On air since 1975
Radio Delta AM is independent shortwave radio from Elburg, Netherlands. We combine music, listener reports, Radio Delta Heroes, hands-on engineering and real propagation tests. Every reception report helps us understand where the signal travels — and keeps shortwave radio human.
Community driven, engineering focused
We love “real radio”: antennas, RF, audio processing, propagation, receivers and the magic of signals travelling across borders without the internet.
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Heroes first. Every report becomes part of the Radio Delta story — as a pin, shout-out, eQSL or Listener Story.
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Proven by reception reports. Our summer and winter frequencies are chosen through European tests, KiwiSDR checks and real listener reports.
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Community before theory. DX tests are part of the story, but Radio Delta is built around regular European listeners, real reports and Radio Delta Heroes.
Station profile
A quick snapshot of how Radio Delta AM currently operates.
Exact frequencies may change with propagation, interference, QRM and seasonal conditions.
Why 6190 kHz in summer?
After extensive on-air testing across Europe, Radio Delta AM has adopted 6190 kHz as its primary summer frequency. This decision is based on real reception reports, SDR checks and evening tests under actual summer propagation conditions.
The summer results
- ✓Excellent coverage throughout the Netherlands, with very little skip at short and medium distance.
- ✓Strong reception across Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Scandinavia and large parts of Western Europe.
- ✓Reliable evening coverage during summer conditions on the 49 metre band.
- ✓Stable AM audio quality with a broad and powerful signal on remote receivers.
- ✓Long-distance reception confirmed from Southern Europe and the Atlantic region.
More than a test frequency
These results were achieved with an experimental antenna setup. Our permanent antenna system has repeatedly shown an additional 3 to 6 dB of signal strength.
That means 6190 kHz is no longer just another test frequency. It has become Radio Delta AM’s summer frequency for Europe.
6190 kHz – Keeps The Shortwave Alive.
Summer on 6190. Winter on 3985.
Radio Delta AM follows a clear and recognisable seasonal strategy. In summer, 6190 kHz is the main European evening frequency. In winter, 3985 kHz remains the classic Radio Delta evening frequency. The 25 metre band is used for special DX broadcasts when conditions are suitable.
6190 kHz
6190 kHz is Radio Delta AM’s primary summer frequency for Europe. It provides strong local and regional coverage, while still reaching listeners across Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Southern Europe and the Atlantic region.
6170 kHz
6170 kHz remains a valuable reserve frequency on 49 metres. It can be used when 6190 kHz is busy, affected by QRM, or when band conditions make 6170 kHz the cleaner choice.
3985 kHz
3985 kHz is the classic Radio Delta winter evening band. It has character: quiet, nostalgic and ideal for regular European listening during the darker months.
6040 / 12085 kHz
6040 kHz remains useful for selected winter daytime broadcasts. 12005 / 12085 kHz are reserved for Christmas, jubilees, long-distance DX weekends and propagation experiments.
Why the frequency changes
Shortwave is never fixed. Propagation changes with season, time of day, solar activity, distance and local noise levels. In summer, 3985 kHz can suffer from higher noise, static crashes and thunderstorm-related QRN, especially earlier in the evening. That is why 6190 kHz is now Radio Delta AM’s main summer evening frequency.
Later in the evening, or when 75 metres is quiet enough, 3985 kHz can still be used for classic Radio Delta coverage. 6040 kHz remains important for winter daytime broadcasts, while 12005 / 12085 kHz are kept for special DX moments rather than regular community broadcasting. More technical background about our antennas, test results and propagation choices can be found on our Technology & Updates page
A voice from the map
One signal. One story. One Radio Delta Hero.
Heard around Europe and beyond
Every pin is a listener — and every listener is a Radio Delta Hero. The homepage map focuses on Europe, where most regular Radio Delta AM reception reports are received. The full Listener Map shows the worldwide picture.
Explore Radio Delta
Start with the listeners, then discover the radio history and technology behind the signal.
Listener Stories
Reception reports turned into human stories — the warmth behind the signal.
Technology & Updates
Transmitters, antennas, audio processing, propagation tests and real shortwave engineering.