Logs 6 Jan 2025

1494 1845 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 2107 Radio Helical. SINPO 43433.
1620 1628 Radio Blauwe Fazant. SINPO 34433.
1620 2039 Radio Marjanne. SINPO 44433.
1629 1702 Radio Stem uit Twente. SINPO 34433.
1638 1745 Radio Schaduwjager. SINPO 44433.
1645 1750 Radio Batavier. SINPO 44433.
1647 2052 Radio VAT 69. SINPO 34433.
1656 1800 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
1665 2057 Radio Meteoor. SINPO 44433. QSO
1665 2100 Radio Zeepiraat. SINPO 34433. QSO
1670 1810 Radio Kristal. SINPO 44433.
1685 2030 Radio Black Power. SINPO 54444.
5840 1605 Polka Radio. SINPO 24432.
6235 1620 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6325 1729 Kiss AM. SINPO 44433.
6340 1555 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433.

Logs 5 Jan 2025

1611 1705 Radio Al Capone. SINPO 33433.
1620 1655 Radio Professor Sickbock. SINPO 44433.
1629 1732 Ros AM Radio. SINPO 44433.
1629 1852 Radio Bluebird. SINPO 44433.
1647 1800 Radio Moonbreaker. SINPO 34433.
5835 1633 Radio Europe (Ukr). SINPO 24432.
6235 1642 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 14432.
6325 1625 Kiss AM. SINPO 34433.
6340 1618 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 24432.
6895 1835 Zeppelin Radio (pres). SINPO 24432.
6965 1745 HSR. SINPO 34433.

Logs 4 Jan 2025

1494 1825 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 44433.
1620 1753 Radio King Kong. SINPO 54444.
1656 1759 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 34433. Also on 3920, 5800
1667 1832 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
3920 1556 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 54444. //5800
3934 1805 Central Radio Int. SINPO 34333.
3940U 1812 Great Music For Europe. SINPO 34433. New station? 
*3975 1600 Weekend Music R via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 54444. //6160
3990 1838 Central Radio Int. SINPO 34433. Another freq change
5800 1553 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 44444.
5835 1646 Radio Europe (Ukr). SINPO 34333.
*5905 1205 Radio Horizon (pres). SINPO 34433.
*6020 1140 Radio Casanova. SINPO 34433.
*6160 1603 Weekend Music R via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 54444.
6200 1140 Radio AC DC. SINPO 34433.
6204.5 1539 Radio Rainbow Int. SINPO 43433. A
6215 1345 Central Radio Int. SINPO 33433.
6235 1632 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24332.
6260 1528 Central Radio Int. SINPO 34433. Change of freq
6280 1625 Radio Monique Int. SINPO 54444.
6290 1607 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 34433.
6292 1545 Time Radio. SINPO 34433.
6300 1534 Radio Rob. SINPO 34433.
6300 1611 Radio Johnny Tobacco. SINPO 54444.
6325 1005 Weekend Music Radio. SINPO 34433.
6340 0958 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433. 
7700 1617 Marconi Radio Int. SINPO 23332. 
11155 1150 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433. Via NW Ireland SDR
12070 1358 WMBR. SINPO 34433.

(*licensed transmitter)

Great Music For Europe 3940 USB >>

Logs 3 Jan 2026

1440 2205 Energy Power AM. SINPO 34433. Via NW Ireland SDR
1494 1752 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 54444. Live show
1512 1803 Radio Marskramer. SINPO 33433.
1611 1705 Radio King Kong. SINPO 54444.
1620 1655 Radio Uniek. SINPO 33433.
1629 2145 Radio Blauwe Koe. SINPO 44433.
1638 1712 Radio Casablanca (Twente). SINPO 34433.
1647 1745 Radio San Antonio. SINPO 34433.
1647 2245 Radio Nachtzwerver. SINPO 34433.
5835 1625 Radio Europe (Ukr). SINPO 23432.
6210 1650 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 43433.
6235 1620 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 2432.
6290 1555 Radio Skywave. SINPO 44433.
6300 1550 Radio Rob. SINPO 34433.
6300 1635 Radio De Kat. SINPO 44433.
6325 1557 Weekend Music Radio. SINPO 34433.
6340 1602 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433.
6382 1642 Radio Delta 48. SINPO 34433.

Logs 2 Jan 2026

1440 2255 Energy Power AM. SINPO 34433.
1494 1715 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 54444.
1620 1705 Radio Luka. SINPO 33432. Another station on 1621
1625 2302 Radio Turftrekker. SINPO 54444.
1629 1658 Radio De Mi Amigo. SINPO 33433.
1638 2308 Radio Joris Driepinter. SINPO 23432.
1665 1735 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5840 1540 Beatles Radio via unid. SINPO 23432. Internet station
*6040 1201 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444.
6235 1555 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 23432.
6240 1433 Radio Vitesse. SINPO 34433.
6240 1530 Concept Radio. SINPO 34433.
6285 1442 Radio Quintus. SINPO 34433.
6290 1801 Radio Etherfreak. SINPO 34433.
6340 1546 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433. 

(*licensed transmitter)

Premier Radio Int eQSL

 

First eQSL for 2026 comes from Premier Radio International. The station from Ireland is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. You can read more about station on the website http://www.premierradio.ie/

Many thanks for the eQSL. 

Logs 1 Jan 2026

1494 1730 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 54444.
1611 1745 Radio Eigen Risico. SINPO 33433.
1620 1658 Radio De Derde Man. SINPO 34433.
1640 1723 Radio Batavier. SINPO 54444.
1660 1716 Radio Uitzendkracht. SINPO 34433.
*6020 0957 Radio Casanova. SINPO 45444.
*6040 1015 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444. //12005
6190 0950 Gringo Radio. SINPO 24432.
6235 1645 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6260 1114 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 24332. Move from 6270
6263 1650 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 24432.
6270 1046 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 33433.
6275 0937 Swinging R England via Reich Senderfunk. SINPO 34433.
6285 0942 Sunrise Radio. SINPO 34433.
6295 0930 Radio Cuckoo. SINPO 44433.
6315 1637 Concept Radio. SINPO 24432.
*12005 1018 Radio Delta. SINPO 35443.

(* licensed transmitter)

A look back at 2025

It's been another busy year on shortwave with plenty of pirates from around Europe switching on their transmitters to entertain us.

The weekend remains the time when you are likely to hear the most activity although during the week there's often stations on the air - particularly around late afternoon into the evening.

From the UK, regulars like Weekend Music Radio, Radio Pamela, Radio Pandora, Merseyland Alternative Radio and XTC continue to broadcast, while last year also saw the return of a station from the 1970s - Radio Corsair. The operator made broadcasts as Corsair and also Radio Overdrive.

A new station is Radio Dead who has been heard on both shortwave and medium wave. In the true pirate spirit, he plays banned records, such as those by Judge Dread, and plus off-beat comedy clips. Another new station was Radio Badger, who was heard in the 49 metre band, on 6040 kHz.

There are still many stations which seem to be no more than the radio equivalent of Spotify, with non-stop music and jingles - not the most exciting stations to listen to.

But it is good to see that there are stations that take the time to put programmes together and will interact with the listeners, via email messages or the pirate chat group. 

As always, the most pirate activity continues to come from the Netherlands. The power used varies from a few watts up to a kilowatt or more. There are a number of entertaining stations such as Contikenzo, Monique and, of course, Johnny Tobacco.

I've totted up the shortwave stations I logged in 2025.  Last year a total of 144 pirates were heard, compared to 131 in 2024. Of these 82 were from the Netherlands, 21 from the UK and eight from Germany.

Some were regulars heard throughout the year while others only made one or two broadcasts during 2024. I haven't counted relays of internet or licensed stations. 

Here's the country breakdown with 2024's figures in brackets:

• Netherlands 82 (72) 
• United Kingdown 21 (19) 
• Germany 8 (8) 
• Ireland 6 (6) 
• Finland 2 (5) 
• Italy 4 (4) 
• Greece 2 (2)
• Spain 2 (1) 
• Belgium 2 (1)
• Ukraine, Belarus, Czech Republic, Russia, Portugal, Poland, France, Hungary: 1 each
• Unknown 5 (8)

For a list of the stations I logged on shortwave last year click HERE

=========================================================================

The medium wave scene remains as busy as ever. Radio Blackbeard is on most days on 1494 putting out a great signal while from Ireland Energy Power AM is a regular or 1440 or 1431. A new station from Ireland heard recently was Klas AM.

Above 1611 kHz are the Dutch pirates. You can see a list of medium wave pirates logged in the Netherlands by Assen DX on his blog. He logged 239 stations last year, up slightly from 2024. 

Here's a link to his list:
https://mgpiraten.blogspot.com/2025/12/middengolf-piraten-ontvangen-in-2025-z.html

Happy New Year from Radio Cuckoo

 

Logs 31 Dec 2025

1494 1815 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 54444.
1611 1722 Ros AM Radio. SINPO 54444.
1620 1832 Radio Professor Sickbock. SINPO 54444.
1636 1747 Radio Twee Gebroeders. SINPO 34433.
1647 1915 Radio Arona. SINPO 44433.
1655 1710 Radio Oliebollenbakkers. SINPO 54444.
1674 1926 Union Radio. SINPO 24432.
3915 1638 Concept Radio. SINPO 44433.
4865 1825 Radio Piraat Wereldomroep. SINPO 34333.
5840 1530 Polka Radio. SINPO 23432.
5870 1538 Mike Radio. SINPO 55544.
6235 1628 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 23432.
6260 1455 Radio Scotland Int. SINPO 54444.
6260 1504 Radio Black Power. SINPO 54444. On after RSI sign off
6280 1509 XTC. SINPO 54444.
6295 1448 Radio Johnny Tobacco. SINPO 55444.
6321 1518 Radio De Kat. SINPO 54444.
6321 1550 Radio Delta 48. SINPO 44433. Report to De Kat
6340 1524 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433.
6975 1555 HSR. SINPO 34433. New station, ID confirmed by op in the HFU Forum 

Logs 30 Dec 2025

1494 1733 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 54444.
1620 1650 Radio Alabama. SINPO 44433.
1620 2135 Radio De Kleine Man. SINPO 54444.
1629 1704 Radio San Antonio. SINPO 23432.
1636 1710 Radio Boogschutter. SINPO 23432.
1640 1717 Radio Batavier. SINPO 44433.
1646 2145 Radio VAT 69. SINPO 44433.
1650 1724 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 44433.
1665 1608 Radio Zeewolf. SINPO 24432.
1665 1635 Radio Meteoor. SINPO 44433. QSO
1666 1641 Radio Weg Piraat. SINPO 34433. QSO
3938 1613 Concept Radio. SINPO 44433.
5835 1509 Radio Europe (Ukr). SINPO 24432.
*5905 1410 Radio Horizon. SINPO 44433.
*6040 1430 Radio Delta. SINPO 55544.
6235 1602 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6340 1358 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433,
7777 1422 Radio JVG. SINPO 34433. Later covered by utility

(* licensed transmitter)

Radio Balconia eQSL

 

Radio Balconia is normally heard among the Dutch pirates on medium wave. But yesterday I picked him up on shortwave, using just eight watts. He sent some images of his antenna and studio and this eQSL. 

Many thanks. 

Logs 29 Dec 2025

1494 1725 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 44433.
1620 1700 Ros AM Radio. SINPO 44433.
1620 1832 Radio Bizon. SINPO 54444.
1629 1652 Radio Mosfet. SINPO 44433.
1629 1825 Radio Bluebird. SINPO 34433.
1638 1640 Radio Al Capone. SINPO 34433.
1647 1852 Radio Moonbreaker. SINPO 33433.
1656 1840 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 54444.
1670 1901 Radio Kachelboer. SINPO 54444.
5885 1628 Radio Magdalena. SINPO 34433.
6235 1622 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6270 1615 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 44433.
6290 1618 Radio Balconia. SINPO 23432.

Central Radio Int eQSL

 

An eQSL received from Central Radio International. Many thanks. 

Logs 28 Dec 2025

1494 1635 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 44433.
1548 1646 Radio Matrix. SINPO 34433.
1620 1625 Radio Vonkentrekker. SINPO 34433.
1629 1617 Radio Professor Sickbock. SINPO 44433.
1638 1745 Radio Blauwe Koe. SINPO 44433.
1665 1825 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 34433. //3920, 5800
3920 1823 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 54444.
4880 1655 Mystery Radio 21 (pres). SINPO 54444.
5800 1820 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 44433.
*5905 1105 Radio Horizon (pres). SINPO 44433.
*6020 0940 Radio Casanova. SINPO 45444.
*6040 0948 Radio Delta. SINPO 55544. //12005
6190 0933 Gringo Radio. SINPO 22432.
6204.5 1437 Cool 96.7 via R Rainbow Int. SINPO 34433. See comments
6235 1002 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6262.5 1702 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 23432.
6270 1048 Radio Avia. SINPO 34433.
6280 1056 Radio Etherfreak. SINPO 24432.
6285 1040 Radio Altrex. SINPO 33433.
6290 1035 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 33433.
6290 1425 Radio Lowland. SINPO 34433.
6300 1027 Radio Dead. SINPO 44433.
6300 1515 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 55544.
6306 1442 Radio Delta 48. SINPO 34433. QSO with Lowland
6320 1735 Radio Markies. SINPO 34433.
6325 1127 Weekend Music Radio. SINPO 34433. Presume via Kiss AM
6340 1431 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 24432.
6875 1540 Radio Europe (It) (tent). SINPO 34433.
6885 1720 Zeppelin Radio. SINPO 33433.
6940 1355 Radio Argus. SINPO 54444.
9295 1120 Radio Pamela. SINPO 24332.
*12005 1055 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444.

(* licensed transmitter)

Logs 27 Dec 2025

1440 2237 Energy Power AM. SINPO 34433.
1494 1640 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 44433.
1611 1617 Radio Luka. SINPO 33433.
1629 1850 Radio Turftrekker. SINPO 44433.
1647 1633 Radio Rietvink. SINPO 34433.
1665 1705 Radio Wilskracht. SINPO 34433.
1670 1625 Radio Spencer. SINPO 34433.
*3975 1601 Weekend Music R via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 55444. //6160
5835 1504 Radio Europe (Ukr). SINPO 24332.
5840 1415 Radio Corsair. SINPO 24432.
5880 1407 Radio Magdalena. SINPO 24432.
*6040 1350 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444.
*6160 1605 Weekend Music R via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 54444.
6210 1651 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 33433.
6235 1550 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6300 1557 Skyline R Germany via Taxus. SINPO 44433.
6325 1343 Weekend Music Radio via relay (Kiss AM?) SINPO 34433.
6340 1358 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433.

(* licensed transmitter)

Logs 26 Dec 2025

1494 1813 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 33433.
1512 1722 Radio Kameleon. SINPO 44433.
1620 1714 Radio Gouden Sterre. SINPO 43433.
1640 1648 Radio Batavier. SINPO 44433.
1647 1757 Radio Armada. SINPO 34433.
1647 1836 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
1665 1827 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
3935 1745 Central Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
5805 1627 Radio Podenco (via relay?). SINPO 34433.
5885 1057 Deltracks Radio. SINPO 34433.
*5905 1434 Radio Horizon. SINPO 54444.
*6020 1031 Radio Casanova. SINPO 34433.
*6040 1038 Radio Delta. SINPO 44433.
6235 1600 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6262.5 1023 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 24432.
6290 1015 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 44433.
6290 1425 Radio JVG. SINPO 34433.
6300 1445 Radio Etherfreak. SINPO 24432.
6300 1605 Radio Taxus. SINPO 54444.
6340 1504 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 34433. Also on 6262
6380 1512 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34433.
6397 1050 Radio Starlight. SINPO 24432.
6870 1455 Radio Europe (It). SINPO 34433. Change of freq
6875 1045 Radio Europe (It). SINPO 23432. 

(* licensed transmitter)

Radio Cuckoo Christmas greetings

 

Logs 25 Dec 2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

1611 1623 Radio Alabama. SINPO 44433.
1636 1645 Radio Twee Gebroeders. SINPO 34433.
1645 1632 Radio Verona. SINPO 34433.
1655 1654 Radio Melkbus. SINPO 34433.
3890 1609 Radio JVG. SINPO 34433.
5880 1120 Deltracks Radio. SINPO 34433.
5885 1618 Deltracks Radio. SINPO 44433. Move from 5880
*6020 1048 Radio Casanova. SINPO 34433.
*6040 1056 Radio Delta. SINPO 54444.
6235 1127 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 34433.
6275 1135 Swinging Radio England. SINPO 33433.
6280 1040 Radio Cuckoo. SINPO 44433.
6300 1540 Radio De Kat. SINPO 55444.
6320 1105 Radio Rob. SINPO 34433. QSO
6320 1108 Radio De Kat. SINPO 44433. QSO
7660 1115 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.

(* licensed transmitter)

Logs 24 Dec 2025

1494 1707 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 44433. Live show
1611 1640 Radio Dutchman. SINPO 44433.
1629 1737 Radio San Antonio. SINPO 24432.
1637 1647 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 34433.
1647 1634 Radio Romax. SINPO 44433.
1665 1732 Radio Kachelboer. SINPO 34433.
5880 1607 Deltracks Radio. SINPO 54444.
6235 1620 Radio Billy Beun. SINPO 24432.
6280 1540 XTC. SINPO 54444.
6290 1530 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
6300 1525 Radio Abu Dhabi. SINPO 55444.
6321 1555 Radio Delta 48. SINPO 54444.
6340 1535 Merseyland Alternative Radio. SINPO 33433.
6375 1550 Panda Radio. SINPO 23432.