Two pirates shut down

Two pirate radio stations in Huddersfield, England, have been raided and shut down.

Ofcom officials pulled the plug on Vibes and Frontline, which broadcast urban music. The two stations, which had to move premises frequently to avoid being caught, were tracked down by the communications industry regulator to adjacent properties in Almondbury on Wednesday.

A 21-year-old woman was arrested. Larry Stoddart, who was one of the pioneers of pirate radio in Huddersfield in the early 1990s, said about £5,000 or £6,000 of equipment, including transmitters, turntables and amplification equipment, was seized.

He said: “Without pirate radio, it’s going to be a very sour Christmas. “These are the only stations providing music that a lot of people want to listen to. Thousands of people listen to pirate radio. If they are using public money to hound pirate radio, it’s a total waste.”

The stations, which operated on FM frequencies 90.6 and 94.7, mainly played reggae, R ‘n’ B and soul and had been running for about four years. They transmitted primarily at weekends and survived thanks to revenue from advertising by small businesses and promoters of club nights.

The man behind Vibes, known only as ‘The General’, has been involved in pirate radio for 20 years and has become a cult figure in the scene.

He said: “I feel rotten about it to be honest. “We give the community up-to-date information about what’s going on and music that they want to listen to. We play what other radio stations aren’t playing.” But he vowed pirate radio would be back. “I’ve got plans,” he said.

Mr Stoddart, 45, said pirate radio helped to reach young people with important messages. He said: “Our main listeners are teenagers and we provide a lot of messages raising awareness of knife and gun crime, sexually transmitted infections and other issues. We are looking for some sort of legislation that would allow pirate radio to operate – maybe having one station per town or city. They say transmitting pirate radio could bring an aeroplane down, but so could a mobile phone.” He said there would be a campaign to bring pirate radio back.

An Ofcom spokesman said: “Ofcom can confirm that it has carried out a raid on two illegal pirate radio stations. Equipment was seized during the operation and is being retained as evidence. The investigation is ongoing.”

During 2008, Ofcom carried out 36 studio raids, secured 28 prosecutions and 14 formal cautions, removed 489 illegal transmitters and issued 74 written warnings to combat illegal broadcasting activities.

(Source: Huddersfield Daily Examiner, via Radio Netherlands Media Network)

Sun Dec 13

3900: Radio Polaris with heavy rock @ 2240. Difficult to hear due to strong utility. SINPO 32432. Moved to 3904 @ 2252 where clearer - SINPO 34433. Via Bedford web receiver. 

3920: Radio Luka heard @ 2315 with country music. Fair signal via Bedford web receiver, off at 2320. SINPO 34333. 

3932: Radio Jan van Gent heard @ 2025 playing Dutch music, ID and giving out email address. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.  

4025: Laser Hot Hits with "Playing With the Queen of Hearts" @ 1240. Good signal but noise level fairly high. SINPO 44333.

5800: Radio Boomerang playing Men At Work "Down Under" @ 1030. Strong signal. SINPO 54444. also heard @ 1140 on 6295 ... off few minutes later. SINPO 54444.

5810: Radio Star Int making its first broadcast, signing on @ 0900 with Roger Dale playing Tears for Fears. Announced web address of www.radiostarinternational.com. In parallel with 7600. Some splash from Orion on 5815. SINPO 43433. To hear recording click here

5815: Orion Radio playing the Pretenders "It Must be Christmas Time" @ 0855. Good signal. SINPO 44444.

5825: Radio Geronimo playing David Lee Roth "Just Like Living in Paradise" @ 1050. SINPO 34333.

5835: Thunderbird Radio coming in well @ 0920 with IDs and playing rock music @ 0910. SINPO 34433.

6210: Radio Borderhunter playing "Mr Vain" @ 1000. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6220: Mystery Radio with disco @ 0850. Good signal. SINPO 44444.

6240: Free Radio Victoria playing "On the Border" @ 0940. SINPO 44433.

6257: Radio Scotland Int playing dance music and greeting listeners @ 1053. Good signal. SINPO 44444.

6262: Radio Suzuki with Christmas music @ 1035, voice audio bit of low side. SINPO 33433.

6280: Trans Europe Radio heard with Boney M and UB40, and ID @ 0920. SINPO 34333.

6292: Radio Mazda back on the air, with IDs and Dutch music @ 0912. Good signal, some utility QRM. Heard on 6297 @ 0950. SINPO 43443.

6295: Radio Phoenix Int heard @ 1205 playing REM and Morrissey. Good signal, peaking at S9+10dB. SINPO 44444. To hear recording click here

6300: Radio Brandaris Int with polka and instrumental music @ 1120. Good signal. SINPO 44444.

6305: Radio Scotland Int playing "I Feel Love" @ 0945. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

6305: Radio Malaisy with dance music @ 1115, co-channel QRM. SINPO 43333.

6310: Radio Grensstad with instrumental music @ 1200. SINPO 44433.

6311: Radio Northpole with Dutch music @ 0950, ID at 1015. SINPO 33433.

6318: Central Radio heard @ 1145 with relay of FM service, playing dance music, "Move Every Mountain." Good signal. SINPO 44433.Moved to 6320 few minutes later.

6324: Flux AM with ID jingles and playing instrumental music @ 1010. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

6325: Radio Mustang playing Jean Michel Jarre @ 1227. SINPO 34333.

6375: Sonic Radio with IDs and palying reggae music @ 0857. Good signal today. SINPO 44433.

6387: Radio Zodiac playing "Shaking All Over" @ 1100, followed by ID and contact details. SINPO 54444.

6400: Radio Lowland playing Dutch music @ 1045. Fair-good signal. SINPO 33433.

6417: Radio Marconi heard @ 1020 with Dutch songs and polka. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6425: Radio Alice with rock music @ 1040, utility QRM. SINPO 33333.

6524: Radio Northcoast playing Cyndi Lauper "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" @ 1230. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6952: Radio Jan van Gent with Dutch music @ 1225. SINPO 34333.

7600: Radio Star Int playing They Might Be Giants @ 0915. Signal fading quite a lot, peaking at S9+20dB but also fading right down. In parallel with 5810. SINPO 44433.

Sat Dec 12

3900: Bluestar Radio playing country music @ 2055. Good signal, peaking at S9+10dB. SINPO 44444.

3905: Radio Oscar Zulu with OMD @ 2045. Fair signal, just audible above noise level. SINPO 34333.

3907: Radio Boomerang playing dance music and Dutch songs @ 2135, IDs in Dutch. Strong signal. SINPO 54444.

3908: Radio Baken 16 heard playing "Is this the Way to Amarillo" @ 2150. SINPO 34333.

3930: Radio Jan van Gent heard with Dutch music @ 1550. Fair signal but noisy. SINPO 34333.

3945: Bogusman heard talking about holidays in Wales, playing Then Jericho @ 1435. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

4025: Britain Radio Int via LHH heard @ 1035 playing the Stereophonics. SINPO 44433.

6205: Radio Trans Europe playing Jona Lewie "Stop The Cavarly," @ 1205, off soon after. SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio with pop @ 2115. Fair-good signal. SINPO 44433.

6265: Radio Oscar Zulu heard @ 0855 playing the Pet Shop Boys. SINPO 34433. Still on @ 1235 - SINPO 34333.

6285: Radio Altrex playing Roxette "You've Got the Look" @ 0900. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34433.

6291: Radio Scirocco playing dance music, strong occasional utility QRM. SINPO 33433.

6376: Radio Sonic with reggae music @ 0850. SINPO 34333.

6524: Radio Northcoast playing Bonnie Tyler @ 0940. SINPO 34333.

6553: Radio Rainbow with ID and email address, then playing Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" @ 2210. Fair signal via Bedford web receiver. SINPO 34333.

6870: Pirate Music with ID jingles, playing "You Don't Love Me Anymore" @ 1010. SINPO 34333.

Fri Dec 11

6210: Misti Radio heard with pop @ 1045. Weak signal with fair peaks. SINPO 24332.

6216: Radio King Shortwave heard @ 0945 with rock music, then jingle. Weak signal with deep fades. SINPO 24332.

Thurs Dec 10

4025: Laser Hot Hits heard @ 2200 talking about the poor night-time conditions, playing "American Heartbeat." Better receptions tonight - SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio playing the Pet Shop Boys @ 1840, followed by ID jingle. SINPO 34333.

6324: Flux AM heard @ 1005 playing Queen & David Bowie "Under Pressure." Fair-good signal. SINPO 34433.

New shortwave station

A new UK station should be on the air this Sunday (December 13th).

The station will feature a mix of programme styles and is scheduled to be on from 0900 -1500.

The main frequency for Radio Star International will be 7600kHz, with a lower powered transmitter on 5810kHz. Contact details will be given out during the broadcast.

Please listen in, shortwave fans!

(comment left on my blog, Dec 8)

Wed Dec 9

4025: Laser Hot Hits heard @ 2120. Weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332.

6220: Mystery Radio with oldies @ 2005. Good signal but splash from 6225 (RTE). SINPO 43443.

6324: Flux AM playing Roxette "Joyride" @ 1410. SINPO 34433.

Tues Dec 8

4025: Laser Hot Hits heard @ 2135 with Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing." Usual high noise level. SINPO 34232. 

6220: Mystery Radio @ 2125 playing George Michael followed by ID jingle. Good signal. SINPO 44433. 

6870: Pirate Music heard @ 1005 playing Europe "The Final Countdown" and ID jingles. SINPO 34333.

Mon Dec 7

4025: Laser Hot Hits with "Playing With the Queen of Hearts" @ 2120. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio with ID jingle and playing Spandau Ballet @ 2127. SINPO 44433.

6870: Pirate Music heard @ 0945 playing dance music and ID jingles and the song "Would I Lie To You." Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

Sun Dec 6

3900: Bluestar Radio playing Cyndi Lauper "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" @ 1145. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

3920: Radio Noorderlicht with rock music @ 1510, fair-good signal but lot of rapid fading. SINPO 34323.

4025: Laser Hot Hits playing ELO "Turn to Stone" @ 1150. SINPO 34333.

5815: Antonio Radio with IDs and playing instrumental music @ 1005. Fair-good signal but some fading. SINPO 34433.

6140: MV Baltic Radio via Wertachtal signing on @ 1000 and playing Bowie's "Golden Years." SINPO 44444.

6202: Radio Scotland Int playing Ultravox "The Voice" @ 1010, also said pictures of his transmitter on his web page. Good signal. SINPO 44444.

6210: Radio Scirocco playing Bruce Springsteen @ 0905, said was closing down soon. SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio with oldies @ 0920, ID jingle. Good signal today. SINPO 44433.

6240: Misti Radio with 60s music, including "No Milk Today" @ 0900. SINPO 34333.

6265: Radio Borderhunter greeting listeners and playing Boston @ 0918. Good signal and audio, as always. SINPO 44444.

6285: Radio Altrex heard @ 0855 with the song "Heat of the Moment" and promo for Dr Tim's News. SINPO 34333.

6300: Radio Brandaris playing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" @ 0930. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6301: Radio Mustang with The Sweet "Dynamite" @ 1330, some splash from Malaisy. SINPO 33333.

6302: Voice of the Netherlands heard @ 1200 playing OMD and Coldplay and asking for QSO. SINPO 44444.

6305: Trans Europe Radio playing "Tubular Bells" @ 0852, fair signal. SINPO 34333. Also heard @ 6280 @ 1045 - SINPO 34433.

6305: Radio Malaisy playing dance music, occasional jingle IDs. Heard @ 1340 with SINPO 44433.

6307: Radio Titanic playing disco music and greeting listener in Romania @ 1243. SINPO 34333.

6310: Grensstad Radio playing instrumental music @ 1050. SINPO 44333.

6325: Flux AM with jingles and playing "Achy Breaky Heart" @ 0857. SINPO 44433.

6375: Sonic Radio heard playing reggae, with song "Amigo" @ 0845. SINPO 34433.

6375: Radio Baken 16 playing "Feels Like Heaven" @ 1425. SINPO 34333.

6400: Radio Saturnus with a French song @ 0850. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6420: Radio Dutchwing getting all festive with Christmas music, including "Jingle Bells" @ 1220. SINPO 44433.

6425: Radio Marconi with country rock @ 1215, some splash from 6420. SINPO 34333.

6524: Northcoast Radio with Alice Cooper "Poison" @ 0925. SINPO 34333.

6524: Radio Ramona heard with IDs, playing Kirsty McColl "There's A Guy Who Works down the Chip Shop..." @ 1255. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.

6815: Radio Altrex on an usual frequency, playing country rock @ 1410. SINPO 33333.

6870: Radio Playback Int with relay of US station, playing "Funky Town" @ 0923. SINPO 34333.

6943: Radio Jan van Gent with country music @ 1415. SINPO 34333.

6955: Cactus Jack Radio playing soundtrack to the film "Mission to Mars" @ 1025. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

Sat Dec 5

1665: Radio Barones with a programme in English about RNI @ 1900. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

3886: Radio Baken 16 playing CCR @ 2245. Fair signal but noisy. SINPO 34333.

3901: Radio Sallandse Boer with country music @ 1640. Fair signal. SINPO 34333. 

3905: Bluestar Radio with Dutch songs @ 1645. SINPO 44333. Heard on 3908 @ 1730, greetings to Fox 48, giving out hotline number. SINPO 34333. 

4025: Laser Hot Hits heard @ 0910 playing Starship. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6216: Radio King Shortwave with the song "Yesterday Man" @ 0915. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio with pop @ 1855 followed by ID jingle. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6285: Radio Altrex with Dutch songs and polka @ 0855. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6300: Radio Tornado playing "Can You Feel It" by the Jacksons @ 1405. Fair signal but station underneath (Golfbreker?). SINPO 33333.

6301: Radio Mustang with polka and IDs @ 1210, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6310: Radio Northpole playing Dutch songs, SSB QRM @ 1230. ID from Achim's blog. SINPO 33333.

6310: Radio Trans Europe heard @ 1420 playing 60s instrumental music. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6316: Radio Delta Lima with reggae music @ 0920. SINPO 34333.

6325: Radio Mustang with polka and brass band music @ 1503. Weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332.

6373: Flux AM with dance music @ 1005, good signal. SINPO 44433.

6425: Radio Marconi playing "I Was Made For Loving You" @ 1520. Fair signal. ID at 1537. SINPO 34333.

6877: Central Radio testing @ 1510 with dance music, moved a few minutes later to 6875. Weak signal and difficult to hear due to noise and utilities. SINPO 23332.

6945: Radio Jan van Gent with country music @ 1220. Fair signal but noisy. SINPO 34333.

9510: Radio Joystick via IRRS signing on @ 0900 and playing The Temptations. SINPO 44444.

Fri Dec 4

3885: Continental Radio with rock music @ 2240. Good signal but some noise and fading. SINPO 44333.

3900: Skyline International Radio playing polka @ 1815. Fair signal with good peaks, but quite high noise level. SINPO 34333.

3940: Unid station with rock music @ 2230. Poor signal with whistle from nearby station. SINPO 23332.

4025: Laser Hot Hits audible tonight, heard @ 2245 playing ELO "Here is the News." Fair signal with good peaks. SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio with a good signal now, playing "Our Love is History" @ 2253. SINPO 44433.

Radio "7800"

According to station's op, Radio "7800" are going to broadcast this Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 10 UTC (10-11CET) on 7800kHz.
Email to station: radio7800@wp.pl

Output power is 5W, but aerial seems to works properly so should be audible hundreds kilometers from their QTH, located somewhere in Northern Poland. Unfortunately annoing UTE sometimes makes problems on mentioned frequency.

Radio "7800" is not real name of this stations. This is my personal name of it because real name is not published yet or at least is not known for me.

Information via Polish radio-forum "RadioPolska" (http://forum.radiopolska.pl/index.php?showtopic=16005&st=40).

(via Foton, alfalima.net)

Thurs Dec 3

1395: Big L/KBC heard @ 2250 with Wolfman Jack show, song "Bobby's Girl," Big L International IDs. Also ads for KBC Imports. SINPO 44433. 

6220: Mystery Radio with dance music and jingle ID @ 1855. Fair-good signal, but some fading/ SINPO 44433.

Big L testing on 1395

The site of KBC Radio has photos of the (re-)installation work of the Dutch transmitter at Trintelhaven on 1395 kHz, which will carry the programmes of KBC and Big L. Work was carried out yesterday, and is apparently continuing today. Tests have now started. These tests are subject to interruption. It appears that the transmitter is not yet operating at full power.

(via Radio Netherlands Media Network)

Mon Nov 30

3900: Radio Baken 16 playing Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" @ 1040. Weak-fair signal. SINPO 24332. 

6220: Mystery Radio heard @ 2250 with ID jingle, playing reggae, utility QRM. SINPO 33333.

6870: Radio Playback Int playing Alvin Stardust @ 1030, followed by PBi jingle, fair single but some fading. SINPO 34333.

North American log

A log from Joe Wood in Greenback, TN, USA:

6876 The Crystal Ship. 1317-1433+. 28 Nov. EG. Mr. Poet with music from the 1960’s and 1970’s including: “Riders on the Storm,” “Ride Captain Ride,” “I Fought the Law,” and maybe “The Ballad of the Red Baron.” There were several others I could not identify. The signal started out poorly, but improved to fair. The music was much more readable than the VOX. Two definite ID’s heard at 1420 and 1433. The first was by a YL and the second was the “Blue States” ID. Poor to Fair. 

Sun Nov 29

4025: Laser Hot Hits heard @ 1210 playing dance music. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

4025: Britain Radio Int via LHH heard @ 1500 with Roger Davis talking about the latest radio books. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

5815: Orion Radio with Dutch songs @ 0920, good signal. SINPO 44444.

6205: Radio Borderhunter with dance music @ 1005, then Black Sabbath, good signal. SINPO 44444.

6210: Misti Radio with "Rock Around the Clock" @ 1003. Fair signal but splash from 6205. SINPO 33333. At 1010 moved to 6240 - SINPO 34333.

6211: Radio Scirocco with ID @ 1150, poor signal. SINPO 24332.

6216: Radio King Shortwave (tent) with oldies @ 1035, weak signal with fair peaks. SINPO 23332.

6220: Radio Marabu with rock music @ 0925, talk in German. SINPO 34433.

6260: Radio Likedeeler heard @ 1030, playing "Run to You." Fair signal. SINPO 33333.

6265: Radio Geronimo Shortwave with Dave Scott giving out contact details, playing Genesis @ 0955. SINPO 44433.

6280: Radio Merlin with Jackie Frost playing Michael Ball @ 1010. Signal not as strong as usual. SINPO 34333.

6290: Radio Trans Europe playing OMD "Enola Gay" and ID and giving out email address @ 1058, some utility QRM. SINPO 33333.

6292: Radio Quintus playing Meatloaf @ 1155. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6310: Radio Northpole @ 1020 playing Nicole, ID @ 1038. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6315: Radio Waves Int with country music @ 0905. SINPO 34333. Heard @ 1100 on 6320 - SINPO 24332.

6325: Radio Mustang with ID and playing polka @ 1200, off at 1202. SINPO 34333.

6373: Flux AM with polka and Dutch songs @ 0910. SINPO 33333.

6378: Radio Dutchwing heard @ 1505 with ID and instrumental music, greeting Dr Tim, playing promo for Summer Meeting 2010. SINPO 44433.

6396: WNKR heard @ 1055 playing Genesis. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6417: Radio Marconi with ID @ 1143, he said was testing the audio, played Bowie's "Heroes." Good signal. SINPO 44433.

Sat Nov 28

 3900: Unid station with pop @ 1615, no ID. SINPO 34333.

3925: The Ghoul heard talking about Iraq, playing "I'm In Love With A German Film Star" @ 1545. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

4025: Laser Hot Hits with recording of former pirate Sunshine Radio Ludlow from 80s, playing "This is It" @ 0850. Good signal. SINPO 44444.

5815: Orion Radio playing Abba "Supertrouper" @ 1300. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6210: Misti Radio with oldies @ 0950. Fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6220: Mystery Radio with pop @ 1630, fair signal. SINPO 34333.

6280: Trans Europe Radio @ 1000 with ID and folk rock. SINPO 34333.

6289: Radio Rainbow giving out website address and playing German song "For our German listeners" @ 1245. SINPO 34333.

6303: Radio Scirocco with ZZ Top "Gimme All Your Loving" @ 0855, off a few minutes later. SINPO 34333.

6310: Radio Altrex playing soft rock and greeting listeners @ 0910. SINPO 34333.

6325: Radio Mustang playing "Where Do You Go To My Lovely" @ 1017. SINPO 34333.

6425: Radio Alice heard @ 1537 calling Radio Lowland, playing Dutch music. Good signal. SINPO 44433.

6870: Radio Playback Int playing Bacarra "Yes sSir, I Can Boogie" @ 1120, followed by PBi ID. SINPO 34333.

9510: Radio Joystick via IRRS @ 0915 with ID "funky sounds for central Europe" ID and playing Dionne Warwick "The Letter." SINPO 44444.

Fri Nov 27

3900: Continental Radio heard @ 2035 with ID, playing Dutch music and polka. Fair-good signal. SINPO 34333.