Aruba Radio Scene by the Wireless Waffler
The
first question on many peoples lips in the United Kingdom
would
no doubt be "where's that?" It
is an Island in the
Caribbean
and part of what is known as the ABC Islands part of
the
Dutch Antillies. It is a flat riverless Island renowned for
its
white sand beaches. It is situated
just above Venuzula and
the
tropical weather at a constant 27C all year round with litte
rain.
The risks of hurricanes are offset by constant winds from
the
Atlantic Ocean.
My
first and only disappointment radio wise was reading about
Radio
Carina on 97.9 and 98.9 which was started off by Albert
Dieffenthaler,
a native Aruban, who worked in the late sixties on
the
vessel which housed Radio Caroline. I never ever received the
station,
in spite of the fact we were at Palm Beach not far from
the
capital Orangestad. If there are any Arubans reading this web
page
I welcome an update on the station.
I
took a cheap superdrug radio with me which has a digital
readout
and it does tend to read frequencies slightly off
channel.
This is still better than an analogue radio.
I have
whenever
possible tried to check the frequency from on air
announcements. There were only a few stations on the am band
and
they were not very powerful or of sufficient quality for me
to
record for later analysis. Any inaccuracies in this report
will
be as a result of me mishearing recordings I have listened
to
and checked again in preparing this piece. In conclusion very
satisfactory
and good quality recordings can be made in mono to a
minidisc
recorder - as long as you use a long lead and mono
adaptor
plug in order to cut out interference from the laser
mechanism.
The
radio on a band scan picked up stations on the following FM
frequencies, all in Mhz. These are not necessary the correct
frequency for each station but are corrected after this section as
necessary:
88.3
89
89.9
91
93
94.2
95
96.7
98
99
99.9
101
101.8
102.9
106.7
107.5
The
set was held in my hand whilst tuning - it may have
introduced
some harmonic frequencies but I will now list below
the
type of stations received by me. I
will list them
alphabetically.
All
frequencies FM and Mhz
Channel
90 FM – 90.0
Home of the tourist programme by Dick
Miller
and wife which goes out around 1800 in the evenings.Also
plays
plenty of local music. Whilst being
the most publicised station
outside
of Aruba – it is not the most innovative programming. He
plays
some good music but really only reads details about tourist
restaurants
and facilities on the Island. A form of talking supplement
to the tourist pamphlets and books available. Check out the programming
at http://www.canal90fm.aw they do admit that the computer is in charge
from 12am to 7am!
Easy Radio 97.9 mainly English and American pop music. Their web site
has had a large amount of visitors but does not give much away about the station.
It does however play the station jingle as it loads up so watch out!
Radio
Galactica 99.9 Was on air with very
lively dance music and
I
often heard djs mixing music and talking or singing over it.
A
lively
station with i assume younger presenters aimed at younger
artists.
Not as lively as Radio Deejay in Sardinia but a faster
style
of presentation than anything else on the dial
R
Kelkboom 106.7 a good mix of Aruban and
all styles of music.
They
had a Jazz programme on twice a week at night in English and
a special on Ray Charles when I was there. They also carry the Voice
Of America at times plus Country and Western Music. Check the
programme schedule out in six languages including English at
Radio
Kiss FM 90.7 A mix of Aruban English
speaking songs. Not
the
dance music we associate that name with in this part of the
world.
Magic
FM 96.5 played a tuneful mix with
relaxed music from the charts
and also local. They have a web site at http/www.magic965.com/news.htm
Mi
FM 107.5 Rap and some Aruban and english
speaking pop- one of
my
favourite whilst there and I am sure at times I heard Dutch
spoken as well as the local papiamento. I have put in a link to the station in
Curaco which is the next Island along - I assume this comes from a relay
transmitter on Aruba though.
http://www.curom.com/mi95/index.html
Q
100.9 mainly Aruban music when I
listened in.
Radio
Revolucion 88.9 heard broadcasting
religious and
inspirational music. They also broadcast entertainment programmes
as
well. They have programme details on line at http://www.revo88.9.aw
Mi
FM 107.5 Rap and some Aruban and english
speaking pop- one of
my
favourite whilst there and I am sure at times I heard Dutch
spoken
as well as the local papiamento
R
Victoria 93.1
(also pronounced on air Vittoria) a
mix of music
and
USA religious broadcasts at times. I heard a lady with a
religious
programme, an Indian Ravi Zacharias Also an american
male
fast talking preacher. This must be a very successful
commercial
station with these sponsored shows.
Voice
of America heard one evening on 88.1, no doubt a relay by a
local station not heard by me during the daytime. This station was formed
in 1958 by Missionary Organisation Team. The station is also known as the
Voice of Hope - their studio and office is a very modest shack. See this and
some more on their web site at http://www.setarnet.aw/users/radiovictoria/
I am compiling a Wireless Waves to feature clips from Aruban Radio - check
the
site for updates.
Overall the music on all the stations is bright and they play a wide variety of music
including
oldies from Britain and USA. Commercials run on most of the stations as
well.
Like many countries and the UK there are some stations which use
computers to play
out back to back music or entire shows. Mi FM and Radio Kelkboom also put out some
good shows with English speakers. Channel 90 carry the world famous, but to my mind
not that sensational Dick Miller tourist show each evening.
Pictures and article copyright Wireless Waffler September 2004