"Laser Hot Hits" British shortwave pirate radio 4025 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This nice eQSL from Laser Hot Hits arrived in my email late this afternoon.   It was something of a surprise because I had logged Laser Hot Hits, broadcasting from England on 4025 kHz (via the SDR at Twente), two weeks earlier (16 August).  But, because of some apparent glitches in the email delivery system, I didn't think the mail had gone through.  To my surprise - it eventually did!

Thanks Martin - for the reply and great tunes!

Greetings from Ann Arbor - Junior Year :D

Another summer comes to a close with a drive to Ann Arbor to deposit Katie back at school.  This time it's for the start of her Junior year.  It's a cliché, I know, but it's amazing how time flies.  I can remember like it was yesterday, driving up here to check out the campus before she formally accepted.  Similarly, the trip here for her first year - and moving Katie into her freshman dorm hardly seems that long ago!  The list visits here can go on, and on...

Well I guess at this point Ann Arbor has become our adopted second home - Go Blue! :D

"Radio Anthony" Polish shortwave pirate radio 6362 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This beautiful eQSL arrived last night, only hours after I had sent in a reception report to Radio Anthony!  In fact, at first it seemed as if I had logged a different broadcaster (Radio Abu Dhabi) because the announcer had played some music (in Finnish, no less) as a shout out to that broadcaster, who was his friend.  But then the actual station IDs (coupled with the email address) set me straight!

I heard Radio Anthony broadcasting from Poland, on 6362 kHz, via the SDR at Twente.  It was the first pirate station from Poland that I've logged!

Many thanks Anthony!

2015 NYRR France Run 8k: Race Photos & Results

The France Run 8k was race number 7 of my 9+1 for the 2016 NYCM.  In addition to the race, the post-race festivities were excellent - and included mini-crepes and chocolate squares.  I later learned there was also meringues - which I missed entirely!

As for the race itself, I missed my sub-38 by a solid 15 seconds (38:15, 7:42 pace).  That was a bit of a disappointment because typically I'd shoot for a 37:30 for 5 miles - and the 8k was a sliver shorter!  Oh well, need to head back to the track and start doing intervals again :D

In connection with all things French, it was a small coincidence that I received an eQSL from my first French pirate station, Radio Mirabelle, yesterday.  Then, when I got home from the race this morning, Pat and Katie had made French toast for breakfast.  In between, I had gotten to the race early enough to hear the choir practicing "Le Marseillaise" to kick off the start.  Vive La France!

Here are the race results from NYRR.

"Radio Mirabelle" French shortwave pirate radio 6310 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This great eQSL arrived this morning from Radio Mirabelle!  I heard Radio Mirabelle yesterday on 6310 kHz, broadcasting from France, via the SDR at Twente.  Of note, they played Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" - a new wave blast from the past (featuring Boy George vocals)! It's the first pirate broadcast from France that I've logged.

Thanks Franck!

2015 NYRR France Run 8k: Packet Pick-up

I picked up my bib and shirt for the France Run 8k this afternoon.  It's hard to believe that it's been almost 3 months since I've done a pick-up for a NYRR race (June 5)!  It seems as if the entire summer has just flown by and I haven't had too many opportunity to do races this time around :(

Well the 8k is NYRR race number 7 on the road to completing the 9+1 requirements for the 2016 NYCM.  I still haven't lined up a volunteer opportunity for the +1, but race number 9 will hopefully work out to be the 2015 edition of the NYCM :D

As always, if you're at this one - say hello!

Pirate Radio Stations Verified Certificate from L'Associazione Italiana Radioascolto (L'A.I.R.)

Yesterday I received my Certificate from L'Associazione Italiana Radioascolto (roughly translated, the Italian Radio Listeners Association) for having verified reception of 30 or more pirate radio stations!  It was the 3rd of the 4 levels of recognition, in terms of the number of stations heard and verified (10, 30, 50 and 100 stations).  Of my 30 submissions, one-third (10) are North American pirate broadcasters.  The remaining two-thirds (20+) are European pirates (mostly from the Netherlands) logged via the SDR at the University of Twente.

Hopefully, in a few more weeks I'll reach the 2nd level (50 or more) - but it will be a long time before I come close to verifying 100 pirate broadcasters!

Thank you Fiorenzo for processing my diploma!

"Radio Batavia" Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 3930 khz (via SDR) eQSL

 

This great eQSL arrived within the hour of submitting a reception report to Radio Batavia this afternoon.  But the bigger surprise was the on-air shout out to me from Radio Batavia!  That was fun to hear!  I tuned in to their broadcast, from the Netherlands, on 3930 kHz, via the SDR at Twente.  In addition to the eQSL, the rather psychedelic image was included (together with a pictured from their station set-up).

Thank you Radio Batavia!

Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" Album released 40 years ago today!

It's hard to believe today marks the 40th anniversary of the release of "Born to Run."  While that poster isn't the (ubiquitous) album cover - it symbolizes the not just the album, but everything Springsteen of the 1970's.  The Springsteen of the 1980's and beyond is a different story, and could occupy the musings of an entirely separate post .  I had that particular poster on my bedroom wall and every dorm room that I ever occupied.

Growing up in Sheepshead Bay back then, most of the kids I hung out would easily have included Bruce in their pantheon of rock gods.  Regardless of where you branched out with your musical interests, he was pretty much the common denominator of all things "cool" or so we liked to believe. 

While I loved the song itself, my favorite Bruce tune was a tie between "Thunder Road" (also on that album) and "Spirit in the Night" (from his first album, "Greetings from Asbury Park").  Even today, after all the years, those two song most encapsulate Springsteen in my memories.

Anyway, today is a great reason to listen to some old Bruce tunes!

Happy Anniversary :D

"Radio Free Bandidos" Italian shortwave pirate radio 6850 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This great eQSL arrived within hours of the reception report I sent to Radio Free Bandidos!  I heard them on 6850 kHz (typo on the eQSL) broadcasting from Italy, via the SDR at Twente. Programming consisted of some good country western music - including a cover of "These Boots are made for Walking!"

Thanks Wes!

2015 Norwalk summer series 11 miler: race photos & results

It really seemed that todays summer series 11 miler was my first race of the summer (and the last official race of the Norwalk summer series)!  Aside from the Escarpment Trail Run the last week July, and the Masters Challenge 5k (that same week), I haven't raced since the beginning of June.  I can't remember a summer (injured or otherwise) that I logged so few miles and run so few races!  Hopefully, what's left of the summer will be a bit more productive.

As for the 11 miler, I squeaked in under my goal (aside from actually finishing) of 1:30 (the 1:29:29, 8:08 pace, was good enough for 4th place in my age group).  But I was well off a sub 1:28 (and keeping the overall pace under 8 minutes a mile).  Interestingly, I ran a solid negative split for the second loop.  That was more a reflection of my conservative approach to the first loop than any real effort to pick up the pace the second time around.

All in all, including the Cherry Garcia ice cream at the finish, it was a great morning to be out on the roads!

Here are the race results from Lightfoot Road Runners.

"Radio Voyager" Italian shortwave pirate radio 6950 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This fantastic eQSL arrived this morning from Radio Voyager!  I heard Radio Voyager broadcasting classical and jazz music last night on 6950 kHz, from Italy, via the SDR at Twente - not your typical programming from pirate radio!

Thanks Denny! 

"Radio Nova 4" Netherlands medium wave pirate radio 1620 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This eQSL arrived less than an hour ago - and I heard Radio Nova 4 for the first time, this morning, on 1620 kHz, via the SDR at Twente.  Not only was the eQSL a surprise, but so too was the log of Radio Nova 4 - which I heard at the office, while I took a short break from work-related matters!

Thank you Radio Nova 4!

"Little Feat Radio" British shortwave pirate radio 6385 khz (via SDR) eQSL

 

This great eQSL arrived this morning from Little Feat Radio!  I finally managed to hear Little Feat Radio Monday afternoon, despite tough reception conditions - mostly weather-related noise that would occasionally overcome the audio.  I tuned in to their broadcast from England, on 6385 kHz, via the SDR at Twente.

 

Thanks Terry!

"Straightline Radio Austria" shortwave pirate radio 6400 khz (via SDR) eQSL

Received this great eQSL from Straightline Radio Austria - just hours after the broadcast and having sent in a reception report!  I tuned in to their broadcast, from Austria, on 6400 kHz via the SDR at Twente.  This is the first pirate broadcast I've logged from Austria!

Many thanks Chris!

"Zender Akenzo" Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 6395 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This great eQSL arrived this morning from Zender Akenzo.  I heard Zender Akenzo last week on 6395 kHz, broadcasting from the Netherlands, via the SDR at Twente. It was an exceptional strong signal!

Thanks Akenzo!

"Northwoods Radio" North American shortwave pirate radio 6935 khz USB QSL Card

This great QSL card from Northwoods Radio arrived in today's mail - real, snail mail!  With all the eQSLs these days, it was something of a surprise to receive an old school, physical QSL card to confirm a reception.  It was a full-data card, with even the program, "Trail Ride," listed.

I love it!

Thanks so much for taking the time to send it, Jackpot Savage!!

"Radio Europe" Italian shortwave pirate radio 6875 khz (via SDR) eQSL - studio 54 show!

Radio Europe broadcast a special "studio 54" themed show this afternoon on 6875 kHz (as usual, I listened via the SDR at the University of Twente).  It was a great show - and brought me down memory lane - way back to 1979, when I actually visited Studio 54!  Hard to believe that was 36 years ago!

I received this fantastic eQSL via facebook (like my first one from Radio Europe)!

Thanks Alex - for the great show and eQSL!

"Radio Technical Man" Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 6305 khz (via SDR) eQSL

Just received this great eQSL from Radio Technical Man!  I've heard Radio Technical Man broadcasting from the Netherlands a few times - this eQSL is for 6305 kHz - via the SDR at the University of Twente.

Thanks Gertie!

"Radio Armada" Netherlands medium wave pirate radio 1647 khz (via SDR) eQSL

Received this great eQSL from Radio Armada this morning.  This was a medium wave pirate radio station broadcasting from the Netherlands on 1647 kHz.  I heard Radio Armada via the SDR at the University of Twente.  What makes this especially interesting for me is that I logged Radio Armada while I was in Kuala Lumpur last week!

Thanks Jan!

Radio Northern Ireland shortwave 6070 khz (via SDR) QSL

This is a photo (via email) of the actual - old school - QSL on the way from Radio Northern Ireland!  While eQSLs are (generally) faster - and some say more efficient, nothing beats actually holding a physical QSL card in your hands.  I've listened to Radio Northern Ireland a few times on 6070 kHz (being relayed on Channel 292) via the SDR at University of Twente.  Great music, great programming :D

Thanks Jordan!

some photos from kuala lumpur - 2015

 

some scenes from kuala lumpur - visit number 4.  these include the view from my hotel window and outside observation deck at the hotel.  also some views from jalan alor - including my favorite stop there, the frog porridge stall.  and no trip to KL would be complete (for at least me) without a stop at "taps" beer bar :D

"Radio Pirana International" European shortwave pirate 6292 khz (via SDR) eQSL

I got this great eQSL from Radio Pirana today.  In addition to the confirmation, the email included brief history of Radio Pirana, including their early days broadcasting from South America.  These days the broadcasts are from Europe (neither the eQSL or email indicated the country where the transmitter is located). 

Aside from the actual location however, here is a link to the transmitter "plant" itself - via youtube!

Thanks Jorge!

"Radio Joey" Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 6390 khz (via SDR) eQSL

I received this eQSL from Radio Joey today!  While I couldn't reproduce the effect here, the "on air" light actually flashed red!  I heard Radio Joey broadcasting from the Netherlands a few times over the last few weeks.  This particular eQSL is from a test broadcast on 6390 kHz.

Thanks Joey!

"De Rode Adelaar" Netherlands Shortwave Pirate Radio 6380 khz (via SDR) eQSL

Received this beautiful eQSL from "De Rode Adelaar" (the red eagle) today!  The card does not include reception detail, but instead has a great photo of an actual red eagle in flight.  I heard de Rode Adelaar broadcasting from the Netherlands on 6380 kHz (shortwave) via the SDR at the University of Twente.

"Amphetamine Radio" North American Shortwave Pirate Radio 6925 khz USB eQSL

I got this fantastic eQSL from Amphetamine Radio today!  At first I mistook the femme fatale for Lauren Bacall - but she is actually a young Ava Gardner (in a still from 1946 noir classic, "The Killers").  I tuned into Amphetamine Radio broadcasting on 6925 kHz - testing on both AM and USB.  What immediately caught my attention was the theme music to Clint Eastwood's "Two Mules for Sister Sara" :D

I can't wait to hear this station again!

"Radio Underground" British pirate radio 6284 & 6323 khz (via SDR) eQSLs

I received a pair of great eQSLs from Radio Underground today!  I heard Radio Underground broadcasting from Great Britan on 6284 and 6323 kHz (via SDR at Twente).  I was surprised to get an eQSL for each report - and a different style at that!

Many thanks Steve!