Logs 2 Jan 2024

1611 1736 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1759 Radio Kameleon. SINPO 34433.
1620 2150 Radio Marjanne. SINPO 54444.
1629 1810 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
1642 1905 Radio Turftrekker. SINPO 44433.
1655 1723 Radio Eigen Risico. SINPO 44433.
5140 1715 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
6300 1920 Radio Bretania (pres). SINPO 23432.

Logs 1 Jan 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR

1512 1615 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 33433.
1611 1649 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1620 1820 Marskramer Radio. SINPO 44433.
1636 1633 Radio De Mi Amigo. SINPO 44433.
1636 1848 Radio Bonanza. SINPO 44433.
1646 1836 Radio Rietvink. SINPO 34433.
1656 1841 Radio Concorde. SINPO 34433.
5140 1655 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34333.
5980 1015 Golden Oldies Radio (via Mike Radio?) SINPO 54444.
6195 1032 Gringo Radio. SINPO 34433.
6205 1024 Voice of the Netherlands. SINPO 54444.
6270 0952 Radio Mexico. SINPO 54444.
6270 1520 Radio Grenswinkel. SINPO 34433.
6280 1058 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 33433.
6280 1405 Skull & Bones Radio System (tent). SINPO 34433. Signing off
6285 1330 Misti Radio. SINPO 34433.
6290 0957 Radio Cuckoo. SINPO 55444.
6940 1038 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.

A look back at 2023

 As we start a new year, it is a good time to look back at the world of free radio in 2023. Last year we saw a number of stations return to the airwaves. The most notable was Weekend Music Radio.

It all started in April when a mystery station began broadcasting old recordings of WMR in the 48mb. This was heard by WMR operator Jack who publicly suggested that if he recorded a new show the relay station could air it.

Sure enough, in May the first new WMR show for several years went out on 6295 as the mystery relayer picked up the show and broadcast it. The programmes uploaded each week to the WMR website were also picked up by other stations and broadcast, including by the low power German station Shortwave Gold. 

The WMR shows have continued weekly ever since. It has been great to hear WMR back on the air, and long may it continue.

WMR wasn't the only returnee. Back in the summer, Skull and Bones Radio System made a comeback. SBRS was last heard during the Irish pirate radio boom of the 1980s so it was good to hear SBRS back on the air.

Also back after a few years away was the powerful German station Radio Mexico, while over on medium wave British pirate Radio Argus returned in December, thanks to a relay by Radio Blackbeard on 1512 kHz.  Also back on shortwave is another UK station, Central Radio International who has been heard over the Christmas period. 

I wonder if any other pirates will be tempted to dust off their transmitters in 2024. Who would you like to see return?

There have still been plenty of dedicated pirates keeping free radio alive during 2023. I've done my annual count of the Euro-shortwave pirates I logged last year - this total doesn't include the low powered licensed stations like Piepzender or Delta, nor the various relays of internet stations which popped up during the year.

There's been a drop to 111 stations in 2023, down from 125 in 2022. There will have been a few stations who have been on air but I've not heard them.

Some stations only appeared once or twice during the year while others were on air throughout 2023. As for where these stations came from - no surprises, The Netherlands had the most with 66 stations, down from 77 in 2023. This was followed by the UK with 12 stations then Germany and Ireland with six each. 

Here is the country breakdown (2022 figures in brackets)

• The Netherlands 66 (77)
• United Kingdom 12 (15)
• Ireland 6 (8)
• Germany 6 (8)
• Italy 4 (4)
• Finland 3 (1)
• Ukraine 2 (1)
• Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden (1 each)
• Plus 4 broadcasting from unid countries

My A-Z of shortwave Europirates heard in 2023 can be found HERE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For anyone interested in the Dutch medium wave pirates, Assen DX has done his annual A-Z of these stations. For the results go to his blog: https://mgpiraten.blogspot.com/2023/12/middengolf-piraten-ontvangen-in-2023-z.html

Logs 31 Dec 2023

1512 1717 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 33433.
1645 1725 Radio Barones. SINPO 54444.
1670 1754 Radio Viking. SINPO 44433.
5140 1708 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5840 1349 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 44433. //6290
5880 1042 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 44444.
5980 0920 Golden Oldies Radio (via Mike Radio?) SINPO 55444. 
5995 1731 Radio Zwarte Panter. SINPO 54444.
6160 1100 Weekend Music Radio via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 44444.
6195 1003 Gringo Radio. SINPO 34433.
6205 1523 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 33333.
6210 1743 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 44433.
6235 1010 Soul of England. SINPO 34433.
6260 0940 Radio Vonkentrekker. SINPO 34433.
6270 0931 Radio Mexico. SINPO 54444.
6270 1355 Radio Scotland Int. SINPO 54444.
6270 1502 Radio Black Power. SINPO 54444.
6280 0926 Sunrise Radio. SINPO 34433.
6290 0946 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 54444. Heard on 6285 at 1542 (54444)
6292 1600 Radio Pioneer. SINPO 33433.
6300 1129 Irish radio recordings via Kiss AM. SINPO 44444. 
6300 1530 Radio Monique. SINPO 54444.
6300 1708 Radio Pioneer. SINPO 44433. Change of freq
6320 1339 Radio Intersound. SINPO 34433.
6320 1636 Central Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
6375 1517 Central Radio Int. SINPO 34433. Recording?
6390 1027 Radio Baken 16. SINPO 44433.
6700 1538 Polka Radio. SINPO 34433.
6910 1552 Premier Radio Int. SINPO 44433. Move from 6205
6940 0954 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.

Logs 30 Dec 2023

1620 1718 Radio Tarzan. SINPO 34433.
1638 2322 Radio Nachtzwerver. SINPO 43433.
1638 2330 Monte Carlo Radio. SINPO 34433. Report to Nachtzwerver
1644 2255 Radio Blauwe Koe. SINPO 54444.
1652 2307 Radio Moby Dick. SINPO 44433.
1629 1712 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
3975 1740 Weekend Music R via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 34433.
5140 1612 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5880 1115 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 44433.
6070 1211 Deltracks. SINPO 44433. Channel 292 off air
6170 1302 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 24432.
6195 1223 Gringo Radio. SINPO 24432.
6220 1618 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 33433. Change of freq
6230 1102 Weekend Music Radio via Kiss AM. SINPO 54444.
6260 1522 Misti Radio. SINPO 34433.
6270 1457 Soul of England. SINPO 34333.
6270 1650 Studio 52. SINPO 34433.
6275 1843 Radio Moonair. SINPO 34433.
6280 1331 Radio Mexico. SINPO 54444.
6290 1544 Radio Johnny Tobacco (pres). SINPO 54444.
6300 1515 Weekend Music Radio via Kiss AM. SINPO 44433. Change of freq
6390 1447 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34333.
6700 1126 Polka Radio. SINPO 34433.
6940 1055 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.
6957 1504 Enterprise Radio. SINPO 34433.

Logs 29 Dec 2023

1512 1803 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1820 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1629 1745 Radio Bizon. SINPO 54444.
1638 1751 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
1638 1815 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 54444.
5140 1825 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34333.
6205 1755 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34333.
6280 1653 Misti Radio. SINPO 34333.
6290 1658 Deltracks. SINPO 44433.
6306 1739 Radio Sombrero. SINPO 24332.
6320 1704 Central Radio Int (tent). SINPO 34433.

Logs 28 Dec 2023

1512 1610 Radio Argus via Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1758 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1646 1625 Oldtimer Radio. SINPO 54444.
1648 1903 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
1705 1725 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5140 1712 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5800 1658 Deltracks. SINPO 44433.
6270 1652 Central Radio Int. SINPO 33433.
6297 1558 Radio Joey. SINPO 54444.
6298 1910 Radio Bretania (pres). SINPO 34333.

Logs 27 Dec 2023

1512 1533 Radio Argus via Blackbeard. SINPO 23432.
1575 1812 Radio DB. SINPO 44433.
1629 1823 Strandjutter Radio. SINPO 44433.
1665 1758 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
3905 1625 Radio Sluwe Vos. SINPO 44433.
3918 1630 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 54444.
5140 1750 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34333.
5835 1455 Radio Europe (Ukr). SINPO 23432.
5840 1445 Deltracks. SINPO 34433.
6262 1354 Radio Altrex. SINPO 24332.
6280 1320 Radio Mexico. SINPO 44433.
6290 1407 Radio Wilskracht. SINPO 34433.
6296 1847 Radio Bretania. SINPO 34333.
6306 1515 Radio Sombrero. SINPO 24432.
6375 1701 Radio Central Int. SINPO 34433. Return of the Mersey pirate or is it recording someone's putting out?
7760L 1505 Radio JVG. SINPO 34433

Logs 26 Dec 2023

1512 1713 Radio Kameleon. SINPO 44433.
1611 1758 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1820 Radio Houthakker. SINPO 33433.
1636 1725 Radio Gouden Ster. SINPO 34433.
1665 1750 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5140 1633 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5810 1612 Radio Harmony. SINPO 34333.
5940 1001 Radio Experience via Piepzender. SINPO 44433.
5980 1017 Golden Oldies Radio (via Mike Radio?). SINPO 44444.
6060 1206 Radio Casanova. SINPO 54444.
6110 0946 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444. //12030
6195 0930 Radio Speedwing. SINPO 24432.
6275 0940 Deltracks. SINPO 44433.
6275 1445 Radio Johnny Tobacco. SINPO 55444.
6280 1148 XTC. SINPO 55444.
6280 1627 Radio Mexico. SINPO 54444.
6290 0923 Studio Grensstad via unid. SINPO 34433.
6300 0915 Kiss AM. SINPO 44433.
6310 1010 Radio Universe. SINPO 34333.
6320 1440 Radio Pandora. SINPO 32432. QRM from station on 6325
6325 1502 Radio Lowland. SINPO 34433.
6390 1142 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34333.
6940 1133 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.
6945 1454 Radio Voyager. SINPO 34433.
12030 0950 Radio Delta. SINPO 55544.

Logs 25 Dec 2023

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

1512 2012 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 2100 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1644 2050 Radio Blauwe Koe. SINPO 44433.
1655 2135 Radio Eigen Risico. SINPO 34433.
3900 1955 Radio Alice. SINPO 32432. Strong ute QRM
5840 1340 Radio Akenzo. SINPO 54444.
5940 0952 Radio Experience via Piepzender. SINPO 44433. //7405
6110 0935 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444. //12030
6275 0945 Deltracks. SINPO 44433.
6287.5 1148 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 54444.
6290 1125 Radio Johnny Tobacco (pres). SINPO 54444.
6300 0930 Radio Cuckoo. SINPO 54444.
6300 2003 Kiss AM. SINPO 33433. SSB QRM
6300 1113 Studio Grensstad via unid relay. SINPO 34433. Dutch internet station 
6390 1335 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34333.
6940 1050 Radio Nova. SINPO 34433.
6955 1348 New Dance Radio. SINPO 34433.
6990 1104 Flux AM. SINPO 34433.
7405 0950 Radio Experience via Piepzender. SINPO 35433.
7490 1057 Voice of the Netherlands. SINPO 45444.
7590 1000 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.
9970 1216 Radio 319. SINPO 554444. R Caroline North recording
12030 0938 Radio Delta. SINPO 55544.

Logs 24 Dec 2023

1512 1815 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1611 1826 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1630 1845 Radio Bonanza. SINPO 24332.
1638 1746 Radio Johnny Camaro. SINPO 34433.
1647 1805 Radio Witte Tornado. SINPO 43443.
5140 1740 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 32432. Utility QRM
5810 0955 Golden Oldies R via Mike Radio. SINPO 34433.
5840 0940 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 34433.
5880 1029 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
6020 0913 Radio Casanova. SINPO 34433.
6045 1223 Telstar Radio via Nauen. SINPO 55544.
6110 0918 Radio Delta. SINPO 45444. //12030
6185 1015 Radio Classic Sunday via Piepzender. SINPO 44433. //13865
6195 1055 XTC. SINPO 45444.
6280 0949 Sunrise Radio. SINPO 24432.
6290 0925 Radio Mexico. SINPO 34433.
6290 1232 Radio Lowland. SINPO 24332.
6300 1008 Weekend Music Radio. SINPO 44433.
6974 1150 Image Radio (UK) (tent). SINPO 24432.
7575 1047 Star Radio (UK). SINPO 34433.
7610 1143 Free Radio Victoria. SINPO 34433.
9975 1000 Radio 319. SINPO 44433.
12030 0920 Radio Delta. SINPO 55444.
13865 1018 Radio Classic Sunday via Piepzender. SINPO 34433.

Logs 23 Dec 2023

3975 1713 Weekend Music Radio via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 35433.
5140 1509 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 24432.
5840 1400 Hitmix Radio via Contikenzo. SINPO 54444.
5880 1625 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 54444.
6205 1411 Radio Gringo. SINPO 34433.
6210 1727 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 33433.
6258 1418 Radio Sombrero. SINPO 24332.
6260 1740 Radio Star Int (It). SINPO 34433. Move from 6265
6265 1732 Radio Star Int. SINPO 33433. 
6270 1613 Radio Wilskracht. SINPO 44433.
6280 1451 Skull & Bones Radio System. SINPO 44433. ID from Europirate on the HFU Forum 
6280 1700 Deltracks. SINPO 54444.
6300 1305 Weekend Music Radio. SINPO 44433.
6325 1749 Studio 52. SINPO 33433.
6370 1835 Radio Avia. SINPO 33433.
6390 1314 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34433.
6931 1816 Ruqui Radio via Indy Radio. SINPO 33433.
6940L 1840 Radio JVG. SINPO 24332.

Logs 22 Dec 2023

1512 1742 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 44433.
1611 1755 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1728 Radio Professor Sickbok. SINPO 44433.
1636 1801 Radio De Mi Amigo. SINPO 44433. Switch from 6240
1647 1810 Radio Armada. SINPO 34433.
1670 1733 Radio Digital. SINPO 54444.
3910 1644 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 44433.
5140 1722 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
5860 1347 Radio Igloo. SINPO 24332. Via Twente SDR
6240 1555 Radio De Mi Amigo. SINPO 43433.
6260 1530 Soul of England. SINPO 33333. SSB QRM
6272 1449 Misti Radio. SINPO 34433.
6270 1608 Radio Akenzo. SINPO 54444.
6275 1826 Radio Moonair. SINPO 44433.
6290 1538 Radio Mexico. SINPO 54444.
6290 1638 Hitmix Radio via R Mexico. SINPO 54444.
6295 1436 XTC. SINPO 55444. Switched to 6300 at 1501 to avoid strong station on 6292
6300 1603 Deltracks. SINPO 54444.
6307v 1820 Radio Bretania (pres). SINPO 34433.
 

Logs 21 Dec 2023

1611 1823 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1812 Radio Meteoor. SINPO 34333.
1629 1805 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
1635 2302 Radio Pandora. SINPO 44433.
1655 1818 Radio De Mi Amigo. SINPO 34433.
5140 1835 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 24332.
6307 1750 Radio Bretania. SINPO 34433.

Logs 20 Dec 2023

1233 1858 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 24432.
1512 1824 Radio Black Power. SINPO 34433.
1611 1839 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1628 2300 Radio Polkaman. SINPO 34433.
1635 1758 Radio Bonanza. SINPO 34433.
1638 1738 Radio Luka. SINPO 44433.
1647 1905 Radio Eigen Risico. SINPO 34433.
5140 1725 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34333. 
6275 1814 Radio Moonair. SINPO 34333. ID thanks to DX Ace

Logs 19 Dec 2023

1611 1823 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1833 Radio Robin Hood. SINPO 34433.
1620 2033 Radio Marjanne. SINPO 34433.
1638 1826 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
1638 2103 Radio Wilskracht. SINPO 34433.
5150 1810 Deltracks. SINPO 34433.
6940 1846 Zeppelin Radio. SINPO 34333.

Logs 18 Dec 2023

1611 1940 Radio Augusta. SINPO 34433.
1620 2127 Radio Professor Sickbok. SINPO 44433.
1625 1650 Radio Zwarte Boekanier. SINPO 24432.
1638 1701 Radio Tarzan. SINPO 24432.
1638 1931 Radio Johnny Camaro. SINPO 44433.
1638 2120 Bluebird Radio. SINPO 54444.
1647 1922 Radio Delfzijl. SINPO 54444.
1665 1645 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
5150 1639 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
6275 1538 Deltracks. SINPO 44433.
6295 1557 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
6306 1910 Radio Bretania. SINPO 34433.
6320 1706 Radio De Mi Amigo. SINPO 44433.
6390 1545 Radio Witte Reus. SINPO 34433.
6930 1850 Radio Dolfijn (KG). SINPO 54444.

Logs 17 Dec 2023

1611 1735 Radio Augusta. SINPO 33433.
1620 1716 Radio Professor Sickbok. SINPO 34433.
1638 1707 Radio Barones. SINPO 34433. Good peaks
5150 1650 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 44433.
5840 1125 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 44433.
5870 1048 Golden Oldies Radio. SINPO 34433. Via Mike Radio?
5880 1136 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
6185 1020 FRS Holland via Piepzender. SINPO 45444. Also on 7700, 9301, 13865
6210 1655 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 43433.
6270 1513 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433. Move from 6305
6270 1540 Radio Grenswinkel. SINPO 24432. QSO with Ronalisa
6285 1425 Deltracks. SINPO 34433. Heard on 6290 at 1448 (44433)
6290 1015 Radio Mexico. SINPO 44433.
6295 1528 Radio Johnny Tobacco (pres). SINPO 54444.
6300 1330 Weekend Music Radio via unid. SINPO 44433. A different mystery relayer? 
6305 1510 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 33433.
6320 1325 Radio Joey. SINPO 44433.
6700 1146 Polka Radio. SINPO 34333.
7590 1032 Radio Pamela. SINPO 34433.
7700.5 1023 FRS Holland. SINPO 55444.
9301 1025 FRS Holland. SINPO 45433.
12030 1040 Radio Delta. SINPO 55555.
13865 1119 FRS Holland via Piepzender. SINPO 34433.

Logs 16 Dec 2023

1512 1703 Radio Blackbeard. SINPO 34433.
1620 1713 Radio Professor Sickbok. SINPO 44433.
1647 1805 Radio Keizer and Keizerin. SINPO 33433.
1655 1918 Radio Oliebollenbakkers. SINPO 54444.
1660 1651 Radio Concorde. SINPO 34433.
3975 1630 Weekend Music Radio via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 35433.
5150 1623 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 43433.
5840 1522 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 53443. //6285
5845 1555 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 44433. Move to avoid utility
5880 1609 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 54444.
6205 1546 Gringo Radio. SINPO 34433.
6210 1727 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 43443.
6285 1520 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 54444.
6295 1527 Kiss AM. SINPO 44433.
6305 1559 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
6320 1615 Radio Blackstone. SINPO 54444.
6390 1602 Panda Radio. SINPO 34433.

* According to the Weekend Music Radio website, the 6300 kHz unid relay is off until the end of January but the Shortwave Gold relays from Germany continue.
The Shortwave Gold website has these relays listed at:

• Fridays: 3975 kHz, 2100 UTC 
• Saturdays: 3975 kHz 1600 & 2100 UTC
• Sundays: 6160 kHz 1100 UTC; 3975 kHz 1600 & 2100 UTC

Logs 15 Dec 2023

1611 1720 Radio Augusta. SINPO 23432.
1620 1856 Radio King Kong. SINPO 44433.
1629 1652 Radio Luka. SINPO 34433.
1640 1905 Radio Turfsteker. SINPO 34433.
1660 1918 Studio 19. SINPO 34433.
1665 1658 Radio Digital. SINPO 44433.
1670 1910 Radio Boomerang. SINPO 43433. Strong peaks
5150 1715 Charleston Radio Int. SINPO 34433.
6205 1640 Deltracks (pres). SINPO 44433.
6290 1628 Radio Ronalisa. SINPO 34433.
6950 1645 New Dance Radio. SINPO 34433.