Logs 3 Jan 2023

1494 2150 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
1611 1810 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1618 2137 Radio Marjanne. SINPO 34433.
1620 1653 Radio Monza. SINPO 34433.
1638 2157 Radio Turftrekker. SINPO 34433.
1655 1736 Radio Belladonna. SINPO 34333. 
1665 1625 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5140 1710 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34333.
5800 1547 Radio Continental. SINPO 44433.
5800 1801 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 24332.

Radio Intersound eQSL

 

Another great eQSL from Radio Intersound who was testing yesterday evening on 6285. Many thanks!

Logs 2 Jan 2023

1494 2323 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 33433.
1512 1705 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 24432.
1611 2051 Radio Augusta. SINPO 43433.
1665 2258 Radio Zeewolf. SINPO 34433. QSO
1665 2303 Radio Monte Carlo. SINPO 44433. QSO
5140 1639 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34333.
6285 1811 Radio Intersound. SINPO 44433.
6290 1652 Radio Fox 48. SINPO 34333.

Shortwave pirates heard in 2022

It is the start of a new year and time to look back at the European shortwave pirates heard during the past 12 months. 

It doesn't feel like a particularly vintage year for activity - there's seems to be too many automated stations playing just music and jingles without a real person sitting behind a mic.

Also there's plenty of random broadcasts of internet stations (mainly Dutch). But out there are still some stations trying to make entertaining radio and playing music you won't hear on the mainstream radio.

Special mention should go to XTC, Radio Pandora and Radio Pamela who are keeping the spirit of free radio alive with their broadcasts. It was good to see many appearances from XTC this year with his shows.

Bogusman and The Ghoul continue but have gone down the legal route with relays via Channel 292.

Free Radio Service Holland celebrated its 42nd birthday and is one of the few stations which has a roster of shows presented by different DJs. Another station is Laser Hot Hits but their appearances on shortwave have become far and few between.

It was also the year two stations in Ireland were raided - Radio Sovereign and The Vault. This came after interference complaints made by regulators in the UK and Germany. 

As for the numbers,  in 2022 I logged 125 pirates on shortwave - not including internet relays or the licensed low power stations, like Piepzender.

In 2021 I logged 147 shortwave pirates but this included all of German pirate operator Dr Tim's different stations (23 in 2021). The Doc passed away at the end of 2021.

Some stations made only one or two appearances during the year while others were a regular presence during the past 12 months.

It will be no surprise that the majority of pirates heard were from The Netherlands (77), while in second place was the UK (15) then Germany and Ireland (8 each).

In all 15 countries in Europe saw some shortwave pirate radio activity, including Ukraine where Radio Europe has kept up regular broadcasts on 5835 despite bombardment and power cuts.

This is not an exhaustive list as there will been other stations on the air during the year who I haven't heard, but it is more of a guide.

Country breakdown (2021 figures in brackets):

• The Netherlands 77 (76)
• United Kingdom 15 (13)
• Ireland 8 (8)
• Germany 8 (9)
• Italy 4 (5)
• Unknown 3
• Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine (one each)

** The A to Z of European shortwave pirates can be seen HERE (the link should be fixed now)

Medium wave continues to be active. 

In the UK Radio Blackbeard has been regularly heard on 1512 kHz but sometimes faces interference from Dutch pirates wanting to use this channel. Another popular frequency is 1494 where Radio Rock Revolution can be heard in the evenings. Energy Power AM from Dublin moved to old Radio Luxembourg frequency on 1440 while Radio Augusta is on every evening on 1611 with their oldies music, with an offshore feel.

Above 1611, continues to be dominated by Dutch, Greek and Balkan pirates. 

Dutch listener AssenDX has put together an A-Z of the Dutch medium wave pirates heard in 2022. You can seen this list on his blog at: https://mgpiraten.blogspot.com/2022/12/middengolf-piraten-ontvangen-in-2022-z.html

Logs 1 Jan 2023

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1494 1530 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433. Also on 5880
1512 1704 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1723 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1638 1802 Radio Osaka. SINPO 34433.
1645 1757 Radio Nordsee. SINPO 34433.
1645 2245 Radio Turfsteker. SINPO 34433.
1660 1739 Radio Black Power. SINPO 34433.
5140 1658 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5787 1536 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 54444.
5800 0915 Radio Casanova. SINPO 44433.
5840 0925 Polka Radio. SINPO 24432.
5880 0934 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 44433.
6020 0943 Radio Delta. SINPO 24432. Also on 11730
6205 1540 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 54444.
6210 1348 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 24432.
6270 1618 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 55444. Switched to 6265 at 1623
6275 1626 Radio Fox 48. SINPO 24432. 
6280 1340 Panda Radio. SINPO 24432.
6285 1555 Voice of the Netherlands (tent). SINPO 54444.
6300 1037 Radio Johnny Tobacco. SINPO 44433.
9294 1058 Radio Pamela. SINPO 35433.
11730 0945 Radio Delta. SINPO 34433.

Logs 31 Dec 2022

1512 1623 Radio Zanussi. SINPO 33433.
1611 1720 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1636 1817 Radio Mi Amigo. SINPO 34433.
1660 1826 Radio Digital. SINPO 34433.
5140 1557 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5800 1110 Radio Akenzo. SINPO 44433.
5830 1130 Radio East Coast Holland. SINPO 34433.
5840 1229 Polka Radio. SINPO 24432.
5880 1201 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
6020 1143 Radio Delta. SINPO 34433. Also on 11730
6260 1534 Panda Radio. SINPO 34433.
6272 1547 Radio Jennifer. SINPO 34433.
6290 1121 Radio Vonkentrekker. SINPO 24432.
6301 1218 Radio Sallandse Boer. SINPO 34433.
6325 1705 Radio Norton. SINPO 44433. Strong peaks
11730 1145 Radio Delta. SINPO 44433.
21455U 1337 Mike Radio. SINPO 24432.

Greetings received from French pirate RFB (Radio Face de Blatte). They said antenna problems kept them off the air for most of 2022 but they hope to be back in 2023.

Logs 30 Dec 2022

1494 2310 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
1512 1653 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1716 Radio Augusta. SINPO 44433.
1629 2320 Radio Blauwe Koe. SINPO 44433.
1635 2329 Bluebird Radio. SINPO 43433.
1638 1707 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
1665 1703 Radio Vrolijke Mijnwerker. SINPO 
5140 1536 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5880 1452 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 44433.
6270 1628 Radio Fox 48. SINPO 34433.
6290 1419 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 24432.
6290 1727 Anthony Radio. SINPO 54444.
6299 1401 XTC. SINPO 44433. By 1543 up to SINPO 54444.
6320 1354 Voice of the Netherlands. SINPO 44433.
6955 1514 Enterprise Radio. SINPO 33433. Switched to 6960 at 1520 to avoid SSB/utilities (34433)
6955 1635 Radio Zeppelin. SINPO 34433.

Logs 29 Dec 2022

1494 2315 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
1512 1720 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1659 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1629 2255 Radio Blauwe Koe. SINPO 44433.
5140 1653 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
5880 1600 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 54444.
6240 1613 Radio Kiloherz. SINPO 54444.
6290 1440 Radio Joey. SINPO 54444.
6295 1515 Radio Sunrise. SINPO 24332.
6320 1503 Radio Joey. SINPO 54444. Move from 6290
6388 1547 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34433.

Logs 28 Dec 2022

1494 2301 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.  
1512 1649 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1825 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1701 Radio Alabama. SINPO 44433.
1635 2328 Radio Bluebird. SINPO 54444.
1638 1723 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
1646 2318 Radio Manolito. SINPO 34433. QSO
1665 2307 Radio Kristal. SINPO 44433. QSO
1665 2310 Radio Monte Carlo. SINPO 44433. QSO
1670 1716 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5140 1750 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 24332.
5800 1551 Radio Akenzo. SINPO 54444.
5800 1611 Radio Continental. SINPO 44433. Report to Akenzo
5880 1515 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 44433.
6070 1526 Bogusman via Channel 292. SINPO 53443. Splash from station on 6075
6295 1504 Radio 60 (via Mike Radio, pres). SINPO 54444.
6955 1743 Zeppelin Radio. SINPO 24332.

Logs 27 Dec 2022

1611 1845 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1615 1619 Radio Zwarte Boekanier. SINPO 33433.
1625 1631 Radio De Derde Man. SINPO 34433.
1631 1854 Radio Nachtzwerver. SINPO 34433.
1640 1610 Radio Pontiac. SINPO 44433.
1647 1901 Radio Marconist. SINPO 44433.
1670 1601 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5870 1531 Mike Radio. SINPO 55444.
5880 1013 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 55444.
6275 1350 Radio Jennifer. SINPO 34433. Change of frequency
6288 1306 Your Radio of the Sea. SINPO 24432.
6290 1007 Radio Jennifer. SINPO 34433.
6294.5 1250 XTC. SINPO 54444.
6940 1522 Radio Nova (UK). SINPO 44433.
6955 1543 Zeppelin Radio (pres). SINPO 34433.
14960 1333 Radio Harmony. SINPO 55444.

Logs 26 Dec 2022

1494 2247 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
1512 1701 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 32432. Several stations on frequency
1611 1654 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1627 2255 Radio Polkaman. SINPO 34433.
1629 1637 Radio Twentana. SINPO 44433.
1647 1712 Radio Keizer & Keizerin. SINPO 34433.
1655 1622 Radio Melkbus. SINPO 34433.
5140 1540 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5880 1438 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 54444.
6020 1445 Radio Delta. SINPO 54444.
6095 1010 Radio Scotland Int. SINPO 55444.
6200 1025 Radio Hitmix. SINPO 55444.
6210 0952 Radio King Shortwave (pres). SINPO 44433.
6240 1020 Radio Nora. SINPO 44433.
6240 1055 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 54444. Report to Nora
6260 1035 Radio Scotland Int. SINPO 55444. Move from 6095
6270 1016 Radio Universe. SINPO 44433.
6290 1030 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
6290 1105 Radio Johnny Tobacco (pres). SINPO 55444. 
6290 1514 Radio Fox 48. SINPO 34333.
6300 0947 Radio Deltracks (tent). SINPO 54444.
6380 1520 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34433.

An eQSL received from Premier Radio Int for reception yesterday on 6290. Thanks Jimmy.

Logs 25 Dec 2022

1611 1635 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 2010 Radio Houthakker. SINPO 33433.
1647 1622 Radio Witte Tornado en Lady. SINPO 44433.
1665 1642 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
1673 1935 Radio Technical Man. SINPO 54444.
5140 1409 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 24332.
5775 1600 Radio Harmony. SINPO 44333.
5800 1005 Radio Continental. SINPO 54444.
5840 1013 Polka Radio. SINPO 24432.
5870 1102 FRS Holland via Mike Radio. SINPO 55544. Also on 7700, 9332
5880 1400 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 44444.
6020 1115 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444.
6160 0942 Skyline Radio Germany via Shortwave Radio. SINPO 44433.
6190 0950 Speedwing Radio. SINPO 24432.
6205 1020 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 44433.
6260 1550 Panda Radio. SINPO 44433.
6270 0958 Radio Jennifer (pres). SINPO 24432.
6280 0925 Radio Cuckoo. SINPO 55444.
6285 1535 Little Feat Radio. SINPO 34433.
6290 0933 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
6290 1055 Radio Johnny Tobacco. SINPO 55444.
6300 0920 Gaydio via relay. SINPO 54444.
6300 1542 Radio Fox 48. SINPO 33433.
7675 1045 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34333.

7700 1105 FRS Holland. SINPO 55544.
9332 1108 FRS Holland. SINPO 54444.

Speedwing Radio eQSL

 

Quick reply for a Christmas Eve report to Speedwing Radio who I heard on 6190. They are on today and tomorrow from 0900UTC for about an hour on the same frequency. 

 

Logs 24 Dec 2022

1494 1859 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 33433.
1512 1850 Radio Zanussi. SINPO 43433.
1512.5 1822 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 33433. Slightly off channel
1611 1803 Radio Augusta. SINPO 43433.
1645 1911 Radio Turfsteker. SINPO 34433.
1663 1940 Radio Vonkenboer. SINPO 34433.
1673 1843 Radio Technical Man. SINPO 54444.
5775 0953 Radio Harmony. SINPO 34333.
6190 0935 Speedwing Radio. SINPO 24332.
6290 0948 Radio Abu Dhabi. SINPO 54444.
6305 1058 Radio Deltracks. SINPO 34433.

Some Christmas greetings

 

Logs 23 Dec 2022

1512 1727 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1705 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1749 Radio Zorro. SINPO 34433.
1647 1630 Radio DB. SINPO 33433. Splash from 1650
1650 1649 Radio Oliebollenbakkers. SINPO 44433. 
1670 1656 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5140 1843 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
5800 1608 FRS Holland. SINPO 55544. FRSH jingles & music 
5840 1442 Polka Radio. SINPO 34333.
6210 1508 Radio Zanzibar (Mi Amigo - NL pirate). SINPO 44433. 
6235 1636 Radio Monique. SINPO 54444.
6285 1829 Radio Avia. SINPO 54444.
6295 1425 Radio Jennifer. SINPO 34433.
6295 1525 Radio Pioneer. SINPO 54444.

Logs 22 Dec 2022

1512 1715 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 43433. 
1512 2320 Radio Marskramer (pres). SINPO 44433.
1611 1700 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1620 2305 Radio De Kruik. SINPO 24332. QSO
1630 1730 Stem Van Twente. SINPO 33433.
1635 2303 Radio Monte Carlo. SINPO 44433. QSO
1636 1808 Radio Bonanza. SINPO 33433.
1645 1816 Radio Turfsteker. SINPO 34433.
1655 1708 Radio Digital. SINPO 34433.
1655 2307 Radio Meteoor. SINPO 34433. QSO
5140 1842 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5775 1848 Radio Harmony. SINPO 44433.

Logs 21 Dec 2022

1512 1645 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 33433.
1611 1736 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1620 1617 Radio Poema. SINPO 34433.
1652 1726 Radio Pontiac. SINPO 44433.
1655 1630 Radio Yogi Bear & Dr Einstein. SINPO 34433.
5140 1653 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
5870 1540 Radio 60. SINPO 55544. Via Mike Radio (pres)

Logs 20 Dec 2022

1512 1715 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 33433.
1611 1827 Radio Augusta. SINPO 44433.
1630 1839 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 44433. Shifted to 1628 at 1900
1642 1738 Radio Marconist. SINPO 44433.
1645 1914 Radio Meteoor. SINPO 34433.
1620 1640 Radio Interpol. SINPO 34433.
5140 1655 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
6205 1753 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 33433. SSB QRM
6295 1707 Radio Fox 48. SINPO 34333.