I have been away from the contemporary shortwave free radio scene for most of the second half of 2024, with only cursory glances at loggings during that period. Even over the festive season, I only fleetingly dropping in on 48 metres via the Weston SDR; I was though also pleased to receive Radio Blackbeard on 1476 through the Newark(UK)-based remote receiver. On this occasion an excellent signal, from what can be a temperamental SDR.
Aside from briefly hearing the Xenon Transmitting Company (XTC) on a couple of occasions, what really piqued my interest was a list of free radio stations heard during 2024 as published by the longstanding and comprehensive Shortwave DX Blog. I was surprised to learn that nineteen UK-based stations had been heard during the previous year, the type of number one would expect during my listening heyday of the early to mid-1990s.
Several of the nineteen are firmly established operators, many of whom I listened to during my teenage years in the 1990s. For example, Steve St. Jhon of Radio Pandora seems to have become more prolific of late, with the type of signal he most definitely didn't achieve thirty years ago. Perhaps the influence of Live Wire Bill, free radio engineer par excellence, has had a positive effect on Steve, a man well into his 70s. Elsewhere, another Steve, Steve Most - is there a collective noun for a group of Steves? - continues to plug away on 41 metres with his low powered broadcasts. Both have free radio coursing through their veins.
Another stalwart, the one and only Jack Russel, continues to be heard weekly with entertaining broadcasts that benefit from strong signals. Whilst it is well known that Weekend Music Radio is based in Scotland and has been since 1980, it seems that the latest iteration of WMR hails from the Republic of Ireland. When is a UK-based station no longer a UK-based station? I suppose the same could be said for when Bogusman (aka Mike Wilson / The Bogus Jobseeker) used to operate via the German-based transmitters of Channel 292, but whilst it is moot as to whether WMR should now be classed as a UK-based station, the fact remains that Jack's regular broadcasts are extremely welcome, and would be even better still if he could round up some guest appearances from some of those who also banged the UK free radio drum on shortwave during the 1990s. But then, I am biased.
The venerable Matt Roberts is another broadcaster whose quality of signal has vastly improved over the years. There will of course be reasons for this which are privy to the operator, a mere greenhorn compared to Messrs. Most, St, Jhon, and Russel, but the continued presence of Mr. XTC especially around UK bank holidays thankfully shows no sign of abating. Daytimes during bank holidays on 48 metres in the 1990s were often disappointing affairs, due to poor listening conditions, my somewhat limited listening station, and free radio operators having better things to do with their time. You can though almost set your watch to XTC appearing on 6 MHz during the United Kingdom's admittedly few public holidays.
Other operators who were reported during 2024 include the mysterious mobile operator Valley Wave Radio, formerly known as Uranium in the early years of the twenty first century. An archetypal 1990s station, West and North Kent Radio (WNKR) surprisingly returned last year, but I do not know how often Dave Martin and / or Andy Walker were heard, or even if someone was putting out an old recording. I will assume it was not the latter. Also, Swinging Radio England, originally a big name from the 1960s offshore era was picked up during 2024; I think the name was also used during the early years of the current century, a time when I had completely stopped listening. Whilst there is no suggestion that the current iteration of Swinging Radio England has anything to do with those who laboured under its moniker during the distant past, it is not unusual for names of vintage broadcasters to be co-opted by others further down the line. Britain's Better Music Station, Radio Mi Amigo, Radio Free London, and Radio Caroline are just some examples of this.
Radio Argus is another that escaped me - I listened between 1990 and 2002 - but has a significant history of broadcasting on the AM bands. Laser Hot Hits has re-emerged, and whilst I believe it started off many moons ago as a UK-based free radio station, did it subsequently broadcast from Eire, only for it to return to these shores? Again, this is a longstanding name known in the past for its omnipresence on 48 metres.
Stations heard during 2024 of whom I have no knowledge whatsoever include Central Radio International, Shortwave Jukebox, Rock Revolution, and a certain Radio Tomato. Well, if you can have a Voice of the Leek...
Station 807 was a welcome addition to 6 MHz earlier in the year; I hope the operator will persevere with what were interesting programmes. Any radio, be it Ken Bruce or those operating illegally, needs to more than just "that was... and the next track is..."
Three names who appeared on shortwave 4-5 years ago, Radios Nova, Parade, And Jennifer were also heard during 2024. The rock ethos preferred by Mr. Nova - I won't use the operator's first name - was particularly enjoyable, whilst Parade has over the piece been all over the shortwave spectrum, often with classical and even marching band music, the latter somewhat synonymous with the station's name. Radio Jennifer appears to be a more low-powered affair, apparently favouring reggae music, and allegedly doubling up as the Soul of England...
Free radio will never be the same as it was during the 1990s - there are many reasons for that - and whilst most of the charismatic characters of that era are one way or another no longer with us, it would seem that the UK-based shortwave scene is still alive. Nineteen stations would suggest a resurgent scene that in reality it certainly isn't, but at least a few newbies and returnees continue to bolster those who have been there, done it, and got the QSL begging letters.
For me, a more accurate picture of the current state of UK free radio on shortwave would be to compare the number of broadcasts made by the nineteen, compared to the amount undertaken by a dozen during 2023.
To all in free radio land past and present, I wish you a prosperous and healthy 2025.
