Free Radio Weekly #1430

Free Radio Weekly #1430, Saturday, August 19, 2023
Covering free radio activity from August 12-18, 2023

The Free Radio Weekly (FRW) is an internet newsletter devoted to the hobby of listening to free radio "pirate" broadcasters in the shortwave radio bands. The FRW is produced by the free radio community and distributed to those who contribute.

The weekly deadline is Saturdays at 0000 UTC (Friday night in North America). Please send your logs to all the editors, as our editing schedule is subject to last minute changes. Thank you for your inpoots!


== FRW editors ==

Harold Frodge (99crawdads@gmail.com)
Rom Hunsicker (frwrjh@ptd.net)
Dave Turnick (caodwolf@gmail.com)
Larry Will (radio@zappahead.net)

FRW 1430 - August 19 - Larry
FRW 1431 - August 26 - Dave


== Contributors ==

Rick Barton
9444 W. Newport Dr.
Sun City, AZ
desertmoon_DXr@yahoo.com
listening this time with Radio Shack SW-2000629, Drake SW-1, and long wire

William Hassig
williamhassig@yahoo.com

Glenn Hauser
P O Box 1684
Enid OK 73702
wghauser@yahoo.com
P- or E-QSLs welcomed

Ron Hunsicker
1238 Cleveland Avenue
Wyomissing, PA 19610-2102
rjhpe@ptd.net

Mark Taylor, Madison, Wi.
markokpik@gmail.com.
These on a Airspy Discovery with a N6LLL loop.

Larry Will
Lost River State Park, West Virginia
Tecsun PL-880, Tecsun PL-990, long wire


== North American shortwave ==

** Ballsmacker Radio

8/12, 0056-0245*, 6960am. A carrier appeared at 0056 and the Ballsmacker opening sequence began at 0058 (on the dot). As “man” was the night’s theme, Ballsmacker played very nice group of man-titled tunes. Thanks! 8000 Hz fit well. The noise had its way with the closing SSTV image. (45454, Hunsicker, PA)

8/12, 0111, 6960am. 'Rocket Man' - Elton John, ID, 'Oh What a Lucky Man'. Probably “man” theme. Signal had such severe lightning QRN from a storm West of me that I couldn’t stay with it. (Taylor – Wi)

** Outhouse Radio

8/14, 0206-0254*, 6955usb. Noisy, noisy night muddled the Scottie 1 SSTV images. Often “unusable.” It was difficult to enjoy the Blues because of the noise. Closed with a “That’s all…” (25242, Hunsicker, PA)

** Pirate Radio Boo Boo

8/12, 0203-0352*, 6950usb. Program in progress. A rough night, with much noise. Nine SSTV images in either Martin 1 or Scottie 2 were all only “Poor.” I think all contained an ID (and likely some a QSL), but only one was easily readable. I only got a solid audio ID at 0344. Lots of nice old rock. (35242, Hunsicker, PA)

8/13, 0207-0346, 6955usb. Heard two of my favorite pieces of music: Sultans of Swing and Quirky Little Girl Like You. Another rough time for the SSTV sent in Scottie 1. Occasionally dropped to “unusable.” (35242, Hunsicker, PA)

** Radio Azteca (All Azteca Relay Service)

8/7, 0039, 6930am. Bram Stoker doing a countdown, Fractured Fairy Tales interstitial music. Good signal, 11 dBu. (Will-WV)

8/12, 0144-0326, 6935am. Because there was a BC on 6930, I listened on USB and the rating reflects what I heard in USB, not AM, which was “unusable.” The Radio Azteca theme music started at 0144 and BS announced Program #37. At 0325, the AARS announcer noted that the program was AARS Marathon #13, featuring Programs #37, #38, and #39. Ad for Top Dog Law. The Gods must have been smiling because, while AARS is usually just a bit above "unusable," this broadcast was more a 3 than a 2. (Hunsicker, PA)

8/12, 0226, 6930usb. Long story ending w/ ID, more talk by Bram Stoker. Noisy conditions. Would have been fair - good w/ out QRN. (Taylor – Wi)

8/13, 2356, 6935am. On Traverse City MI sdr with noisy S9 signal, hear talking below the noise. (Hassig-IL)

8/14, 0042-0134*, 6935am. Program in progress. BS closed with Program #39. 9000 Hz fit well. Ad for Top Dog Law. (35342, Hunsicker, PA)

8/14, 0108, 6930am. Bram Stoker with another Radio Azteca show. Very good, 44 dBu. (Will-WV)

** Radio Eastern Star

8/10, 0642, 6200am. JBA music presumably from R. Eastern Star pirate now that he has upped power (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

8/12, 0640, 6200am. JBA carrier, presumed, R. Eastern Star pirate. Only other 6200 in Aoki is Tibet for long hours including daytime like now (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** Radio Free Whatever

8/11, 2300-0020*, 6950usb. BC in progress at 2300. Nice selection of music. 3600 Hz sounded good, but later changed to 3000 to avoid some QRN just above 6953. (25442, Hunsicker, PA)

8/11, 2329, 6950usb. DJ Dickweed with a program of Indie music with chat, shout outs to folks who logged him in HF Underground noting that there were several from Conn. when he checked, many IDs. 0017 Discussed posting a picture of a RFW T shirt which is available, said goodnight, 0020 off. Fair to good. (Taylor – Wi)

** 77LJS (Lima Juliet Sierra)

8/7, 2311, 6930usb. Blues guitar music. Lo-fi, very slopbuckety sound, hard to tune on the Tecsuns. Excellent signal, 37 dBu. (Will-WV)

8/14, 0240-0304*, 6960usb. OM read the 37th Psalm and then a very interesting excerpt from Whittaker Chamber’s memoir. Thanks for the insight into the times. ID at 0303, then the date. Okay at 3000 Hz. (35353, Hunsicker, PA)

8/17, 2127-2245*, 6930usb. Program in process. A program of classical music. ID at 2244. 3000 seemed okay. (25453, Hunsicker, PA)

** Thunder Chicken Radio

8/17, 2302-0104, 6950usb. BC began with a guitar solo and then Rock music. After 0000 or so, Jethro Tull. SSTV in Martin 1 at 0048. Stopped listening before it was over. TC wondered if anyone was listening. 3000 Hz fit nicely. (25343, Hunsicker, PA)

** Two Dog Radio

8/13, 0247-0425, [WTFK? -- Lw] A tone on the frequency at 0247 with rock music starting at 0258, and an ID at 0335. Never a strong signal, it was unusable from 0338-on. Stopped listening at 0425 because of strong local thunderstorms. (35342, Hunsicker, PA)

8/13, 0405, 7475 USB, In progress at tune-in with electronic rock. Heard with move to this fqy after close of YHWH. Strong, but we had tough time determining mode due to mix with UTE CCI. Guns and Roses cut heard at 0430, 3 dog barks and man: "2 Dog Radio" (thru static), into Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole) at 0435. At 0409, a man with repeats of what sounded like "Two Dog Radio". Radio Activity by Kraftwerk at 0455 and ending at 0459. Unknown cut and Ann by man with a "bow wow", and nothing else heard. Thanks for all of it, esp. Kraftwerk, was so nice to hear (first heard by me in a friend's basement in Osten Cux./Lower Saxony, 50 years ago). I wouldn't turn down a verification. ; )) (Barton-AZ)

** Unid

8/6, 2349, 6950usb. Music, SSTV, Space guitar music at 2351. Instrumental guitar, reminiscent of Joe Satriani. Good signal, 18 dBu. (Will-WV)

8/11, 2340-0155*, 6930usb. BC began with music. Never heard an ID or anything like one. Repetitive music, predominantly percussion. BC ended mid-set. (35443, Hunsicker)

8/12, 0045, 6930usb. From t/in about 0018, the signal came in as though the SDR was stuttering (although it wasn’t when checked with other signals.) 0045 came up consistently and enough to tell they were playing techno. Poor. (Taylor – Wi)

8/12, 0144, 6930usb. On Barrington Hills IL sdr with noisy S7 signal, sounds like techno pop music, At 0146 switched to Brookfield WI sdr with less bad S7-S9 signal, techno pop music. (Hassig-IL)

8/12, 2331, 6930usb. Mellow rock music, live recording. Very good, 37 dBu. (Will-WV)

8/13, 0153-0341*, 6950am. Noted a carrier at 0153. It was only 23 dB over the background noise, so it never had a chance in my location and with my equipment—unusable with very occasional bursts of audio. (Hunsicker, PA)

8/13, 0235, 6955usb. Mellow instrumentals of 'If You’re Going to San Francisco' into 'My Sweet Lord', 'Spooky', SSTV (didn’t decode here), ‘Sultans of Swing' - Dire Straits, 'Free Bird' - Lynyrd Skynyrd , old "WWV for the time of your life" parody recording, "There is nothing wrong with your radio …." introduction to Outer Limits, start of song, suddenly off mid song at 0259. Weak signal with lightning QRN and squashed between Sycko with X-FM relay on 6950 USB and WDDR on 6960 USB. (Taylor – Wi)

8/14, 0230-0412*, 6950am. A carrier appeared at 0230, then, maybe, audio at 0240. Unusable for the entire broadcast (16 dB over the background noise—it never had a chance). Mostly, “no audio heard.” (Hunsicker, PA)

8/17, 2127-2130*, 6879.8am. Program in progress. Piano playing. Faint, just usable. And was gone. (Hunsicker, PA)

** WDDR Drunken DJ Radio

8/13, 0101-0425, 6960usb. Program in progress. Either the DDJ is a fine actor, or he got hammered over the course of the broadcast. (Though, that would be a violation of FCC regulations, no?) Though they had nothing to do with WDDJ, Scottie 1 sent some fair to good SSTV images (like Grumpy Grandpa Radio). Another BC with a playlist that I really enjoyed; thanks! DDJ noted that 2023 was WDDJ’s 15th Anniversary (404 shows, 259 unique!) and the DDJ turned 75 this year. Things sounded better at 4000 Hz. Stopped listening at 0425 because of a strong local thunderstorm. (45454, Hunsicker, PA)

** WDOG

8/14, 0042-0203*, 6960usb. Program in progress. Music and a discussion of world issues by an OM with a UK accent. All Beatles, all night. Mention of Yeah Man being on 6925. (45454, Hunsicker, PA)

8/14, 0110, 6950usb. Music, Lemon out of the blue, dog barking, WDOG ID, into Mind Games by John Lennon. Excellent signal, 44 dBu. (Will-WV)

** Wolverine Radio

8/13, 0001, 6960usb. On Traverse City MI sdr with fair S9 to S9+20 signal, song "cocktails for two", song "two timing baby", Wolverine ID, various songs with the word "two" in them, song "two hearts, two kisses, one love", at 0036 SSTV/FAX of two headed turtle then various happy birthday songs, at 0107 echo ID then SSTV/FAX Of children gathered around a birthday cake. (Hassig-IL)

8/13, 0024, 6960usb. (Wolverine Radio/WDDR) (Wolverine) Two-part Wolverine program. Section with “two” theme including 'Goody Two Shoes' - Adam Ant, 'Two Gunslingers' - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 'Two lights in the Nighttime' - Bonnie Riatt. Ended with a stutter version of the echo ID, SSTV (Two headed turtle with “Wolverine Radio”). After a brief pause started into a “birthday” themed section including 'Happy, Happy Birthday Baby' - The Tune Weavers, 'Happy Birthday Sixteen', 'Birthday Party' - The Pixies Three, 'Birthday' – Beatles (Wolverine rarely plays the Beatles). 0107 “echo” ID, SSTV (missed it). Brief pause then … 0109 - Drunken DJ came on saying he would be broadcasting a show; "let's just click on something. … WDDR. Drunken DJ Radio", 'Pride of Cucamonga’ - Grateful Dead, Drunken DJ explained the “birthday” set from Wolverine was to celebrate 15 th anniversary of Wolverine Radio & 75th Birthday of Drunken DJ. 'Lowdown' - Boz Skaggs, call out to folks who logged him on HF Underground, 'I'm a Man' - The Spencer Davis Group, talking about HFU, 1/2 glass of wine into program, distracted but playing music, '’Turn this car around' - Tom Petty into program of rock music, shout outs (including mine), talk and increasing inebriation. Wolverine started out fair – good with signal deteriorating during WDDR after 0130. (Taylor – Wi)

** WTF Radio Worldwide

8/14, 0217-0335*, 6930am. A carrier appeared at 0217 and the program started a few seconds later. Pretty good listening in AM at 33 dB over the noise. A mix of music. 10,000 Hz sounded best. (35343, Hunsicker, PA)

** XFM

8/13, 0012, 6865usb. On Barrington Hills IL sdr with noisy S9 to S9+20 signal, came back at 0110 on Traverse City MI sdr with fair S9 to S9+20 signal after Wolverine left air, DJ talking about equipment breaking on weekends. (Hassig-IL)

8/13, 0101-0304*, 6865usb. Program in progress. Via Mix Radio International, which was thanked. Red Hat noted WDDR’s anniversary broadcast. 14,000 Hz captured the sound well. (45454, Hunsicker, PA)

** Yeah Man Radio

8/14, 0118-0210*, 6925usb. BC and program started simultaneously; then an ID at 0134. Nice selection of music on another Million Dollar Weekend—thanks! 2800 Hz was best. (35343, Hunsicker, PA)

** YHWH

8/7, 0305, 7475 AM , In progress at tune-in with usual op. Sounded like all new sermon, noted with much improved audio. A live cut-in at 0412 with contact 411, request for guest speakers. Announced trying to find and move to a "Yahwehist community", and "I need to get out of California" talking about wanting to join Yahwehist/survivalist group/commune, but, "no drugs". Offer to send free of charge CDs with original music, lectures. "Elliott POB 1722 Inyokern CA 93527" was given contact 411. "I love you all, folks, good night" and off at 0421. Logged on Drake SW1, long wire (Barton-AZ)

8/13, 0300, 7475 AM , In progress at tune-in with usual op, but with very anemic modulation. The anti-warmongering lecture and other familiar themes, to Days of Hard Life at 0350. CD offer, closing Ann, "Folks, I love you" and off at 0404. Heard on RS SW-2000629 and long wire, with tuning light fully lit, but we still had to amp up the volume to hear content. (Barton-AZ)

8/14, 0426, 7475 AM , Suddenly just cut in with Josiah, stronger audio tonight. As I went to write this up, everything dropped out until 0446, when it went back to S9 with good modulation. Dropped out and barely audible at 0525 and either cut off or closed before 0530. (Barton-AZ)

8/15, 0540, 7475 AM , On late tonight. In progress at tune-in, Josiah Elias and usual lecture, went into the contact info and off at 0550. Good signal here, but with milquetoast modulation. (Barton-AZ)



~~~~

Regards, Lw