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2007

With both a new 6220 relay and German presenter things looked once again promising for FRS. But ultimately, it turned out to be a lean year, just like the previous ones.

February start

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In contrast with the previous years, the new year started with fresh courage and only a short break. Already on Sunday February 25th the first 2007 broadcast took place. Because of poor propagation, it was decided that programmes would be aired between 15:00–19:00 CET. Especially in the afternoon hours 6220 appeared to be very strong and February 25th was no exception. Reception was (very) good in wide areas proved by the fact that even on very ordinary SW radio sets the signal was coming in very well. A well-selected diet of quality pop music and items went out. A total of 40 letters/ e-mails from 8 different countries were received and many of the writers mentioned the good choice of broadcasting time: improved signal quality and (almost) no other stations being active. The successful February broadcast was followed by an almost 9 month break.

Ringing out 2007 with a bang

Sunday November 18th marked the second 2007 FRS-Holland broadcast, yet again arranged via Chris (with help from Mark Jones). Programmes were aired on 6220 kHz between 09.00– 13.00 CET. Propagation was rather poor that day. Nevertheless FRS received quite a number of letters and mails. This encouraging response made us decide to organize yet another broadcast before the end of the year.
And so we choose to go on air on December 30th, just after the X-Mas weekend. During X-Mas the bands are mostly overcrowded and we felt it was a good idea to skip the X-Mas days trying for the final 2007 Sunday. Not a bad decision as activity on the 30th appeared to be rather low. To end the year with a bang, we contacted our friend from World Music Radio and much to our surprise we could arrange a 5815 kHz relay in addition to 6220 kHz. That happened to be a good decision…

Sunday December 30th 6220 appeared to be weaker than usual and the ‘extra’ 5815 service made up for that. Power on 5815 was no less than 7 kW and reception reports were received from all corners of Europe plus the USA. 6220 went out between 09.00– 13.00 CET and 5815 between 11.00– 15.00 CET ánd as a bonus 21.00– 01.00 CET. During the latter evening/ night time broadcast the 5815 signal was barely heard in Central-Western Europe due to skip but was indeed heard in remote areas including the USA and South America! With the final 2007 broadcast, FRS-Holland re-introduced a long time tradition inviting listeners to participate with their personal New Year and dedications. Response really was overwhelming. Programmes that day included a 2007 Free Radio Review by Jan van Dijk, a listener’s competition, a flash-back to December 1991 in ‘FRS Magazine’. And of course 45 minutes of DX News. Mike Anderson made his debut with ‘DX Welle’ presented in German. Two German presenters on FRS-Holland…that happened ages ago! A total of 70 letters and e-mails from as many as 16 different countries were received puttng us in high spirits. So far one fact was unnamed but certainly deserves a mention in the FRS chronicles: by the end of 2007 FRS introduced a brand new ‘FRS Transmitter QSL series’ featuring 4 numbered pictures of different FRS transmitters from past & present.