BANDSCAN THREAD

General FM bandscan, this time from Pigeon Top Mountain, Co. Tyrone, a few km's west of Omagh (54.56N, 7.42W, approx 240m ASL).

Only a quick bandscan this one (no MW or DAB), so some bits are unanswered. Nothing confirmed from across the water, most impressive signal seemes to be 103.7 from Castlebar.

87.7 - Spirit Radio (Letterkenny)(1)
87.8 - RTE Radio 1 (Clermont Carn)
88.2 - RTE Radio 1 (Truskmore)
88.7 - BBC Radio 2 (L/Derry)
88.9 - RTE Radio 1 (Monaghan)
89.1 - RTE Radio 1 (Kippure)
89.2 - RTE Radio 1 (Holywell Hill)
89.4 - BBC Radio 2 (Brougher Mountain)
89.7 - RTE Radio 1 (Ballybofey)(2)
89.8 - RTE Radio 1 (Carin Hill)
90.1 - BBC Radio 2 (Divis)
90.4 - RTE 2FM (Truskmore)
90.9 - BBC Radio 3 (L/Derry)
91.1 - RTE 2FM (Monaghan)
91.3 - RTE 2FM (Kippure)
91.4 - RTE 2FM (Holywell Hill)
91.6 - BBC Radio 3 (Brougher Mountain)
91.9 - RTE 2FM (Ballybofey)(2)
92.3 - BBC Radio 3 (Divis)
92.6 - RTE RnaG (Truskmore)
93.1 - BBC Radio Foyle (L/Derry)
93.3 - RTE RnaG (Monaghan)
93.5 - RTE RnaG (Kippure)
93.6 - RTE RnaG (Holywell Hill)
93.8 - BBC Radio Ulster (Brougher Mountain)
94.1 - RTE RnaG (Ballybofey)(2)
94.5 - BBC Radio Ulster (Divis)
94.7 - (3)
94.9 - BBC Radio 4 FM (L/Derry)
95.2 - RTE Lyric FM (Clermont Carn)
95.4 - BBC Radio Ulster (Limavady)
95.6 - BBC Radio 4 (Brougher Mountain)
96.0 - BBC Radio 4 (Divis)
96.3 - Northern Sound (Monaghan) (4)
96.6 - Downtown (Brougher Mountain)
96.9 - iRadio (Scalp Mountain)
97.0 - RTE 2FM (Clermont Carn)
97.2 - Q Radio (Maddybenny Moore)
97.4 - Cool FM (Black Mountain)
97.8 - RTE Lyric FM (Truskmore)
98.3 - BBC Radio 1 (L/Derry)
98.5 - RTE Lyric FM (Monaghan)
98.7 - RTE Lyric FM (Kippure)
98.8 - RTE Lyric FM (Holywell Hill)
99.0 - BBC Radio 1 (Brougher Mountain)
99.3 - RTE Lyric FM (Ballybofey)(3)
99.4 - RTE Lyric FM (5)
99.7 - BBC Radio 1 (Divis)
100.0 - Today FM (Truskmore)
100.3 - (6)
100.5 - Classic FM (L/Derry)
100.7 - Today FM (Monaghan)
100.9 - Today FM (Kippure)
101.0 - Today FM (Holywell Hill)
101.2 - Q Radio (Brougher Mountain)
101.5 - Today FM (7)
101.9 - Classic FM (Divis)
102.1 - Highland Radio (Feirn Hill)
102.4 - Downtown (L/Derry)
102.7 - RTE RnaG (Clermont Carn)
102.9 - Q Radio (L/Derry)
103.3 - Highland Radio (Scalp Mountain)
103.7 - iRadio (Castlebar) (8)
104.0 - iRadio (Arranmore)
104.2 - (9)
104.5 - Highland Radio (Back Mountain, Nth Inishowen)
104.7 - Highland Radio (Moville)
105.0 - Ocean FM (Mount Charles)
105.5 - Today FM (Clermont Carn)
105.8 - U105 (Black Mountain)
106.0 - Q Radio (10)
106.2 - iRadio (11)
106.9 - Newstalk (Holywell Hill)
107.2 - Q Radio (Dungannon)
107.4 - Newstalk (Truskmore)
107.6 - Newstalk (12)

Notes

**General - listening location tended to favour towards the north & north-east**

(1) Suffered ACI from 87.8, but able to ascern by tuning slightly downwards towards 87.6 and noting // with 549MW.

(2) Not 100% sure, but Ballybofey seems to be the best site. Definitely NOT Fanad 0.1MHz higher. See note (7).

(3) Unable to ID. NOT // to BBC Radio Scotland's MW output so probably not Sandale, difficult to ascern due to powerful signals on 94.5 and 94.9. Possibly Northern Sound from Cavan on 94.8?

(4) Tentative, but most likely - suffered from two powerhouses on 96.0 and 96.6.

(5) Definitely clear reception of Lyric FM and not 0.1MHz overspill from Ballybofey, likely Fanad.

(6) UNID - very weak to identify with strong 100.5 interfering, possibly Nova from Three Rock or Heart Scotland from Black Hill?

(7) In theory should be Ballybofey but AFAIK Today FM has no transmitter there! Has one been put in place? Only 101.5 TX for Today FM I have listed is Collins Barracks, which is very unlikely!

(8) Very weak signal, able to check with // to 96.9 and, helped by lack of strong ACI near this frequency.

(9) UNID - fair signal, not likely to be Classic Hits Radio or Red FM. Possible pirate?

(10) Extremely weak, identifiable // to 101.2

(11) Likely to be Dundalk, but could also be Drogheda or Ring of Cappard (Offaly & Laois)

(12) Good signal, most likely candidate is Fanad.

Receivers - Eton E5 & XHDATA D-808

TAFKAlawhec wrote: »

General FM bandscan, this time from Pigeon Top Mountain, Co. Tyrone, a few km's west of Omagh (54.56N, 7.42W, approx 240m ASL).

Only a quick bandscan this one (no MW or DAB), so some bits are unanswered. Nothing confirmed from across the water, most impressive signal seemes to be 103.7 from Castlebar.
.....................................................................................
104.2 - (9)
.....................................................................

Notes

**General - listening location tended to favour towards the north & north-east**
...........................................................................

(9) UNID - fair signal, not likely to be Classic Hits Radio or Red FM. Possible pirate?
..............................................................................

Receivers - Eton E5 & XHDATA D-808

Sounds like it could be pirate Storm North East from Dundalk, if it was dance music.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Little of note in Dublin. Hot FM were on as were the two Retro FM frequencies, ABC were briefly noticed while in Kimmage and of course the clusterfeck that is Extreme. Club were conspicuously absent again

Energy continue AM as per usual. While usually clear in the GDA, they sound a lot punchier of late and are clearly the better for the recent arrival of some new toys from the Optimod fairy I didn't notice their FM relay today though perhaps it was being sporadic as well.

A few things about the various oldies frequencies in Dublin this weekend.

1. 99.5FM did not seem to be on at all this weekend. This is the one which normally relays, when it is on, whatever is on 1195kh AM (Energy Power AM's frequency).

2. Yesterday, 94.3FM (the frequency which seems to be shared by the oldies collective!) was not broadcasting anything when I tried it. Likewise, 92.0 (frequency for Retro FM) was quiet. Energy Power AM on 1195 kh AM was on all yesterday playing its own selection.

3.Today around the early afternoon, Retro FM was on 92.0 and being relayed on 1195kh - this often happens on a Sunday. I checked 94.3 FM and it was silent. However, later in the evening when I checked, Retro FM was now being relayed on 94.3 FM and Energy Power AM was back playing its own stuff on 1195kh! Incidentally, the RDS Info for 94.3 was giving out a request number, but 92.0 did not!

4. Meanwhile, I sporadically could pick up '80s music on 96.0. Today around the Sandyford Road end of Dundrum, I picked it up clearer and got an RDS of ABC 80s. From previous posts, I gather this is a relay of this station from Inner City Gold based in the north inner city. Interestingly, as soon as I turned up for Ballinteer, it lost its power and was overtaken by BBC Radio 4 on the same frequency!

Incidentally, in relation to dance-oriented pirates, I could pick up Hot FM on 91.0 and Extreme on 93.2 both quite clearly. Like 96.0's broadcasts, I sporadically picked up RetroNow on 105.2. Bizarrely again, I picked up the clearest signal on the Sandyford Road end of Dundrum...and it's coming all the way from Rathoath, Co. Meath!

Dipole Keith wrote: »

Noticed Hot FM on a blank carrier on 91.0 earlier, Audio back down on the low side, Extreme FM on 93.2 seem to be going 24 hours ago.

RetroNow also sounding good on 105.2 - signal seems to have improved ?

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Some worthwhile observations from a chilly perch overlooking the west of the city.

88.7 BBC 2
92.5 A faint pop station. No name and it soon faded out.
94.8 and 97.2 Northern Sound
98.3 BBC1
99.4 Misty Mountain Radio. Must be the longest lasting pirate in Ireland by now? Certainly on FM anyway.
104.1 Shannonside
102.5 Ocean FM. RDS and the signal locked no less.
104.2 Storm NE
103.1 iRadio
103.5 Midlands
104.6 BBC4
105.8 Unidentifed mono carrier with Religious music of a non Bible Bashing nature.
106.6 iRadio

Has anybody got any ideas on these two? Who are they and where are they coming from?

Incidentally, I came across a station on 99.5 FM this evening around the Ballinteer and Marlay areas of Dublin. It was playing soul music - all 60s' I think. The signal was pretty good but there was no RDS or ID (when I was listening to it). Has anyone any ideas? Could it be linked to one of the oldies stations? A test transmission perhaps? After all, this frequency, for a number of months now, (when it is on) usually relays Energy Power AM's transmissions. I can recall one other occasion in the last month or so when there was oldies music on a weekday on this frequency without a relay situation. It seemed to be clashing with a relay of a dance pirate on that occasion!

Dipole Keith wrote: »

I don’t see 106.6 listed as a frequency for IRadio, I say it’s 106.7 from Monaghan

Yeah it would be their 106.7FM on Lugan Hill. It's not a high site but it is south of Monaghan, it has a clear vista looking towards Dublin and theres not a lot on air to interfere with it. I was in the hills of Tallaghtfornia which helped but Sunshine on 106.8 would have stopped me getting any closer than 0.1 away.

pirateradiohed wrote: »

106.6 anywhere could be Flirt FM

i wouldn't think so as i don't think that has been on for a couple of years now.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

105.8 Unidentifed mono carrier with Religious music of a non Bible Bashing nature.
...

Book author Eddie/Eamon Bohan, in his recent online exposé about 'illegal' Catholic Church church broadcasts, lists a church using 105.8 in Virginia Co. Cavan.
Whilst it would be nearly 50 miles away, you sound like you were up at a height with near enough line of sight to receive a relatively low power transmission on a clear frequency on a car radio. It would seem a likely candidate as being this one ?

Antenna wrote: »

Book author Eddie/Eamon Bohan, in his recent online exposé about 'illegal' Catholic Church church broadcasts, lists a church using 105.8 in Virginia Co. Cavan.
Whilst it would be nearly 50 miles away, you sound like you were up at a height with near enough line of sight to receive a relatively low power transmission on a clear frequency on a car radio. It would seem a likely candidate as being this one ?

You may well be right. If I get my arse into gear I'll run up there at some stage tomorrow and see if I can pull it in again.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

You may well be right. If I get my arse into gear I'll run up there at some stage tomorrow and see if I can pull it in again.

Online it says the church has mass at 11AM tomorrow Sunday, so it should be on air then...

I assume Newstalk on 105.8 (which would be from the west) was sufficiently blocked by the terrain at the receiving location ...

JDxtra wrote: »

Hot back on, live DJ on at the moment. Real FM getting relayed on 94.3 again.

It was also relayed for some of the day on 1195 kh, home of Energy Power AM. After all, Energy's own Brian Kelly was broadcasting on Real FM this evening! I heard him briefly!

The new station on 927 kHz is coming from Italy, must be a powerful transmitter. Coast FM Tenerife continues on 1512, seems to be a powerful transmitter somewhere in Ireland.

https://mediumwave.info/news/

Energy is 1395, I know 1195 is just a typo.

Infoanon wrote: »

Carriers appearing following the announcement of level 5?

Strong carrier on 88.1 and 98.4 has audio

I wonder is this the return of Pirate FM & The 90s Network to FM

Assuming Christmas FM appears again this year, then it would be normal for 88.1 FM to be used by them and to be audible on this across parts of Dublin from late November.

Good signal from 1512 khz "Coast FM" on west Wales coast this evening .

Hot FM on a carrier all day, no RDS/stereo.

These anyways, could be others...

91.0 Hot FM
92.0 Retro FM
94.3 All 80s
93.2 Extreme FM
105.2 Retro Now

ABC 80s is being relayed on 96.0 FM
90s Network also on 98.4 FM

Live programming on Energy AM 1395 and 99.5 FM

Losty Dublin wrote: »

A few things from about half an hour ago way up in the highness of Dublin 24...

Chill FM 87.6
97.2/4 Shannonside
98.4 90's Network. Aye up, Mikey!
99.4 Misty Mountain
102.5 Ocean
Energy 102.95/103.0 A bit clearer on 102.95
104.2 Storm NE
105.2 Nothing on RDS but it was playing scanger dance music.
105.8 Last time I noted this and it was playing Christian Music. Nothing there today; Newstalk however was on.

I’d say 105.2 was the unidentified dance station that was on 94.1 up until recently, it would be closer to Tallaght so blocking out RetroNow to you

94.3 is a relay of Charity radio.

RDS is on but the text is blank

marno21 wrote: »

103.3 is intended to cover Monaghan, the others are distant signals that aren't meant to cover Monaghan itself.

106.0 is Dublin, 107.2 is possibly Mount Leinster?, 107.6 is Saggart or Drogheda and 107.9 is Clermont Carn. All of these transmitters (except 107.6) also carry RTE at much higher power yet RTE still have their own outlet in the Monaghan area.

I'm surprised you're not picking up Mohercrome on 107.4 too (is that still on air?)

Mohercrome is still on 107.4 with a good wallop of power. Rig wise Newstalk don't have that many sites north of Dublin but the two in Cavan and Monaghan are pretty powerful.