Return of the blog!

It's the first day of September, which means that in the meteorological calendar it's the first day of autumn. For me, the third season of the year doesn't begin until September 23 but, whatever you believe, it is safe to say the leaves will soon be falling from the trees, the days will be getting shorter, the nights will be getting longer, our energy bills will be going up - and, happily, it will soon be the best time of the year for me to hear Dutch pirates on 1.6 MHz!

As regular viewers of the blog will know, I am not so active during the summer months with reporting what I've heard as generally there is not so much for me to hear. However, I have regularly been turning the dials - yes, the listening room here is still full of radios rather than computers and SDRs - and making a note of what I have heard. So, here is my list, together with some observations, going back to the beginning of April.

Freq Time Station name SINPO

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

1620 1815 Radio 60 35443, 45444 at 1949 (m)

1640 1816 Batavier 35333, 45444 at 1935 (m)

1611 1850 Twentana 35333 (m)

1655 1858 Kristal 34333-44444 (m)

1665 1859 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 (m)

1660 1900 Studio 19 23322 (m)

1630 1911 Ascona 24222 (t)

1494 1940 Rock Revolution 25322 (m)

1647 2137 Jeneverstoker 25222 (q)

1636 2143 Noordzee 35333-45344 (m)

(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

• Some interesting catches this evening, kicking off with German station Radio 60, who could be heard using 1620 kHz, presumably via a powerful Dutch relay. The signal started off fair when I first tuned in, but it was blasting in by 8pm. A pleasure to listen to, with powerful and deep audio. Love the vibrancy of the German presenting style as well!
• I hadn’t heard Radio Ascona for a while, so it was a nice surprise to catch him testing on 1630 kHz. The signal was okay, sometimes overtaken by noise, but the antenna height at transmission side was only six metres. There are imminent plans to increase that to 20-plus metres and the difference is sure to be noticeable, especially at distance.
• Rock Revolution from the UK is becoming quite regular on 1494 kHz. As is usually the case, the broadcast was made in parallel with 5880 kHz, on which reception was considerably better at this location.

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

1629 1851 Bluebird 45444 (m)

1618 1853 Marianne 35443 (m)

Monday, August 29, 2022

1647 1755 Dikke Bertha weak signal, 45444 at 1839 (m)

1620 1811 Zwarte Boekanier weak signal, 25322 at 1844 (m)

1638 1838 Nachtzwerver 25332 (t)

1629 1853 Vrije Vogel 25332 (m)

1660 1900 Studio 19 35333 (t)

Observations

• Autumn is coming. Signals can now be heard before 1800 UTC (1900 British time, 2000 Dutch time) at my location in England. Sure, Dikke Bertha was only weak when I heard him at 1755 today, but it was still good to find the signal before sunset, a clear sign propagation is changing and that as the shorter days approach, the window for listening to Dutch pirates here in the UK becomes ever longer. 

Sunday, August 28, 2022

1620 1900 King Kong 34333 (m)

1626 1903 Orban 45444 (m)

1647 1903 Al Capone 25222-35333 (m)

1539 1906 Mike 24332-34443 (t)

1656 1919 Mike 45444 (t)

1636 1946 Twee Gebroeders 35333 (m)

Observations

• An interesting comparison this evening with Mike Radio in test mode on two different frequencies - one inside the traditional MW band on 1539 kHz and the other up on 1656 kHz. Use of the in-band channels is sure to increase now more and more legal stations are permanently switching off their transmitters, and it was good to hear Mike on this different frequency. He was, however, consistently stronger up on 1.6 MHz, using a dipole antenna for both experiments.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

1645 1822 Batavier 25222-35333 (m)

1630 1832 Meteoor 35333 (q)

1636 1838 Marconist 35333 (q)

1660 1850 Studio 19 weak signal-25322 (m)

1657 1910 Uitzendkracht 25332 (t)

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

1618 1855 Marianne 35333-45444 (m)

1629 1902 Bluebird 45444 (m)

1675 2117 Digitaal 55444-55555 (m)

1638 2118 Armada 45444 (m)

Monday, August 22, 2022

1620 1826 Zwarte Boekanier 25342, 35333 at 1926 (m)

1645 1845 Oldtimer 35333 (m)

1655 1848 Yogi Bear 45444 (m)

1633 1926 Mike 25332-35333 (t)

1620 1939 Spanningzoeker 35333-45444 (q) report for Boekanier

1627 1943 Spakenburg 34333-44444 (m)

Sunday, August 21, 2022

1665 1934 Matrix 25222-35333 (m)

1620 1935 Al Capone 25332-35333 (m)

1629 1936 Jack Sparrow 25332-35333 (m)

1639 1938 Tahiti 24222 (m)

Thursday, August 18, 2022

1655 1815 Marskramer 25332 (m)

1638 1818 Nachtzwerver weak signal (m)

1620 1907 Luka 25322 (m)

1635 2026 Pandora 45444 (m)

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

1655 1805 Yogi Bear 25222, 35443 at 1821, 45444 at 1940 (m)

1512 1954 Batavia 34232 (m)

1665 1958 De Klok 25232 (m)

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

1620 1715 Zwarte Boekanier weak signal (m)

1636 1720 Moonbreaker weak signal (m)

1629 1745 Bluebird 25222 (m)

1653 1751 Eigen Risico weak signal (m)

1660 1816 Studio 19 25222 (m)

1618 1937 Marianne 45444 (m)

Monday, August 15, 2022

1647 1820 Nachtzwerver weak signal (m)

1625 1852 Akai weak signal, 35333 at 1924 (t)

1638 1933 Boogschutter 25222 (m) 

1647 1934 Oldtimer 45444 (m)

Friday, August 12, 2022

1629 2008 Concorde 25222-35333 (t) testing new antenna

1660 2010 Dikke Bertha 55444 (m)

1620 2013 Philadelphia weak signal (m)

1673 2018 Vonkenboer 25222

1673 2050 Kristal 35333-45434 (t)

Saturday, August 7, 2022

1440 2103 Energy Power Am 35433 (m)

1629 2105 Blauwe Koe 55444 (m)

1655 2106 Kristal 45444 (m)

1648 2118 Pereboom 32422-44444 (m)

Friday, August 5, 2022

1656 2136 Yogi Bear 55444 (m)

1665 2138 Matrix 25222-35333 (m)

1642 2139 Monte Carlo 35333-45444 (m)

1620 2141 Johnny Depp 23322-35333 (m)

1635 2200 Pandora 45444 (q)

Thursday, August 4, 2022

1627 2105 Turftrekker 45444 (m)

1620 2107 Spanningzoeker 44444 (q)

1620 2112 Meteoor 44444 (q)

1645 2113 Turfsteker 25222-35333 (m)

1620 2122 Vonkenboer 35333 (q)

1655 2137 Turfsteker 25222-35333 (m)

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

1629 2008 Bootsman 25222-35443 (m)

1620 2008 Luka 24322 (m)

1638 2008 Alabama 54444 (m)

1656 2009 Snowman 24332 (m)

1673 2009 Vonkenboer 25332, 35443 at 2047 (m)

1660 2011 Kristal 35443 (m)

1647 2029 Armada 34333 (q) report for Kristal

1638 2045 Spakenburg 45444-55544 (m)

1660 2100 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55544 (m)

1620 2057 Al Capone 35333 (m) 

1629 2107 Turftrekker 45444-55544 (m)

1673 2128 Noordzee 35333 (q)

1638 2131 Morgenster 21521 (q) 

Sunday, July 31, 2022

1637 2026 Scotland 34333 (m)

1647 2027 Witte Tornado 35443 (m)

1629 2027 Blauwe Koe 45444 (m)

1621 2027 Soto 24322-34433 (m)

1655 2028 Kristal 34433 (m)

1665 2028 Matrix 24322, 35333 at 2144 (m)

1512 2032 Blackbeard 24432 (m)

1440 2036 Energy Power Am 24422-44444 (m)

1655 2138 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55544 (m)

Observations

• Radio Scotland is one of those stations I always enjoy hearing. I've known operator Albert for many years and have visited his studio several times. He's perhaps better-known for his exploits on SW, but he pops up on the MW every now and again as well. Here's a little look into the transmitter room that I found on his YouTube channel:

 

Saturday, July 30, 2022

1638 2130 Turftrekker 45434 (t)

1646 2131 Turfsteker 24322-35333 (m)

1655 2131 Yogi Bear 44444-55544 (m)

1660 2131 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 54444 (m)

1620 2159 Polkaman 25332-35443 (m)

1652 2202 Moby Dick 35333-44434 (m)

1635 2230 Pandora 55444 (m)

Thursday, July 28, 2022

1638 1915 Turftrekker 35333, 45444 at 2009 (m)

1629 1916 Bluebird 35333, 45444 at 2009 (m)

1620 1930 Zorro 25332, 35443 at 2010 (m)

1695 2009 Digitaal 55444 (t)

1494 2158 Rock Revolution 25222 (m)

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

1620 1847 Alabama 25222-35333 (m)

1655 1851 Marskramer 25222-353333 (m)

1667 1852 Digitaal 35333 (m)

1635 1858 Alaska 25222 (m)

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

1618 1901 Marianne 25332 (m)

1615 1920 Zwarte Boekanier 24332, 35333 at 1929 (m)

Monday, July 25, 2022

1647 1827 Zwarte Man 25332, 35333 at 1930 (m)

1620 1942 Al Capone 25222 (m)

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

1630 2136 Vatje 69 25222-35333 (t)

Sunday, July 10, 2022

1494 2135 Rock Revolution 25222-35443 (m)

1655 2140 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 45444 (m)

1643 2215 Jeneverstoker 25322 (m)

1440 2255 Energy Power Am 25332 (m)

Sunday, July 3, 2022

1695 1918 Digitaal 35443 (m)

1647 1920 Witte Tornado 25332 (m)

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

1646 2105 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 45444 (m)

Observations

• Found a great video on YouTube of reception of Vrolijke Mijnwerker using no fancy radios or antennas. They're not always necessary, as you can see here:

 

Thursday, June 9, 2022

1655 1745 Yogi Bear 25332 (m)

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

1663 1929 Digitaal 25442 (m)

1618 1930 Marianne 25332 (m)

Thursday, May 26, 2022

1638 1910 Bluebird 35333 (m)

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

1670 1940 Vonkentrekker weak signal (m) 

1645 1943 Casablanca (Twente) weak signal (m)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

1618 1922 Marianne 35443 (m)

1638 1923 Bluebird 35443 (m)

Sunday, May, 22, 2022

1647 1930 Witte Tornado 45444 (m)

1636 1932 Eigen Risico 35333 (m)

1655 1935 Witte Raaf 35333 (m)

1690 1936 Digitaal 55444 (m)

1440 2104 Energy Power AM 35433 (m)

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

1629 1916 Marskramer 25442-35443 (m)

1647 1930 Veluwse Ster 45444 (m)

1655 1938 Marconist 35333 (m)

1690 2104 Digitaal 55344 (m)

1638 2104 Bluebird 25222-45344 (m)

Monday, May 16, 2022

1629 1820 Bluebird 25332 (m)

1645 1922 Oldtimer 35333 (m)

1620 1923 Zorro 25322 (m)

Sunday, May 15, 2022

1620 1809 Dikke Bertha 25332 (m)

1655 2058 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55344 (m)

1655 2059 Witte Raaf 25222-35333 (m)

1690 2101 Digitaal 55344 (m)

1635 2203 Pandora 45333-55344 (m)

Observations

• It’s raining heavily right now with storms sweeping parts of the UK. A result of that is lots of static on the band tonight. So it’s a good job some of the Dutch big-hitters are on air because they have the power to ride that storm and still deliver a decent signal into the UK. 
• Vrolijke Mijnwerker is on 1655 kHz, while Digitaal can be heard up on 1690. The static is noticeable, but it doesn’t detract a great deal from the listening experience - I rather like a bit of noise and fading sometimes as it stamps a certain amount of authenticity on the hobby. Sometimes a perfect clean and stable signal is just a bit too easy!
• Witte Raaf has also been broadcasting tonight. He often puts in a mighty fine signal here despite running much less power than many other stations. Listening this time was far more of a challenge than usual, however, as he was getting battered by all the static - real AM radio!

Saturday, May 14, 2022

1670 1752 Digitaal 25332 (m)

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

1620 1741 Alabama 25442 (m)

1620 1925 Mosfet 45444 (q) report for Alabama

1629 1926 Marskramer 35443 (m)

Observations

• I made a quick scan of 1.6 MHz several times during the late afternoon and early evening before I heard my first station. It was 1741 UTC when I heard Cyndi Lauper coming through on 1620 kHz and then an announcement from Radio Alabama. He was surprised I could hear him so long before the sun went down, and so was I. The signal was not strong, but steady and listenable.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

1655 2120 Corona 34333 (m)

1665 2130 Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 (m)

1650 2217 Jeneverstoker 25332-35333 (q)

Monday, May 9, 2022

1645 1757 Oldtimer, 45444 at 1907 (m)

1629 1840 Admiraal 25332-35442 (m)

1620 1842 Zorro 25322 (m)

1640 1907 Columbia 45444 (m)

1629 1924 Bizon 35333 (m)

1656 1951 Eigen Risico 35333 (m)

Saturday, May 7, 2022

1636 2057 Barones 44444-55444 (t)

1629 2057 Marskramer 44444 (m)

1647 2058 Keizer en Keizerin 35333 (m)

1625 2122 Turftrekker 45444 at 2257 (m)

1636 2141 Mi Amigo 35443 (q) report for Barones

1652 2145 Moby Dick 45444 (m)

1670 2241 Monte Carlo 35333 (m)

Thursday, May 5, 2022

1620 1802 Mike 35333 (m)

1647 1834 Moonbreaker 25332 (m)

1629 1840 Quintus 35333 (m)

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

1664 1743 Digitaal 35333 (m)

1620 1807 Zorro 25332 (m)

1618 1850 Marianne 35443-45444 (m)

Saturday, April 30, 2022

1620 1830 Schaduwjager 35333 (m)

1629 1830 Blauwe Koe 35333 (m)

1655 1832 Yogi Bear 35333 (m)

1670 1838 Melkbus weak signal (m)

1696 1842 Digitaal 45444 (m)

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

1658 1841 Turfsteker 25442 (m)

1638 1842 Luka 25332 (m)

1631 1842 Eigen Risico 25222 (m)

Sunday, April 24, 2022

1629 1728 Bluebird 25332, 45444 at 1842 (m)

1670 1811 Digitaal 45444 (m)

1636 1905 Mi Amigo 35333 (m)

Saturday, April 23, 2022

1656 1736 Nachtzwerver 25332, 35443 at 1825 (m)

1629 1737 Bluebird 25322, 45444 at 1810 (m)

1620 1747 Eigen Risico 25342 (m)

1647 1801 Keizer en Keizerin 25332-35333 (m)

Monday, April 18, 2022

1620 1703 Alabama 25342, 44444 at 1858 (m)

1655 1800 Yogi Bear 25442-35443 (t)

1620 1831 King Kong (m) mixing with Alabama

1645 1833 Oldtimer 35443 (m)

1629 1834 Bluebird 35333-45444 (m)

Monday, April 11, 2022

1645 1815 Oldtimer 35443 (m)

1629 1822 Bluebird 35443 (m)

Sunday, April 10, 2022

1715 2005 Digitaal 55444 (m)

1675 2006 Matrix 25332 (m)

1665 2006 Technical Man 45444-55555 (m)

1655 2007 Witte Raaf 35333-45444 (m)

1645 2007 Alabama 55444-55555 (m)

1638 2007 Ruimzicht en Boogschutter 25222 (m)

1440 2155 Energy AM 34443 (m)

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

1630 1746 Vossenjager 25332 (m)

1620 1810 Pecon 35443 (q)

1645 1812 Baanbreker 24222 (q)

1617 1837 Marianne 35443-45444 (m)

1638 1852 Luka 25222 (m)

Monday, April 4, 2022

1631 1625 Vendor 25222 (m)

1640 1626 Kleine Man 25222 (m)

1629 1709 Schaduwjager 45444 (q)

1629 1714 Turftrekker 25332-35443 (q)

1620 1715 Al Capone 25222-35333 (m)

1646 1738 Eigen Risico 25332-35333 (m)

1629 1755 Luka 25332 (m)