Skyline Radio Germany shortwave pirate radio 6229 khz (via SDR) QSL Card

 

This fantastic QSL Card arrived this morning from Skyline Radio Germany!  It's a rare thing around here to get back to back QSL Cards in the mail (yesterday one arrived from Xenon Transmitting Company - XTC).  This one was a complete surprise because when I submitted a reception report an automated email reply came back that said we'd hear back when the data was confirmed.  Somehow that made me assume an eQSL was coming.  So this was a double surprise (the confirmed reception, and the Card itself)!

I tuned in to their broadcast, from Germany, on 6229 kHz, via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.

Thanks Jan!

XTC - Xenon Transmitting Company - British shortwave pirate radio QSL Card

This fantastic QSL Card arrived in today's mail from XTC - Xenon Transmitting Company!  I tuned in to their broadcast last month - and received an eQSL after submitting a reception report.  This old school - real - QSL Card was an excellent surprise (together with an information sheet/brief history of the station and some stickers)!

Thanks again Matt!!

2016 NYRR Fred Lebow Manhattan Half Marathon Packet Pick-up

This afternoon I picked up my bib - and HAT - for the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half Marathon, from the NYRR's new West Side location.  At first I had been surprised when some friends mentioned that, instead of a long-sleeved shirt, we would get hats.  Somehow my mental image of it was that of the iconic bike style Fred Lebow cap.  When we received the Chullo styled heavy wool cap - it was actually perfect for the upcoming weekend snowstorm!

If post-snowstorm conditions permit it to go off  Sunday morning, it will be race #2 on my road to 9+1 for the 2017 NYC Marathon!

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

Radio Alice Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 3905 khz (via SDR) eQSL

I received this fantastic eQSL from Radio Alice this morning! It was actually a pair (the second in the form of an awesome old school record label).  I tuned in to their broadcast from the Netherlands on 3905 kHz, via the SDR at Twente.  They were playing some great post-Beatles music on that particular show, including John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" and Paul McCartney's "Mrs. Vanderbilt" :D

Many thanks Herman!

R.I.P. - Glenn Frey

Glenn Frey died here in New York City today - he was just 67 years old.  One of the founding members of the iconic Eagles - pioneers of that ubiquitous Southern Califoria sound that served as a soundtrack for most of the 1970's ("Hotel California" was one of the defining albums of the decade).

I was a huge fan of not just the Eagles, but Glenn Frey's solo career in the 1980's (and Don Henley's as well).  His "Solo Collection" and "Live" CD's have been staples on my ITunes for decades!  The band members reunited in the mid-1990's for the "Hell Freezes Over" tour - and they kept playing together ever since (well into the new millennium). 

It's even sadder that this news comes a week after David Bowie's death.

Read his full obituary here in the NY Times.

Rest in Peace Glenn Frey

2016 Boston Build-up 15k: Race Photos & Results

Great morning for a hilly 15k.  To put the course in perspective, it could go by the Barlow Mountain 15k.  Either way, I love running this race (but really can't say the same about driving all the way up to Ridgefield to run it). 

My 1:15:34, 8:07 pace, was well off my target of a sub-8 minute pace (which I did hold for the first 10k).  It was even off my goal of a sub 1:15.  It was a solid 2 minutes slower than my 2015 race.  But given the lack of speed work and my low mileage base over the last few months, I'm happy with it!

Here are the official race results from ClubCt.

The rest of my photos are up on Facebook.

Hobart Radio International (relayed by Radio Spaceshuttle) shortwave pirate radio 6304 khz eQSL

I received this great eQSL last night from Hobart Radio International.  The Hobart "DX Extra" program was relayed via Radio Spaceshuttle.  I tuned in on 6304 kHz via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  It was actually an older episode of DX Extra (from the Summer) - but even so, always worth a listen!

Many thanks Rob!

Wild West FM German shortwave pirate radio 6281 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This fantastic eQSL arrived this morning from Wild West FM!  I tuned in to their broadcast from Germany on 6281 kHz via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  Propagation conditions were tough and made this an especially difficult catch.  Programming was mostly music (country western).

Many thanks Wild West FM!

Radio Monique Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 6285 khz (via SDR) eQSL

I received this great eQSL from Radio Monique this morning - following their test on 6285 kHz.  The test was more of a tribute to David Bowie since the programming consisted of Bowie songs, and the announcer mentioned his death on Sunday.  In a coincidence, when I tuned in to their broadcast back in September, one of the song's played was "Rebel, Rebel!"

Thanks Radio Monique for tribute to David Bowie!

R.I.P. - David Bowie

David Bowie died yesterday, after an 18 month long battle with cancer.  He was just 69 years old.  It would be an understatement to say he was a rock icon because his influence on our society was so deep, so pervasive.  In a strange coincidence, I watched bits of "Ziggy Stardust" documentary last week, as it was on cable.

One of my favorite images of Bowie was in from 1985's Live Aid - and the duet video he did with Mick Jagger of "Dancing in the Streets."  He played the video at the end of his Live set.

Another favorite image I have of Bowie is from a decade later, mid-1990's - when he shook up the financial world with the issuance of "Bowie" bonds (in some sense the prototype of a certain class of asset backed securities).  He successfully borrowed money against the future stream of royalties from his music.

Read his full obituary from the New York Times.

Rest in Peace David Bowie

2016 NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10K: Race Photos & Results

The Joe Kleinerman 10K this morning was my first race of 2016 - and my first race in about a month!  My last race was the Taconic Relay at the beginning of December.  It did not seem like a January race, weather-wise (nor did it seem like a December one).  Not only did the forecasted rain hold off, but the temperature, in the low 40's, was practically balmy!

As for the race itself (a full loop of the park), I ran a 47:37, 7:40 pace.  Given all the holiday meals and low mileage, I was more than happy with it (and came in solidly under my 48:00 minute goal)!

Next up, if the rain doesn't shrivel me up, is a return trip to Central Park tomorrow for the NYCRuns 10 Miler :D

Here are the race results from the NYRR.

The Crystal Ship North American shortwave pirate radio 7530 khz eQSL

This great eQSL arrived last night from The Crystal Ship!  I've tuned in to TCS many times since last summer, but this reception on 7530 kHz, on my Sangean ATS 909 receiver, was very different.  I was during daylight hours and it used only the radio's telescopic antenna (instead of the long wire antenna).  They had a very powerful signal, coupled with great atmospheric conditions!  In the email, John Poet mentioned that they were using a different relay station for this broadcast (which may go a long way to explaining the awesome reception)!

Many thanks John!

Baltic Sea Radio Finnish shortwave pirate radio 6980 khz LSB (via SDR) eQSL

This fantastic eQSL arrived this morning from Baltic Sea Radio! I tuned in to their broadcast, from Finland, on 6980 kHz LSB via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  They were playing some great rock classics, including Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle" and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."

Many thanks DJ Sailor!

Swedish DX Federation "SDXF" Fall shortwave broadcast 6175 khz (via SDR) QSL Card

This real "old school" QSL Card was waiting for me in my real "snail" mailbox from the Swedish DX Federation today!  It's from their Fall special broadcast in September (I received one for their Summer broadcast back in October).  As I've said many times, nothing beats receiving a real QSL Card from a broadcaster!  I tuned in to their show on 6175 kHz, via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  The program was in Swedish, but it was impossible to mistake the Ramones, "Do you Remember Rock n' Roll Radio?" :D

Many thanks SDXF!

Radio Anthony Polish shortwave pirate radio 6265 khz USB (via SDR) eQSL

This excellent eQSL arrived this morning from Radio Anthony.  I also received an eQSL from Radio Anthony last summer.  This time I heard his broadcast, from Poland, on 6265 kHz Upper Side Band (the other broadcasts had all been in AM) via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  Among the songs played was the Hall & Oats classic "Out of Touch" and Haddaway's "What is Love" - fun stuff!

Many thanks Anthony!

Pirate Radio Boston North American shortwave pirate radio 6925 khz Holiday Special eQSL

This great Holiday Special eQSL arrived last night from Pirate Radio Boston!  I tuned in to their holiday special on 6925 kHz on my Sangean ATS 909 receiver.  Not only was it a morning broadcast, but the signal was so strong that I heard the show using just the Sangean's telescopic whip antenna - not the long wire antenna!  The show itself consisted of some great holiday classics, "Run, Rudolph Run," Holly, Jolly Christmas," and caroling music!

Many thanks Charlie Loudenboomer - for both the eQSL and excellent holiday show!

Radio Komintern Russian shortwave pirate radio 6990 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This great eQSL arrived from Radio Komintern today!  I tuned in to their broadcast, from the city Rossosh, in the Voronezh region of Eastern Russia, on 6990 kHz via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  Programming consisted of various selections of Russian music.

Many thanks Sergei

2016 NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10k Packet Pick-up

This afternoon I picked up my bib and tee shirt for the Joe Kleinerman 10k this weekend.  It's my first NYRR race of 2016 (and the 9+1 for the 2017 NYC Marathon).  It was also my first trip to the new (albeit temporary) location on the West Side - which, at least for me, is not as convenient as the East Side location was in the good old days (just a couple of months ago)!  But, it was also another first of sorts - I can't remember ever having picked up race bibs on a Monday (or Tuesday, or Wednesday, for that matter).  It's really neat that the bib/shirt pick-up availability now begins on Monday, instead of the Thursday!

As for the pick-up process itself, that went very smoothly.  The tee shirts handed out before the bibs. The bibs themselves were customized with the addition of the timing strip after a scan of your QR code.  That was pretty neat as well!

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

XTC - Xenon Transmitting Company - British shortwave pirate radio 6230 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This fantastic eQSL from XTC - Xenon Transmitting Company - was the 3rd of three that arrived today!  I tuned in to their broadcast from England on 6230 kHz, via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands.  In addition to the great album rock from (mostly) the 1970's - played on actual vinyl records - they gave shout outs to listeners.  I really enjoyed the music and the show.

Many thanks Matt!

Radio Goofy Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 6296 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This great eQSL from Radio Goofy was the second of 3 that I received today.  In fact, Radio Goofy also sent an audio file of one of their shows!  That was really neat because I'm normally the one sending audio clips as part of reception reports!  I've tuned in to Radio Goofy's broadcasts from the Netherlands, via the SDR at Twente, a few times over the last 6 months

Many thanks Jan - for the eQSL and the audio!

Mike Radio Netherlands shortwave pirate radio 6240 khz (via SDR) eQSL

This great eQSL from Mike Radio was the first of 3 that arrived today.  What makes this one special is the programming consisted of music + shout outs to listeners.  And Mike gave a shout out to me, including reading most of my email report, over the air!  I tuned in to his broadcast from the Netherlands, on 6240 kHz via the SDR at Twente.

Many thanks Mike!

Radio Jingle Bells German shortwave pirate radio 6261 khz (via SDR) Holiday eQSL

The first eQSL of 2016 arrived this morning from Radio Jingle Bells - for their Christmas Eve show.  I tuned in to their broadcast, from Germany, on 6261 kHz via the SDR at Twente in the Netherlands. In a twist from John Lennon - they played some old holiday inspired music from Paul McCartney!

Many thanks Jingle Bells Radio!

January 2016 Race Schedule

Happy New Year Everyone - 2016 has arrived!

It seems like my unplanned hiatus from races (my last one was the Taconic relays at the start of December) will be extended a bit.  No races this weekend because getting packed up and to the airport on Sunday to start her spring semester abroad - in Spain!

But the following weekend will resume races with a double:  the Joe Kleinerman 10k on Saturday, and a return to Central Park the next day for the Cocoa Classic 10 Miler.  The 10 Miler is a NYCRuns race and the 10k is a NYRR race (my first of 9+1 for the 2017 NYC Marathon).

The only other race I've registered for this month the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half, two weeks later.  That race will be my third trip back to Central Park this month (and the second race for the 9+1).

While I haven't penciled anything in yet, it's likely I run at least one more race (either the weekend of the 17th or 31st).

Here's how it looks so far:

1/9 - Joe Kleinerman 10k
1/10 - Cocoa Classic 10 Miler
1/24 - Fred Lebow Manhattan Half

As always, if you're at any of them - say hello!