Morning radio. And afternoon. And evening

I was out of bed nice and early today, made a cup of tea, popped on my slippers and headed to the radio room where I hoped there would be plenty of Dutch MW pirates already at work. And I wasn't disappointed. Although propagation conditions remain up and down, I heard plenty of stations before breakfast and throughout the day, following on from a busy Friday. Here is the list of the stations I heard:

Freq Time Station name SINPO

Saturday, December 5, 2020

1616 0648 Eigen Risico 25332 (q)

1635 0650 Havanna 55434 (q)

1645 0651 Bonte Specht 25322-35333 (m)

1633 0652 Barcelona 35333 (q)

1620 0654 Noordster 45444 (q)

1630 0656 Noordzee 35434 (q)

1620 0743 Mosfet 25322 (q)

1636 0752 Vendor weak signal

1632 1550 Karabijn 35443

1670 1559 Digitaal 35443 (m)

1660 1603 Spakenburg 25332 (q)

1660 1609 Concorde 25332 (q)

1615 1624 Mascotte weak signal (t)

1632 1634 Vendor 35443 (m)

1656 1704 Concorde 25222-35333 (m)

1645 1727 Casablanca (Twente) 25332 (m)

1615 1731 Zwarte Boekanier 35222-35333

1660 2140 Technical Man 45434 (m) 

1645 2141 Yogi Bear 35333 (m)

1636 2141 Mi Amigo 35333 (m)

1652 2147 Moby Dick 34333, 45444 at 2356 (m)

1640 2302 Nachtzwerver 24222-34333 (t)

1625 2313 Nachtzwerver 25222-35333 (t)

1625 2320 Monte Carlo 35333 (q)

1670 2352 Monte Carlo 45444 (q)

(m) = station was broadcasting a music programme
(q) = station was qsoing
(r) = station asking for a reception report from another station
(t) = station was testing

Observations

• It was lovely to catch Havanna qsoing today. I visited him a few years ago and, once I’ve met a station operator and spent some time with them, it is always extra special whenever I hear them on air. And the signal was superb, too.
• Bonte Specht was spinning some records on 1645 kHz this morning which made a change as I don’t hear this station too often. Also from the Veluwe, Vendor was doing a good job on 1632 kHz during the late afternoon with a decent signal. I especially enjoyed his singing!
• There was a new name for me on 1615 kHz. While the signal was only weak, I was able to hear some music and found out the station was Mascotte, carrying out a modulation test. Always good to hear different pirates from the Netherlands, and this one goes on to the list I will publish early next month of all the stations I’ve listened to during 2020.
• As well as the Dutch pirates on air today, there was some action from closer to home here in the UK. The 15 watt transmitter of Radio Pandora - usually heard on shortwave - was being tested with non-stop music on a variety of frequencies throughout the afternoon and evening, including 1670 kHz, 1660, 1655, 1690 and 1687. The signal here was good and I'm looking forward to catching this British station on the band again soon, to go with Buzz, who have also been heard several times recently.

Friday, December 4, 2020

1629 1335 Napoleon 25342 (m)

1633 1504 Barones weak signal, 25222-35333 at 1619 CD (m)

1628 1632 Mustang 25222-35333 (m)

1655 1645 Belladonna 25222-35333 (m)

1665 1713 Digitaal 35443 (m)

1629 1727 Akai 25332 (q)

1640 1751 Turfsteker 25332-35333 (m)

1611 1754 Derde Man weak signal (m)

1620 1810 Admiraal 35333 (m)

1638 1841 Kaaiman 25332 (q)

1637 1847 Baanbreker 25322 (q)

1620 1850 Monza 35443 (q)

1620 1900 Akai 25222 (q)

1630 1910 Sapporo 25222 (m)

1640 1918 Columbia 35333 (m)

1618 2301 Uniek 24222 (m)

1625 2302 Bluebird 45444 (m)

1650 2307 Yogi Bear en Dr Einstein 45444 (m)

1640 2338 Casablanca 55444 (q)

1618 2355 Blauwe Fazant weak signal (q)

Observations

• Interesting conditions today. I heard a carrier and some bursts of music on 1654 kHz at 1033 local time - usually nothing makes it to the UK mid-morning. Three hours later Napoleon was coming through on 1629 kHz, and 90 minutes after that it was possible to hear Barones on 1633 kHz, albeit with generally weak signals.
• By around 5pm signals were improving and it was great to hear my old friend Mustang on the air. I have been threatening to visit his place for many years now, and hope that perhaps 2021 will finally be the one! Fancy a visitor this summer, Mr Mustang?
• Just like on Thursday evening, it was quite late by the time signals reached their usual peak, with Yogi Bear on 1650 kHz, Bluebird (1625) and Casablanca (1640) coming in with their regular sort of strength.