My FM Archive : December 2018

Manx Radio postmark, 3rd April 2018.

 NOVEMBER 2024 is here, though today we are remembering FM broadcasts from December 2018.

A previous post of FM logs, dated May 2018, can be found here.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in MegaHertz (MHz). Logs transcribed from the original notes. Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW).

Receiver used: Sangean ATS-405.

December 2018 : FM

• [Friday] 7 December [2018]: 2058 UTC: 97.2 MHz: Manx Radio  Music with a female vocalist and band. Christmas song. Male host: "Stand by for music news and the mystery song challenge - Join me again at 6.30" ID for Manx Radio, 'Manx Radio Classifieds' with short ads including car dealer. Male host with extended speech, music.
  This is Manx Radio, the Isle of Man. Fair reception. 11.3 kW via Carnane, Isle of Man.
  Jazz music.
  Logged to 2108 UTC.
  
  Cup of tea break.
  
  
• 7 December: 2129 UTC: 97.7 MHz: BBC Radio 1  Male introduces music, "Your reactions after this [track]" Music.
  Strong reception. 250 kW via Sandale, Cumbria.
  Pete Tong.
  Logged to 2135 UTC.
• 7 December: 2149 UTC: 99.6 MHz: BBC Radio 1  Pete Tong with listemer reaction and music.
  Strong reception. 10 kW via Morecambe Bay [Lancashire].
  Logged to 2155 UTC.
• 7 December: 2159 UTC: 99.9 MHz: Classic FM  [Ads] Lidl, flu jab, Branston Chutney, Listerene Nightly Reset. Crisis at Christmas [Charity].
  ID 'This is Classic FM, from Global' Margarita Taylor 'The World's greatest music, Classic FM'.
  Strong reception. 250 kW via Sandale, Cumbria.
  'Smooth Classics, on Classic FM' Congregation sings 'O Come All Ye Faithful' to the Church organ. King's College, Cambridge. Music now: St Martin's In The Field, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner.
  Logged to 2210 UTC.
  
• 7 December: 2218 UTC: 100.7 MHz: Heart - North East  Music from Bruno Mars 'Just The Way You Are' ID for Heart. Music: Katy Perry 'Hot n Cold'.
  Fair reception. 10 kW via Bilsdale.
  Female host with IDs for Bruno Mars & Katy Perry, speaks of Yorkshire, speech and ads: Athletics 2019, booking online. Free spins on Heart bingo. The Claims Guys PPI. Marks & Spencer. O2. Heart website. ID. Music: Shakin' Stevens Christmas song.
  Logged to 2230 UTC.
• 7 December: 2241 UTC: 101.4 MHz: Smooth Radio  Ads: Listerene, Ladbrokes, takeaway or restaurant. ID for Smooth Radio (former frequency of Lakeland Radio). Music: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes '(Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong'.
  Fair reception. ID 'You're listening to Smooth Radio'. Music: 'Please Don't Go'.
  100 watts via Keswick Forest, Cumbria.
  Music: 'Silent Night'.
  Logged to 2252 UTC.

A page of information regarding the Keswick Forest transmitter, can be found on mb21.

• 7 December: 2256 UTC: 101.8 MHz: Classic FM  'Smooth Classics on Classic FM, with Listerene Nightly Reset'. 'Classic FM Live, with Land Rover Jaguar'. Ads: Giftcards, M&S, Cotswold Outdoor. Bells. Crisis at Christmas [Charity]. ID. Music.
  Strong to good reception. 6.4 kW via Morecambe Bay [Lancashire].
  Logged to 2304 UTC.
• 7 December: 2310 UTC: 102.2 MHz: CFM  Rap track 'Miss Jackson' on CFM - ID: 'Every night, it's chilled. Chilled - on - CFM'. Justin Bieber.
  Good reception. 815 watts via Broughton Moor, West Cumbria.
  Female: Sara Wylde (host). Music: Justin Bieber ft Major Lazer 'Cold Water'. Sia 'The Greatest'. ID, Chris Rea 'Driving Home For Christmas'.
  Logged to 2321 UTC.
• 7 December: 2328 UTC: 102.5 MHz: CFM  McDonald's ad. 'Chilled' CFM.
  Fair reception. 100 watts via Penrith, Cumbria.
  Logged to 2334 UTC.

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower!

My FM Archive : May 2018

 MY apologies for not posting more regularly, here on Reporting From The Fox Tower!

This is a short post, as I try to return to posting on a regular basis.

A previous post of FM logs, dated April 2018, can be found here.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in MegaHertz (MHz). Logs transcribed from the original notes. Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW).

Receiver used: Sangean ATS-405.

May 2018 : FM

• [Friday] 11 May [2018]: 2314 UTC: 107.5 MHz: Eden FM  Penrith, 25 watts via Penrith.
  ID: 'This is your community radio station, Eden FM'. Music: Bryan Adams (+ Chicane?) 'Don't Give Up'; Richard Ashcroft 'Fill The Night With Colour'. ID: 'Your community radio station, Your 107.5 Eden FM'. Music: 'Never Can Say Goodbye'.
  Fair to poor reception - 25 watts via Penrith.
  Music: Tim McGraw + Faith Hill 'The Rest Of Our Life'.
  Logged to 2324 UTC.

I would like to use this space to salute the broadcaster Johnnie Walker, who has retired, due to ill health.

Here is a little video I made of his final rock show, broadcast Friday, 25 October, 2024 on BBC Radio 2. Enjoy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Martin COWIN (@martincowin)

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower - Enjoy listening to your radio!

My FM Archive: April 2018

 LOGS of FM broadcasts, heard springtime 2018, is what I hope you will enjoy on this post.

A previous post of FM logs, dated September 2011, can be found here.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in MegaHertz (MHz). Logs transcribed from the original notes. Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW).

Receiver used: Sangean ATS-405 (making its debut!).

April 2018 : FM

• [Thursday] 12 April [2018]: 1903 UTC: 88.1 MHz: BBC Radio 2  News, Jo Whiley, music: Kings Of Leon 'Sex On Fire'.
  250 kW via Sandale, Cumbria. Excellent reception.
  Logged to 1906 UTC.
  Also: 1918 UTC: 90.0 MHz: Music: Donna Summer 'I Feel Love' Jo Whiley, promo for 'Blood On The Tracks' with Colin Murray. Music.
  Fair to poor reception. 10 kW via Morecambe Bay [Lancs].
  Logged to 1923 UTC.
• 12 April: 1925 UTC: 90.3 MHz: BBC Radio 3  Piano and orchestra - Very nice.
  Strong reception (Very little bit of noise). 250 kW via Sandale, Cumbria.
  Applause. Steven Osbourne, Scottish Symphony Orchestra, City Hall, Glasgow.
  Beethoven's Piano Symphony.
  Logged to 1930 UTC.
  
  [Cup of tea time]
  
  Also: 1949 UTC: 92.2 MHz: The Piano concert from the City Halls, Glasgow, continues.
  Good to fair reception.
  'Radio 3 In Concert' with Jamie McDougall.
  10 kW via Morecambe Bay [Lancashire].
  Logged to 1955 UTC.
• 12 April: 1958 UTC: 92.5 MHz: BBC Radio 4  'In Business' with Ms Balderstone. Promo for a new series: 'Chinese Characters'.
  20 UTC news: Chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Child sex abuse in Rochdale. Sir Cliff Richard sues the BBC. Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland. UAE Princess runs away to India.
  'Inside Science' is now on the air. Agriculture.
  Excellent reception. 250 kW via Sandale, Cumbria.
  Logged to 2005 UTC.
  Also: 2020 UTC: 94.4 MHz: 'Inside Science' on Radio 4 continues - with a visit to a particle physics laboratory - Rutherford-Appleton Lab.
  Strong to good reception. 10 kW via Morecambe Bay [Lancs].
  Logged to 2024 UTC.

Historic BBC Radio Scotland logo.

• 12 April: 2027 UTC: 94.7 MHz: BBC Radio Scotland  'The Quay Sessions' with Sam Fender. Presenter: Roddy Hart. Live music from Sam Fender (and his band).
  Good reception (Little bit of noise). 250 kW via Sandale, Cumbria, primarily for South west Scotland (with opt-outs from Dumfries, Scotland).
  Logged to 2034 UTC.
• 12 April: 2041 UTC: 95.6 MHz: BBC Radio Cumbria  Georgey Spanswick with a male author, who has written a book about winds, including the Helm Wind, which blows on the Eden - Pennine fellside in Cumbria. 'Where The Wild Winds Are' is the name of the book.
  Good to fair reception. 15 kW via Sandale, Cumbria.
  The author is Nick Hunt. Music: Culture Club 'Karma Chameleon'.
  Logged to 2048 UTC.
  Also: 2053 UTC: 96.1 MHz: Georgey Spanswick. Music: Barry White 'Let The Music Play'.
  Good to fair reception. 3.2 kW via Morecambe Bay.
  Logged to 2056 UTC.
• 12 April: 2058 UTC: 96.4 MHz: CFM  Ad break: McDonald's. PerTemps (recruitment). The Wedding Store, 1 Victoria Viaduct, Carlisle. Bowel screening. Composite doors: Trinity Earth. NatWest. S P Training. CFM Dating.
  21 UTC news: British Government to respond to Syrian chemical attack. Novichock used in Salisbury attack.  CFM ID and song crash into news bulletin (Rochdale, Carpetright) Princess Anne visits Duke of Edinburgh in hospital. News bulletin by Barry Weir. Song which crashed the news continues.
  Good to fair reception. 3 kW via Caldbeck.
  'Mellow CFM' Music: Prince 'The Most Beautiful Girl In The World'.
  Logged to 2106 UTC.
• 12 April: 2119 UTC: 96.9 MHz: Heart (North Lancashire)  Music: Beyonce. Female host, speaking of dating disasters. Ad break: Mix of local & national ads, including Mike Hughes Fitted Interiors (Barrow), kart racing, Admiral insurance, MoneySupermarket. Lionel Richie in concert, Brunton Park, Carlisle. Morecambe hotel. Music: Westlife.
  Heart North Lancashire was formerly The Bay.
  Good reception. 3.2 kW via Morecambe Bay.
  Logged to 2127 UTC.
• 12 April: 2134 UTC: 97.2 MHz: Manx Radio  (Isle of Man)  Music: Ella Henderson 'Ghost', male host, Manx Radio covering Commonwealth Games, weather, waters forecast from Ronaldsway. Ads: Jack's Bar & Steakhouse. Pets medical treatment. Walk the Millennium Way on the Isle of Man. Manx Radio + Manx Telecom live from Australia at 8am for the Commonwealth Games. Music.
  Good to fair reception. 11.3 kW via Carnane, Isle of Man.
  Manx Radio ID, male host, 'Roots' song. Chubby Checker 'The Twist'.
  Logged to 2145 UTC.

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower - Enjoy listening to your radio!

My FM Archive: September 2011

 KNOWLEDGE of the Medium (AM) and Short Wave broadcasts have been plentiful on this blog, so let's take a little break and bring some memories of broadcasts heard on the FM band.

A previous post of FM logs, dating back to November 1997, can be found here.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in MegaHertz (MHz). Logs transcribed from the original notes. Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW).

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

September 2011 : FM

• [Sunday] 4 September [2011]: 1019 UTC: 88.1 MHz: BBC Radio 2 via Sandale, Cumbria.
  250 kW [kiloWatts]. Full power.
• 4 September: 1024 UTC: 89.0 MHz: Music from Manx Radio, broadcasting 2 kW on this frequency, via Snaefell, Isle of Man.
  Male speech and music.
  Logged to 1033 UTC.
• 4 September: 1041 UTC: 90.0 MHz: BBC Radio 2 via Morecambe Bay, Lancashire.
  10 kW. Full power. Movie review.
  Logged to 1048 UTC.
• 4 September: 1051 UTC: 90.3 MHz: BBC Radio 3 via Sandale, Cumbria.
  250 kW. Full power.
  Also: 1100 UTC: 92.2 MHz via Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. 10 kW. Good reception.
  'Sunday Morning' ID 'Private Passions' Pottery.
  Logged to 1106 UTC.
• 4 September: 1108 UTC: 92.5 MHz: BBC Radio 4 via Sandale, Cumbria.
  250 kW. Full power.
  Also: 1125 UTC: 94.4 MHz via Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. 10 kW. Good reception.
  'Just A Minute'.
  Logged to 1131 UTC.
• 4 September: 1133 UTC: 94.7 MHz: BBC Radio Scotland via Sandale, Cumbria, for South West Scotland, 250 kW. Full power.
  Weather forecast.

Sandale transmitter.

• 4 September: 1144 UTC: 95.6 MHz: BBC Radio Cumbria via Sandale [pictured above] 15 kW. Full power.
  Music: George Macrae 'Rock Your Baby'. Promo for BBC Radio Cumbria weekends. ID for John Mann. Music: 'Mary's Prayer', a 1987 song by Danny Wilson.
  Also: 1150 UTC: 96.1 MHz via Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, 3.2 kW.
  Good reception. The John Mann Show. Music: Bill Wyman.
  Logged to 1155 UTC.
• 4 September: 1157 UTC: 96.4 MHz: Music from SWV 'Right Here' on CFM 'The Golden Sunday' ID, male host. Ad break.
  Good reception via Caldbeck, Cumbria. 3 kW.
  

Break at 1203 UTC.

• 4 September: 1257 UTC: 96.9 MHz: 'Solid Gold Sunday' on The Bay  ID. Music: ABBA 'Super Trouper', ID, John Lennon 'Just Like Starting Over'. ID: 'Kendal, Lancaster, Barrow - The Bay'.
  News at 1300 UTC: Alistair Darling criticises Gordon Brown over his handling of the economy. Libya latest. Rebecca Leighton plans to sue police. Police may make pubs and clubs pay for policing. Mo Farah wins gold medal.
  'The Phantom of the Bay' contest. 'Best of the 80s' Music from Bananarama. Music from Tina Turner 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.
  This is The Bay via Morecambe Bay, 3.2 kW (Studio in Lancaster).
  Music: Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney 'The Girl Is Mine'.
  Good reception. Darren Milby is the host.
  Logged to 1315 UTC.
• 4 September: 1320 UTC: 97.2 MHz: Ad break: Butchers in Douglas. Britannia International branches in Douglas and Port Erin. Presenter: Bob Harrison on Manx Radio ID.
  This is Manx Radio broadcasting 10 kW via Carnane, Isle of Man. Good reception.
  Music: Katie Melua 'A Happy Place'. Cher Lloyd. Toyah Wilcox will be playing live on the Isle of Man soon. Interview with Toyah Wilcox.
  Logged to 1330 UTC.
• 4 September: 1355 UTC: 97.7 MHz: BBC Radio 1  Music: The Verve 'Bittersweet Symphony'.
  Transmission site: Sandale, Cumbria. 250 kW. Full power.
  Dev is the host, 'Resident DJ' feature.
  Also: 1406 UTC: 99.6 MHz via Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, 10 kW. Strong reception.
  Music: The Noisettes. BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards in October.
  Logged to 1412 UTC.
• 4 September: 1416 UTC: 99.9 MHz: Classic FM via Sandale, Cumbria. 250 kW. Full power.
  Also: 1426 UTC: 101.8 MHz via Morecambe Bay, Lancs, 6.4 kW. Good reception.
  Violin Concerto.
  Logged to 1430 UTC.

Morecambe Bay transmitter.

• 4 September: 1435 UTC: 102.2 MHz: CFM  ID: 'This is CFM'. Music: JLS. ID, Music: Stereophonics.
  CFM for West Cumbria via Workington, 815 watts. Poor reception.
  Logged to 1442 UTC.
  Also: 1447 UTC: 102.5 MHz: Music: Adele 'Rolling In The Deep', ID for CFM, rap music.
  Fair reception of CFM via Penrith relay, 100 watts.
  Music: Katy Perry 'California Girls'.
  Logged to 1452 UTC.
• 4 September: 1501 UTC: 104.1 MHz: Anne Hopper on BBC Radio Cumbria via Whitehaven, 1 kW. Poor reception.
  Logged to 1506 UTC.
• 4 September: 1508 UTC: 104.5 MHz: BBC Radio Lancashire  Strong reception, music: Glee 'Sway'. Presenter: Gerald Jackson. Contact details: Telephone number, text number, email.
  Pete in Rochdale requests 'Sowing The Seeds of Love' by Tears For Fears.
  Strong reception via Lancaster, 2 kW.
  Dave in Blackpool texts Big Country, Chris Rea.
  Marie Meagan travel news: M6 clear, M55 good, Blackburn lights. Preston-Wigan: bus replace trains. Blackburn reverse one-way system.
  Live Lancashire football. Featured single: Avril Lavigne.
  Logged to 1520 UTC.

Notes:
The Morecambe Bay transmitter.  I must admit, prior to this post, I had not researched the location of the said transmission site. I had pictured it in my mind as a mast on the shores of the Bay, with the sun shining brightly overhead. The Google map above shows a slightly different location to that I had pictured in my mind; A location that is actually within the Askam-Ireleth parish of South Cumbria, to the east of Askam-in-Furness, to the west of Ulverston. Here is a Google maps link to the location within South Cumbria; The location marked by the red pin.

You really do learn something new everyday.

Goodbye, old friends.  You won't find CFM or The Bay on your radio anymore. Bauer Media absorbed CFM into their Greatest Hits brand, whilst Global Media absorbed The Bay into their Heart network.
Similarly, some of the presenters named above have moved on to pastures new.
John Mann, listed above on air for BBC Radio Cumbria, is now on air Monday evenings on Regency Radio.

Darren Milby, listed above on air for The Bay, now broadcasts for BBC Radio Lancashire and Gaydio.

I shall assume Bob Harrison (Manx Radio) and Anne Hopper (BBC Radio Cumbria) have [been?] retired, whilst Gerald Jackson (BBC Radio Lancashire) is now on air Sunday afternoons on Rossendale Radio.

The lost frequencies.  A very small cluster of frequencies did not make the cut in this post - As I did not know who the broadcasters were at the time. I noted I heard an interview with Pixie Lott on a chart show, which was audible at 1605 UTC, on the frequencies of 105.4 MHz (Possibly NW England - Winter Hill), 105.3 MHz (possibly NE England - Burnhope) and 105.6 MHz (Possibly Fenham, 50 watts, NE England).

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower - Enjoy listening to your radio!

My Short Wave Archive: May - November 2015

 JOURNALS should not be neglected, which sadly, this one has been. That's myself reprimanded, so let's move on with today's post, continuing the thread of my logbooks of broadcasts heard via Short Wave radio.

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: March 2015, can be found here.

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

Note: This post takes us through 2015, from May to November, as some logs later in the year contained little detail, or broadcasts were not heard on the selected listening days.

May 2015 : Short Wave

• [Thursday] 7 May [2015]* : 1540 UTC: 15825 kHz: WWCR Nashville TN [USA]  Male speech, reciting a conversation between Jesus and Pilate. This is a Baptist Church / CBC NYC broadcast, also trailers for Words of Hope and Bible Hour.
  This is WWCR Nashville TN, good to fair reception, English language broadcast to Europe, Middle East, Americas via WWCR-1 Nashville TN.
  Male speech regarding Saul and passages from the Bible. Interference at 1546 UTC from another broadcast, possible overspill from 15820 kHz.
  WWCR programming was Tell It From Calvery (David Epstein), on air from 1530 UTC, followed by Radio Bible Hour, on air from 1545 UTC. ID for Radio Bible Hour with their contact details.
  ID for WWCR Nashville.
  Logged to 1555 UTC.
• 7 May* : 1617 UTC: 17790 kHz: Radio Africa (Pan American Broadcasting)  Music: Female vocalist with piano accompaniment. Vocals in English.
  Fair reception, English language broadcast to Africa via Okeechobee FL (WRMI transmission site) [USA].
  Logged to 1626 UTC.

*Thursday 7 May 2015 : UK General Election day.

July 2015 : Short Wave

• [Saturday] 11 July [2015]: 1922 UTC: 17855 kHz: Radio Exterior de Espana  Music on the 16 metre Band, female speech.
  Fair to poor reception, this is Radio Exterior de Espana [Spain] broadcasting to the USA.
  Speech in both Spanish and English.
  Logged to 1934 UTC.

Screenshot of BBC News Hausa, 30 June 2024.

• 11 July: 1945 UTC: 17885 kHz: BBC World Service  Two males in discussion, studio and telephone. Fair to poor reception, this is BBC World Service, on air 1930 - 2000 UTC, 7 days a week, Hausa language broadcast, 250 kW transmission, 55° via Ascension Island to Africa.
  Males continue speaking for a number of minutes. Female speech, music to end of broadcast.
  Logged to 2000 UTC.

September 2015 : Short Wave

• [Monday] 14 September [2015]: 1455 UTC: 25000 kHz: Tentative reception of a time signal broadcast on this frequency: MIKES [Finland] or WWV [USA]. To 1459 UTC.

November 2015 : Short Wave [Tropical Bands]

• [Tuesday] 24 November [2015]: 2011 UTC: 3415 kHz: Shannon Volmet [Ireland]  Continuous weather reports for the airport in Shannon. Female speech.
  Logged to 2022 UTC.
• 24 November: 2044 UTC: 3955 kHz: KBS World Radio [Seoul, South Korea]  Speech from males and females in the German language - This is KBS World Radio, fair to poor reception, German language broadcast to Europe via Woofferton transmission site [UK].
  Music, sport update: boxing. Music, male speech.
  Logged to 2051 UTC.
• 24 November: 2123 UTC: 5000 kHz: WWV [Time signal station, USA]  Fluttery signal.
  Fair to poor reception. To 2125 UTC.
• 24 November: 2128 UTC: 5050 kHz [Spurious broadcast] China Radio International  'Roundtable' programme, English language. Fair to poor reception. To 2137 UTC.

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower!

My Short Wave Archive: March 2015

 INTERNATIONAL radio broadcasts, heard via Short Wave, received Tuesday, March 10, 2015.

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: January 2015, can be found here.

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

March 2015 : Short Wave

• [Tuesday] 10 March [2015]: 2057 UTC: 15490 kHz: Radio Exterior de Espana  Spanish language football commentary, via the new scheduled broadcast on this frequency, 19 - 23 UTC, Monday to Friday, to Middle East / Asia.
  Fair to poor reception.
  Coverage of Real Madrid v Shalke, which is being played tonight, UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Leg 2 of 2. The score is 3-3 on 67 minutes (5-3 on aggregate).
  Programme: Tablero deportivo via Radio Nacional de Espana. [Programme website]
  Logged to 2113 UTC.
  [Record of the match from UEFA can be found here]
  
  

  

  Assignment editors discuss the latest story developments in the VOA newsroom in Washington, D.C.

• 10 March: 2119 UTC: 15580 kHz: "Music - LOUD music - on Short Wave!"  Voice of America  Female vocalist, singing in English, the track was Ariana Grande 'The Only One'. Male host with news the family of Marvin Gaye are suing Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for plagiarising a Marvin Gaye song for 'Blurred Lines' - Playing now.
  [Link: Marvin Gaye estate vs Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams]
  Music: Rihanna 'Don't Stop The Music'.
  Strong to good reception. English to Africa via Greenville, NC, USA (IBB site).
  Music: Mark Ronson 'Uptown Funk'.
  Programme: 'Border Crossings' / 'Top 10' show. Presenter: Larry London. Music: Fergie 'LA Love'. One Direction 'Little Things'.
  Logged to 2139 UTC.
• 10 March: 2143 UTC: 15610 kHz: WEWN  Birmingham AL [USA]  English language broadcast with a studio based female holding a telephone interview with a male guest; Studio based male holds a telephone interview with a male regarding persecution of Christians in Libya.
  WEWN (EWTN - Catholic programming) to Europe and Middle East. Good reception.
  Programme: 'Kresta in the Afternoon' "brought to you from Catholic Business Pages dot com" [sic].  Live broadcast; Close of the show prior to the top of the hour.
  IDs for EWTN Radio WEWN, broadcasting from Birmingham AL.
  Announcement of frequency for this hour: 15610 kHz for 2200 UTC.
  'News Link': The Vatican. Statement from Pope Francis.
  Now on air, for the next two hours: 'Catholic Answers Live'.
  Logged to 2200 UTC.
• 10 March: 2209 UTC: 15770 kHz: "Speech carries over the airwaves from Okeechobee, FL, USA"
  WRMI  World Radio Miami International  - The broadcast is the voice of Brother Stair on the Overcomer Ministry, broadcasting from Okeechobee to Europe and America. Includes a break for music.
  Fair reception.
  English to Europe and America via Okeechobee FL USA.
  Brother Stair talking about the Second World War, the Japanese attack on the American base Pearl Harbour. Break for music. Continued speech.
  Logged to 2221 UTC.

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower!

Remembering Steve Wright MBE

 HIS Life was dedicated to radio, remembering Steve Wright MBE.

Steve Wright's first broadcast was in his High School days; broadcasting a show over the school's speaker system from a store cupboard.  After leaving school, he volunteered on hospital radio, before first joining the BBC as a gramaphone library clerk in 1970.

Steve also worked as a journalist and reporter for LBC, London, 1975, before joining Radio 210, Reading, 1976.  In 1979, Steve joined Radio Luxembourg, though would leave 'The Station of the Stars' to rejoin the BBC, January 1980, where he broadcast Saturday shows on BBC Radio 1.

His first television appearance on Top of the Pops was in 1980, where he would be a regular host until 1989.

Steve Wright in the Afternoon first went on air October 1981, introducing the listeners of BBC Radio 1 to the zoo radio format and 'The afternoon posse'.

31 August 1990: Steve Wright in the Afternoon interview with George Michael.

Steve Wright in the Afternoon would be a fixture at BBC Radio 1 for 12 years, during which time Steve and the posse had success on the UK singles chart - Inspired by the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Arnee and the Terminaters reached number five on the UK singles chart with 'I'll Be Back' ('The Dancefloor Devastation Kick-Up'), 1991.

The last show was broadcast Christmas Eve 1993.

Changes to the schedule at BBC Radio 1 saw Steve and the posse move to the Breakfast show, January 1994, whilst also presenting the television show Steve Wright's People Show on BBC One, 1994-1995.

Wright would leave the BBC to join Talk Radio UK (which broadcast on the medium wave frequencies vacated by BBC Radio 1, 1053 kHz and 1089 kHz), where he presented Steve Wright's Talk Show.

Steve rejoined the BBC in the Spring of 1996, presenting Steve Wright's Saturday Show (which aired until 1999) and Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs for BBC Radio 2.  Top of the Pops 2, scripted and narrated by Steve, went on air on BBC Television in 1997, running to 2008.

BBC World Service brought us Wright Around The World on Saturdays, from January 1999 to October 2003.  Enjoy a sample of Wright Around The World, BBC World Service, courtesy of Ilya B.

 

BBC Radio 2 revived Steve Wright in the Afternoon on July 5, 1999, which replaced Ed Stewart's afternoon programme. Wright's on-air team was Tim Smith, Janey Lee Grace and The Old Woman (Joyce Frost), the show also brought us factoids - Pieces of information we never knew we needed.

Steve Wright in the Afternoon was on the air for 23 years, broadcast for the final time September 30, 2022. The last song on the playlist was Queen 'Radio Ga Ga'.

Steve Wright was awarded an MBE for services to radio in the 2024 New Year Honours List.

'Sunday Love Songs' last aired the day before Wright's death, a Valentine's Day special recorded two days earlier.

Steve succeeded Paul Gambaccini as presenter of Pick of the Pops October 2023, Wright's last Pick of the Pops aired February 10, 2024.

Steve Wright MBE died February 12, 2024.

Steve Wright in the Afternoon Opening Theme BBC Radio 2

Radio Technicolour

Source credit: 31 August 1990: Steve Wright in the Afternoon interview with George Michael picture from the book Radio 1's Classic Interviews Edited by Jeff Simpson, published by BBC Books, 1992. Picture © BBC.

Steve Wright MBE obituary inspired by British DX Club Communication Monthly Journal of the British DX Club Edition 592 March 2024 (pages 17-18).

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower.

My Short Wave Archive: January 2015

 GREETINGS, welcome to memories of Short Wave radio broadcasts heard Sunday, January 4, 2015.

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: May 2014, can be found here.

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

January 2015 : Short Wave

• [Sunday] 4 January [2015]: 1237 UTC: 10000 kHz: WWV Boulder, Colorado, USA.
  Fluctuating signal, good to fair reception [Time signal station].
  To 1249 UTC.
• 4 January: 1252 UTC: 11520 kHz: WEWN Birmingham AL (USA)  Music, followed by speech from male, thanking listeners for tuning to WEWN - Part of the EWTN Network - confirming we are listening to WEWN, reminder to retune to 15 MHz for the next broadcast starting very soon. Signing off this frequency - Frequency closed.
  Fair reception, English language broadcast to Europe and Middle East on an alternative frequency.
  Frequency closed at 1257 UTC.
• 4 January: 1324 UTC: 11640 kHz: "Classical music programme - with speech between pieces - Speech from a male, which I believe to be Chinese. Has a slight lilt of French, too! Oh, I am so confused. I think this could be an Unidentified for me, but did sound most like Chinese. Lovely music, though."
  Fair reception, logged to 1332 UTC.
  [Most likely to have been China Radio International]

EWTN [WEWN] QSL, September 2012.

•    4 January: 1335 UTC: 11730 kHz: "I can hear a broadcast, drowned out by noise - Jammed broadcast?"
  Logged to 1339 UTC.
  [Possibly Radio Free Asia]
• 4 January: 1352 UTC: 12085 kHz: Radio Australia  Male speaking of multi-cultural communities in Australia and speaking of the same in South Africa. Corresponding speech from male guest [in studio] - or on telephone.
  Female with news headlines at 1400 UTC, including sport - Tennis results and the weather.
  New programme now on air, music from The Who 'My Generation' used to illustrate piece, about a child and grandparent. Programme about generations.
  Focus on the life of a priest in World War One at the Vatican.
  Fair reception, English language to Asia and Austaralasia via Shepparton (Australia).
  Logged to 1417 UTC.
• 4 January: 1450 UTC: 12115 kHz: Reach Beyond Australia  Females with verses from the Bible. 'Cynthia found her home in Christ'. Female continues with a reading. Bible references. Continuing to 'Spread the word'. Reading from Corinthians II.
  1500 UTC: ID? The broadcast that has just ended was 'Words To Live By'.
  On air now: Male speech.
  Fair reception; Logged to 1510 UTC.
  
• 4 January: 1523 UTC: 13845 kHz: WWCR-3 Nashville TN USA  Female speaking of God, on a broadcast with propagation. The vocation of following Christ to God.
  This is University Network via WWCR-3 Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
  English language to Europe and America.
  Fair to poor reception; "Not very audible."
  Logged to 1535 UTC.
• 4 January: 1554 UTC: 15420 kHz: BBC World Service  Male speech in English "One final thing", "Thank you Andrew" Speech being lost in the propagation. ID at 1557 UTC during a promo.
  1600 UTC: Time pips, news headline: Events in Nigeria.
  'Sportsworld' with Caroline and guest Mark Lawrenson. Football: FA Cup Third Round weekend: Manchester City v Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa v Blackpool. Mark Lawrenson gives his reaction to the fixtures. Live match commentary coming up from Huish Park in the third round of the FA Cup: Yeovil Town versus Manchester United. Also playing today: Chelsea v Watford, Stoke v Wrexham. Southampton also play today.
  Fair to poor reception.
  Sheffield United have beaten Queen's Park Rangers.
  English to Africa (East and South Africa) via Seychelles.
  Loss of reception at 1617 UTC; regained at 1620 UTC, with a report from Huish Park: 0 - 0 at half time.
  Logged to 1637 UTC.

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My Short Wave Archive: May 2014

 FRIENDS, welcome to another post of the continuous thread of memories of radio broadcasts, heard via Short Wave Radio.

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: March 2014, can be found here.

This post brings memories of Short Wave radio broadcasts heard Saturday, May 24, 2014.

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

May 2014 : Short Wave

• [Saturday] 24 May [2014]: 2258 UTC: 9855 kHz: "I hear English language voices - Radio Australia was listed on this frequency during the previous hour, unless the schedule has changed and they continue on this frequency - Co-channel interference too? [Man-made interference and noise] Will refer back following a look at the Radio Australia schedule online."
  To 2305 UTC.
• 24 May: 2312 UTC: 9965 kHz: Music "with that mystical influence" - Radio Cairo broadcasting English to America. Time pips for 15 minutes past the hour. Female voice - Station ID for Radio Cairo. Female speech. Speech regarding Russia - Speech becomes distorted. Poor reception. Speech includes "Government leaders".
  To 2322 UTC.
• 24 May: 2327 UTC: 10000 kHz: "The unmistakeable broadcast from the Time Signal station" WWV Boulder, Colorado, USA. Fair reception. Time pips.
  To 2329 UTC.

"Closing this DX at 2330 UTC on the frequency of 10000 kHz Short Wave.  A reminder that Eden FM launches on 107.5 FM on Friday 20 June 2014.

Football results from today: Championship Play-Off final at Wembley Stadium: QPR 1 - Derby County 0.

Champions League final in Lisbon: Real Madrid 4 - Athletico Madrid 1. Goodnight; 2335 UTC."

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My Short Wave Archive: March 2014

 EXTENDED warm wishes to another post of the continuous thread of memories of radio broadcasts, heard via Short Wave Radio.

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: May 2013, can be found here.

This post brings memories of Short Wave radio broadcasts heard Thursday, March 27, 2014.

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

March 2014 : Short Wave

• [Thursday] 27 March [2014]: 1615 UTC: 7265 kHz: China Radio International  Male speech, followed by ID - Presumed China Radio International, broadcasting in Russian? Fair reception.
  Female speech, news broadcast? Speech regarding François Hollande, President of France.
  Logged to 1620 UTC.
• 27 March: 1632 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service  Football speech - European football - On the BBC World Service. Football season is coming to a close - Bayern Munich are Champions of Germany, Paris Saint-Germain favourites to be Champions of France, Juventus favourites to be Champions of Italy? [Real] Madrid and Barcelona lead the charge to the title in Spain.
  Fair reception, English language to South Asia via Kranji, Singapore.
  Premiership title race in England lead by Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea.
  World reaction to football news on 'Sport Today', presented by Ian Payne.
  Logged to 1650 UTC.
• 27 March: 1654 UTC: 9435 kHz: China Radio International  Learn to speak Chinese on China Radio International. "I won't go to the company today". "Supermarket".
  Excellent to good reception, English language via Kashi, China.
  Programme comes to a close with the announcement of the contact email address.
  Off air at 1658 UTC.
• 27 March: 1712 UTC: 9500 kHz: Radio Australia  Music programme, broadcast is parallel to 12085 kHz. Music programme with a selection of tango tunes, such as 'Blind Man's Ally'. Male host.
  Fair reception, English to Asia and Australia via Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.
  'Daily Planet' programme: 'Tangalo' were the featured band (Link on the Radio Australia website).
  Logged to 1730 UTC.
  [Short Break]
  [1755 UTC: 9500 kHz: Broadcaster playing the piece of music 'Puffing Billy' by Eric Coates! (Railway nostalgia music).]

[Break]

• 27 March: 2245 UTC: 9575 kHz: Medi 1 Morocco  High tempo music with African flavour, speech, clips of music by Dire Straits, Santana, Michael Jackson, speech in French language.
  Female speech, ID as 'Medi Un' - This is Medi 1, Morocco.
  Good reception.
  Male speech, French language, "Come with us" in English language, speech in French, music: Bob Marley 'Is This Love' on the 'Album Story' programme (Link on the Medi 1 Radio website).
  Logged to 2255 UTC.
• 27 March: 2309 UTC: 9855 kHz: Radio Australia  Female host meets a Samoan cricket team, who were talking about community interaction with the teams and the history of cricket in Samoa.
  Fair reception, English to Asia and Australia via Al Dhabbaya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  One of the visiting cricketers has brought a cricket bat into the studio.
  Logged to 2325 UTC.

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My Short Wave Archive: May 2013

 DEAR Friends, thank you for returning to a continuous thread of memories of radio broadcasts, heard via Short Wave Radio. 

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: March 2013, can be found here.

This post brings memories of Short Wave radio broadcasts heard Monday, May 27, 2013.

What is Short Wave Radio?

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

May 2013 : Short Wave

• [Monday] 27 May [2013]: 1948 UTC: 5950 kHz: Voice Of Tigray Revolution  [Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]  British DX Club shows this broadcast on air with Horn of Africa music at this time.
  Fair to poor reception.
  Continuous music.
  Logged as a tentative reception to 1954 UTC.
• 27 May: 2000 UTC: 5960 kHz: China Radio International  'Beyond Beijing' (Male voice ID) News: China creates links with Germany, links with the USA and a visit to the USA. European political ministers gather to discuss Syria. Chinese man sentenced following murder of baby. Statistics show businesses in profit. Membership cards are discussed by Chinese political parties. News by Rebecca Hume.
  'China Drive' presented by Mark Griffiths. Topic of conversation: designers. Weather: Beijing: cloud. Shanghai: rain. Hong Kong: rain. World weather outlook for Tokyo, Sydney, London. Health: World Health Organisation reports a health gap between developed and developing countries has narrowed.
  Strong to good reception.
  English to Europe, Middle East, Africa via Albania.
  Logged to 2013 UTC.
• 27 May: 2030 UTC: 6080 kHz: Voice Of America  Male host with IDs for Voice Of America.
  'Africa Beat' contact details include an email address. Music from Nigeria.
  Strong to fair reception.
  English to Africa via Botswana.
  Logged to 2040 UTC.

[Cup of tea break]

Original notes logging International Radio Serbia, Monday, May 27, 2013, 2058-2116 UTC, 6100 kHz.
Good to fair reception, English to Europe via Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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My Short Wave Archive: March 2013

 CONTINUING the thread of memories of radio broadcasts, heard via Short Wave Radio, takes us back to March 2013. Coincidentally, this post, bringing the first logs of 2013, is composed on the first day of 2024.

The previous post of the thread, My Short Wave Archive: September 2012, can be found here.

This post brings memories of Short Wave radio broadcasts heard Saturday, March 16, 2013.

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

Receiver used: Roberts R881.

March 2013 : Short Wave

• [Saturday] 16 March [2013]: 2057 UTC: 2325 kHz: Australian Domestic Radio Services  Flute and whistle music, very low reception [Presumed].
  Logged to 2100 UTC.
• 16 March: 2207 UTC: 3415 kHz: Shannon Volmet, Ireland.  Female voice with weather reports: wind and visibility reports.(Based at Shannon airport, I believe).
  Good reception (Off channel: 3413 kHz).
  Logged to 2215 UTC.

Irish Aviation Authority Shannon Aeradio [Shannon Volmet] QSL card.
Photographer: John Power.

• 16 March: 2237 UTC: 3905 kHz: Radio Alice, Netherlands.  Music: The Clash 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go'. Iggy Pop 'Lust For Life'. ID: "On short wave, this is Radio Alice from the Netherlands". AC/DC 'Whole Lotta Rosie'. ID. Van Halen 'Jump'. Strong to good reception.
  Logged to 2250 UTC.
• 16 March: 2322 UTC: 5000 kHz: WWV Boulder CO [USA]  Rapid-fire 'ticks' from the Time Signal station.
• 16 March: 2329 UTC: 5050 kHz: WWRB Manchester TN [USA]  'DX Corner' The history of IRRS, broadcasting from Milan, which relaunched as Nexus-IBA in 1990. Content regarding BBC, CRI [China Radio International], VOA [Voice of America], UN Radio, UNESCO Radio.
  Strong to good reception, via Global-II transmitter-antenna, serving Australia.
  China has been condemned for jamming shortwave broadcasts. Australian Broadcasting Corporation has launched a new news-based website. 'DX Corner' broadcast closes - 'Back in 2 weeks time'.
  Logged to 2350 UTC.

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