It's March Madness and we've already seen upsets by Harvard and Dayton. I don't think we'll have any upsets on the pirate radio bands tonight, but I am hearing one station tonight:
The Crystal Ship: 6850.5, 3/21, 0001+ "TCS Unchained" with music by BTO, Judas Priest, etc. On the IDs, Van Halen's "Unchained" is used as the music bed, so my guess is that this is a metal show. Nice signal here.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Outbander 11m SSTV Images: 3/20/14
Outbander 11m SSTV Images: 3/20/14
Another good day of gathering images on 27700 kHz USB:
Another good day of gathering images on 27700 kHz USB:
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| Not sure who this is |
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| 1SF072 from France, commonly viewed here |
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| I think this one is 14FR006, from Germany |
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| Looks like 14RAITVG106, which is an awfully long callsign, albeit unassigned, from Germany |
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| 19WO495 from Holland, the 1st Dutch outbander that |
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This one looks interesting, wonder where it's from? |
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Outbander 11m SSTV Images: 3/19/14
Outbander 11m SSTV Images: 3/19/14
For most of these, I didn't receive legible callsigns. Most of those that I did are stations that I've already looked up. I doublechecked those that I received against those that are on Chris' new SSTV page on HFU. I think it's weird that we didn't receive many of the same images...and often with very different signal clarity.
For most of these, I didn't receive legible callsigns. Most of those that I did are stations that I've already looked up. I doublechecked those that I received against those that are on Chris' new SSTV page on HFU. I think it's weird that we didn't receive many of the same images...and often with very different signal clarity.
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| 13SK604 |
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| 14PH065. Chris S. also received this image |
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| Chris S. also received this image |
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| Chris S. also received this image |
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| Chris S. also received this image |
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
11m Outbander SSTV images: 3/11/14
I had about two dozen or so images on the computer this evening when I checked it out. A lot of these were really distorted and I'm not posting those. But I still have seven that are interesting.
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| 13CB9SU from Germany |
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| 1SF072 from Italy |
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| 13CB66 or 13CB56? Can't find anything on either callsign |
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| 14ET095 from France |
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| 104LR001, the first station I've received from Corsica |
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| Life might be simple, but I have no idea who this is |
Monday, March 10, 2014
Auds'n'Ends 3/10/14
A few updates, but not much of an intro this time:
* The SWL Winterfest is this weekend in Plymouth Meeting, PA (near Philadelphia). It's next weekend (3/14 & 3/15). Here are the details. I always have a good time and I've seen a number of pirate DXers there (as well as SWBC DXers, etc.) over the years. Chris Lobdell said he'll be offering unofficial Winterfest t-shirts.
* I'll be taking a few of the final copies of the 2013 Pirate Radio Annual to the Winterfest this year and the rest will be going to to Universal Radio. So, if you want a copy, you could either pick it up from me at the Winterfest on Friday (I won't be there on Saturday) for $15 or you could order one in the next few days from me for $16 + 3 shipping (to the US) = $19.
* I checked my recording of YHWY from last night. It faded in well enough that I could hear talking at a decent level for about 5 minutes, but it was hard to make out any words. Still, it was pretty cool to hear a station that's been really elusive for eastern listeners.
* Speaking of elusive stations for easterners, I heard KMUD on Friday night. I didn't post it in my weekend loggings because it was mixing with other stations on 6930 kHz at the time. I could hear Morse code, but I need a chart and a lot of time to copy CW, so I didn't want to post it immediately that I heard the station. But I checked the recording today and I heard a few KMUD CW IDs that were over a kind of strange-sounding music bed. I had some data QRM in there, too, so it wasn't easy copy. But this is a station that I've been hoping to hear for the past 20-25 years, so it was really pretty cool to finally log it!
* The other day, I posted an SSTV image from a Italian outbander on 11m. I searched around a bit and e-mailed the operator & sent a link to the site so that he could see it. He said "Hy Andrew i'm Very happy. Is My first qsl in sstv . Tnx" Ha! I just assumed that he had received reports from around the world before.
* Here's a link for fans of the Voice of Bacon who also have problems waking up in the morning.
* The SWL Winterfest is this weekend in Plymouth Meeting, PA (near Philadelphia). It's next weekend (3/14 & 3/15). Here are the details. I always have a good time and I've seen a number of pirate DXers there (as well as SWBC DXers, etc.) over the years. Chris Lobdell said he'll be offering unofficial Winterfest t-shirts.
* I'll be taking a few of the final copies of the 2013 Pirate Radio Annual to the Winterfest this year and the rest will be going to to Universal Radio. So, if you want a copy, you could either pick it up from me at the Winterfest on Friday (I won't be there on Saturday) for $15 or you could order one in the next few days from me for $16 + 3 shipping (to the US) = $19.
* I checked my recording of YHWY from last night. It faded in well enough that I could hear talking at a decent level for about 5 minutes, but it was hard to make out any words. Still, it was pretty cool to hear a station that's been really elusive for eastern listeners.
* Speaking of elusive stations for easterners, I heard KMUD on Friday night. I didn't post it in my weekend loggings because it was mixing with other stations on 6930 kHz at the time. I could hear Morse code, but I need a chart and a lot of time to copy CW, so I didn't want to post it immediately that I heard the station. But I checked the recording today and I heard a few KMUD CW IDs that were over a kind of strange-sounding music bed. I had some data QRM in there, too, so it wasn't easy copy. But this is a station that I've been hoping to hear for the past 20-25 years, so it was really pretty cool to finally log it!
* The other day, I posted an SSTV image from a Italian outbander on 11m. I searched around a bit and e-mailed the operator & sent a link to the site so that he could see it. He said "Hy Andrew i'm Very happy. Is My first qsl in sstv . Tnx" Ha! I just assumed that he had received reports from around the world before.
* Here's a link for fans of the Voice of Bacon who also have problems waking up in the morning.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Auds 'n' Ends 3/7/14
After four months of having my R8 on the injured reserve with dead electrolytic capacitors, I received it back from the repair shop yesterday. It's great to be able to tune a receiver again.
So, first the R8. I was out mowing one warm day in early November and my wife stopped me on the mower to let me know that radio was making loud, crazy sounds and the volume control didn't work. I came in to hear the radio making an extremely loud synthetic-type buzz. Volume knob didn't work. Tuning still worked, but the tone didn't change as I turned the knob. I unplugged the radio and tried it again. Nothing. I tried it later and I lost the display.
I couldn't find much information about it, but apparently a couple electrolytic capacitors in the Drake R8 (not the R8A or R8B) are prone to leaking. Are its voltage ratings too low for its use in the circuit? Were these particular components more short-lived than most? I have no idea, but they evidently fixed the problem in the later models.
As you can see from the pics, I opened the case and pulled the top board. I hoped that I'd be able to access the lower board to replace the caps. Nope, it was beyond my capabilities to extract the bottom board.
So, I sent it out and had the caps replaced and the radio realigned.
It's working and it's great to be able to tune through the bands again.
* The Crystal Ship has a great looking shirt available at booster.com and there's only a few more days left to buy one. $19
* Pseudoradio says that their QSLs are finally about ready.
* And speaking of QSLs, Dr. Benway of Undercover Radio said tonight on the air that he's been working on QSLs and should soon have more sent out.
* I've forgotten to mention this, but the SWL Winterfest is a shortwave listening convention that's held in Plymouth Meeting, PA (near Philadelphia). It's next weekend (3/14 & 3/15). Here are the details. I haven't heard what pirate listeners will be there, but some always attend.
* Radio song of the day: Chely Wright "Listening to the Radio"
So, first the R8. I was out mowing one warm day in early November and my wife stopped me on the mower to let me know that radio was making loud, crazy sounds and the volume control didn't work. I came in to hear the radio making an extremely loud synthetic-type buzz. Volume knob didn't work. Tuning still worked, but the tone didn't change as I turned the knob. I unplugged the radio and tried it again. Nothing. I tried it later and I lost the display.
I couldn't find much information about it, but apparently a couple electrolytic capacitors in the Drake R8 (not the R8A or R8B) are prone to leaking. Are its voltage ratings too low for its use in the circuit? Were these particular components more short-lived than most? I have no idea, but they evidently fixed the problem in the later models.
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| The bottom board of the R8. The leaky caps are to the bottom right...the round circles that are silver in the center and black on the outside. You can kinda see it, but there are small puddles of residue around the bottoms of those two caps. |
So, I sent it out and had the caps replaced and the radio realigned.
It's working and it's great to be able to tune through the bands again.
* The Crystal Ship has a great looking shirt available at booster.com and there's only a few more days left to buy one. $19
* Pseudoradio says that their QSLs are finally about ready.
* And speaking of QSLs, Dr. Benway of Undercover Radio said tonight on the air that he's been working on QSLs and should soon have more sent out.
* I've forgotten to mention this, but the SWL Winterfest is a shortwave listening convention that's held in Plymouth Meeting, PA (near Philadelphia). It's next weekend (3/14 & 3/15). Here are the details. I haven't heard what pirate listeners will be there, but some always attend.
* Radio song of the day: Chely Wright "Listening to the Radio"
Weekend loggings: 3/7-3/10/14
I'm hoping to write more about it in an Auds'n'Ends post, but I received my Drake back yesterday. In celebration of actually being able to tune the radio (as opposed to pressing buttons), I've been lurking on Iann's chat & tuning for European pirates. I'm hearing one right now:
Radio Tango Italia (Italy): 6265.4, 3/8, 0002+ Very weak, but I've been able to hear audio for the past 10 min. or so. I could hear the operator talking and then the station went into piano music. It sounded like the music was all either pop or easy listening. Nice to hear a European station again--even if the reception is rough!
Undercover Radio: 6925U, 3/8, 0005+ Dr. Benway talking about doing t-shirts, said sold 90! Not bad for just a short time on the air offering them. Thanked Dick Weed for starting the Booster shirts concept with the pirates. Announcing e-mail address, was afraid that he stomped on another station, aside from the pescadors. Said he's 2 years behind on QSLs, but he's been working on them and more will be sent out soon.
Radio Marabu: 6304.4, 3/8-9, 2200 or so then 0445+ It was coming in pretty well by 0445, but I need to check the recording for details
Channel Z: 6925, 3/9, 2323+ Excellent signal. Ramones "California Sun" Zombies "Time of the Season"
YHWH: 11130, 3/9, 2323+ Token posted this on HFU and I checked on the R8, but I can only hear the carrier right now. At least I'm hearing it!
Radio Marlene: 6930, 3/10, 0023+ ID, "Come on down and party, on Radio Marlene" Pop music and overmodulated. Strong signal, though.
The Crystal Ship: 6876, 3/10, 0026+ Very good to excellent signal with rock music. Some SSB splatter on the frequency.
Radio Tango Italia (Italy): 6265.4, 3/8, 0002+ Very weak, but I've been able to hear audio for the past 10 min. or so. I could hear the operator talking and then the station went into piano music. It sounded like the music was all either pop or easy listening. Nice to hear a European station again--even if the reception is rough!
Undercover Radio: 6925U, 3/8, 0005+ Dr. Benway talking about doing t-shirts, said sold 90! Not bad for just a short time on the air offering them. Thanked Dick Weed for starting the Booster shirts concept with the pirates. Announcing e-mail address, was afraid that he stomped on another station, aside from the pescadors. Said he's 2 years behind on QSLs, but he's been working on them and more will be sent out soon.
Radio Marabu: 6304.4, 3/8-9, 2200 or so then 0445+ It was coming in pretty well by 0445, but I need to check the recording for details
Channel Z: 6925, 3/9, 2323+ Excellent signal. Ramones "California Sun" Zombies "Time of the Season"
YHWH: 11130, 3/9, 2323+ Token posted this on HFU and I checked on the R8, but I can only hear the carrier right now. At least I'm hearing it!
Radio Marlene: 6930, 3/10, 0023+ ID, "Come on down and party, on Radio Marlene" Pop music and overmodulated. Strong signal, though.
The Crystal Ship: 6876, 3/10, 0026+ Very good to excellent signal with rock music. Some SSB splatter on the frequency.
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