News about free radio stations on shortwave and mediumwave, and free radio logs from Newfoundland, Canada.

Thursday 28 February 2013

QSL from Starclipper Radio

I got this great QSL from Starclipper today, for a relay by Hot Radio.  Starclipper is an internet radio station  (http://www.coolam.nl/starclipper/starclipper02.htm) run by a long-time pirate enthusiast who is unable to transmit himself (he lives next to an airport).   Thanks Starclipper  (and to Hot Radio for the relay!)




Wednesday 27 February 2013

Log, Feb. 27 (28 UTC)

6924.1 . . 0245 . UNID, “Another Brick in the Wall” (not Floyd), talk (much weaker than music), “Working Class Hero”, talk (all I got was “send reception reports to”), faded, c/d 0312

Logs, Feb. 26 (27 UTC)


6937,9 . . 0112 . Boombox Radio, weak pop and dance music, tentative ID, 24342

4026,0 . . 0159 . Laser Hot Hits, “I Thought It was Over”, ID, greetings to a listener in The Hague, website, email, 45332

6925,0u . 0307 . UNID, pop/rock music just above the noise, no announcements heard

Monday 25 February 2013

Log, Feb. 25 & QSLs from BOR, Armada & Zwarte Panter

Log, Feb. 25 (26 UTC)

6925,6 . . 0030 . The Crystal Ship, ID, “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”, No Surrender”, "Turn Up the Radio", ID, c/d 0142, 35242


I also received a few new QSLs recently.  (Not many QSLs lately.  My hobby time has been so limited that I have not been able to send many reports these last few months.)

These 3 QSLs span the world of pirate radio.  First, from western North America, this picturesque card from Blue Ocean Radio.


Next, from Holland, this very appropriate card from Radio Zwarte Panter (Black Panther).


The final QSL is also from Holland, but from mediumwave.  I managed to snag Radio Armada on 1611 kHz last weekend and received this nice nautical card.

(Note: certain details have been deleted to ensure the protection of pirate identities and locations.)

Thanks guys!

Cheers, Terry



Sunday 24 February 2013

Artem's World Music Show 11

Artem from Moscow (formerly of pirate station Radio Without Borders Int.) has produced his latest show of world music, which is available for download at http://www.sendspace.com/file/kjhazr, for listening or relay by anyone interested.

The first half of this one hour show features the usual diverse selection of music, with songs from Karelia, Africa, Greece, Papua and Brazil.  The second half is devoted to Bolivian folk music, with a great selection of tunes from 2 of Artem's favourite bands.

I enjoy diverse music styles, but I cannot claim to be very knowledgeable about world music, so I always look forward to Artem's selections.  Personally, I think this is one of his best shows yet.

Cheers, Terry

Saturday 23 February 2013

Audio files from Friday night

Last night there were some excellent conditions on both 48 m and mediumwave.  I am away from the radio tonight, so I thought I would do something different and upload some audio files from last night.  

 6985.1 kHz, 2104 UTC, Lightning Radio (10 minutes)- weak music at first, but a very nice peak around the 3 minute mark with a clear promo for an event in London.  Best I have ever heard Lightning.

1654.8 kHz, 2115 UTC, Radio Vrolijk Minjwerker (Happy Miner), (6 minutes) - mediumwave pirates are never reallyloud here, so I am always happy just to get clear details.  The file starts weak but improves, with greetings? and a clear ID at 2:43, followed by the Man in Black

1611,0 kHz, 2124 UTC, Radio Armada, (10 minutes) - my first reception of Armada.  There is a terrible het from a US legal station on 1610, but you can dance music at first, followed by Ann Murray, then a weak ID and greetings at 8:30 of the file.

1625.0 kHz, 2138 UTC, Radio Batavier (5 minutes) - again, not a loud reception, and more fading than the other mw stations, but there are clear greetings and an ID at 0:55 of the file

 6734.9 kHz, 2348 UTC, Hot Radio (6 minutes) - Andre was relaying Starclipper Radio, and he put in a decent signal for a while.  "Twilight Zone" is quite clear, followed by a clear Starclipper ID at 1:25, unknown oldie, DJ and "Victoria".

6284.7,kHz, 2355 UTC, Focus Int. Shortwave, amazing reception of Focus, best ever by far.   “Alive and Kicking”, ID, snailmail, (2 euros for QSL), “We Didn’t Start the Fire”

6925.0usb kHz, 0030 UTC, Radio Ga Ga, (10 minutes), "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo", ID at 4:00 of the file, decent signal and good audio for usb

3905.1 kHz, 0041 UTC, Skyline Int. Radio, (6 minutes) - 78m was not as good as the other pirates bands, and Skyline suffered from both ham and intermittent utility interference.  Still, a very listenable signal.  (second half of the file is better).

Thanks to all the stations for the great shows.

Friday 22 February 2013

Logs, Feb. 22


Great conditions tonight on sw and mw!  It was nice to hear Armada for the first time.  Lightning definitely had the best peak ever, as did Focus.  Hot Radio, Batavier and Vrolijk Minjwerker were much better than usual.  And it was great to hear Skyline with his usual booming signal and wide variety of music.  Thanks to all!

3905,1 . . 2148 . Skyline Int. Radio, country, “Lay Down Sally”, greetings, ID, “From a Jack to a King”,  c/d 0133, 43443

6985,1 . . 2104 . Lightning Radio, alternative music, promos for London concerts, HL number, 25432

1654,8 . . 2118 . Radio Vrolijk Minjwerker (Happy Miner),  instrumental, ID, Johnny Cash, ID, greetings, 24442

1611,0 . . 2124 . Radio Armada, dance, slow song by Ann Murray, ID, greetings, “Bye, Bye Love”, Bryan Adams “Heaven”, 32341

1625,0 . . 2135 . Radio Batavier, greetings, ID, slow instrumental, dance, 25342

6735,0L . 2219 .Hot Radio, “Last Train to Clarksville”, IDs, “Twilight Zone”, relaying Starclipper, 25431

6284,7 . . 2255 . Focus Int. Shortwave, “Alive and Kicking”, ID, snailmail, (2 euros for QSL), “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, great signal, 45444

6925.0u . 0030 . Radio Ga Ga, 0034 ID "Live from Zipper Lake", folksy tune with flutes, 25442

Thursday 21 February 2013

Log, Feb. 21 (22 UTC)

6930,0 . . 0116 . Blue Ocean Radio, country/bluegrass music, ID 0135 and greeting 0138, seemed to be another carrier on the frequency at first, but went off after about 10 minutes, 25332

Monday 18 February 2013

Log, Feb. 18 and Hot Radio QSLs

My listening time is extremely limited during the week, but I did hear one station tonight:

6925,5 . . 0023 . The Crystal Ship (US), via relay.  Long show of classic rock, IDs, email, SSTV 0127 (I am not set up for SSTV), c/d 0129, 45333

As well, I received these cool QSLs from Hot Radio for recent receptions.  Thanks Andre!



Sunday 17 February 2013

Logs, Feb. 17


Today started somewhat frustrating on the radio.  There was loud local noise for the first few hours, then stations on 48 m would c/d just as they were fading in here (of course they were fading out in Europe).  For example, I heard 10 seconds of Tante Foek on 6250 before she moved to mw.  Thanks to the panthers (Pink and Black) for keeping 48 m alive.

Sometimes, however, patience is rewarded.  Calipso broke through the noise on 1638, followed by a QSO between Calipso and Jaguar Radio from Serbia (my reception of a Serbian pirate!)

15069,9 . 1458 . Bluestar Radio, Van Halen “Jump”, Beatles “Yesterday”, 25332

15060,0 . 1559 . Trans Europe Radio, Dire Straits “Sultans of Swing”, ID, email, greetings, 33342, local noise and fading

6552,8 . . 1843 . Radio Pink Panther, Kiss “I Was Made for Loving You”, ID, 24342

6430,2 . . 1920 . Radio Zwarte Panter, Dutch music, ID, email, c/d 1950, 24342

6325,8 . . 1952 . Radio Caroline Int., instrumental and dance music, ID, 24342

6985,1 . . 2025 . Lightning Radio (presumed), odd percussion style music, covered by freebanders within minutes

1700.0 . . 2118 . UNID, Greek QSO, could hear two of the 3 stations, loudest was 35342

1638,0 . . 2350 . Radio Calipso, talk and music, heard greetings, “Little Green Bag” at 0008, more greets, ID, 24331, followed by QSO between Calipso and Jaguar Radio from Serbia.  Calipso was quite clear for a while, and I heard much talk from Jaguar, including several “ok”’s and mentions of Calipso.  Following the QSO, Jaguar gave a ham sign (or skype ID?) many times with phonetic letters.

6925,0 . . 0150 . Captain Mogan Shortwave (US),  “Cover of the Rolling Stone’, ID, “Margaritaville”, ID, “Brandy”, c/d 0200, 25342

Saturday 16 February 2013

Logs, Feb. 10 & 16


I just realized that I forgot to post my logs from last Sunday.  It is a bit late for posting, but there were some rare mw catches that evening.

Tonight (Feb. 16) had some very good conditions on 48 m, with very low noise levels.  Lightning made a rare appearance and I had probably my best ever reception of Hot Radio.  Lowland, Mustang, Flying Dutchman, Borderhunter and Underground all had good signals, as well as the novelty station BZN Radio. The US station Wolverine Radio seems to be back to his usual booming signal.  Mediumwave was poor, but Calipso powered through.

Feb. 10 
6304,7 . . 0816 . Radio Merlin Int., mellow music, t alk with a British accent but just a little too weak to copy, ID via Iann’s chat
12257,1 . 1025 . WR Int., Sweet “Fox on the Run”, ID, rock birthdays today, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”, 35443
6552,8 . . 1816 . Radio Pink Panther, greetings to Artem in Moscow, ID, pop, 25442
6937,5 . . 1825 . Irish Music Radio, operatic music, ID, “Pop Music”, 25442, up to 45443 by 1900
6284,8 . . 1832 . Radio Underground, Dutch music, Buffalo Springfield “For What It’s Worth”, ID, greetings, c/d 1857, 25442
6240,3 . . 1912 . Radio Grutte Pier, polka music, barely audible, ID via Iann;s chat, c/d 1951
6305,0 . . 2003 . Mustang Radio, Abba “Ring, Ring”, ID, greetings, Midnight Oil “Beds are Burning”, c/d 2033, 45444
1614,9 . . 2043 . Radio Napoleon, Dutch music, greetings, ID, 25442
1645,0 . . 2052 . Radio Witte Tornado, Dutch music, country, no announcements heard, ID via Iann;s chat, 35442
1629,0 . . 2101 . Radio Blue Bird, Dutch music, talk but just a little too weak to copy, pop, 24441
6900,0L . 2118 . Baltic Sea Radio, Abba medley, ID, “She’s Got the Look”, 24442
1651,0 . . 2127 , UNID (Greece), long talk and brief music, QSO, 24441
1642,0 . . 2133 , UNID (Greece), long talk and brief music, QSO, 24441
1657,0 . . 2144 . Radio Jan de Roos, oldies, ID, greetings, 25442
1655,0 . . 2237 . Relmus Radio, country music, Fogerty “Old Man Down the Road”,  ID via Iann’s chat, 23431

Feb. 16
15070,0 . 1554 . Mike Radio, Beatles “She Loves You”, ID, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, email, 34443
6937,5 . . 1921 . Irish Music Radio, “Is There a Place in Your Heart left for Me”, ID, “Heart of Glass”, 35442
3910,5 . . 1947 . Technical Man, talk and music, under s9 ute, ID via Iann's chat, better at 2047 with CCR “Up Around the Bend”, country, ID, 33442
6305,1 . .  1952 . Radio Merlin Int., Boney M “Brown Girl in the Ring”, ID, female DJ, 25442
6551,9 . . 2001 . UNID,  slow Dutch music, c/d 2007 with out announcement, 35442 (maybe Pionier?)
6541,5 . . 2008 . Radio Lowland, polkas, ID, testing, said 100 watt, greetings, c/d 2022, 45443
6325,0 . . 2022 . Mustang Radio, instrumental music, greetings, ID, reggae, c/d 2035, 45443
6985,1 . . 2100 . Lightning Radio (presumed), weak alternative music, faded after 10 minutes, 25441
1656,0 . . 2112 . Radio Calipso, Flock of Seagulls “I Run”, greetings, ID, 25342
6735,0L . 2125 . Hot Radio, weak music, better signal when I came back from supper at 2240, “Breakin the Law”, ID, “We Love the Pirate Stations”, 25442
6305,3 . . 2248 . Radio Sallandse Boer, ID, talk in Dutch, Dutch music, CCR “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, het from Merlin, 43443
6989,8 . . 2327 . UNID, mellow Spanish music, possible announcements by man a couple of times but on fade-outs, c/d around 0100, 24442
6925,0 . . 2339 . Voice of Planet Zulu (US?), pop and instrumental music, IDs, 35442
6300,2 . . 0012 . Radio Flying Dutchman, ID, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”, greetings, 33443
moved to 6285,2 at 0017, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”, c/d 0105
6290,0 . . 0019 . BZN Radio, BZN music, “Happy Birthday”, ID, email by computer-generated female voice, 45443
6300,0 . . 0157 . Radio Borderhunter, “Screw the FCC”, ID, country, distorted voice, email, c/d 0222, 54443
6285,0u . 0205 . Radio Underground, instrumental music, greetings, 34342
6925,0u . 0211 . Wolverine Radio (US),old  instrumental jazz, ID, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”, 55444

Saturday 9 February 2013

Logs, February 9


Hi everyone:

It has been a while since I have been able to listen to the pirate bands.  (The only thing worse than a family member in hospital is when that hospital is 400 km away.)

Conditions were good on sw tonight.  Thanks to all the stations for the shows.  It was good to be back between the headphones!

6552,8 . . 1832 . Radio Pink Panther, ID, email, pop music, “Eternal Flame”, “Great Balls of Fire”,  greetings, 24441

6285,0 . . 1840 . Radio Osaka, Dutch music, ID/email, 25442

6937,5 . . 1855 . Irish Music Radio, “Country Road”, ID, 25442

6435,2 . . 1903 . Radio Zwarte Panter (Black Panther),  ID in Dutch and English, Dutch music, 25442

6209,8 . . 1918 . Radio Klabatermann, Dutch music, gave ID but could not quite copy, 25432

6300,0 . . 1937 . Radio Boomerang, ID, said short test, greetings, 55444

3905,0 . . 1940 . Technischeman Radio, “Please Release Me”, ID, 35443, up to 45444 at times, c/d 0036

6300,0 . . 1947 . Radio Black Arrow, Led Zep “Immigrant Song”, reporting to Boomi, greetings,  43442

6209,8 . . 2008 . Radio Sluwe Vos, techno music, kept missing IDs, ID via Iann’s chat, 25432

4890,0 . . 2016 . Bluestar Radio, greetings to Finland and Italy, ID, U2 “With or Without You”, 23442

6300,1 . . 2208 . Radio Flying Dutchman, greetings, ID, “These Boots are Made for Walking”, 45433

6289,6 . . 2216 . Radio Black Arrow, Abba “Does Your Mother Know”, moved to 6294,7 at 2221, ID,
“No Milk Today”, c/d 2311,  45443

6305,0 . . 2224 . Blue Star Radio, ID, greetings, Metallica, 35443

6920,0 . . 2231 . Radio Ronin SW (US), IS (“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” guitar riff), ID, “Here in My Car”, 45443

6735,0L . 0032 . Hot Radio, blues music, ID, moved to 6720L around 0045, 14441