As we enter 2021 I will continue with an annual tradition where I look back at the last 12 months and compile an A-Z of all the stations I've heard. And while the world was a confused place for much of 2020 as the coronavirus took hold and brought many lives to a virtual standstill, our small bubble of pirate radio was thriving as station operators switched on their transmitters to offer some light relief and to pass the time while many had their employment put on hold. So much so that a huge tally of 203 stations were heard at my location in England during the last year - always with my own receivers and never with a web receiver.
This figure is a massive boost from 2019 when I heard just 129 Dutch MW pirates. In 2018, some 154 pirate signals were heard over here, while in 2017 the number was 172, in 2016 it was 167 and in 2015 it was 185.
I certainly don't claim to have heard every single MW pirate in the Netherlands during 2020, and it is very possible that the number of stations operating is much closer to 300 given there are many daytime low-power operators who I don't get to hear. However, it was wonderful to break the 200-mark, showing the highest level of activity at the top of the MW band for at least six years.
These are the stations I heard, and I would like to thank each and every one of these broadcasters for switching on your transmitters during the last 12 months. I am sure your transmissions have been a lifeline for many people during troubled times, when a friendly voice kept up the spirits while the world seemed a very different place to the one we are used to:
807
813
Admiraal
Akai
Alabama
Alice
Alpenjager (Groningen)
Anton
Arizona
Armada
Astronaut
Atlantic
Avia
Baanbreker
Baansluiper
Barcelona
Barones
Batavier
Bavaria
Belladonna
Billy de Bluffer
Bizon
Black Molly
Blackstone
Blauwe Fazant
Blauwe Karabijn
Blauwe Koe
Blauwe Piraat
Bluebird
Boerenzwaluw
Bonte Specht
Boogschutter
Boomerang
Bootsman
Boskabouter
Bos Piraat
Brugwachter
Casablanca (Emmen)
Casablanca (Twente)
Columbia
Concorde
Curacao
Dageraad
De Kat
De Klap
De Klok
Derde Man
De Oudeman
Digitaal
Dolfijn
Dr Bloe
Driland
Drukstroomjager
Duranza
Dutchman
Eigen Risico
Eldorado
Electron
Eskimo
Ethervogel
Flamingo
Friese Piraat
Harrie
Havana
Hemmeling
Ijsvogel
Interpol
Jack Sparrow
Jeneverstoker
Johnny Camaro
Johnny Depp
Johnny Pecon
Josje Power
Kaaiman
Kamelenboer
Karabijn
Keizer en Keizerin
Klaverboer
Kleine Jopie
Kleine Man
Kristal
Linda
Lotus
Marconist
Marianne
Marskramer
Mascotte
Matrix
Mebo 2
Melkbus
Meteoor
Mi Amigo
Mike
Musky
Mustang
Moby Dick
Moonbreaker
Mondeo
Monte Carlo
Monza
Morgenster
Mosfet
Nachtrijder
Nachtzwerver
Napoleon
Nimmerzorg
Noordster
Noordzee
Odynn
Oldtimer
Oliebollenbakkers
Omega
Orban
Osaka
OSM
Poema
Polidor
Polka Express
Polkaman
Pontiac
Professor Sickbok
Quiksilver
Quintus
Rebel
Rietvink
Rockin Billy
Rode Rover
Rode Ster
Romax
Ros Am
Ruimzicht
Ruisbreker
Santana en Cobra
Sapporo
Schaduwjager
Scotland
Shetland
Silvia
Simplex
Skywire
Snowman
Soerabaya
Soto
Spanningzoeker
Spakenburg
Speedygonzales
Technical Man
Telefunken
Torpedojager (Twente)
Topedojager (NWO)
Toulouse
Tower
Turfsteker
Turftrekker
Twee Gebroeders
Twentana
Uitzendkracht
Ultra
Uniek
Utopia
Veldwachter
Veluwse Ster
Vendor
Viking en Tante Foeke
Vliegende Hollander
Vliegende Hollander (Friesland)
Vliegenfluiter
Vloedgolf
Vonkenboer
Vonkentrekker
Vossenjager
Vriendschap
Vrijevogel
Vrolijke Mijnwerker
Vuilnisman
Weduwe
Wegpiraat
Wilskracht
Witte Duif
Witte Raaf
Witte Tornado
Yogi Bear
Zeelandia
Zeepiraat
Zeewolf
Zwarte Arabier
Zwarte Boekanier
Zwarte Boer
Zwarte Man
Zwarte Panter
Zwarte Panter (Friesland)
Zwarte Piraat
Zwarte Ridder
Zwolse Vliegenvanger
And there you have it - an incredible year of activity in one list. A few operators are included twice with their alternative names, but I include these every year so comparisons are fair. I'll be be doing the same thing at the start of 2022 - and just maybe the total will be even higher next time!
We wish you a happy and healthy 2021 and thank you for the interest and reports for the radio pirates from Holland
ReplyDeletegreetings from Vliegende Hollander.