Great time of the year

The clocks have changed since we last posted, which means it is now possible to hear the Dutch pirates at our location in England at least an hour earlier than previously. And with the days becoming shorter, the window for hearing the stations from across the North Sea will gradually become greater. It is now possible to hear signals arriving from around 1500 UTC (1600 Dutch time).

I remember a few years ago hearing Schaduwjager at around 1300, and during the winter I can regularly hear stations until around 0900, which means near round-the-clock reception during the weeks ahead.

As I type, on Tuesday evening, the band is very quiet. It was nice to catch low-power Skywire a little earlier, and on Monday night, too, when Malibu was also doing very well with just 60 watts.

One of the reasons for the low activity could be because of further intervention from Agentschap Telecom, who continue to keep a close eye on pirate activity, visiting studios and sending warning letters to stations they can locate. Among those pirates recently believed to have been contacted by the Dutch government body responsible for policing the airwaves are Turfsteker, Batavier, Concordia, Zwarte Panter and Twentana.

It's been a while since I updated the list of stations heard, so let's sort that out now:

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

1640       1823       Skywire 25232 music programme

1611       1827       Blauwe Panda 25222-35443 music programme

1630       2008       Marianne 45444 music programme

Monday, November 7, 2016

1636       1459       Zwarte Boekanier 35343, 45444 at 1519 music programme

1645       1500       Casablanca 25232 music programme

1627       1520       Noordzee 35333 report for Casablanca

1638       1730       Admiraal 35333 qsoing

1635       1738       Digitaal 45444 qsoing

1647       1757       Skywire 24332 qsoing

1640       1852       Veronica 35333-45444 music programme

1620       1930       Malibu 25222-35333 testing antenna

1635       1942       Bluebird 55444 music programme

1665       2011       Digitaal 45444 testing

1670       2051       Noorderzon 25322

Sunday, November 6, 2016

1620       0600       Zonnester 45444 music programme

1620       0717       Johan 35333-45444 report for Zonnester

1620       0730       Edelkampioen 45444 qsoing 

Saturday, November 5, 2016

1665       1840       Noorderzon 25222 music programme

1630       1845       Yogi Bear en Eninstein 35343 music programme

1636       1850       Keizer en Keizerin 25222-35333 music programme

1648       2000       Moby Dick 45333-45444 music programme

1625       2317       Spotvogel 35333 music programme

1633       2322       Barcelona 45333-45444 qsoing

1629       2325       Noordzee 35333 qsoing

1636       2328       Romax 45333 qsoing

Monday, October 31, 2016

1620       1624       Zwarte Boekanier 35443 qsoing

1620       1635       Zwarte Schaduw 25232 qsoing

1620       1645       Zwarte BMW 34443 qsoing

1620       1647       Soerabaya 25332 qsoing

1645       1709       Zwarte Boekanier 35443 qsoing

1630       1725       Zwarte Boekanier 35443, 55555 at 1854 music programme

1620       1755       Mike Radio 25222-35333 testing

1638       1811       Admiraal 35333

1640       1852       Veronica 35333 music programme

1655       1908       Oldtimer 45333-45444 music programme

1611       1955       Atlantic 44444 testing

1625       2009       Pandora 55444 report for Zwarte Boekanier

1611       2013       Atlantis (NWO) 24322 music programme

1625       2022       Sapporo 25222-35333 report for Zwarte Boekanier

Sunday, October 30, 2016

1620       0600       Bootsman 35343 music programme

1620       0721       Johan 25342 report for Bootsman

1647       1800       Witte Tornado 45444 music programme

1611       1817       Sapporo 34443 music programme

1638       1841       Bluebird 55555 music programme

1665       2248       Polkaman 25222 music programme

1655       2252       Snowman 25332-35333 music programme

Saturday, October 29, 2016

1648       2310       Moby Dick 45444 music programme

1620       2312       Santana 45444 music programme

1615       2318       Uniek 44444 music programme

1655       2320       Snowman 25232-35333 music programme

1629       2324       Sono? Weak signal music programme

Sunday, October 23, 2016

1638       1700       Bluebird 55444-55555 music programme

1629       1732       Zwarte Panter 24222-35333 music programme

1620       1734       Sapporo 24342-35333 music programme

1620       1813       Jonge Boer 25222 report for Sapporo

1620       1936       Blauwe Koe 35343-45444 music programme

1655       2115       Wilskracht 35333 music programme

1665       2120       Noorderzon 25222 music programme

1655       2149       Snowman 25222-35333 music programme

Saturday, October 22, 2016

1621       0545       Monaco 32432-34443 music programme

1615       1750       Batavier 25222-35333 music programme

1620       1800       Torino 34343 music programme

1636       1801       Keizer en Keizerin 35343 music programme

1655       1802       Relmus 25222 music programme in parallel with 6295

1648       2314       Moby Dick 35333-45444 music programme

1625       2318       Pandora 55444 music programme

1631       2326       Jeneverstoker weak signal report for Pandora

Friday, October 21, 2016

1620       1750       Sterrekijker 25222-35443 music programme

1632       1756       Dageraad 35333 qsoing

1629       1800       Alaska 25222-35333 qsoing

1620       2138       Santana 35333-45444 music programme

1640       2139       Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 music programme

1660       2142       Noorderzon 25222 music programme

1615       2241       Akai 44444 testing

1665       2247       Polkaman 25332 music programme

Sunday, October 16, 2016

1620       0545       Zonnester 45444 music programme

Saturday, October 15, 2016

1620       1823       Torino 35333 music programme

1629       1824       Duranza 35333-45444 music programme

1636       1825       Keizer en Keizerin 35443 music programme

1670       1828       Matrix 25322-45444 music programme

1656       1834       Relmus 25222 music programme 

1615       2117       Uniek 35333-45444 music programme

1650       2131       Noordzee 35333-55444 music programme

1635       2208       Monte Carlo 45444 music programme

1636       2249       Noordzee 45434 qsoing

1622       2251       Jeneverstoker 24222 qsoing

1643       2252       Nachtzwerver 35433 qsoing

1620       2305       Rebel 25332 music programme

Friday, October 14, 2016

1655       1702       Dikke Betta 35443 music programme

1630       1713       Quintus 35433 music programme

1620       1801       Sterrekijker 25322 music programme

1640       1915       Batavier 35333 music programme

1625       1916       Wadloper 35333-45444 music programme with Relmus

1635       1940       Yogi Bear en Einstein 25222-35333 music programme

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

1625       1645       Pandora 35343 music programme

1636       1650       Bison 45444 music programme

1625       1654       Johnny Camaro weak signal report for Pandora 

1640       2146       Bluebird 55444-55555 music programme

1655       2156       OSM 25242 music programme with 0.5 watts!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

1665       2215       Snowman 25222-35333 music programme

1625       2219       Pandora 44444 music programme

1632       2227       Barones 44444-55555 testing

Pirate tales from the past

Here's a video you must watch with some great stories from the days of MW pirate radio here in the UK . . .

O wow

I've just been listening to 1655 kHz. The station on the frequency was O Superman. The difference with today's broadcast from this Dutch pirate is that he was using only 0.5 watts. I've heard him on the last two Wednesdays - using 20 watts on the first occasion, and then 100 watts last week. Both times I was amazed at the reception considering the output power involved. But tonight has really surprised me.

I remember a few years ago hearing Relmus from Friesland with 800 milliwatts, but to hear a station with 500mw, and broadcasting from further inside the Netherlands is stunning. Take a listen to the recording and be ready for a surprise!

A raid, a comeback and plenty of activity

First, some bad news from across the water in that the AT paid a visit to the Blonde Zwerver on September 30 after reports the station had been causing interference over the PA system at a local church. Other pirates have received warning letters and even a knock at the door from the authorities but continue to broadcast one way or another, so there is always a chance this might not be the end of another station.

Some of you might have seen my recent post about Radio Delta, who used to operate on SW with the P.O. Box 41 Elburg address, and were on MW way back in the 1970s. They have been testing again on 1.6 MHz, trying out different audio processors and the like, and the plans are still there to hit the band with some international programmes.

Dutch pirates in general have long fascinated me. There are some who really capture my imagination for one reason or another though, and one such station is O Superman, also known as OSM Radio. He can be silent for months, then all of a sudden will appear in the air. I've heard him a few times recently, with a simply stunning signal on October 5, even more so when you consider his transmitter power at the time was 100 watts courtesy of two of the famous 807 valves. He was reportedly using 8x807s in his modulator, which explains why the signal meter here was swinging around every time he spoke or played any music. You can see a video and recording below.

Early Sunday morning continues to be a good time to catch Dutch pirates on air, and reception is getting better and better at this time over here in England as the sun rises later and later. The Bootsman was doing good work last Sunday before a nice qso including several other pirates.

Time now to bring the logs up to date:

Monday, October 10, 2016

1632          2105         Bluebird 55444-55555 music programme

1650          2020         Vrijevogel 25222 music programme

1640          2024         Veronica 35333 music programme

1625          2026         Witte Raaf 35333 music programme
1624          2308         Soerabaya 25222-35333 music programme

Sunday, October 9, 2016

1620          0556         Bootsman 35333-45444 music programme

1620          0615         Zwarte Bouvier 25222 report for Bootsman

1620          0637         Noordzee 35333 qsoing

1629          2106         Zwarte Panter (Oldenzaal) 34333-45444 music show

1647          2110         Witte Tornado 45444 music programme
1629          2217         Monte Carlo 35333 report for Zwarte Panter

Friday, October 7, 2016

1645          1709         JB 35333

1620          1715         Sterrekijker 25222 at 1758 music programme

1650          1755         Relmus 25222-35333 music programme

Thursday, October 6, 2016

1636          0603         Torpedojager 25222-35333 music programme

1638          1815         Bluebird 35333-45444 music programme

1630          2108         Alpenjager 35333 testing

1640          2108         Professor Sickbok 45444 qsoing

1645          2110         Turfsteker 25232-35333 qsoing

1645          2113         Noordzee 45444 qsoing

1620          2117         Meteoor 45444 qsoing

1635          2120         Monte Carlo 25332 qsoing

1620          2122         Bonte Specht 25232 qsoing

1640          2127         Monte Carlo 35333 qsoing

1642          2137         Noordzee 45444 qsoing

1625          2218         Pandora 55444 report for Alpenjager

1627          2225         Jeneverstoker 25332-35333 report for Alpenjager

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

1620          1940         Turftrekker 44444 qsoing

1624          1940         Wadloper 44444 music programme

1613          1942         Batavier 23222-34333 music programme

1636          1948         Blauwe Koe 44444 qsoing

1620          1955         Sapporro 32432 qsoing

1629          2014         Barones 54444 testing

1655          2057         OSM 35443-55454 qsoing

1634          2100         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 45444 music programme

1620          2106         Noordzee 33433-44444 music programme

1640          2110         Anton 44444 asking for report

1640          2130         Professor Sickbok 44444 report for Anton

1636          2130         Toulouse 34433 report for Anton 

1620          2138         Anton 44444 qsoing

1655          2200         Monte Carlo 45333-45444 qsoing

1645          2220         Noordzee 45444 qsoing

1645          2224         Monte Carlo 45444 qsoing

1650          2252         Delta 35443 testing     
     

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

1620          1629         Digitaal 35333 music programme

1638          1630         Sylvania weak signal, 25343 at 1823 music programme

1650          1632         Vendor 25232 

1647          1747         Nachtzwerver weak signal qsoing

1629          1822         Admiraal 25432 qsoing

1633          2153         Barcelona 45433 music programme

1625          2243         Pandora 55434 

Monday, October 3, 2016

1611          1805         Atlantic 54444 music programme

1645          1810         Zwarte Boekannier 44444 music programme

1640          1811         Veronica 34433-44444 music programme

1650          1813         Vrijevogel 34443 music programme

1629          2007         Blauwe Koe 45444 music programme

1665          2030         Zwarte Panter 25222 testing

1634          2112         Bluebird 55555 music programme

1645          2137         Monte Carlo 35443-45444 report for Veronica

1629          2142         Noordzee 44444 report for Veronica

1621          2143         Pioneer 35222-35333 asking for report

1640          2218         Casablanca 55444 qsoing

1629          2232         Monte Carlo 44444 qsoing

1650          2246         Monte Carlo 45444 qsoing 

Sunday, October 2, 2016

1636          1524         Bizon 34433 at 1745 music programme

1647          1542         Witte Tornado much stronger later music programme

1620          1658         Turftrekker 35443 report for Bizon

1625          1732         Turftrekker 25322 qsoing

1625          1736         Sapporro weak signal qsoing

1638          1747         Admiraal 23432 qsoing

1629          1754         Speedygonzales 35333-45444 at 1803 qsoing

1630          1801         Admiraal 35433 qsoing

1629          1810         Barones 45444-55555 qsoing

1635          1826         Havanna 45434 qsoing

1620          2100         Noordzee 34433-44444 qsoing

1615          2113         Monte Carlo 35333 qsoing

1649          2139         Kaimaan 25222 report for Witte Tornado 

1644          2205         Monte Carlo 35333 report for Kaimaan

1611          2212         Pioneer 33333 report for Monte Carlo

1645          2250         Pioneer 35333 qsoing

Friday, September 30, 2016

1629          1640         De Friese Piraat 25322-35333 music programme 

1620          1640         Sterrekijker 25342 music programme

1655          1736         Relmus 25222-35333 music programme

1640          1759         Studio Friesland 25222 report for Friese Piraat

1620          1802         Brandaris 33433 asking for report

1629          1813         Studio Friesland 34333 qsoing

1615          1820         Batavier 34333-44444 music programme

1611          1850         Kooiplas 34333 music programme

1643          1847         Digitaal 55444 music programme

1621          2109         Uniek 35333-45444 music programme

1655          2110         Wilskracht 35333-45444 music programme

1640          2128         Professor Sickbok 55444 music programme

1645          2128         Relmus 33433 testing

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

1629          1752         Blauwe Koe 35333 music programme

1611          1758         Eldorado 44444 music programme

1633          2130         Barcelona 44444 qsoing

1630          2145         OSM 23212, 35433 at 2245 qsoing

1625          2227         Pandora 45434-55444 qsoing

1621          2257         Monaco 35333 qsoing

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

1611          1930         Turftrekker 45444 music programme

1645          1933         Twentana 45444 music programme

1630          1935         Marrianne 35333-55444 music programme

1613          1936         Digitaal 43433 testing

1646          1946         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 music programme

1646          2110         Turfsteker 25322-35333 music programme

1635          2113         Ruisbreker 35333 music programme

1629          2114         Noordzee 45444 report for Marrianne

1655          2115         Snowman 25322 music programme

1633          2116         Barcelona 54444 qsoing

1665          2122         Polkaman 25322

1629          2145         Snowman 24422 music programme

Monday, September 26, 2016

1640          1543         Professor Sickbok weak signal qsoing

1638          1620         Bluebird 25222 music programme until 2230!

1620          1659         Schaduwjager 35333-45444 qsoing

1633          2152         Barcelona 54444 qsoing

1625          2231         Pandora 55444-55555 report for Bluebird

1650          2249         Delta 35333 testing with non-stop music

Sunday, September 25, 2016

1647          2156         Nachtrijder weak signal qsoing

1630          2156         Driland 44444 qsoing

1645          2202         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444

1641          2205         Casablanca 55544 qsoing

1655          2220         Driland 45444 qsoing

1611          2243         Technical Man 44444 testing new T antenna

Friday, September 23, 2016

1643          1650         Pecon 25332

1630          1704         Alaska weak signal

1626          1707         Musky weak signal, 25332 at 1803 music programme

1620          1726         Sterrekijker 25232-35333 music programme

1655          1737         Relmus 35333 testing

1611          1838         Turftrekker 54444 music programme

1646          2113         Vrolijke Mijnwerker 55444 music programme               

1665          2206         Polkaman 25222-35333 music programme

1641          2234         Casablanca 55444 report for Mijnwerker

1650          2257         Delta 35222-35333 testing for first time on MW since 1970s

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

1620          1633         Schaduwjager 35343 qsoing

1625          1649         Akai 25242 qsoing

1620          1652         Skywire weak signal qsoing

1622          1653         Monaco 24332 qsoing

1611          1654         Mike Radio 35443 testing in USB, then AM

1629          1738         Edelkampioen 54444-55555 music programme

Monday, September 19, 2016

1630          1634         Digitaal 25222 testing

1645          1635         Zwarte Boekanier 25222 music programme

Like father like son

A few months ago I started seeing regular logs for a station called the Friese Piraat, but I hadn't managed to catch any broadcasts for myself. However, last Friday the signal was coming through on 1629 kHz and I was able to find out a little more about this recent addition to the MW scene.

Although the signal was not so strong, it was doing pretty well considering the time was well before sunset and that the transmitter power is only 100 watts. As you can see on the video, the signal was coming in better at this time than the station on 1620.

It's not uncommon in the Netherlands for families to be involved together in the hobby, combining to run a station or operating more than one station. However, the Friese Piraat is a little different. Yes, it is a father and son who have put the station on air every week for the last six months, but the son spinning the records is only 13 years old - surely the youngest currently on the MW scene. 

I've often wondered what will become of the hobby in the next 20 or 30 years and thought that perhaps the MW pirate scene will simply fade out. But with the interest in AM being passed down through families despite our digital age, and the next generation of Dutch pirates starting to hit the air - Radio Joey on shortwave is another example - there could be more life in our pastime than plenty of us thought.

And now I can share with you just what the Friese Piraat set-up looks like, from studio through to transmitter and some of the record collection . . .

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