MW Free Radio: February update

Another weekend comes to an end and it's been a good one. Not necessarily lots of stations to listen to on 1.6 MHz during Saturday and Sunday, in fact activity levels were down on usual but what this meant was that I could spend longer listening to each station, which was an absolute pleasure.

Since I last posted I received a surprise email with a qsl from Radio Nachtrijder. I don't send many reception reports these days and this verification arrived because the station operator had seen my report on the blog, which was very kind.

So let's update the logbook with the stations I've heard recently, together with my thoughts and comments. As usual, the antenna at this side is the Wellbrook loop, together with the Kenwood R-5000 receiver.

Freq Time Station name SINPO (type of broadcast)

Sunday, February 11, 2024

1638 1552 Barones weak signal, 35443 at 1715, 45444 at 1801 (m)

1656 1715 De Klok weak signal (m)

1629 1822 Moonbreaker 25222 (m)

1648 1840 Perenboom 45444 (m)

1620 1843 King Kong 45444-55555 (m)

1640 1849 Mi Amigo 35333 (m)

1206 2018 Daniella 35333-45444 (m)

1629 2040 Delfzijl 45444 (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

As a member of various pirate WhatsApp groups I see lots of messages when stations are active, and I saw today that Radio Barones was busy with a Sunday afternoon programme. He often broadcasts at this time of the week and attracts plenty of listeners across the Netherlands. And at just before 4pm local time here in the UK I was able to join in the fun by listening to his signal on 1638 kHz. At that time - some way before sunset - the signal was not strong, but the noise level was low so I had the radio on quietly and listened to the signal gradually become stronger. An hour later and just a few minutes before sunset and the Baro was coming through loud and clear. I am lucky enough to have spent many hours in the secret studio and have seen first hand just how popular this veteran station is with listeners . . . the transmitter is switched on, the music plays and the phone starts ringing, beeping, buzzing, with calls and messages . . . it’s magical.
Once Baro had closed down, I retuned my receiver to listen to Radio King Kong on 1620. He plays some super music and his voice is tremendous . . . so relaxing.
Good to catch Radio Daniella from the Republic of Ireland coming in really well on the clear channel of 1206 kHz. It's a great in-band frequency and the signal was peaking well. Apparently they are running 500 watts.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

1665 1602 Digitaal 35443 (m)

1512 1604 Kameleon 25442 (m)

1670 2127 Technical Man 45444 (m)

1655 2127 Yogi Bear 45444 (m)

1645 2127 Schaduwjager 45444 (m)

1636 2128 Torpedojager 35443-45444 (m)

1620 2128 Philadelphia 24332 (m)

1629 2132 Frieloo 34333 (m)

1652 2147 Moby Dick 43443 (m)

Friday, February 9, 2024

1630 1557 Zeehond weak signal-25442 (m)

1654 1558 Turfsteker 25432 weak signal (m)

1619 1602 Zwarte Boekanier 25442 (m)

1630 1638 Zwarte Boekanier 25442 (q)

1670 1650 Digitaal 35333-45444 (m)

1670 1803 Noordzee 35333 (q)

1620 1804 King Kong 44444 (m)

1663 1853 Boomerang 45434-55555 (q)

1638 1856 Nachtzwerver 25442 (m)

1660 1920 Studio 19 34333 (q)

1660 1932 Luka 25222 (q)

1647 1948 Elko weak signal (m)

1619 2012 Vendor 33433 (m)

1655 2014 Kristal 45434 (m)

Thursday, February 8, 2024

1618 1602 Eigen Risico 25332, 35333 at 1647 (m)

1656 1621 Concorde 25222, 35333 at 1740 (m)

1640 1621 Musky 25332 (m)

1628 1631 Mi Amigo 35443 (m)

1635 1647 Stem van Twente 35333 (m)

1665 1708 Pontiac 45444 (m)

1647 1729 Moonbreaker 35333-45444 (m)

1625 1735 Marskramer 45444 (m)

1638 1752 Luka 34443-44444 (m)

1665 1752 Meteoor 45434 (q)

1664 1816 Digitaal 45444-55555 (q)

1660 1830 Meteoor 45444 (q)

1660 1835 Moonbreaker 44444 (q)

1660 1838 Concorde 34333 (q)

1636 1933 Mi Amigo 35333 (m)

1615 1948 Boogschutter 23432 (m)

1638 2151 Wilskracht 45434 (m)

1665 2152 Armada 35443 (m)

1620 2224 Polkaman 25232 (m)

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

1646 1558 Turfsteker weak signal-25342 (m)

1655 1607 Manolito 25322-35443 (m)

1670 1657 Digitaal 35443-55444 (m)

1620 1700 Schaduwjager 45444 (t) antenna test

1638 1722 Kleine Beer 35333 (m)

1629 1723 Winnetou 35433-45444 (t)

1621 1803 Turftrekker 45444

1634 1807 Boomerang 55444-55555 (m)

1615 1815 Turftrekker 45444 (t)

1648 1827 Turfsteker 35343

1656 1829 Luka 34443-45444 (m)
1645 1838 Meteoor 44444

1665 1844 Meteoor 45444 (q)

1648 1847 Nachtzwerver 34333 (m)

1665 1850 Moonbreaker 35333 (q)

1620 1909 Delfzijl 35443-45444 (m)

1660 1916 Studio 19 35333 (m)

1673 2034 Armada 35333 (m)

1629 2034 Spakenburg 45444 (m)

1647 2036 Florissant 35333 (m)

1638 2045 Kleine Beer 25222 (m)

1665 2248 Kleine Man 45444 (m)

1635 2242 Monte Carlo 35333 (q)

1635 2244 Electron 35333 (q)

Observations

A thoroughly fascinating evening listening to 1.6 MHz. The signals began to arrive at just before 4pm local time with Turfsteker and Manolito making the early running, with good conditions helping reception.
Those good conditions later gave me the best reception so far of Kleine Beer on 1638 kHz (sinpo 35333) and also of Radio Luka on 1656 kHz (sinpo 45444).
There were some other awesome signals to be heard throughout the evening, none more so than Boomerang, who hit the magic 55555 sinpo during his broadcast when his trademark powerful modulation could be heard.
There was a station testing on 1615 kHz who was also putting a magnificent signal into this location - his audio and modulation was also superb. It turns out to have been Turftrekker.
The activity on 1629 kHz was interesting as there were three pirates in one studio. The transmitter on air was that of Radio Winnetou, who was being helped by Twentana and Verona. The result was great to listen to, with a very well-modulated signal into the UK.
Good to hear Moonbreaker getting a fair signal over the North Sea with just 35 watts of power during his qso with Meteoor on 1665 kHz.
Listening to Kleine Man playing the blues on 1665 kHz at just before 11pm local time was a fine way to end the way while sipping on a lovely imperial stout!

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

1665 1652 Digitaal 35443, 55555 at 1749 (m)

1638 1757 Bonanza 25222-35333 (m)

1620 1757 Delfzijl 35333

1656 1759 Luka 35333 (m)

1647 1917 Elko weak signal-25222 (m)

1655 1926 Kristal 35333-45434 (m)

1620 1936 Marianne 45444 (m)

1660 2000 Black Power 35333-45444 (m)

1670 2007 Turftrekker 35333 (m)

Monday, February 5, 2024

1665 1729 Digitaal 45444 (m)

1629 1732 San Antonio weak signal (m)

1638 1805 Bluebird 45444-55555 (m)

1629 1818 Perenboom 35443-45444 (t)

1615 1903 Boogschutter 25222-35333 (m)

1648 1904 Oldtimer 55444 (m)

1629 1910 Verona 25322 (t)

1645 1912 Moonbreaker 22432 (t)

1656 1948 Armada 35333 (m)

Sunday, February 4, 2024

1665 1725 Digitaal 35333 (m)

1620 1730 Soto 25222 (m)

1660 1830 Black Power 35333 (m)

1642 1849 Noordzee 25222 (m)

1611 1906 Eigen Risico 25322 (m)

1638 1907 Turftrekker 35333-45444 (m)

1629 1924 Barones 35333-45444 (m)

1670 1930 Luka 25322 (t)

Saturday, February 3, 2024

1647 1751 Florrisant 35443 (m)

1620 1758 King Kong 35333-45444 (m)

1638 1823 Johnny Camaro 35333-45444 (m)

1494 1824 Twentse Gejengel weak signal-23222 (m)

1613 1917 Eigen Risico weak signal-23332 (m)

1629 1934 Delfzijl 35333 (m)

1655 1947 Simplex 24222 (m)

1645 1952 Turftrekker 35333-45444 (m)

1642 2229 Blauwe Koe 35333-45444 (m)

1655 2230 Turfsteker 25222-35333 (m)

1622 2311 Polkaman weak 24322 (m)

1620 2311 Philadelphia weak signal-24322 (m)

Friday, February 2, 2024

1665 1656 Digitaal 35333 (m)

1620 1753 Derde Man 25322 (m)

1665 1825 Meteoor 35333 (m)

1638 1827 Bonanza 25332-35333 (m)

1629 1843 Stem van Twente 25332 (m)

1665 1905 Delfzijl 45444-55555 (m)

Thursday, February 1, 2024

1665 1642 Digitaal 35333-45444 (m)

1620 1656 Interpol 35333 (m)

1635 1757 Pandora 35333-45444 (m)

1656 1809 Luka 25222-35333 (m)

1620 1824 Meteoor 35333-45444 (q)

1646 1840 Eigen Risico 25322-35333 (m)

1620 1909 Houthakker 25332-35333 (m)

1645 1933 Marconsist 45444 (m)

1638 1940 Kleine Beer weak signal-25222 (m)

1629 1953 Spakenburg 45444 (m)

1625 2011 Marskramer 24322-34443 (m)

1670 2227 Matrix 25332 (m)

1629 2228 Monte Carlo 35333 (q)

1641 2234 Monte Carlo 34333 (q)

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

1665 1655 Digitaal 35333, 45434 at 1822 (m)

1643 1708 Drukstroomjager 35333 (m)

1629 1736 Mike 35333 (m)

1665 1854 Meteoor 35433 (q)

1636 1905 Torpedojager 23432 (q)

1494 1919 Blackbeard 35333 (m)

1655 1926 Turftrekker 35333 (q)

1665 1940 Noordzee 35333 (q)

1655 1942 Mike 45444 (q)

1620 1947 Philadelphia 25222 (m)

1647 1956 Vonkentrekker weak signal (m)

1642 1959 Noordzee 35333 (q)

1660 2004 Vonkentrekker weak signal (m)

1645 2009 Turfsteker 25332-35333 (q)

1648 2021 Turfsteker 35443 (m)

1630 2045 Orban 45444-55555 (m)

Monday, January 29, 2024

1636 1738 Gouden Sterre 35333 (m)

1618 1739 Zwarte Boekanier 25222-35333 (m)

1512 1800 Kameleon 32432-45444 (t)

1635 1805 Pandora 35333-45444 (m)

1665 1820 Black Power 45444

1646 1830 Oldtimer 35333-45444 (m)

1635 1902 Moonlight 25342 (m)

1629 1907 Columbia 35333-45444 (m)

1622 2235 Professor Sickbok 45444 (m)

1638 2238 Bluebird 45444 (m)

1644 2239 Monte Carlo 34333-44444 (m)

Sunday, January 28, 2024

1629 1648 Stem van Twente 25322 (m)

1620 1651 Soto 25322 (m)

Saturday, January 27, 2024
1629 1636 Stem van Twente weak signal-25322 (m)
1638 1637 Tarzan weak signal-25322 (m)
1665 1645 Digitaal 45444 (m)
1620 1649 Hemmeling 35433 (q)
1620 1655 Philadelphia 25222-weak signal (m)
1647 1726 Moonbreaker 35333 (m)
1638 1733 Kleine Beer 25332 (m)
1673 1822 Armada 35333 (m)
1629 1829 Turftrekker 35333-45444 (m)
1665 1830 Matrix weak signal-25222 (m)
1655 1920 Eigen Risico 35333 (m)
1636 1923 Gouden Ster 44444 (m)
1629 2236 Blauwe Koe 45434 (m)
1644 2236 Mebo 2 24322 (q)
1652 2238 Moby Dick 34333 (m)
1675 2238 Matrix 34333 (m)
1684 2239 Noordzee 34333 (m)
1645 2241 Ijsvogel 24332 (q)
1638 2244 Nachtzwerver 35333 (q)
1648 2245 Perenboom 34333-44444 (m)
1640 2248 Mebo 2 24222 (q)

Friday, January 26, 2024
1665 1645 Digitaal 55444-55555 (m)
1620 1651 Hong Kong 44444 (m)
1635 1733 Pandora 35333-45444 (m)
1640 1845 Moonbreaker 35333 (t)
1629 1905 Luka 35333 (m)

Thursday, January 25, 2024
1665 1318 Digitaal weak signal (m)
1630 1705 Eigen Risico (m)
1646 1706 Rietvink 25332 (m)
1620 1725 Zwarte Bouvier 24322 (m)
1635 1729 Bonanza 25332 (m)
1670 1729 Matrix weak signal (m)
1629 1839 Marskramer 35333 (m)
1660 1840 Studio 19 35333 (m)
1648 1856 Baanbreker 25222
1638 1954 Wilskracht 35333 (m)
1638 2150 Delfzijl 35333 (m)
1648 2157 Kleine Piraat (Eigen Risico) 25232 (m)
1636 2214 Romax 25322 (q)
1670 2230 Matrix 25322 (q)
1670 2236 Monte Carlo 35222 (q)
1638 2237 Nachtzwerver 35322 (q)

Monday, January 22, 2024
1629 1553 Stem van Twente 25422 (t)
1611 1606 Zwarte Man 25442 (t)
1665 1623 Digitaal 35443, 55544 at 1728 (m)
1620 1626 Zwarte Boekanier 25442 (m)
1638 1725 Dikke Berta 35333 (t)
1674 1728 Noordzee 25432 (m)
1655 1820 Kristal 25322 (r)

Sunday, January 21, 2024

1616 1735 Noordzee 24332, 35343 at 1811 (m)

1638 1739 Bluebird 45444 (m)

1620 1740 Soto 24332 (m)

1647 1758 Witte Tornado 34333 (m)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

1638 1448 Dikke Berta 35443 (q)

1620 1454 Interpol weak signal-25442 (m)

1607 1558 Baanbreker en Moskou weak signal

1638 1603 Luka 25332 (m)

1627 1605 Hemmeling weak signal-25332 (m)

1647 1606 Nachtzwerver weak signal

1646 1701 Rietvink 25332 (m)

1655 1730 Eigen Risico weak signal (m)

1620 1730 Schaduwjager 45444 (q) report for Hemmeling

1638 1738 Johnny Camaro 25332-35333 (m)

1639 1756 Lotus 54444 (r)

Friday, January 19, 2024

1647 1858 Moonbreaker 35333 (m)

1620 1901 Philadelphia 25332 (m)

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

1638 1714 Luka 35443 (m)

1629 1715 San Antonio weak signal-25332 (m)

1647 1725 Eigen Risico 35443 (m)

1620 1741 Robin Hood 25442 (t)

1620 1806 Stem vanaf Drenthe 35443 (q)

1620 1815 Zorro 35443-45444 (q)

1629 1847 Spakenburg 45444 (t)

1638 1854 Kleine Beer 34433 (m)

1665 2140 Kleine Man 45434 (m)

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

1633 1620 Robin Hood 25442 (m)

1670 1638 Black Power 35443-45444 (m)

1638 1722 Pontiac 55444-55555 (m)

1660 1749 Caballero 45444 (q)

1647 1751 San Antonio weak signal-25332 (m)

1654 1828 Turfsteker 25222-35333 (m)

1636 1847 Gouden Ster 35333 (m)

1647 1900 Columbia 35443-55444 (m)

1620 1950 Marianne 45434 (m)

1660 2048 Wilskracht 35333 (m)

Observations

Here's how my pal Nige in Birmingham was receiving Marianne this evening with his home-made loop antenna and transistor radio he has recently got working again:

Monday, January 15, 2024