My AM Archive: December 2015

FIRST, may I apologise for not posting  for five weeks.

This post concludes, for the time being, logs of radio broadcasts heard on Medium Wave in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, England.

The previous post in this thread, My AM Archive: October 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.

December 2015 : Medium Wave

[ [Thursday] 3 December [2015]: 1615 UTC: 630 kHz: Music: Anastasia 'I'm Outta Love', I can hear speech, but nothing in the clear. ]

• 3 December: 1630 UTC: 639 kHz: Czech Radio 2 - CRo2 [Czech Republic]  Speech, accompanied by noise. Two males in conversation.
  This transmission is from Prague - Liblice, Czech Republic, radiating 750 kW.
  Excellent to fair reception.
  Speech continues with telephone interview, slight fade on the signal.
  Logged to 1652 UTC.

[ 3 December: 1659 UTC: 648 kHz: Inaudible broadcasts. ]

[ 3 December: 1703 UTC: 657 kHz: Very faint, but audible, female speech in the Spanish language - Very recognisable. Fades into the noise. Most likely to have been RNE R 5, Madrid (Spain). Logged to 1717 UTC. ]

• 3 December: 1720 UTC: 666 kHz: BBC Radio York  Male speaking to representatives of a hospital support group - See more on the BBC York Facebook page.
  ID for BBC Radio York. Trailer for 'Northern Powerhouse' programme, Friday 11:30am.
  BBC York traffic and travel ID. Time check.
  Music: Roy Orbison 'Only The Lonely'.
  North Yorkshire Christmas Drink Driving campaign launched today; Interview with Deputy Chief Constable.
  Excellent to fair reception.
  1730 [UTC] News: Military action in Syria. Sport: York City Football Club, non-league football in the FA Vase competition. Gary Neville joins Valencia. FIFA Committee. Snooker in York: Robertson beats Higgins. Hockey.
  Transmission: 500 watts via Fulford, York.
  Weather update with Paul.
  Presenter: Jules Bellerby.
  Logged to 1736 UTC.
  

  

  BBC Radio York logo.

  
  [ 3 December: 1742 UTC: 675 kHz: Inaudible broadcast on this frequency. ]
  
  
• 3 December: 1748 UTC: 684 kHz: RNE 1 [Spain]  Male speech in Spanish, includes sound effects of emails being received, text messages and voicemails - Including speech from female.
  Broadcast: RNE Radio 1, Seville, E (España / Spain); Good to fair reception; 600 kW.
  Music. Time signal for 1800 UTC, IDs by female and male.
  Logged to 1800 UTC.
• 3 December: 1824 UTC: 693 kHz: BBC Radio Five Live  Male host speaking to correspondent with regards to British Prime Minister David Cameron's plan to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.
  'Drivetime with Tony Livesey'. Mass shooting in California.
  News headlines at 1830 UTC.
  Sport headlines: Gary Neville is the new Valencia Manager. FIFA vice President David Gill and committee meet in Zurich, Switzerland. Snooker: Robertson beat Maguire.
  GB men lose to India in Hockey.
  Excellent to good reception.
  Weather. Travel.
  Transmission site most likely to be Stagshaw, Northumberland (North East England) 50 kW.
  Football promo.
  UN Climate change conference continues in Paris. How can UK reduce food waste?
  Logged to 1840 UTC.
• 3 December: 1850 UTC: 711 kHz: France Info  Strong signal, female speaking in French, speech regarding US President Barack Obama. Speech from male, speech from female.
  Promo, IDs, top of the hour: 1900 UTC. IDs for France Info.
  Excellent to good reception via Rennes, France, 300 kW.
  News headlines at 1915 UTC: Californian shootings.
  Logged to 1911 UTC.
  [ "Thank you France Info" - This was the last time France Info would broadcast on this frequency. ]
• 3 December: 1923 UTC: 720 kHz: BBC Radio Four  The current edition of 'Front Row', an arts programme focussed on theatre, cinema, on BBC Radio Four.
  Male host speaking to actress in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. Song from the soundtrack.
  Fair reception.
  Transmission site most likely to be Lisnagarvey, Northern Ireland. 10 kW.
  Male vocalist, inspired by Marvin Gaye, Nat 'King' Cole.
  Logged to 1934 UTC.
• 3 December: 2058 UTC: 729 kHz: Radio Nacional de España  Music: Fleetwood Mac 'Little Lies'. 2100 UTC: ID, male and female speech, Spanish language.
  Fair reception.
  Logged to 2106 UTC.
  
• 3 December: 2110 UTC: 738 kHz: RNE Radio Nacional  Speech in Spanish - Strong signal - Male speech mentions Alexis Tsipras, the Greek Prime Minister. ID. Female speech referencing terrorism.
  This is RNE Radio Nacional via Barcelona, E (Spain) 500 kW.
  Excellent to fair reception.
  Music: Adele.
  Logged to 2121 UTC.
  [ Image below: The impressive Barcelona transmitter! ]

• 3 December: 2132 UTC: 756 kHz: Deutschlandfunk [Germany]  Classical concert, loud applause. German speech, female, 'Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra' also 'New York Philharmonic Orchestra'. Next piece plays.
  Excellent to good reception via Ravensburg / Braunschweig, 100-200 kW.
  Classical piece from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra continues.
  Logged to 2145 UTC.
• 3 December: 2152 UTC: 756 kHz: BBC Radio Cumbria  Georgie Spanswick playing 'Best of My Love'.
  ID for BBC Radio Cumbria.
  2200 UTC news: Reaction following the implementation of RAF military action in Syria. Aftermath of the shootings in California. David Cameron seeks reform of the EU. Breastfeeding mum has baby taken off her.
  Ian Timms with news headlines here in Cumbria - Roads and railways affected by rain and flooding.
  BBC Radio Cumbria IDs; "Take care if out and about" - Ian Timms.
  Music: UB40 'Red Red Wine'.
  Fair to poor reception. 1 kW via Carlisle.
  Music: Roy Orbison 'Dreams of You'; 'Lillibullero'; Elton John; Little Mix.
  Logged to 2210 UTC.

[ "When Deutschlandfunk and BBC Cumbria fade, I hear English speech referring to current news stories - This could be BBC Radio 4, 2 kW via Redruth, West Cornwall... ]

• 3 December: 2231 UTC: 765 kHz: BBC Essex  Music: Paul McCartney and Wings 'Silly Love Songs'. Male speech: "Hello to Bob, he's a truck driver just starting the night shift, so this is Bob's morning show" Music: Little Mix 'Love Me Like You'.
  On Facebook: 'Four Seasons or Three Degrees'. Text message.
  Email "Could you please play my Fab Five?" Music: Frank Sinatra 'You Make Me Feel So Young'.
  BBC Essex via Chelmsford, 500 watts.
  Fair to poor reception.
  Glen Campbell 'Dreams of the Everyday Housewife'; Michael Buble 'Home'.
  Presenter: Nick Risby.
  Logged to 2244 UTC.
• 3 December: 2250 UTC: 774 kHz: RNE 1 (Spain)  Spanish speech, female and male, multiple transmitter arrangement on full power? Time pips for the top of the hour at 2300 UTC.
  Excellent to fair reception, 20-100 kW.
  Logged to 2303 UTC.

• [Monday] 14 December [2015]: 1425 UTC: 936 kHz: Dales Radio  Test transmissions! Music: Phyllis Nelson 'Move Closer'; Mark Morrison 'Return of The Mack'; 'Yackety Yack'; Prince 'Kiss'.
  ID for Dales Radio.
  Excellent to fair reception.
  150 watts? via Hawes, North Yorkshire.
  ID: "Test Transmission for Dales Radio in the Yorkshire Dales, coming soon on AM, FM and online".
  Music: ELO 'Mr Blue Sky'.
  ID: "Across the beautiful Yorkshire Dales - Dales Radio".
  Logged to 1455 UTC.
• [Saturday] 26 December [2015]: 1218 UTC: 936 kHz: Dales Radio  Male ID "This is a test transmission for Dales Radio, coming soon on AM, FM and online. Keep listening".
  Music: Duffy 'Mercy'; Beach Boys 'Surfin' USA'.
  ID: "Great songs - This is Dales Radio". Music: Gloria Estefan '1,2,3'.
  Excellent to good reception, 150 watts? via Hawes, North Yorkshire.
  Logged to 1237 UTC.

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My AM Archive: April 2013

 ONE week after Easter 2013, I spent an evening listening to the Medium Wave band. This post recounts what was heard on that occasion.

The previous post in this thread, My AM Archive: October 2012, 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.

April 2013 : Medium Wave

• [Sunday] 7 April [2013]: 1833 UTC: 549 kHz: [Tentative] Spirit Radio  Music, speech, male host, pop music, possibly chart countdown.
  Fair reception.
  Logged to 1845 UTC.
• 7 April: 1855 UTC: 585 kHz: BBC Scotland  "Enjoy your piping!" [Bagpipe music]
  Excellent to good reception; 2 kW via Dumfries.
  Close of [Bagpipe music] programme. ID.
  1900 UTC news: Grand National 2013 winning jockey injured day after National at Hexham racecourse - In hospital. Bombing in Iraq by Nato. Chancellor defends benefit system after life sentence of Mick Philpott. Dutch tourist dies after accident in Perthshire. Youth crime commissioner resigns. Scotland campaign to remain in UK receives cash boost.
  Sports news: Football, tennis, curling.
  Weather: Cloud, rain, clear, frost, freezing.
  Programme: Profile of Hank Williams. Died on 1 January 1953.
  2013 marked the 60th anniversary of the death; Williams died in his car in Alabama.
  Speech by Bruce Springsteen, music: 'Lost Highway'.
  Music: 'I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive'.
  Contribution by Neil Young.
  Logged to 1915 UTC.
• 7 April: 1920 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio Four  Speech programme with the history of 'The Third Programme', which became BBC Radio Three.
  Excellent to good reception; 2 kW via Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Wrekenton) [Pictured below].
  'Feedback' discussing BBC Radio 3 - 'Live in Concert' The interval and what to do.
  Logged to 1930.

• 7 April: 1957 UTC: 621 kHz: RTBF International  Speech regarding football with break at 20 UTC; Speech continues in new hour, male speech.
  Excellent to good reception; 300 kW Brussels.
  French / Flemish language. Music. 'Viva Sports' Bernard De Wie / Dominique Decourwie on broadcast from Belgium. Music: Bruno Mars 'Locked Out Of Heaven'. 'Viva Musique' on Viva Cité. Male host.
  Transmitter site is Wavre, Belgium.
  ID: 'Viva Cité'. Music: Michael Jackson 'Human Nature'.
  Logged to 2020 UTC.
  
• 7 April: 2058 UTC: 639 kHz: Czech Radio 2  Lead-up to the top of the hour; ID for Czech Radio 2.
  Good to fair reception; Czech language; 1500 kW via Prague, TCH (Czech Republic).
  Logged to 2112 UTC.
• 7 April: 2116 UTC: 639 kHz: RNE 1  Speech by a male and a female in the Spanish language.
  Fair reception; Up to 300 kW.
  Music from The Equals 'Baby Come Back'. Time signal for 2130 UTC, continued speech in Spanish.
  Logged to 2138 UTC.

Sunday 28 April 2013: Information update:
549 kHz: Spirit Radio, Radio Centre, Kilarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland.

                Telephone: +353 (1) 272 4760

                Text: +353 87 888 9292
                Email: info @ spiritradio .ie

That concludes this post.
Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower!

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My AM Archive: November 2009

 YOU are most welcome to My AM Archive, a continual thread of posts of my Medium Wave logbooks, bringing them online for posterity, and for other like-minded radio listeners to enjoy.

Logs of Short Wave broadcasts are also on this blog, under the My DX Archive thread.

The previous post in this thread, My AM Archive: August 2009, 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.

November 2009 : Medium Wave

• [Saturday] 14 November [2009]: 1700 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio Four  '1989: Day by Day' hosted by John Tusa, closes. BBC News at 5pm: Heavy storms in the South of England, the Port of Dover was closed at lunchtime. Good to fair reception, 2 kW via Wrekenton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Logged to 1710 UTC.
• 14 November: 1717 UTC: 603 kHz: France Info  French language speaking male, three-tone tune, speech. Good to fair reception, 300 kW via Lyon, F (France). Speech by male includes interviews with male on telephone regarding restaurants and food. Short music break, speech. ID at 1724 UTC, female reporting live from OB, including speech by male. Reporting live from sporting event. Logged to 1727 UTC.
• 14 November: 1750 UTC: 612 kHz: RNE 1  Vitoria, E (Spain) 10 kW. Fair to poor reception. Male and female, both in Spanish language, report from sporting event. Music. Logged to 1758 UTC.

RTBF (Belgium) QSL card, November 2009.

• 14 November: 1915 UTC: 621 kHz: RTBF 1  Music: Robbie Williams 'Bodies', female host, sport update, male at sports event on telephone. Wavre, Belgium (BEL) 300 kW. Female reads football scores, reports from males in football grounds. Excellent to good reception. Logged to 1926 UTC.
• 14 November: 1940 UTC: 630 kHz: NRK Euuropakanalen  Vigra, NOR (Norway) 100 kW. Male speech followed by music. Male host with music programme. Excellent to good reception. Logged to 1946 UTC.
• 14 November: 1950 UTC: 630 kHz: Voice of Russia  Male speech in the German language, music. Fair to poor reception. Logged to 20 UTC.
• 14 November: 20:08 UTC: 639 kHz: RNE 1  E (Spain) up to 300 kW. Excellent to fair reception. Male commentary of Spanish football. Logged to 20:16 UTC.
• 14 November: 2024 UTC: 639 kHz: Czech Radio 2  Prague, TCH (Czech Republic) 1500 kW. Male speech: good, clear speech. Music. Male speech continues after music: Interview. Excellent to good reception. Music: Instrumental version of Lionel Richie 'Say You, Say Me'. Logged to 2030 UTC.
• 14 November: 2048 UTC: 648 kHz: BBC World Service  Good to fair reception, 500 kW via Orford Ness, Suffolk. Drama or a play with discussion by the author. Logged to 2058 UTC.

RNE 1 verification letter, November 2009.

• 14 November: 2103 UTC: 657 kHz: "I believe I may hear RNE 5 via Madrid, but propagation makes channel use impossible."
• 14 November: 2109 UTC: 666 kHz: Sudwestrundfunk (SWR)  Rohrdorf, D (Germany) 150 kW. German language speech lead by male, with comments from male and female. Male making speech to audience with applause and laughter. Good reception. Logged to 2115 UTC.
• 14 November: 2122 UTC: 675 kHz: Radio Maria  Male speaking in the Dutch language. Excellent to good reception, Lopik, HOL [Holland] 120 kW. Male speaking continues. Logged to 2130 UTC.

Contact details [correct at the time] for the above broadcasters:

France Info:
Jean-Gerard Robichez, Directeur-adjoint de France Info, 116 Avenue du Président Kennedy, 75220 Paris cedex 16

RNE Radio Nacional

Plaza de Simón Bolivar 13, 01003 Vitoria - Gasteiz

RTBFi

Reyerslaan 52, bus BRR016, 1044 Brussels

NRK

N-0340 Oslo, Bj. Bjørnsons Plass 1

Český rozhlas 2

Vinohradská 12, 120 99 Prague 2, Czech Republic

Sudwestrundfunk

Hans-Bredowstrabe, D-76530 Baden-Baden

Radio Maria Nederland & Vlaanderen

Postbus 5045, 5201 GA 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH Nederland

Reporting From The Fox Tower bears no responsibility for the use of the above contact details, which may no longer respond.

Thank you for reading this post on Reporting From The Fox Tower!

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My AM Archive: August 2009

BBC Sport Journalist Ivan Gaskell, 1991.

 THIS is My AM Archive, a continual thread of posts of my Medium Wave logbooks, bringing them online for posterity, and for other like-minded radio listeners to enjoy.

Logs of Short Wave broadcasts are also on this blog, under the My DX Archive thread.

The previous post in this thread, My AM Archive: March 2009, featured a log of BBC Radio Stoke, with a transmission map of their coverage area, dating from around 1991.

Also included in my archive of items collected from broadcasters over the last thirty-plus years, was a publicity photograph of broadcaster Ivan Gaskell during his time at BBC Radio Stoke (pictured left). Attached was a programme schedule for Saturday 11th May, 1991, with Ivan Gaskell's Sportsbeat on air at 1:30pm, covering Port Vale v Swindon Town, Reading v Stoke City and Crewe [Alexandra] v Mansfield Town.

Ivan's current profile can be seen on his IGTV website.

This post brings Medium Wave memories of August 2009.

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

August 2009 : Medium Wave

• [Sunday] 16 August [2009]: 1908 UTC: 585 kHz: BBC Radio Scotland  Music: 'Oh What A Beautiful Morning!' Show tunes. Good reception. Music from 'Oklahoma!'. Music from Flanaghan & Allen. Transmission: 2 kW via Dumfries. Bud Flanaghan sang theme music for 'Dad's Army'. Music: 'I'm Getting Married In The Morning' / 'Get Me To The Church On Time'.
  Female vocalist on 'I Get A Kick Out Of You' - Elaine Page. Cole Porter.
  Guest: Andrew Bounder - 'Jerry Springer The Opera'.  Logged to 1937 UTC.
• 16 August: 1940 UTC: 594 kHz: HR - Info [Germany]  Live event - German language speech.
  Berlin athletics event - Usain Bolt - 100 metres Champion - Gold medal - New world record - 9.58 seconds.
  Broadcast is Germany: Hessischer RF / HR Skyline Frankfurt, D (Germany). 100 - 400 kW / 250 kW.
  Commentary / speech / reaction to 20 UTC; News. Programme: Debate before live audience (applause). Excellent to good reception.  Logged to 2012 UTC.
  [Contact details: hr - info, Hessischer Rundfunk, Bertramstraße 8, D-60320 Frankfurt. Website: hr-online.de]
• 16 August: 2023 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio Four  Fair reception; 2 kW via Wrekenton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Male discusses job seekers, close of discussion. Continuity announcer introduces actor John Hurt, with Appeal for the International Rescue Committee. Website: bbc.co.uk/radio4/appeal
  Continuity announcer: Laura Kuensberg previews 'Westminster Hour' prior to 'In Business' on air now (2030 UTC).  Logged to 2035 UTC.

Thank you for reading this post on Reporting From The Fox Tower!

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My AM Archive: Summer 2006

 

REPORTING From The Fox Tower's AM Archive is a continuous thread of logs of Medium Wave broadcasts, heard years gone by.

The previous post in this thread, My AM Archive: Spring 2006, 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.

This post remembers Summer 2006: The months of June and August 2006.

June 2006 : Medium Wave

• 25 June [2006]: 0807 UTC: 1413 kHz: Fresh Radio  Poor reception via Skipton 100 watts / Richmond 40 watts / 'Ripon' 3 watts, all North Yorkshire ('Ripon' - Pateley Bridge).
  Music : David Bowie 'Space Oddity'.  Creedence Clearwater Revival 'Bad Moon Rising'.
  [See the Fresh Radio logo of the time at the head of this post]
• 25 June: 0841 UTC: 1458 kHz: BBC Radio Newcastle  Good to fair reception via Wrekenton, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, 2 kW.  Dave Porter is the host, listener in South Shields. Music.
• 25 June: 0902 UTC: 1485 kHz: BBC Radio Four  Poor reception via Carlisle, 1 kW.  Speech.
• 25 June: 0926 UTC: 1557 kHz: BBC Radio Lancashire  Poor reception via Oxcliffe, Lancaster, 250 watts.  Music: Petula Clark.

August 2006 : Medium Wave

• 8 August: 1932 UTC: 567 kHz: RTE Radio One  Excellent to good reception via Tullamore, Ireland, 500 kW.  English Domestic Service.
• 8 August: 1948 UTC: 585 kHz: BBC Radio Scotland  Excellent to good reception via Dumfries, 2 kW.  Football : CIS Insurance Cup : Dundee v Partick Thistle - Goal - Dundee 1 - Thistle 3.

• 8 August: 2004 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio Four  Excellent to good reception via Wrekenton, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, 2 kW.  Speech.
  [The Google Street View image, above, is the Wrekenton transmission site.]
• 8 August: 2019 UTC: 621 kHz: RTBF 1  Belgium  Excellent to good reception via Wavre, Belgium, 300 kW.  Recorded report by male.
• 8 August: 2035 - 2042 UTC: 639 kHz: Czech Radio 2  1500 kW, Excellent to good reception.  Czech language [presumed] via Prague, Czech Republic.  Male speech.
• 8 August: 2045 - 2050 UTC: 639 kHz: RNE 1  Spain  Excellent to good reception.  Spanish language. Male speech, music.
• 8 August: 2054 UTC: 648 kHz: BBC World Service  Excellent to good reception via Orford Ness, Suffolk, 500 kW.  English to Europe.
  Interview with Andrew Strauss, England Cricket Captain, as England beat Pakistan at Headingley. Colombo: Sri Lanka beat South Africa by one wicket. Athletics, football.
  2100 UTC : 'World Briefing'  Lebanon-Israel conflict. Chad & Sudan diplomatic ties.
• 8 August: 2117 - 2130 UTC: 666 kHz: BBC Radio York  500 watts, Excellent to fair reception.  'The Late Show for Yorkshire...'  500 watts via Fulford.

Notes: The BBC Radio Newcastle post, 25 June, features a link to the blog of Dave Porter, the presenter on air at the time.

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My AM Archive: April 1997

WELCOME to an extensive post on Reporting From The Fox Tower, of Medium Wave memories from the month of April 1997, including as-it-happened logs of a major breaking news story. First, housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

April 1997: Medium Wave

• 5 April [1997]: 1311 UTC: 567 kHz: RTÉ Radio One : Sport: UK football: Arsenal 3 (Wright, Platt, Bergkamp) - Chelsea 0. Music: Martha Reeves & The Vandellas 'Dancing In The Streets' on 'Saturday Two Til Five' presented by Tony O'Donoghue, strong reception. Snooker: Hendry v Williams. Racing from Aintree. Football: Derry City v Shelbourne.
• 5 April: 1343 UTC: 585 kHz: BBC Radio Scotland Scottish football: Raith Rovers v Celtic. Morton v St Johnstone. Airdrie v Clydebank. Aberdeen v Motherwell.
• 5 April: 1405 UTC: 603 kHz: BBC Radio Four Strong reception, Newcastle-upon-Tyne transmitter. Afternoon play.
• 5 April: 1408 UTC: 612 kHz: RTÉ 2FM : Athlone transmitter. Moderate to strong reception. Lorcan Murray. Music: 'Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel', Spice Girls 'Who Do You Think You Are'. UK football: Aston Villa 0 - Everton 1, Southampton 1 - Nottingham Forest 0, Manchester United 0 - Derby County 0. Music: Orbital 'The Saint'. Breaking news from Aintree: Grand National postponed, bomb warning.

RTE QSL: 5 April 1997

• 5 April: 1439 UTC: 648 kHz: BBC World Service Moderate to good reception via Orfordness transmitter. 'Sportsworld' Live reports from Aintree with Ian Payne and Charlie Brookes. Ian Brown updates the UK football scores: Arsenal 3 - Chelsea 0, Manchester United 0 - Derby County 1. Cricket report. Live at Aintree: Interview with Jenny Pitman. Cricket update. Football scores: Manchester United 0 - Derby County 2, Aston Villa 1 - Everton 1.
• 5 April: 1500 UTC: 666 kHz: BBC Radio York Good to strong reception via Fulford transmitter. 'North Yorkshire Sport' Telephone 01904 641 641, Football at Bootham Crescent, York City v Notts County. Report from Aintree. Goal: York 0 - County 1. Report from Northampton v Scarborough: 0-0. Football round-up: Aston Villa 2 - Everton 1, Manchester United 1 - Derby 2, Arsenal 3 - Chelsea 0. Update from Aintree. Rugby Union report: Harrogate 72 - Clifton 0. Goal: Northampton 1 - Scarborough 0. Return to Aintree for statements. Football: Carlisle United 1 - Fulham 2. Darlington 0 - Doncaster Rovers 2. Traffic Report: A66 closed to all high sided vehicles between Penrith and Scotch Corner.
• 5 April: 1527 UTC: 675 kHz: Radio 10 Gold Strong to good reception via Lopik, Utrecht, Holland, 120 kW, Dutch language: Music: John Miles 'Music'. Men At Work: 'Down Under'. OMD: 'Joan of Arc'. Tight Fit 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. News bulletin: The Martell Aintree Grand National abandoned following bomb warning. Weather report. Music: Elvis Presley.
• 5 April: 1606 UTC: 693 kHz: BBC Radio Five Live Strong to good reception - via Droitwich? Classified football results: Carlisle United 1 - Fulham 2. [BBC Radio Five Live Aintree podcast: Click HERE]
• 5 April: 1611 UTC: 720 kHz: BBC Radio Four Interview with Shadow Home Secretary Jack Straw regarding Sinn Fein / IRA, possibly responsible for the Aintree bomb warning. Interview with Michael Howard, Home Secretary of the Conservative Government.
• 5 April: 1619 UTC: 756 kHz: BBC Radio Cumbria Strong to good reception via Carlisle. Relay of BBC Radio Five Live: Gary Lineker interviews Des Lynam live at Aintree. Nick Barnes reports from Brunton Park following Carlisle United's 2-1 loss to Fulham, interview with Mervyn Day. Report from Aintree. Football: Barrow v Colwyn Bay. Premier League football results: Manchester United 2 - Derby 3. Report from Southampton - Nottingham Forest. Newcastle 1 - Sunderland 1. Arsenal 3 - Chelsea 0. Aston Villa 3 - Everton 1. Reports from Ian Brown and Alan Green. Report from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Round-up of all results from football and Rugby Union.

• 5 April: 1644 UTC: 774 kHz: BBC Radio Leeds Good to strong reception, Farnley transmitter. West Yorkshire Sport: Report regarding Everton Football Club. Coca Cola Cup: Middlesbrough v Leicester City. The 1996 Coca Cola Cup Final was contested by Leeds United and Aston Villa. Classified football results. Report from Aintree. Football reports: Huddersfield Town, Halifax Town. Manchester United v Derby review. Bolton Wanderers promoted to Premier League football. Travel news: M1 motorway Junction 43, M62 Dewsbury, A650 Bradford. 17 UTC News: Aintree Grand National bomb warning, car crash in Leeds. Hull sweet factory takes legal action. Police caution children playing on railway lines. Leader of the Opposition, Tony Blair, releases a statement. Violence in Yemen. Weather report. Music: Lionel Richie 'Night Shift'.
• 5 April: 1718 UTC: 909 kHz: BBC Radio Five Live 'Alan Green's Sportstalk'. Strong to good reception.
• 5 April: 1722 UTC: 1053 kHz: Talk Radio UK Strong to good reception - via Start Point transmitter? Danny Baker, phone-in: Football: Walsall fan travels to the match in an ice cream van! Dave Wood faxed in from London, Rob in Dartford. Ad break: No1 Ska Album, Mail On Sunday, Jammie Dodgers. Postal address: Talk Radio UK, PO Box 2460 LONDON W1A Fax from Helen Jones. Simon in Leicester. Sue in Middlesex.
• 5 April: 1745 UTC: 1062 kHz: Danmarks Radio, Denmark. Strong to good reception. Music: Lisa Stansfield.
• 5 April: 1754 UTC: 1170 kHz: Great North Radio Good to moderate reception. Music: Average White Band 'Let's Go Round Again'. Music: ABBA.

• 12 April: 1430 UTC: 1170 kHz: Great North Radio Music: Wet Wet Wet 'With A Little Help From My Friends'.
• 12 April: 1434 UTC: 1215 kHz: Virgin Radio Strong to good reception. Ad break: All request weekend, Wimpey, 'Fever Pitch' book, Gillette Sensor Excel, British Airways.
• 12 April: 1440 UTC: 1278 kHz: RTÉ Radio 2FM Strong to good reception, transmitter: Dublin / Cork? Presenter: Lorcan Murray? Music: Brannigan 'Self Control'.
• 12 April: 1446 UTC: 1341 UTC: BBC Radio Ulster Football: Cliftonville 1 - Lochall 1 Paul Stokes & Nicky Griffen report from Windsor Park, Belfast. 'Sportsround' programme. Adam Coates is the presenter. Football scores: Sherbourne 1 - Derry 0. Barnsley 2 - Charlton 0, QPR 0 - Sheffield United 0. Rugby: All-Ireland league: Shannon are the holding Champions. Men's hockey: Lisnagarvey lead a match. Football update: Blackburn 1 - Manchester United 2, Arsenal 1 - Leicester 0. Racing: Tony Dobbin. 15 UTC News: Attempted murder of Pope in Bosnia. 'SportSound': Scottish Cup: Celtic 0 - Falkirk 0. Transmitter: Lisnagarvey, strong reception.
• 12 April: 1525 UTC: 1368 kHz: Manx Radio Moderate to good reception via Foxdale. The Afternoon Show Music: Kula Shaker 'Hey Dude'. 'Flightwatch At Ronaldsway Airport'. Music: U2 'Staring At The Sun'. Ad break: The Tile Shop, Isle of Man Post Office, Music: The LA's 'There She Goes'; Paul Weller : 'Peacock Suit'.
• 12 April: 1554 UTC: 1422 kHz: West Coast Radio Ireland Moderate reception. Gentlemen speak of reception reports received by the station.

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Festive Frequencies 2017 - 2018

WELCOME to this first post on Reporting From The Fox Tower of 2018, taking a look at the log of radio broadcasts received on Christmas Eve (Sunday 24), New Year's Eve (Sunday 31 December 2017) and the first logged broadcast of 2018 (Monday 1 January).
[Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz), transmission powers in watts and kiloWatts (kW)]

Short Wave: Sunday 24 December 2017

• 24 December: 1450 UTC: 9810 kHz: Radio Romania International. Strong to good reception, 300 kW via Galbeni, Romania. Romanian speech: Female speech, music with male vocalist, male speech giving frequencies and an ID for Radio Romania International. Music to the top of the hour, birdcall (bird song), top of the hour pips, male speech, brief music, female speech, news? Gathering of world leaders, including Prince Charles and President Macron of France? Medal was mentioned. Music, female vocalist. Female speech, male speech on phone. To 1508 UTC.
• 24 December: 1521 UTC: 9840 kHz: World Harvest Radio International, USA. Good to poor reception, English to Europe, Africa and the Americas, via WHRI Angel 2, Cypress Creek, South Carolina, USA. Music in the English language, audible male and female speech, female speaks of relationships being restored, David in a relationship with Lord Jesus Christ. Male wishes listeners a 'Very Merry Christmas', female says 'Keep Christ in Christmas'. ID for World Harvest Radio, web and email addresses. New programme: 'Christian Crusaders', male speech, prayer. Music: Christmas hymns: 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!' Reading from the scriptures, broadcast interrupted by noise. To 1538 UTC.
• 24 December: 1559 UTC: 9880 kHz: China Radio International. Strong to good reception, English to Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, via Nanning, Guangxi, China. Reception is excellent! News: China's amphibious aircraft has completed first test flight, can carry water to combat fires. Plans to develop hydrogen energy cells in China. Car plants in China. Tourist ship collides with stone-carrying barge. Fire in Philippino furniture store. Tropical storm death toll rises. Officers dismissed due to terror groups in Turkey. South Korean fire in sports centre parking lot. 'Chinese Theatre' involved in daily life of China: Wild China, through the eyes of photographers. To 1614 UTC.

• 24 December: 1629 UTC: 11560 kHz: All India Radio. Strong to good reception. Upbeat 'music hall' style song, female speech. 1630 UTC news bulletin? Pakistan, Islamabad, Kashmir. Music with male vocals. Dari? To the Indian Subcontinent? To 1645 UTC.
• 24 December: 1653 UTC: 11625 kHz: Vatican Radio. Poor reception, 250 kW via Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar. English broadcast: Male speech on a very distorted channel: "God is desperate for you to hear his word", music: 'Away In A Manger' played on the piano. Speech. Interval signal to 1700 UTC: New broadcast: 250 kW via Santa Maria di Galeria: Male speech in the French language, giving frequencies. To 1708 UTC.
• 24 December: 1743 UTC: 11930 kHz: Radio Marti, USA. Poor reception, 250 kW via Greenville B, USA. Spanish language speech by a female and male, break for music, male speech continues. Female speech, heavy noise. To 1750 UTC.

• 24 December: 1820 UTC: 13845 kHz: WWCR, USA. Moderate to poor reception, English to Europe and America via WWCR-3, Nashville, Tennessee. University Network: Pastor Melissa Scott speaks about the relationship between the Earth and the Lord. Points to think about. Heavy noise. Bible references. Reminder of the points spoken about. Reading the Bible from cover to cover gives a true reflection of events. "Proof of Cain to be able to be harmful to his brother". Be obedient. 'God's place in Jesus' scriptures'. To 1832 UTC.

Medium Wave: Sunday 31 December 2017

• 31 December: 1914 UTC: 1431 kHz: Smooth Radio, Essex / Berkshire, UK. Moderate to poor reception. Music: Madonna 'Borderline', male speech, music: John Legend 'All Of Me', Andy Williams 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', 'Street Life', severe noise. Smooth Radio via Essex (350 watts) / Berkshire (140 watts). To 1930 UTC.
• 31 December: 2004 UTC: 1449 kHz: BBC Radio Four, UK. Good to poor reception, heavy interference and noise. Male speaks about a dance and how his father taught him to dance. The father was a military man, who died. Male speaks with an Australian / New Zealand accent - Actor Russell Crowe? BBC Radio Four via Redmoss, Aberdeen, 2 kW. To 2013 UTC.

• 31 December: 2028 UTC: 1458 kHz: Gold - Manchester, UK. Good to poor reception. Music: Cyndi Lauper 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', 'New Year's Eve party' ID. 5 kW via Ashton Moss, Manchester. Music: 'Venus' [Co-channel reception of BBC Radio Newcastle] ID for Gold, music: 'Just Hold On', ID, T-Rex 'I Love To Boogie', 'Sweet Talking Guy'. To 2044 UTC.
• 31 December: 2050 UTC: 1467 kHz: Trans World Radio - Europe. Good to moderate reception, 1000 kW via Roumoules, France. Continuous male speech, Polish language? Speech including tentative ID and frequencies, speech continues past the top of the hour. Female speech and music? Interval signal / Off air / News bulletin? To 2106 [21:11] UTC.
• 31 December: 2123 UTC: 1485 kHz: SER, Spain. Moderate to poor reception [Co-channel male speech in English, speaking of an 'album of the week'], male and female speech in Spanish language - SER Radio Melilla, 5 kW via Melilla, the Spanish autonomous city, on the border of Morocco. To 2132 UTC.

Google Maps image of Melilla, on the Moroccan border.

[Other DX notes: 31 December: 2145 UTC: 1503 kHz: Broadcasts included speech and music - Obliterated by noise. Music: Dance music. Most likely to be RNE Radio 5 or BBC Radio Stoke. To 2156 UTC.]

• 31 December: 2237 UTC: 1530 kHz: Pulse 2, UK. Good to poor reception. Music: Bon Jovi 'Livin' On A Prayer', Ike & Tina Turner 'Disco Inferno', Tiffany 'I Think We're Alone Now', Michael Jackson 'Billie Jean'. 740 watts via Vicars Lot, Huddersfield. To 2302 UTC.
• 31 December: 2308 UTC: 1548 kHz: Forth 2, UK. Strong to moderate reception. Music: Irene Cara 'Fame', 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life', male speech: "Good evening..."[Laughter], music: R Dean Taylor 'Ghost In My House', Men Without Hats 'Safety Dance', Electric Light Orchestra. Male speech on Forth 2, Colinswell, Edinburgh: ID 'The Greatest Hits for Edinburgh, Lothian and Fife, this is Forth 2'. Music: The Weather Girls 'It's Raining Men', ID, D:Ream 'Things Can Only Get Better'. Forth 2: 2.2 kW via Colinswell, Edinburgh. Male host with contact details. Music: Bee Gees 'You Should Be Dancing', ID, Whitney Houston 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'. To 2344 UTC.
• 31 December: 2346 UTC: 1557 kHz: Smooth Radio, UK. Strong to moderate reception, via Kings Heath, Northampton (760 watts) or Veals Farm, Southampton (500 watts). Music: Stevie Wonder 'I Just Called To Say I Love You', male speech with time check [12 minutes to Midnight], "This show continues to one o'clock". Ad break, music: Chicago 'If You Leave Me Now', Toni Braxton 'Unbreak My Heart'. Smooth Love Songs hands over to Big Ben - The Midnight chimes from Big Ben - "Happy New Year, from Smooth Radio". Music: Foreigner 'I Want To Know What Love Is', Rod Stewart 'I Don't Want To Talk About It'. ID: "Your relaxing music mix, Smooth Radio". Music: George Michael 'Jesus To A Child', Richard Marx 'Right Here Waiting'. To 00:16 UTC.

Medium Wave: Monday 1 January 2018

• 1 January: 00:25 UTC: 1566 kHz: BBC Somerset, UK. Good to poor reception, 1 kW via Taunton, Somerset. Male speech "...In the west of England". Music: McFadden and Whitehead, male speech, music: Chic 'Le Freak', speech, music, male speech "Across the west country, thanks for joining us, whatever you are doing...". Music: Bee Gees 'Night Fever'. To 00:50 UTC.

Thanks for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower!

📻

Medium Wave: March 2017

ANOTHER Sunday afternoon, another selection of radio broadcasts I have heard. From the logbook, an evening of broadcasts heard on Friday 3 March 2017. Housekeeping notes for those new to these posts: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz) and transmission powers in watts or kiloWatts (kW).

March 2017 : Medium Wave.

• 3 March: 1813 UTC: 639 kHz: CRo2 Dvojka, Czech Republic. Strong to good reception, 1500 kW via Prague. 'Radio Club Junior' with Klara Novakova and guest David Svoboda, a London 2012 Olympian. Music, speech including the phone-in segment of the show, various greetings in the Czech language, including the informal 'Ahoj'. Music, speech.
• 3 March: 1835 UTC: 639 kHz: RNE Radio Nacional, Spain. Good reception, up to 600 kW via various transmission sites. Speech from a female, brief speech from a male, female speaking at length. Male speech with ID: 'Radio Nacional Espana'. Music: Leonard Cohen?.
• 3 March: 1856 UTC: 657 kHz : Rai RadioUno, Italy. Good reception, 100 kW via Pisa. 'Zapping' - A programme dedicated to looking at the week's news in small segments: Male in studio, male on phone. Male and female voices.

• 3 March: 1924 UTC: 666 kHz: BBC Radio York, UK. Strong to moderate reception, 500 watts via Fulford, York. Music from George Harrison 'My Sweet Lord', female host - Georgie Spanswick, talking about what is coming up on the show and the topic of a 'free lunch' - Listener reaction with food and drink related stories, reaction from Simon with a red wine story. Text: 81333, Idents for Georgie Spanswick and BBC Radio York. Music: Jackson Five 'I Want You Back'. Traffic + Travel report - Call in on 0330... Music: Eric Carmen 'Hungry Eyes'. Call the show on 0345... [Notes: BBC Radio York was the dominant broadcast on the channel. The above QSL card, verifying reception in 1996, is from my collection.]
•  3 March: 1954 UTC: 684 kHz: RNE Radio Nacional, Spain. Strong to moderate reception, 600 kW via Seville. Strong, clear, male speech, music (a Zither!). Time signal for 20 UTC. Female speech - News headlines? Speech is TOO QUICK for me to understand the words! Brief speech from male, female continues speaking. News from France: Marine Le Pen. Feeds from the Friday night football fixtures. Female completes the bulletin, handover to new programme with males. Music: Fatboy Slim 'Praise You'.
• 3 March: 2016 UTC: 693 kHz: BBC Radio 5 Live, UK. Strong to good reception, up to  150 kW via Droitwich, Worcestershire / 50 kW via Stagshaw, Northumberland. The 'Friday Football Social' - Studio guest is Michail Antonio. Live updates from current sporting fixtures: Leeds United v Birmingham City; Cricket: West Indies 147-4 against England in Antuiga; Rugby League updates. Michail Antonio (West Ham United) talking about being called up for England and life as a Premier League player. 2030 UTC news update: Northern Ireland politician Mike Nesbitt has resigned.

• 3 March: 2048 UTC: 720 kHz: BBC Radio Four, UK. Good to moderate reception, 10 kW via Lisnagarvey, Northern Ireland. 'Test Match Special' - West Indies v England LIVE from Antigua. A West Indian wicket had fallen just as I tuned in, the next Windies batsman is now at the crease and the over has begun. Male commentator with female summariser.
• 3 March: 2116 UTC: 738 kHz: RNE Radio Nacional, Spain. Good to moderate reception, 500 kW via Barcelona. Male and female Spanish voices, female speaks of Casablanca.
• 3 March: 2137 UTC: 756 kHz: BBC Radio Cumbria, UK. Moderate to poor reception, 1 kW via Brisco, Carlisle. Music from Rod Stewart 'Maggie May', speech from Georgie Spanswick, speaking to a female on the phone about her plans for the weekend.

• 3 March: 2155 UTC: 756 kHz: Radio Romania Actualitati, Romania. Moderate reception, 400 kW via Sibiu, Romania. Male speech, folk music, male voice with ID, off air at 2200 UTC.
• 3 March: 2205 UTC: 756 kHz: BBC Radio Cumbria, UK. Moderate reception, 1 kW via Brisco, Carlisle. [BBC Radio Cumbria 'in the clear'] Two Beatles songs back to back: 'Please Please Me' and 'Penny Lane' on the 'Decades Show' with Joe Costin. Music: The Strawbs 'Part of the Union'. Val Armstrong with the lyrics quiz 😊 Music: Bonnie Tyler 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'. ["Joe Costin: The World's Oldest Man" - R. Nankivell]
• 3 March: 2230 UTC: 774 kHz: RNE Radio Nacional, Spain. Good to moderate reception, 20 - 100 kW via various transmission sites. Male conversation at length, includes a clear mention of Brexit!

That concludes the logs for March 2017.

Until the next time, keep listening!

📻

Make Miss Cumbria Miss England 2010!

HELP MISS CUMBRIA Kirstie Day (pictured right) to raise money for Variety Club - The Children's Charity - and to win the title of Miss England! To vote for Kirstie - Winner of Miss Cumbria 2010, Finalist in Miss England 2010 - Text 55MissCumbria to 81118 or call 0901 293 7900 and press 55 when prompted. Votes cost £1 and 15p goes to The Variety Club Children's Charity. Voting lines close September 1 at 6pm. Kirstie is sponsored by The Edinburgh Woollen Mill. To view Kirstie's official profile on the Miss England website, click here. Good Luck Kirstie!

• DAB Digital Radio Channels List, August 2010

IN the ever-changing world of UK Digital Radio, here is the latest list of stations broadcasting on DAB :

• Absolute Radio Extra

Absolute Radio Extra provides live football commentary every Saturday and live music from concerts and festivals.

• Absolute 80s

Visit the Absolute 80s website, listen on DAB, Sky channel 0200, Virgin Media 951, Freesat 726.

• Absolute Radio

Visit the Absolute Radio website.

• Amazing Radio

Visit the amazingtunes website.

• BBC Asian Network

'Retro Selection' with Kanwal Qazi. Email retroselection@bbc.co.uk or visit the website.

• BBC Radio 6 Music

Visit the BBC 6 Music website.

• BBC Radio 1Xtra

'On DAB, TV and online' 'The Summer Sunday Rewind' with Ronnie Herel.

• BBC Radio 1
• BBC Radio 2

'Johnnie Walker's Sounds of the 70s'. Email walker@bbc.co.uk or visit the website.

• BBC Radio 3

'BBC Radio 3 Requests. Coming next - Choral Evensong'.

• BBC Radio 4
• BBC Radio 5 Live

Visit the 5 Live website.

• BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
• BBC Radio 7
• BBC World Service

'To comment on our programmes, call 0144 960 9000 or email overtoyou@bbc.co.uk'

• BFBS Radio

British Forces Broadcasting Service. Website, Text 07740 377377 (start message with UK and a space), Telephone 01494 848001. Also available on Sky 0211, Freesat 786.

• Classic FM

Visit the Classic FM website.

• Planet Rock

Visit the Planet Rock website.

• Premier Christian

Visit the Premier website.

• Smooth Radio UK

'Smooth Radio : Love Life, Love Music. Enjoy our London station while we get the national channel ready for its autumn launch.'

• talkSPORT

Visit the talkSPORT website. Call 08717 223344. Also available on Sky 0108, Freeview 723, Virgin 927 and HomeChoice 625.

• UCB UK Christian

Telephone 08456 300 400 or visit the website.

And that is the complete list as of 22 August 2010. The line - up will change again at some point, I have no doubt...

And Finally! A new feature - RFTFT Loves . . .

Zahia Dehar.

Teenage blonde French prostitute, anyone?

February 2008: Medium Wave Logs.

THE following broadcasts were heard by me on the Medium Wave band, Saturday 23 February 2008:

0842 - 0928 GMT, 567 kHz, RTE Radio One, Tullamore transmitter, Ireland. 'Farm Week' programme. Website here. (Farm Week webpage)

0950 - 1030 GMT, 585 kHz, BBC Radio Scotland, Dumfries transmitter, Scotland. 'Sports Weekly' programme. Website here. (Sports Weekly webpage)

1151 - 1203 GMT, 603 kHz, BBC Radio Four, Wrekenton (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) transmitter, England. 'From Our Own Correspondent' programme. Website here. (From Our Own Correspondent webpage)

1216 - 1230 GMT, 657 kHz, BBC Radio Wales, Wrexham transmitter, Wales. Rhod Gilbert programme. Website here. (BBC Wales Rhod Gilbert webpage)

1254 - 1320 GMT, 666 kHz, BBC Radio York, Fulford (York) transmitter, England. Richard Allinson albums programme. Website here. (BBC York Richard Allinson webpage)

2045 - 2101 GMT, 675 kHz, Radio Maria Nederland, Lopik transmitter, Holland. Continual music programme. Website here. (Radio Maria Nederland homepage, Dutch language)

2126 - 2136 GMT, 684 kHz, RNE 1, Seville transmitter, Spain. Live La Liga football: Sevilla v Real Zaragoza. Website here. (RNE homepage, Spanish language)

2140 - 2151 GMT, 693 kHz, BBC Radio Five Live. Live Six Nations Commentary with Ian Robertson, France 13 - England 24. Website here. (podcast link: Matt Dawson’s 6 Nations Rugby)

2208 - 2214 GMT, 711 kHz, France Info, Rennes transmitter, France. Report from Stade de France, Paris, of the Six Nations Rugby Union result: France 13 - England 24. Website here. (France Info report of France - England, French language)

2223 - 2235 GMT, 720 kHz, WDR, Langenberg transmitter, Germany. Music and speech. Website here. (WDR Radio homepage, German language)

2241 - 2248 GMT, 720 kHz, BBC Radio Four, Lisnagarvey transmitter, Northern Ireland. Round table discussion programme. Website here. (BBC Radio Four homepage).

Those are the logs for February 2008, I hope you find the weblinks interesting too!