO Type of broadcast

Sunday, April 5, 2020

1647      1630      Witte Tornado 25342, 45444 at 1813 music programme

1633      1644      Dolfijn 25342 music programme

1610      1737      Anton 44444 music programme

1633      1810      Concorde 25332-354443 music programme

1630      1814      Sapporo 23432 music programme

1612      1830      Soto 25322 music programme

1611      1836      Admiraal 23432 testing

Saturday, April 4, 2020

1656      1706      Moonbreaker 45434 music programme

1633      1708      Concorde 25442 music programme

1647      1714      Keizer en Keizerin 35333-45444 music programme

1616      1718      Eigen Risico 25442 music programme

1617      2010      Turftrekker 55444-55555 music programme

1670      2012      Digitaal 45444 music programme

1638      2037      Philadelphia 24422 music programme

1638      2038      Boogschutter 24422 music programme

1657      2049      Turfsteker 35443-45444 music programme

1647      2110      Witte Tornado 55444 music programme

1633      2142      Polkaman 25322 music programme

1665      2147      Vonkenboer 25332 music programme

1657      2150      Monte Carlo 44444 report for Turfsteker

1660      2208      Monte Carlo 45444 report for Vonkenboer

1665      2210      Digitaal 55444 qsoing

Observations

●     Conditions this evening were superb, with some great signals coming in, even from some of the lower-powered stations. If you click on the Soundcloud file above you will hear recordings of Turftrekker, Turfsteker, Monte Carlo and Digitaal. 

●     There were fun and games on 1638 kHz with two stations from different parts of the Netherlands sharing the frequency for much of the evening. The result of this was one station fading up before fading away and the other station appearing. It was tricky to know whether I was listening to either Boogschutter or Philadelphia for most of the time, although by late in the evening only Philadelphia was left and his signal was doing very well for just 50 watts of transmitter power.

Friday, April 3, 2020

1611      1647      Zwarte Boer 25442 music programme

1650      1649      Nachtzwerver 35443 music programme

1615      1651      Derde Man music programme

1635      1652      Telefunken 25342 music programme

1640      1716      Casablanca 35333-45444 qsoing

1640      1719      Wegpiraat 25342 qsoing

1630      1747      Columbia 45444 qsoing

1631      1804      Wilskracht 35443 qsoing

1657      1807      Pecon 35343 qsoing

1620      1931      Eldorado 44444 music programme

1645      1932      Bluebird 55444 music programme

1665      1932      Digitaal 45444 music programme

1636      1932      Santana en Cobra 34433 music programme

1633      1933      Turftrekker 33433-44444 music programme

1611      1938      Veluwse Ster 44444 music programme

1655      1941      Kristal 45444 music programme

1673      2045      Armada 45434 music programme

1663      2052      Barones 55434 music programme. Later 1655 kHz

1615      2140      Blauwe Koe 44444 music programme

Observations

●     Lots of activity this evening, with signals making their way from the Netherlands to England some time before sunset. There were plenty of big readings on the meters, too, none more so than Radio Barones. Now there’s nothing new there, as Baro has long been one of the stronger pirates from the east of Holland. However, he has made some antenna adjustments, adding another quarter wave length to his inverted ‘L’ design which has resulted in an even stronger signal here and across Europe.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

1636      0550      Torpedojager 35343 music programme

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

1645      2130      Bluebird 55444 music programme

1638      2133      Philadelphia 24322 music programme

1631      2133      Polkaman 25232 music programme

1635      2212      Napoleon 45444 asking for report

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

1617      1948      Marianne 55444 music programme

1635      1949      Ros AM 55444 music programme

1635      2024      Napoleon 45444 qsoing

1638      2210      Spanningzoeker 55444 qsoing

1645      2215      Monte Carlo 35333 qsoing

1645      2217      Vonkenboer 25222 qsoing

1615      2218      Blauwe Koe 45434 qsoing

Monday, March 30, 2020

1647      1856      Oldtimer 35333 music programme      

1611      2116      Atlantic 42432 music programme

1640      2252      Casablanca 55444 qsoing

1656      2254      Snowman 35333 music programme

1636      2255      Spanningzoeker 55444 qsoing

1636      2258      Alabama 55444 qsoing

1615      2312      Blauwe Koe 55444 qsoing

Sunday, March 29, 2020

1630      1924      Twentana 35333-45444 music programme

1646      1924      Barones 35333-55555 music programme

1632      2110      Vonkenboer 35333 music programme

Saturday, March 28, 2020

1645      0640      Rietvink 35333 music programme

1616      0709      Bizon 45444 report for Rietvink

1634      0710      Hemmeling 35333 qsoing

1640      0716      Kleine Jopie 25332 qsoing

1617      0718      Blauwe Piraat 25332 qsoing

1645      0721      Rockin Billy 25442 qsoing

1645      0723      Noordzee 35443 qsoing

1617      0731      Noordster 35333 qsoing

1633      0733      Schaduwjager 45444 qsoing

1645      0744      Bonte Specht 25232 qsoing

1685      1850      Digitaal 45444 testing

1647      1851      Odynn 34433 testing new antenna

1630      1856      Concorde 34333 music programme

1611      1905      Zwarte Boer 33433 music programme

1638      1907      Philadelphia music programme

1655      1934      Moonbreaker 45444 music programme

1673      2018      Digitaal 45444

1665      2041      Vonkenboer 25332 music programme

1635      2059      Concorde 35333 music programme

1615      2111      Blauwe Koe 45434 music programme

1630      2135      Nimmerzorg 35333 qsoing

1642      2138      Jeneverstoker 24222 qsoing

Friday, March 27, 2020

1635      0640      Polka Express 35443-45444 music programme

1647      0644      Telefunken 25442 testing

1640      1821      Belladonna 33343 music programme

1655      1828      Baanbreker 24332 qsoing

1647      1833      Dageraad 35333 qsoing

1655      1834      Turfsteker 35333 qsoing

1645      1835      Hennie Veldwijk 25332 qsoing

1633      1838      Vrijevogel 24222 music programme

1656      1941      Skywire 25332 music programme

1645      2007      Vrolijke Mijnwerker 44444 music programme

1611      2129      Utopia 32432-44444 music programme

Thursday, March 26, 2020

1635      1952      Barones 45444 music programme

1655      2017      Veldwachter 35333 qsoing

1655      2020      Astronaut 25222 qsoing

1655      2026      Turfsteker 35433 qsoing

1655      2028      Meteoor 45444 qsoing

1655      2039      Vrolijke Mijnwerker 35443 qsoing

1665      2252      Vonkenboer 25222-35333 report for Barones

1630      2258      Polkaman 25222 music programme

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

1640      2017      Bluebird 55444 music programme

1665      2022      DIgitaal 35333-45444 qsoing

1633      2027      Turftrekker 44444 music programme

Monday, March 23, 2020

1647      2106      Oldtimer 45444 music programme

1656      2107      Vrolijke Mijnwerker 45434 music programme

1656      2225      Monte Carlo 45444-55555 report for Mijnwerker

1654      2253      Jeneverstoker 34333 qsoing

1640      2259      Casablanca 55444-55555 qsoing

1636      2304      OSM 35333 qsoing

Observations

●     I mentioned recently how I had heard that Vrolijke Mijnwerker was currently working with a significantly smaller transmitter, and there was clarification of that this evening when he announced an output power of just 50 watts. He was certainly doing very well, showcasing his antenna with a fine signal into the UK, just like OSM who again had a good signal with just 20 watts.