Thurs Jan 24

1640 1747 Radio Casablanca. Drifters "Sitting in the Back of the Movies," chat in Dutch, ID jingles. SINPO 44433.
3905 1805 Radio Fox 48. Country music, off 1815. SINPO 34333.
5140 1815 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 34333.
5780 1518 Radio Harmony. Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra "Some Velvet Morning," Doris Day "Anything You Can Do." SINPO 55555.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

New programme from Radio Igloo

Radio Igloo returns for a new mixed music programme on Monday (January 28) from 2100-2145 UTC (2200-2245 CET).

This time the programme is in cooperation with the Malmo Shortwave Club, playing music from southern Sweden.

The frequency is 1624.5 kHz (or a frequency nearby if occupied).

Reception reports and audio clips welcomed. Send your reports to:  radioigloo@gmail.com

Correct reports will be verified with a brand new e-QSL

(I'm guessing programme will be relayed by a Dutch medium wave pirate)

Tues Jan 22

1629 1945 Radio Eldorado. Polka, ID and off, splash from station on 1625. SINPO 33433.
1636 1953 Radio Concorde. Fleetwood Mac "Everywhere." SINPO 24332.
5140 1935 Charleston Radio Int. Music from 1920s to 40s. SINPO 34333.
5780 1255 Harmony Radio. Ella Fitzgerald "Mack the Knife," Glenn Miller "Stardust." SINPO 55544.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Sun Jan 20

3935 1512 Radio Batavia. Greetings, Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime," Stevie Wonder "For Once in my Life." SINPO 44433.
5140 1245 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 24332.
*5780 1024 Harmony Radio. Dinah Washington "Mad About the Boy." SINPO 55544.
*6120 1029 Radio Scotland Int. Rolling Stones "Miss You," Status Quo "Sweet Caroline." SINPO 45433.
*6205 1000 Laser Hot Hits. Mike Andrews show. Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb "Promises," John Miles "High Fly." SINPO 45444.
*6210 0950 Radio King Shortwave. Oldies. SINPO 23332.
6270 1547 Radio Zeewolf. Abba "Lay All Your Love On Me." London Beat "Thinking About You." SINPO 34433.
6300 1600 Zeppelin Radio (tent). Jazz music. Reported on HF Underground as Zeppelin, no IDs during 30 minutes I listened. SINPO 24332.
6850 1239 Blue Moon Radio (tent). Blackfoot "Wishing Well." SINPO 44433.

(via Kiwi SDR SW England/ *Devon)

Sat Jan 19

1643 2123 Radio Yogi Bear & Dr Einstein. "Crazy for You," then "Bird's the Word," SINPO 43433. (via Stibbington SDR)
1647 2133 Radio Keizer & Keizerin. Country music, too close to 1643. SINPO 23432. (via Stibbington SDR)
3920 1758 Mike Radio. Stranglers "Golden Brown," Gerry Rafferty "Baker Street," ID, greetings. SINPO 54444.
5140 1441 Chaleston Radio Int. Music from 1920s to 40s. SINPO 34333.
5780 1051 Harmony Radio. "You Do Something to Me," ID jingle, "What A Difference A Day Makes." SINPO 55544.
5970 1430 Studio 52 via Nauen. Live show. ZZ Top "Sharp Dressed Man" ID, greetings. SINPO 55544.
6205 1100 Laser Hot Hits. Focus "Hocus Pocus." SINPO 55544.
6250 1040 Mustang Radio. Dance music, short test. SINPO 54444.
6270 1535 Radio Zwarte Non. Instrumental music, greeting Ronalisa, ID, off. SINPO 33333.
6270 1543 Radio Ronalisa. Dutch instrumental music, QSO Zwarte Non. SINPO 33333.
6275 1043 Radio 102. "Creatures of the Night," ID. SINPO 24332.
*6280 1526 Radio Klabautermann. Instrumental music, ID, greetings. SINPO 34333.
*6423 1521 Studio 52. Dance music. SINPO 44433.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England/ *Devon)

Fri Jan 18

*1640 1729 Radio Digital. U2 "In the Name of Love," Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper," SINPO 34333.
*1646 1748 Radio Zwarte Bizon. Report for Digital. SINPO 34333.
4775 1558 Radio 319. George Baker Selection "Manana Mi Amor," ID at 1600. SINPO 54444.
6292 1550 Radio Fox 48. ID, Moments "Jack in the Box," off. SINPO 23332.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England/ *Stibbington)

Thurs Jan 17

1629 1828 Radio Dolfijn. Dutch songs. SINPO 34333.
1638 1853 Radio Concorde. Huey Lewis & The News "Stuck With You." SINPO 25332.
5140 1835 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 34333.

(via Kiwi SDR, Stibbington)

Pirate radio recordings

Radio Igloo via Dutch medium wave pirate relay
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Radio Saturnus
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Radio Sovereign
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Panda Radio
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Radio Discovery
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Radio Pamela
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Tues Jan 15

1625 2008 Radio Marianne. ID, greetings to other Dutch stations, Dutch music. SINPO 44444.
1636 2014 Radio Digital. Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper," U2 "In the Name of Love." SINPO 43433.
1636 2047 Radio Alabama. Report to Digital, Kim Wilde "Kids in America." SINPO 44444.
1650 2055 Radio Yogi Bear & Dr Einstein. The Shadows, chat, "Islands in the Stream," greetings. SINPO 34333.
5140 2040 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 34333.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Mon Jan 14

3935 2120 Radio Revox. Instrumental music, jingle ID. SINPO 34333.
5135 1755 Charleston Radio Int. ID on loop tape, moved to avoid utility on 5140. SINPO 33333.
5850 1603 Zenith Classic Rock. Moody Blues song, signal fading out. SINPO 23332.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Trans Universe, Zwarte Non & Premier Radio eQSLs

A new year and the arrival of eQSLs from Dutch pirates Radio Trans Universe and Radio Zwarte Non plus long-running Irish station Premier Radio Int. Many thanks.

Sun Jan 13

1620 2112 Radio Barones. Simon & Garfunkel "The Boxer," Survivor "Eye of the Tiger." SINPO 44444.
4775 1500 Radio 319. ID, archive recordings of RTL Radio in German. SINPO 34333.
5140 1505 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 34333.
5850 1015 Zenith Classic Rock. Rock music. SINPO 45444.
5900 0940 Radio 319. Old recordings of Radio Luxembourg's English service. SINPO 45433.
6205 1035 Laser Hot Hits. Yardbirds "Shapes of Things." SINPO 55544.
6210 0946 Radio King Shortwave. "From the Cradle to the Grave," jingles, splash from 6205. SINPO 33433.
6270 1027 Premier Radio Int. ID, greetings, Mike & The Mechanics "Looking Back Over My Shoulder," Yes "Owner of A Lonely Heart." SINPO 45433.
6290 1007 Radio Zwarte Non. Golden Earring "Radar Love," ID. SINPO 24332.
6385 1433 Radio Lowland. Bronski Beat "Smalltown Boy," Creedence Clearwater Revival "Bad Moon Rising." SINPO 34333.
6450 0954 Radio Readymix. Heavy rock, usual co-channel utility. SINPO 43433.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Sat Jan 12

1611 1918 Radio Nordster. Polka, QSO. SINPO 54444.
1620 1858 Radio Sapporo. Dutch music, ID, chat in Dutch. SINPO 44433.
1621 1908 Radio Turftrekker. QSO with Sapporo. SINPO 54444.
1647 1926 Radio Keizer & Keizerin. Pan pipe music, talk in Dutch. SINPO 44433.
1670 1845 Radio Melkbus. Polka. SINPO 34333.
5140 1836 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 34333.
5800 1524 Energy Power AM. Exile "Kiss You All Over," relay of Dublin station. SINPO 54444.
5850 1342 Zenith Classic Rock. Pink Floyd "Have A Cigar," SINPO 44433.
6205 1337 Laser Hot Hits. The Associates "Party Fears Two." SINPO 54444.
6256 1452 Radio Zwarte Panter. Dutch music, greetings. SINPO 54444.
6285 1349 Unid. German programme, mention Radio Caroline, Caroline Pop Party, 60s music. SINPO 34333.
6285 1458 Radio Melkbus. "Sweets for My Sweet," "Surfing USA," ID, greetings, said using just 5 watts. SINPO 34333.
6318 1442 Radio Sovereign. "I Was Made for Loving You," "Instant Reply," SINPO 54444.
7726 1828 Radio Zeppelin (pres). Shocking Blue "Venus," SINPO 23332.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Fri Jan 11

5140 2015 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 44333.
5850 1743 Zenith Classic Rock. Rush "Close to the Heat," SINPO 23432.
6205 1738 Laser Hot Hits. Marshmello & Bastille "Happier," SINPO 34333.
6285 1803 Unid. Sixties music, German accented DJ mentioning Radio Caroline. SINPO 23432.
6318 1729 Radio Sovereign. Barry Ryan "Eloise," Ultravox "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes." SINPO 34333.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Thurs Jan 10

1611 1945 Radio Zwarte Boer. "Real Good Feeling," Dutch song, splash from 1602. SINPO 23332.
1655 1952 Radio Meteoor. Polka, QSO. SINPO 34333.
1655 1956 Radio Zeepiraat. QSO with Meteoor. SINPO 34333.
5140 2055 Charleston Radio Int. Music from 1920s to 40s. SINPO 34333.

(via Kiwi SDR, Stibbington) 

Wed Jan 9

1625 1948 Radio B4. Greetings to Ros AM, "Red Balloon," Dutch song. SINPO 34333.
5140 1848 Charleston Radio Int. Old time music. SINPO 24332.
5850 1838 Zenith Classic Rock. Vangelis "Dervish D," Byrds "Chestnut Mare," fade out 1852. SINPO 55444.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Tues Jan 8

1642 1719 Radio Digital. Sixties music, including "Venus," "Blue Suede Shoes." SINPO 35333.
5825 1707 Zenith Classic Rock. Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here," Asia "Sole Survivor." SINPO 44433.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)

Mon Jan 7

1624.5 2112 Radio Bluebird. Plastic Bertrand "Ca Plane Pour Moi," chat in Dutch. SINPO 54444.
1645 2100 Radio Old Timer. Dutch songs. SINPO 44433.
5140 2118 Charleston Radio Int. Old-time music. SINPO 34333.

(via Kiwi SDR, Stibbington)

Nearly 200 shortwave pirates heard in 2018

I've been through my logs for the past 12 months to see just how European shortwave pirates have been active, and the grand total is 179.

There will be some stations on air in 2018, but I haven't logged them while some pirate operators use more than one station name, so the final figure is a rough guide. Some stations may have only appeared once or twice on shortwave during 2018 while others are regular visitors to the bands.

Types of stations
I've split them into four types:
1. The sole operator. He will most likely broadcast from home, have no fixed schedule, just come on for an hour or so, play some music, chat a bit and sign off.
2. The non-stop music station. There have been a few of these who will play continuous music interspersed by ID jingles but no DJ.
3. The radio station. Some stations will have several DJs who will produce shows to be aired by the station which will normally broadcast from a remote location or via a relay, such as Laser Hot Hits, Focus International or FRS Holland. There are not many of this type of pirate stations still around.
4. The relayed station. Some licensed or internet stations get relayed on shortwave, such as Coast FM, Zenith Classic Rock or Charity Radio. Most of these relays originate from Ireland. I've not included these in my final total.

Locations
No prizes for guessing the country with the most shortwave pirates is The Netherlands. This is followed by the unknown locations (mainly the non-stop music stations),  then Germany, UK, Ireland and Italy followed by several other European countries with just one or two SW pirates.
1. The Netherlands (99)
2. Unknown (31)
3. Germany (13)
4. United Kingdom (10)
5. Ireland (9)
6. Italy (8)
7. Ukraine (2)
8. Belgium, France, Hungary, Finland, Greece, Czech Republic, Portugal, Norway (1 each)

I've created a separate page for the list of stations heard in 2018, from Radio AC DC to Zwarte Panter. To see the list click HERE.

Some pirates have been heard on both shortwave and medium wave. The MW Free Radio blog has done a similar exercise and counted up the number of Dutch medium wave pirates he heard in 2018. To see his list go to https://mwfreeradio.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-class-of-2018.html

So despite the challenges of broadcasting on shortwave - bad propagation and interference from other broadcast stations or utilities - the scene certainly remains active. So let's see what 2019 will bring.

Sun Jan 6

3935 1241 Radio Rainbow Int. Phil Collins "Sussudio." SINPO 35333.
5771 1009 Radio Pamela. Nazareth "Bad Bad Boys," ID, then Japanese rock. SINPO 35333.
6120 1022 Radio Scotland Int. German techno. SINPO 55544.
6175 1230 Radio Dr Tim. U2 "New Year's Day," schlager, some splash from 6180. SINPO 33433.
6205 1035 Laser Hot Hits. Thirty Seconds to Mars "Walk on Water," SINPO 55444.
6210 0953 Radio King Shortwave. Flash & The Pan "Down Among the Dead Men," SINPO 33433.
6230 1526 Shortwave Radio 00. Coldplay, ID/email address. SINPO 33333.
6270 0939 Premier Radio Int. Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin," greetings. SINPO 34333.
6270 1536 Radio Blue Bandit (tent). Pop & rock. SINPO 24332.
6285 0944 Radio Ronalisa. U2 "Without or Without You," Beatles "Let It Be." SINPO 34333.
6287 1531 Radio Fox 48. Dance music. SINPO 23332.
6295 1043 Radio Northpole. "Jolene" in Dutch. SINPO 44433.
6305 1015 Radio Merlin Int. Procul Harem "Whiter Shade of Pale," SINPO 54444.
6325 1503 Radio Joey. Dead or Alive "You Spin Me Round," The Clash "The Magnificent Seven." SINPO 44433.
6380 1439 Radio Blauwe Panter. "Man of Action," country music, ID and off at 1457. SINPO 44433.
6450 0959 Radio Readymix. Heavy rock. SINPO 43433.

(via Kiwi SDR, SW England)