My AM Archive: Winter 1996-97

TEMPERATURES have been hitting record heights over the past week, so it is time for Reporting From The Fox Tower to bring you memories of Winter '96-97.
Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

December 1996: Medium Wave

• 22 December [1996]: 19 UTC: 1314 kHz: Radio Norway International 'Norway Now' presented by Andrew Glasse. News: Norwegian Government resignations, Political news & views. Two Norwegian Red Cross aid workers killed during fighting in Chechnya. Sports news. Children present views on Christmas.
• 22 December: 1930 UTC: 1179 kHz: Radio Sweden 'In Touch With Stockholm' presented by Alan Pryke. Telephone conversations with listeners in Italy and Sweden. Postal address: Radio Sweden, S 105 10 Stockholm, Sweden. E-Mail from Ron Gregory, Edmonton, New Brunswick, Canada, who listens to Radio Sweden via CBC Cable. Music. Comments feature by Hannah Valentine, Cheshire, England. 'The Daily Telegraph' (UK newspaper) spotlights Swedish footballer Tomas Brolin. 'Spot The Group' competition results: 'Supertramp'. Telephone messages from David Brown, Rockhampton, Australia and Janet & Don Berry, London, England. Alan Pryke announces he is to leave 'In Touch With Stockholm'. Music to close.

January 1997: Medium Wave

• 2 January [1997]: 2150 UTC: 1440 kHz: Radio Netherlands 'Media Network' Jonathan Marks & Diana Janssen. Dr Gene Scott's broadcasts from Anguilla in the Caribbean: 6090 kHz // 11775 kHz. Letters from Singapore, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, France. Radio Netherlands initiate new service from Meyerton, South Africa on 11655 kHz. Report from Barrie Ferber in Fiji, Report regarding broadcasts from Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Radio Nepal. Broadcast hours of Libya & Argentina. Talk Radio in Holland now broadcasts English segment. VOA Europe renamed VOA Express. Propagation Report with Mike Bird on 'Media Network'.
• 9 January: 2207 UTC: 1440 kHz: Radio Netherlands 'Media Network' Jonathan Marks interviews Julian Isherwood of Radio Denmark International. Diana Janssen reports HCJB wish to build a relay station in Australia. Radio Prague issued Christmas CD's. News from the Pacific region by Arthur Cushen, Invercargill, New Zealand. Africa round-up: Nigeria: The Voice of Nigeria, Kaduna, Kuderat has a UK postal & E-Mail address: PO Box 9663 London SE1 3LZ RKN@postline.demon.co.uk Jim Cutler's Media Quiz. Mike Bird Propagation Report.
• 12 January: 19 UTC: 1314 kHz: Radio Norway International 'Norway Now' (English programme): Live report from the north of Norway, increasing snowfall closes 80 roads. Two pensioners die in an avalanche. Weather forecast. Norwegian economy is wealthier than ever before. Norwegian delegation to visit Russia. 'Listeners' Corner': Christmas & New Year greetings. Letters from Bangladesh, Greece, USA, Kenya, Romania. Postal address: 0340 Oslo, Norway. End of show at 1930 UTC.

• 12 January: 1930 UTC: 1179 kHz: Radio Sweden 'Sounds Nordic' Sarah Isiaacson is today's guest, Sarah has released a new album. Jazz CD is recorded in the Radio Sweden studios. Request from Canada: Ace of Base 'My Deja Vu'. Request for Swedish folk music from Libya.
• 16 January: 2150 UTC: 1440 kHz: Radio Netherlands 'Media Network' South Africa runs tests on Short wave. All India Radio launches Hindi & English language services on the Internet. Technical developments from Philips and Grundig. Listener reaction: India, USA, Canada, Nigeria. Reports from Walter Cargill in Glasgow, Andy Sennitt of WRTH uses a new radio-related computer programme. News from Britain: Student-run & hospital-based radio stations may have a permanent home on Medium wave. The smallest FM licence station is Ullapool, north west Scotland, 1500 listeners. TWR release new languages. Propagation report from Mike Bird in Australia.

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My AM Archive: November 1996

VISITING my Medium Wave logs of November 1996 - But first, housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

November 1996: Medium Wave

• [Monday] 11 November [1996]: 2025 UTC: 612 kHz: RTE 2FM (Ireland) Dave Fanning plays 'First Band On The Moon' by The Cardigans, 'Hang Up Your Disco Suit' by (Belfast Band) Tunic, Lightning Seeds 'What If', Gene: 'Fighting Fit'. Music from Lionel Richie, Elton John.
• 11 November: 2045 UTC: 648 kHz: BBC World Service Report from Harare, Zimbabwe.

• 11 November: 2115 UTC: 693 kHz: BBC Radio Five Live Football discussion: Alan Green debates refereeing in the UK and Europe.
• 11 November: 2120 UTC: 756 kHz: BBC Radio Cumbria 'Night Network' Classical music. Interference from DLF (Deutschlandfunk), Germany.
• 11 November: 2124 UTC: 810 kHz: BBC Radio Scotland Music: Men At Work 'Down Under'.
• 11 November: 2136 UTC: 873 kHz: AFN [Armed Forces Network; For US forces based in Germany] Frankfurt 'Good Time Rock 'n' Roll': The Beatles 'Eight Days A Week'.
• 11 November: 2156 UTC: 882 kHz: BBC Radio Wales 'Country Corral' Country music show: Rita McEntire: 'It Don't Matter', Bradley Foster 'Last Chance For Love'. BBC Radio Wales via Washford, 100 kW.
• 11 November: 2159 UTC: 963 kHz: YLE Radio Finland via Pori, Finland. English broadcast, internet information.

The Big Workshop, Helsinki, YLE headquarters.

• 11 November: 2202 UTC: 1053 kHz: Talk Radio UK: News. James Whale: Discussions: The Royal British Legion, Teachers. Live from Newcastle. Telephone 0500 10 53 89 Callers: Brenda in Newcastle, Colin in Llanelli, Scott in Fife, Sean in Manchester.
• 11 November: 2231 UTC: 1179 kHz: Radio Sweden: News: Al Simon. Nordic meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. Swedish Police arrest an Iranian. Danish journalists detained in Sri Lanka. Weather report. 'Sixty Degrees North': Bill Schiller reports from the Nordic Council meeting.
• 11 November: 2240 UTC: 1197 kHz: Virgin Radio Music from the Bee Gees 'You Win Again'.
• 11 November: 2243 UTC: 1278 kHz: RTE 2FM (Ireland) Music: BabyBird 'You're Gorgeous'.
• 11 November: 2246 UTC: 1368 kHz: Manx Radio, Isle of Man. Transmitter: Foxdale. 'The Late Show' History of Douglas, Isle of Man, visiting Woodside Terrace, Victoria Terrace. Music: The Bee Gees 'Words'. Music: Whitney Houston: 'Run To You'. Independent Radio News: Prime Minister John Major, The European Court of Justice. Manx Radio News: New Parliament Buildings.
• 11 November: 2309 UTC: 1386 kHz: Radio Netherlands 'A Good Life' reports on food security in Africa, Ginger Da Silva reports from Kenya. Trailer for 'Music 52/15', postal address for 'On Target', the Radio Netherlands printed schedule. Details of the Radio Netherlands direct telephone numbers. 'Press Review': Sport: Boxing, football: Holland 7 - Wales 1. Reporters: Robert Green, Dave Durham.

• 11 November: 2338 UTC: 1467 kHz: Trans World Radio - Transmitter: Monte Carlo. Programme: 'Words of Hope' - 'How To Get To Heaven' Life or Death, we will be with the Lord. Music. 'Day's End' with Victor Pearce, tour of the Holy Land. Closing announcements by Andrew Pettinger.

That concludes this visit to my Medium Wave archive.

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Tuning the Roberts R881, Medium Wave, June 2018

Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

June 2018: Medium Wave

• [Saturday] 16 June [2018]: 1713 UTC: 549 kHz: Spirit Radio Music, ID: 'Spirit Radio, Passion For Life', music. Good to moderate reception. Promotion for GymPlus.ie followed by ID and music. 11/25 kW via Carrickroe, Co Donegal. Male host, message to say hi to a listener, text on 087 888 9292. Music: Westlife 'What About Now' [Spirit Radio contacts: Telephone: 01 272 4760, spiritradio.ie] ID: 'The music we play might make your heart race! Spirit Radio, Passion For Life'. Music: The Script 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved'. [The male host earlier mentioned this is a jukebox format] Male host with FIFA World Cup latest: Peru 0 - Denmark 1. Music 'Feels Like Heaven'. Female speech regarding Co Wicklow centre for festival and commemorative events - Spirit Radio events guide? Music, male speaks of a female artist. To 1740 UTC.
• 16 June: 1755 UTC: 585 kHz: BBC Radio Scotland Music: Neil Young 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart', conclusion of an interview with Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young). 7pm news: The Macintosh Centre, Glasgow Centre of Art, club and other buildings damaged by fire. Glasgow has a shortage of doctors. Twelve year old epileptic child can be treated with cannabis oil. Sinn Fein vote to support abortion. Seven people hurt when taxi runs into people in Russia. Sport: Andy Murray. World Cup: Peru 1 - Denmark 1; Argentina 1 - Iceland 1; France 2 - Australia 1. Weather: Uplands forecast, cloud base: 300 metres, inshore waters - 'Take The Floor' programme crashes the weather! Gary Innes with 'Take The Floor'. Strong to good reception, 2 kW via Dumfries. Music from David Kennedy Band. To 1810 UTC.
• 16 June: 1926 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio 4 The narration of a boxing match between Joe Lewis and Max Schmelling - Lewis hits the canvas from a Schmelling punch - The contest continued to the twelfth round, Schmelling win. Strong to good reception, 2 kW via Wrekenton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Profile of Lewis. To 1936 UTC.

• 16 June: 2003 UTC: 657 kHz: BBC Radio Wales Commentary of a rugby fixture, male commentator confirms I am listening to BBC Radio Wales. Speech referred to the TMO (Television Match Official) and referee, audio from the referee mic can be heard. This is commentary of the rugby union international between Argentina and Wales. Referee mic picks up his instructions at scrummage. Male host commentator states 78 minutes (of 80) have been played - Wales lead? Moderate to poor reception, 2 kW via Wrexham. To 2016 UTC.
• 16 June: 2033 UTC: 666 kHz: BBC Radio York Music: Male rendition of 'Son Of A Preacher Man' (Live, before an audience, with full band). Namecheck for Craig Pattinson. Now performing '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'. Female vocalist performs 'Blowin' In The Wind' and 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T' on BBC Radio York 'BBC Music Introducing in York'. Strong to good reception. The backing band is from the University of York, with Martin the sound engineer. The crowd are baying for more. Max Dalton was one of the musicians. Now performing 'Stand By Me'. Compere mentions everyone involved in this concert is a volunteer, donations to BBC Children In Need will be welcomed. 500 watts via Fulford, York. Now performing 'God Only Knows'. End of the 'BBC Introducing' broadcast; Phil Butler to Leeds, York, Sheffield and Humberside on air next. To 2059 UTC.
• 16 June: 2115 UTC: 684 kHz: RNE Radio Nacional de Espana Female speech in the studio, with male on telephone. RNE via Seville, Spain, 600 kW. ID, male speech into sports report with female interviewing female. ID and speech continuing, regarding Spain. ID for RNE, female speech into male speech. Good reception. Spanish language. To 2130 UTC.
• 16 June: 2133 UTC: 693 kHz: BBC Radio 5 Live A mother in Northern Ireland speaks to Stephen Nolan on BBC Radio Five Live. Good to moderate reception. Echo on broadcast! Could reception be both Droitwich (150 kW) AND Stagshaw (50 kW)? [Logged as Stagshaw, Northumberland, 50 kW.] News bulletin included Scotland's reaction to the Macintosh Centre fire, the mother featured on the show is the mother of an epileptic boy being treated with cannabis oil. Sport update: Rugby union internationals, FIFA Football World Cup 2018: Argentina 1 - Iceland 1. Golf update. Brexit update. Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope blocks yet another bill; The Tory wanker blocked - Objected to - the 'Upskirting' bill. Interview with a Police Officer, whose Police Dog was stabbed on duty - Tory Chope blocked a bill to make this a crime. The Dog Survived! To 2158 UTC.

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All for now.

July 1996: Flanders On The Air

FROM time to time, a station, for whatever reason, would be given my full attention. For the first week of July 1996, Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal, broadcasting from the Flanders region of Belgium, was the focus of my logs on Medium Wave. Prior to the logs, housekeeping notes regarding abbreviations in the logs: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

July 1996: Medium Wave

• [Monday] 1 July [1996]: 2051 UTC: 1512 kHz: BRT - Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal: Spanish broadcast to Europe. 21 UTC: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal in English with Dominique Wittevrongel and the 'Brussels Calling' programme. News: Unemployment in Flanders falls, Education Union denies reports concerning foreign teaching assistants. 1995 was dryest [sic] year for 130 years. Spring 1996 also dry. Fruit & Veg prices drop. Fishing: Catching Herring. Weather: wet, 13-18°c. Press Review with Deanne Lehman, Current affairs on 'Belgium Today' with Frans Vossen: Belgium is President of the European Union. 'Focus on Europe' with Colin Clapson: The 'Euro' currency. Sports news.
• [Tuesday] 2 July: 2103 UTC: 1512 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal: Stephen Windross hosts 'Brussels Calling': News: Young people on benefits. BRTN name new radio bosses. 11th July: Public holiday, Tour de France reaches Belgium. Press Review with Frans Vossen: Tour de France, unemployment, Tourism, European Monetary Union. 'Belgium Today' and 'Living in Belgium' with Deanne Lehman.
• [Wednesday] 3 July: 2106 UTC: 1512 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal Good to moderate reception. 'Brussels Calling' Press Review: Russian Presidential elections, Belgium Parliament debates. Liz Sanderson reports for 'Belgium Today', Dominique Wittevrongel is 'Around Town', discussing Belgium's live music scene: Neil Young & Crazy Horse, David Bowie, House of Pain, Pulp, Radiohead.

• [Thursday] 4 July: 2120 UTC: 1512 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal 'Brussels Calling' Economics with Deanne Lehman: shipping of fruit juices.
• [Friday] 5 July: 2103 UTC: 1512 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal (BRT) 'Brussels Calling' with Deanne Lehman. News: Apple harvest drops, Polish discover hashish in a bus. Liz Sanderson Press Review: Belgian Royal Family, asylum seekers, football bribery probe: Olympic Marseille, Club Brugge. 'Belgium Today': Retired couples. 'The Arts': Photography in Antwerp.
• [Saturday] 6 July: 21 UTC: 1512 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal 'Brussels Calling' with Stephen Windross. News: Welfare systems update. Municipal Police strike. National Beef Day. Sport: Le Blanc wins stage 7 of Tour de France, football: Club Brugge will play Steua Bucharest. Press Review: New figures regarding HIV / Aids. Rock Festival review: Therapy? were the headine act. 'Music from Flanders': Paul Rans reports from a Folk & Jazz festival.

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Medium Wave, March - May 1996

SPRINGTIME 1996 is the next stop on the visit to my listening archives, with extensive logs from March, April and May that year. A gentle reminder of the housekeeping notes regarding abbreviations in the logs: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

March 1996: Medium Wave

• March 1996: New Talk Radio UK address: Talk Radio UK, PO Box 1089, LONDON W1A 1PP (Moz Dee).

April 1996: Medium Wave

• 8 April: 1823 UTC: 567 kHz: RTE Radio 1 (Ireland) 500 kW transmission. Patti Page performs 'Tennessee Waltz' on 'O'Brien on Song', hosted by Jack O'Brien.
• 8 April: 1857 UTC: 585 kHz: BBC Radio Scotland 2kW transmission from Dumfries. Music programme: 'Jump The Q'.
• 8 April: 1859 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio 4 2kW transmission. Monday Play: 'Uganda'
• 8 April: 19 UTC: 612 kHz: RTE 2FM (Ireland) News: Paul Reynolds reports from the Apprentice Boys stand-off in Belfast, Beef crisis, vandalism at Co Galway fish farm. Weather. Dave Fanning plays Radiohead: 'Street Spirit'. 2FM via Athlone transmitter. Music from Nirvana 'In Bloom', 'Heart Shaped Box'.
• 8 April: 1931 UTC: 648 kHz: BBC World Service Interview with Ian Paisley regarding the Apprentice Boys march in Belfast.
• 8 April: 1934 UTC: 675 kHz: 675 Radio 10 Gold Amsterdam, Holland. Jos Van Heerden presents 'Super Gold' Beatles 'Strawberry Fields'. The Move 'Flowers In The Rain'.
• 8 April: 1955 UTC: 693 kHz: BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: Feathered Gale won the Irish Grand National, Workington Town got beat by Sheffield Eagles in Rugby Super League. Live football: Newcastle United 0, Blackburn Rovers 0.

• 8 April: 2032 UTC: 909 kHz: BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: Alan Green commentates on the football match Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers, the score is 0-0. Faustino Asprilla has been substituted.
• 8 April: 2038 UTC: 963 kHz: YLE Radio Finland News from Sweden, report from Helsinki. Easter comment. Heavy interference.
• 8 April: 2043 UTC: 1053 kHz: Talk Radio UK Ronnie Barbour discusses family values. Tony from Luton discusses accents. Ad break: Ford Transit vans. News: Belfast, NYSE, slimming pills, skier killed in France. Football result: Newcastle United 1 - Blackburn Rovers 2. James Whale on the air. Callers: David in Glasgow, Deirdre in Belfast.

May 1996: Medium Wave

• 14 May: 1720 UTC: 567 kHz: RTE Radio 1 500 kW transmission from Tullamore, Ireland. 'Farm News' programme, weather forecast now on air.
• 14 May: 1730 UTC: 585 kHz (513 metres?) BBC Radio Scotland : 2kW transmission from Dumfries. 'Coastlines': Ecology report.
• 14 May: 1755 UTC: 666 kHz: BBC Radio York 'North Yorkshire Sport' with racing results. 500 watt transmission from Fulford. Traffic reports: Whitby A174, A684 via Leyburn. 'North Yorkshire Tonight': Report from a hospital union in Sheffield.

• 14 May: 1818 UTC: 675 kHz: Radio 10 Gold 120 kW transmission from Lopic, Holland. Music: Sandie Shaw, 'Puppet On A String'.
• 14 May: 1833 UTC: 756 kHz: BBC Radio Cumbria 1kW transmission from Carlisle. Music with Mark Paxton.
• 14 May: 1837 UTC: 774 kHz: BBC Radio Leeds 500 watt transmission via Farnley. 'Yorkshire Sport': Top table of Neil Back (rugby), Geoffrey Richmond (football) and Mike Edge (swimming coach) discuss tolerance of behaviour by sportsmen towards officials. Cricket report by Jonathan Agnew. 'Night Sport' looks towards Euro 96. Call 0113 244 3222 (Leeds).
• 14 May: 1911 UTC: 882 kHz: BBC Radio Wales. 100 kW transmission via Washford. Sport: Cardiff Arms Park hosts Neath v Pontypridd (Live Rugby). Sending off: Steve Lewis, red card, headbutt. Neath are Champions!
• 14 May: 1924 UTC: 909 kHz: BBC Radio Five 909 kHz = 330 metres. Live Rugby League: Wigan 20 - Halifax 0. Transmitter: Moorside Edge, 200 kW transmission. Rugby League result. Topical sport broadcast: 'Inside Edge' with Rob Bonner.
• 14 May: 1958 UTC: 1179 kHz: Radio Sweden Solvesborg transmitter, 600 kW transmission. English programme: 'Sixty Degrees North' with Sara Larsch, Swedish Youth Culture, Techno art.

• 14 May: 2011 UTC: 1197 - 1215 kHz: Virgin Radio Music : The Police - 'Every Breath You Take'. Ad break. Highlights of this morning's 'Russ And Jono's Breakfast Experience'.
• 14 May: 2017 UTC: 1386 kHz: Voice of Russia Transmitter site: Bolshakovo or Kaliningrad, 2500 kW transmission. Classical music.
• 14 May: 2023 UTC: 1440 kHz: Radio Netherlands Dutch language broadcast via RTL Marnach, LUX (Luxembourg). 1200 kW transmission.

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