Serbian pirates tested - no signals in Finland

New Serbian pirates tested signal to Finland on late Saturday evening 19.9 at 20. 00 utc = 22.00 hours Central European Time! The tests lasted about 15-20 minutes around 1690 and 1700 kHz...

These stations were Radio Fenix and Radio Novi Probni, both have powers about 100 - 200 watts .
However, no signals in Finland that evening!

There might be a problem with my antenna. I have to check - or there were no conds.

If you have heard these stations, please leave your comment to my blog!

WE WILL ARRANGE NEW TEST LATER THIS AUTUMN - perhaps summer is too close...

Radio Fenix, Arandjelovac, Serbia

Here more exotic photos of Serbian pirate stations! This is Radio Fenix, located in Arandjelovac, about 50-60 km south from Belgrade, Serbia.
The transmitter gives about 200 Watts with 8 x PL504. Fenix is also on the air on 27 MHz with 50 Watts.
I have not heard this station but I hope we can have a test to Finland after summer! (Click the photos for bigger view)

First US-pirate-QSL: Radio Jamba !

Yestreday I got my first pirate-radio-QSL from USA! I heard this station over one year ago, and I sent an e-mai,l but it never reached the operators!
Now the station operator found mp3 from my blog and confirmed it to be Radio Jamba International (blog).
This broadcast which I heard in May 2008 was mobile from Missouri with 80 Watts USB on 6925 kHz. Signal was weak here in Finland but it was recognizable!

Radio Jamba is on air for alternative radio programming and it is part of Area 51-group broadcasting on legal SW-station WBCQ on 5110 kHz. Jamba has own weekly show on this station.


It is very hard listening trying to catch US-pirates. The reason for that is time for reception. Here in Finland it is mostly possible between 02-05 at night our local time - also the time for deepest sleep.
It is possible to reach the whole world on this frequency/power, if there is s chance to have long broadcasting times. Spider Radio from Athens, Greece is a good example. This station has been heard all over the world on this channel in USB, including New Zealand, Japan, USA... Very often good signal here in Finland!

Old Time Radio QSL and video

On Friday 17th of April 2009 I got mail from Finnish pirate station Old Time Radio!
They asked me to inform European pirate-listeners of their high-power broadcast on three bands on the coming weekend!!

This session was very unique on pirate-radio scene because they did broadcast on three bands during the weekend 18-19.4.2009 (First time ever in pirate-history?):
On 19 mb (15065 kHz, 200 W), 48 mb (6270 kHz, 1 kW) and even on MW 1670 kHz (500 W)! I was told that they used the same transmitter all the time!

Signal was very strong here in Naantali on MW but skipped mostly over on 48 mb and was silent on 19 mb.
19 mb-broadcast was heard in Athens, Greece. 48 mb broadcast was so strong in Europe that the listeners there were sure that it was relayed by some Dutch-station!!! 1670 kHz was not received in UK or Holland (because of local interference?) but in Germany it was weakly on.

I just got video-clip of Old Time Radio's broadcast on 18.4.2009. Views of the tx and being on the air.

You can SEE the power !! Download this video from here (3.5 Mb wmv-file)

Radio YU1, Belgrade, Serbia

I just got new photos from Serbia.
The station is Radio YU1 (="Ju jedan") from Belgrade area.
I think this is the biggest pirate in Serbia with about 5 kW of power. Here you can see the self-built transmitter with huge tubes. I hope I will get more detailed information of the tubes later.
Click photos (taken by Texas) for bigger views >

I have heard this station a few times here in Finland around 1700 kHz with huge signal. I visited Serbia in May 2008 but I had no connection this station.

Here is one old audio-clip of YU1 from my archives! I heard this on 26.2.2005 on 1667 kHz.

QSL from Radio Snowball, Russia!

Last week I got a letter from Stavropol-city. There was my first Russian pirate-QSL ever!!

This station is Radio Snowball, Russia which confirmed my reception with printed QSL-card. It is very special QSL also because the distance is quite long (near Black Sea)!

Radio Snowball had special tests to Europe in February on 6630 kHz USB. The test was organized by me and it was very interesting happening as many pirate listeners in Europe heard this station!! Real rarity!

Click for bigger views >>

Old photos from Holland - R. Casablanca, Emmen

A few weeks ago I got a few 30 years old transmitter-photos from Emmen-city from East-Holland.

Radio Casablanca was on the air in Emmen on Medium Wave since 1976. Here you can see that old stuff. The power of this 304tl-transmitter is about 600 Watts. Click the photos >>

I have not heard this station but many others at that time from this same area.
30 years ago there were thousands of pirate stations in Holland on MW and FM. I heard many of them and here is my old list of identified Dutch MW pirate stations.

Snowball observations 6.2.2009 - 20.00 utc >

Radio Snowball from Stavropol, Russia is giving better signal this evening than week ago!!

Russian rap-music and announcements in English on 6630 kHz!
My mp3-clip at 20.12 utc. Deep fading.

Other observations:
South Sweden (Göran Hardenmark) Listen mp3 (later) (www)
Holland (Black Arrow) - Listen mp3 - Good signal, O=3
Germany (Achim) - Listen mp3 - Weak, O=1 (www)
Germany (Dr. Tim) - Chatting while broadcast
Poland (Warszava, Kristof) - Listen mp3 - Fair signal (www)
Finland (Raisio, Rick) - Listen mp3 - Weak signal (www)
Finland (Pietarsaari, Jan) - Listen Wma - Fair signal
North Finland (Close to Rovaniemi) - Comment below
USA (West Virginia, Alex) - Comment below

EVEN WEAK SIGNAL USA!!!! Not expected!

Radio Snowball on air Friday 6.2.2009 at 20-21 UTC

Russian pirate station, Radio Snowball (=Radio Snegovik), from Stavropol-city, SW Russia will have test broadcast to Europe on this Friday evening!

Radio Snowball will broadcast music for one hour on 6630 kHz on Friday 6th February 2009 from 20.00 to 21.00 UTC. Power is 50 Watts in USB.

This station was heard in Finland on 31.1.2009 on this same channel.

At the moment there is no public e-mail or contact address to the station!

YOU CAN GIVE YOUR REPORTS VIA THIS BLOG BY GIVING COMMENT to this message (Comment-button below) - or e-mail to my personal e-mail address!

Radio Snegovik (Snowball), Stavropol, Russia!

After few weeks I did some DX-ing this weekend.
I had e-mail contact from far away SW Russia, from Stavropol. The operator of Radio Snegovik (=Snowball) found my pages and wanted to test signal to Finland. Stavropol is about 200 km north from Georgian border close to Black Sea. Click the map >>>

On 31.1. Saturday evening at 20.15 utc I was surprised to hear weak USB signal on 6630 kHz with Russian music and station announcements: "This is radio station Snowball, Snowball, Snowball...." (mp3-clip).
The operator promised to mail QSL of this reception.
Radio Snowball is also interested in to make international broadcast later with many hours programme around 6630 kHz. I will inform you all via Dr. Tim post if this will happen!!

LOG SUNDAY 1.2.2009

5800 kHz - Shortwave Cowboys (tent). Only music heard but this was on air here. 09.45- O=0-2+
6205 kHz - DRP playing Queen "We are the champions"and later "Voyage,Voyage"-title. 10.10- O=0-2
6210 kHz - Radio Boorderhunter, Holland. Good signal with many greetings to Europe. 10.00- O=2-3+
6215 kHz - King SW, Holland (tent). I have never manage to ID this station but heard many times (6214.8 kHz). 10.15- O=0-1+
6220 kHz - Mystery Radio with good signal. 0950- O=2-4
6240 kHz - Misti Radio. "You are listening to Misti Radio...." Played Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee" at 10.09- O=0-2+
6270 kHz - Radio Perfekt gave contacts talking over Man of Action. 10.25- O=1-3
6280 kHz - Radio Merlin, UK. 09.30- O=0-2+
6291 kHz - R. Dr. Tim with good signal and clear, readable audio. Mp3. Many greetings to listeners around Europe. New power?? 09.25- O=1-3+
6316 kHz - Radio Contact gave e-mail + sms-number. 09.50- O=1-3
6325 kHz - UNID. Waves? 10.08- O=0-2
6870 kHz - Radio Playback with nice signal. Blues programme. 10.00- O=2-3+

Radio Texas from Serbia to Finland with 80 W!

Last May 2008 I visited many Serbian pirates in the beautiful Serbian countryside. I met also Radio Texas (from Vrsac, East Serbia) which I had heard before in Finland with only 50 W (on 1700 kHz).

On Tuesday evening 30.12.2008 Radio Texas tested new PLL-transmitter with 80 Watts output (playing blues music). Signal was surprisingly good in Finland for some moments on 1694 kHz (21.25 utc). Listen mp3!
Perhaps we can arrange again international broadcast from Serbia to Europe this winter? I am sure many pirate DX-ers would like to have QSL from Serbian pirate station! Let's see. Click the photos >

Here is high quality photo of Texas' new 120 W PLL-tx!

1690 KHz - Greece <-> Serbia pirate-QSO

At night 26-27. Dec 2008 I tuned Greek pirates at late night above 1600 kHz. Radio Anatolia from Kilkis was very strong all the time on 1630 kHz + some UNIDs. Later I heard pirate-QSO between Greeks and Serbian station around 1690 kHz.

Log Friday night 26.12.2008 (times UTC)

1690 kHz - Stathmos Sylvania, Thiva, Greece. QSO Panorama. He says his location "Stathmos Sylvania apo Thiva"(100 km North of Athens; Tnx Spider and Vagelis). 21.24- O=2-3+ - mp3

1688 kHz - Radio Panorama, Serbia. I have never heard this Serbian before. QSO Sylvania. 21.26- - mp3
O=2
1689 kHz - Radio Samurai, Kalamata-city, South Greece. QSO Panorama. I have heard this before (map). This is 1.5 k- station from very South Greece.. 21.30- O=1-2+ - mp3

Merry Xmas and happy 2009!

A view from our home backyard in Naantali. November 2008!

Listening Dutch pirates on Sat evening

Saturday evening, 20.12.2008, since long time I tuned Dutch pirates on 186 mb. Radio Marskramer from Holland was supposed to test but had to cancel the broadcast.
I checked my L-antenna, 250m directed to South. It is giving a bit interference, but I had some good signals from Holland and Greece.

LOG Sat 20.12.2008 (Times UTC)
1385 kHz - Radio Makedonia, Greece on empty frequency. This station seems to be on the air from year to year!!! Own jingles! 22.52- / O=0-2 - mp3
1620 kHz - The Farmers from Holland with international programme giving GSM. The Farmers was very active in the 90's and raided many, many times. 21.05- / O=1-3
1630 kHz - Radio Anatolia, Kilkis, Greece. Still here every evening! 21.30- / O=0-3
1640 kHz - James Bond with poor audio and unstable frq. JB was very strong 1-2y ago, now surprisingly weak. 21.31- / O=0-2+
1645 kHz - Radio Barones, Holland. Good ol' Baro giving QSOs. 22.35- / O=3-4
1646 kHz - Nordzee Zender with polka for the whole evening. 21.05- O=1-3
1655 kHz - Onbekende Colorado Kever met Bonanza, Noord Oost Friesland, Holland. Played Deep Purple and M.Reilly etc. pop/rock with very strong signal!!! 21.00- / O=2-4+ - mp3
1660 kHz - UNID for some time between Colorado and Viking. 21.10- O=1-3
1665 kHz - Radio Viking, Holland. Non-stop-polka for the whole evening. 21.00- / O=2-3+
3901 kHz - Radio Delta, East Holland. Very strong and clear signal!! This broadcast was heard in USA. The operator said thanks for telephone calling from West Virginia, USA!!!! Read the comment below - 22.45- / O=2-4+

Log Sunday 14.12.2008

Since long time here some loggings from 48 mb, starting listening at 09.30utc for short time. Nice signals from many stations.
New surprise is Radio Galaxy from POLAND !! First international pirate from this country !! Also first time since very long time a pirate from SWEDEN, Radio Campervan. Nice signal here!
There seems to be now new band for pirates, 43 mb (6900+ kHz) thanks Spider Radio from Greece.

LOG Sunday 14.12.2008 (Times UTC)

6215 kHz - UNID (6214.8). - 09.45- O=0-1+
6220 kHz - Atlantic 2000 via Marabu - 09.50- O=2-4
6265 kHz - UNID. - 10.05- O=0-1
6283 kHz - Radio Scotland, Beilen making test. Sounding well. - 09.45- O=2-4
6285 kHz - UNID (Antonio?). - 09.43- O=0-2
6290 kHz - Radio Boorderhunter, Holland playing Robert Miles. - 09.40- O=1-3+
6300 kHz - Radio Boomerang, Holland. Testing new antenna-tuner shortly and asking QSO. Strong. - 09.58- O=3-4
6307 kHz - Radio Shadowman, Holland. Strong as always. - 10.20- O=3-4
6325 kHz - Radio Campervan, Sweden. Nice to hear Swedish pirate since very long time!! Playing CCR. They told to have only 15 W but sounded to have more. - 09.39- O=1-3+.
6523 KHz - Radio Ramona, Holland tentatively. - 09.44- O=0-2+
6553 kHz - Radio Galaxy, Poland. I heard this now 3rd time. Very stong signal. Must be many hundred watts!! - 10.20- O=3-4+
6920 kHz - UNID Dutch with polka. This 43 mb is good band because there are almost no interferencies!! - 15.05- O=0-2+
12257 kHz - WRI. Weak but audible for moments. - 09.50- O=0-2

Radio Casanova, Holland - 48 mb - 3.5 kW!

Some years ago I heard Radio Casanova
from Holland on 48 mb with very good signal (listen clip - 7.3.2005 on 6305 kHz). The station operator just mailed me photos of his new good looking equipment. Output of this new tx is even 3.5 kW !! Wow. Can't wait to hear the first tests with that....
>>> Click the photos to larger version

New FM-stations to Turku

I have been very busy at work after summer and therefore no time for DXing:

I just opened two new FM-stations to Turku-city. They are Radio Melodia (www)(89.0 + 88.5, 91.8) and Zoom FM (www)(93.4 MHz - 50 W).
Provincial Radio Melodia is playing Finnish music and oldies for 35+ and Zoom FM is a small pop/rock-station in Turku-city for 15-30 years old listeners. Our 3rd station Radio Auran Aallot (90.5 MHz) will be more AOR/pop soon.

Now I have some time for DXing after big rush of music scheduling and jingle building etc.

Radio Vihor QSLs posted! / Radio Texas new tx!

All who sent reception report of Radio Vihor's international broadcasts in May have now received their Special-QSL-cards by post!!
They have been posted from Serbia with operator's signature.
You can see the QSL here >>

Radio Vihor will be on the air internationally again on September or October when AM-season begins again after summer. Then everybody has a new change to get pirate-QSL from Serbia.

Unfortunately I am very buzy at work, so I have not had time to put my pirate-photos online - but I will do it sooner or later!

Another Serbian MW-pirate Radio Texas (from Vrsac, East Serbia) has built new PLL-transmitter with 120 W output for MW (around 1700 kHz).

Looks very professional, clean and cool! The station plans to put 1 kW on air later this year by using this tx as a driver!
Radio Texas will also test internationally during this autumn. I will inform about the broadcasts later in the forums!
CLICK THE PHOTO >>>

Radio Vihor QSL's on the way

On the 18.5.2008 we had broadcast from Serbian AM-pirate station on 1680 kHz (and lower frq's). It was from Radio Vihor's site from Pancevo which we visited to be on the air. It was the first real international broadcast from Serbia with contact address (Radio Bluestar's P.O.Box in Zwolle - thanks for Bluestar!!!).
We had 12 reports from these countries: Finland, Latvia, Czech, Austria, Germany, Belgium and Holland.
The AM-conditions on 18.5.2008 was very poor. The noise from the thurderstrom were very bad and strong. It covered audio-signals constantly and badly - everybody reported this same info. Also there were unluckily Dutch stations on the frequencies where we informed to be on the air (Dutches are rarely on 1660 kHz or over). New broadcast made on 31.5.2008 (no larger info made this time).

I just made and mailed Radio Vihor QSL's to Serbia. The operator will sign the cards and mail them further to DX-ers. The card is color-photo-QSL where the operator is adjusting the transmitter.
I think we will have a new international broadcast in September or October - so there will be a new chance to hear and have QSL from Serbian pirate!
I will publish photos and videos here later as we visited 4 AM-pirates during Serbian Tour in May.
Just now I am very buzy at work because I am building up new (legal) FM-station to Turku - and re-formatting two other.