Free Radio Weekly #1443

Free Radio Weekly #1443, Saturday, November 18, 2023
Covering free radio activity from November 11-17, 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)
Ron Hunsicker (frwrjh@ptd.net)
Dave Turnick (caodwolf@gmail.com)
Larry Will (radio@zappahead.net)

FRW 1443 - November 18 - Larry
FRW 1444 - November 25 - Dave
FRW 1445 - December 2 - Ron
FRW 1446 - December 9 - Larry


== Contributors ==

William Hassig
williamhassig@yahoo.com

Ron Hunsicker
Wyomissing PA
frwrjh@ptd.net

Mark Taylor
markokpik@gmail.com

Glenn Hauser
P O Box 1684
Enid OK 73702
wghauser@yahoo.com
P- or E-QSLs welcomed
NRD-545 with 100-foot E/W longwire
R-75 with E/W Wellbrook loop or interior N/S shortwire


== From your editor ==

Some of our subscribers have email services that reject the FRW because it contains innocent URLs to websites like the HF Underground or the FRN that cause some service providers to blindly reject our newsletter as "spam".

In the interest of not censoring or lobotomizing our contributors' submissions, I retain full URLs in editions of our newsletter that I edit. If your reception of the FRW is spotty because of your email provider, you can always find our archives at frn dot net. -- Lw


== Otherness ==

Saturday, the 11th, was “Unidentified Day.” Seven of the nine stations that I heard were “unidentified,” generally because their signals were weak on a day when noise levels were high. The two that were identified—Bork, Bork Radio, and The Asylum—were not easily identified, again because of weak signals and noise in Wyomissing. Much of the noise was not-created-here RFI, topped with multiple, roving bands of noise (more-RFI), and background noise levels that, for about half the day, were 5 dB higher than normal. Unsatisfying! (Hunsicker, PA)

I reported what I believe to the last episode of The Canticle for Liebowitz, which aired on 16 & 17 November. Part 14 aired the day before. The Canticle is a grim story. I wonder if I have it in the basement somewhere. (Hunsicker, PA) [see also multiple reports filed under Unid]


== North American shortwave ==

** The Asylum

6935 am, 11-11-23, 0102 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with poor S7 to S9 signal, music then ID as The Asylum, more rock music. (Hassig-IL)

The Asylum (via a relay), 11/11, 1255-1401*, 6935am. Via a recording, The Asylum carrier appeared but I didn’t hear any audio until 1300. The signal was mostly “unusable” because the signal was weak. Many IDs for Asylum. Music and strange talk (Duh). The relayer IDed at 1401. 7000 Hz was best. (35342, Hunsicker, PA)

** Ballsmacker Radio

6960 AM, Nov 11 at 0555, JBA music; could Ballsmacker Radio still be on this Friday night? Yes, until 0600*: [www.hfunderground.com] [www.hfunderground.com] (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** Bork Bork Radio

Bork Bork Radio, 11/11, 0008-0044*, 6950usb. Via a recording, odd noises started at 0008, then an unintelligible voice, then, approximately, “This is radio…if you can hear me, put your finger in your butt. Thank you.” SSTV ID in Scottie 1 at 0042. Many, many Borks and barking dogs. 2800 Hz, I guess. (25352, Hunsicker, PA)

6950 usb, 11-11-23, 0038 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with fair S7 to S9 signal, rock music, at 0042 SSTV/FAX, somebody saying "bork bork" several times then off air. (Hassig-IL)

** Crapola Pirate Radio

6905 usb, 11-12-23, 0004 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with S9+10 to S9+20 signal, wide signal with vestigial lower sideband, song "hurray for Hazel" then Crapola ID, song "lightning striking again", children's songs, at 0024 "I walk the line" by Johnny Cash, comedy skit about call to Medicare "advantage", at 0030 "Stagger Lee", 0034 "fun fun fun" by Beach Boys then "downtown" by Petula Clark, at 0044 goodbye announcement then natl anthem then off. For next time I suggest Jimi Hendrix's version of natl anthem. Thanks. (Hassig-IL)

** KIPM (Undercover Radio relay)

6932.9 USB, Nov 1 at 0222, ghoulish sounds as I tune in late for Hallowe`en piracy, only this. At first hard to pinpoint strange noises, 6935? Brief talk sounds best tuned as above. HFU: ``KIPM Flying Dutchman via Undercover Radio 6933`` [www.hfunderground.com] (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** Magic Mushroom International

6958 usb, 11-11-23, 2246 on Brookfield WI sdr with fair S9 signal, blues tunes, at 2318 ID then old tune by Santana. (Hassig-IL)

** Mix Radio International

25695 USB, Nov 11 at 1839, heavy rock music, tnx to tip from Walt Salmaniw on the WOR iog that MRI is here, i.e. Mix Radio International. I`m getting it direct at S6, presumably sporadic E from the Chicago area, but listen further for convenience via Alberta SDR where Don Moman is also hearing it. Lots of heavily produced promos/IDs, but I wish they would Mix in some other music genres like world, folk or classical. 1857, ``Mix Radio International Worldwide``, then played newer version of ``Venus``, then ``Eternal Flame`` by Bangles. 1904 ID ``Broadcasting from the United States of America...`` 1934 ``Best of shortwave radio, Mix Radio International``. Still going at 2042, 2106, 2120 chex. Not checked again until 2316 direct, unheard, nor at 2335 to Alberta. More reports of MRI on 11 mb: [www.hfunderground.com] (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** Piss Ant Radio

6950 usb, 11-11-23, 2234 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with weak S7 signal, electronic music, at 2236 SSTV/FAX, electronic music with singing by woman, at 2255 SSTV/FAX. (Hassig-IL)

** Radio Free Whatever

6945 usb, 11-11-23, 2325 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with good S9 to S9+10 signal, s-on with old ussr natl anthem, DJ = Dick Weed talking about previous night xmtr problems, rock music, at 2337 off suddenly in mid song. (Hassig-IL)

4185 usb, 11-11-23, 0036 on Traverse City MI sdr with good S9+10 to S9+20 signal, pop music playing. (Hassig-IL)

** Thunder Chicken Radio

Thunder Chicken Radio, 11/16 & 17, 2357-0123*, 6955usb. Via a series of recording, a program in progress. Rock music, including Dirty Love, a concert album (Bad Company), some less raucous rock and at least four SSTV images in Martin 1, including an ID. 3000 Hz sounded best. (35453, Hunsicker, PA)

** Unid

Unidentified, 11/11, 0042-0150*, 6935am. Via a recording, a carrier appeared at 0042, then a faint male voice at 0045, and then a female singer. Rock. Unusable due to a weak signal—on 15 dB above the background noise. Here, just a carrier after 0129. (unusable, Hunsicker, PA)

Unidentified, 11/11, 0124-0156*, 6950usb. Via a recording, the broadcast started with odd noises and voices, then an unusable ID by a synthesized male voice. Rock music and another unusable ID at 0139. 2700 Hz. fit best. (unusable, Hunsicker, PA)

Unidentified, 11/11, 0201-0259*, 6250usb. Via a recording, a program in progress with a deep-voice man talking about Friday night. Head-banger music. The Doctor Who theme. Chatter about a dog. 2400 Hz filled the envelope. (25342, Hunsicker, PA)

Unidentified, 11/11, 1403-1414*, 6930am. Via a recording, the carrier appeared at 1403 and the Operator talked. His speech was not understandable because it was very distorted. Rather crude ranting by an OM. Some rock music, then a guitar playing a dozen or so chords. At 1414, it sounded like the transmitter died, as the audio became even more distorted, changed to a harsh buzz, then then was gone. (unusable, Hunsicker, PA)

Unidentified, 11/11, 1515-1534, 6925usb. Via a recording, weak and barely audible Pop / Rock music started the show. Then Mrs. Robinson, not by Simon and Garfunkel. Overwhelming local RFI won. Only a bit above the noise, the broadcast was generally unusable. Never heard a hint of an ID. (25241, Hunsicker, PA)

Unidentified (Patriotic Music), 11/11, 1219-1235*, 6935.5am. Via a recording, a carrier appeared at 1219, then the Marine Corps Hymn. Carrier disappeared at 1224 and returned at 1227 with a mixed choir singing the Air Force Song. The carrier was gone at 1231, returning at 1233 with Taps. 7600 Hz sounded best. (35443, Hunsicker, PA)

Unidentified (A Canticle for Liebowitz), 11/16 & 17, 2342-0016*, 6950usb. Via a recording, a program in progress, playing music. A ship’s bell at 2346, then the final episode (#15?) of “A Canticle for Liebowitz.” Extremely well-done radio play. 2800 Hz sounded best. Fading toward the end of the program. (45454, Hunsicker, PA)

6950 usb, 11-11-23, 0149 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with fait S9 signal, electronic music. (Hassig-IL)

6950 USB UnIdentified (Canticle for Leibowitz), 2257, 11.13.23. Radio drama with sections by a man and woman, 2 men, probably the central character and a robot, and rumination by the main character. Science fiction story. Chanting w/ bells, off 2319. Others identified as "Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter Miller, Jr. Mostly poor, occasionally fair for a few minutes at a time. (Taylor – WI)

Unidentified (A Canticle for Liebowitz), 11/15, 0011-0045*, 6950usb. Via a recording, the broadcast began with some MOR music, then ship’s bells rang, then a man announced “A Canticle for Liebowitz,” the 14th of 15 parts. From a novel by Walter Miller, Jr. A well-done radio play that included both narration and actors playing scenes. I never heard a hint of an ID. 2700 Hz was best. (45554, Hunsicker, PA)
6950 usb, 11-16-23, 0017 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with fair/good S7 to S9+10 signal, electronic music with singing by man then woman, nice program, thanks. (Hassig-IL)

** Wasteland Radio

6950 U Wasteland Radio, 0051, 11.13.23. Program of very nice delta, boogie woogie, and electric blues. Periodic talk emphasizing mostly music and not much of it, SSTV including a very nice SSTVQSL. Music included: 'Can't Stop Lovin'' - Elmore James, 'Biscuit Baking Woman' - Big Ed & His Combo, 'Walking By Myself' - Jimmy Rogers, 'King Biscuit Stomp' - Big Joe Williams, 'Parchman Farm Blues' - Bukka White, 'Little Boy Blue' - Robert Lockwood, Jr, 'My Pencil Won't Write No More' - Bo Carter, 'Baker Shop Boogie' - Willie Nix, 'Brown Mama Blues' - Tommy Johnson, 'Dead Shrimp Blues' - Robert Johnson, 'Please Love Me' - BB King, 'Rockin' Chair Blues' - Robert Peway, 'Union Station Blues' - John Lee Hooker,. SSTVs of someone sitting in front of a monitor with "Wasteland Radio. Battery Powered Blues 6950 USB 0027 UTC 13 Nov 2023). Outhouse said 20 watts and mentions "bork, bork" over a song. 0201 SSTV after ID (repeat of SSTV QSL w/ xmtr type, power via Scottie DX – good decode here). Off 0125. Fair to Very good signal. (Taylor – WI)

** WENO

6935 USB, Nov 12 at 2338, S9/+10 pirate seems a novelty song. 2341 echoey unreadable announcement. Many logs here as WENO Shortwave: [www.hfunderground.com] (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** Wolverine Radio

6975 usb, 11-12-23, 0059 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with good wide S9+10 to S9+20 signal, s-on with "testing 1 2 3 can anybody hear me" then "big city blues", "big fat mama", "the big hurt", various songs with the word "big" in them, at 0202 echo ID then SSTV/FAX then off. Thanks for the big program. (Hassig-IL)

** WREC

WREC, 11/12, 1707-1726, 6950usb. Program in progress with comedy sketches—executive VP in charge of the drive-through window, then an advertisement for American In-Line, and others. Reports to Blue Ridge Summit drop. P. J. Sparks ID at 1714 and 1724. 3600 Hz sounded best. (25342, Hunsicker, PA)

** WTF worldwide

6925 usb, 11-11-23, 0116 utc on Brookfield WI sdr with fair S7 to S9 signal, song "peace of mind", at 0133 song "more than a feeling". (Hassig-IL)


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Regards, Lw