WSQK - The Squawk

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  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    edited 26/11/25 - 13:23 #77
    Is played for several times now. I think the database is 100 titles rich...so very very tight. I think if you expand the playlist with also titles not from all the seasons but fits the feel of the series it makes it more listenable.
  • Iain_MastersIain_Masters Posts: 4,482
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    Erwin wrote: »
    Is played for several times now. I think the database is 100 titles rich...so very very tight. I think if you expand the playlist with also titles not from all the seasons but fits the feel of the series it makes it more listenable.

    That’s not the idea of it Erwin. It’s a PR stunt to promote the series. Just take it for what it is. I’ve a feeling you’ll never be happy.
  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    edited 26/11/25 - 13:58 #79
    Yes, and what's your point my friend? I know it's a marketing stunt, that's fine, awesome and a deep bow for it. But I can give my opinion to make it even better.
  • Iain_MastersIain_Masters Posts: 4,482
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    Erwin wrote: »
    Yes, and what's your point my friend? I know it's a marketing stunt, that's fine, awesome and a deep bow for it. But I can give my opinion to make it even better.

    Which I’m sure they’re hanging on your every word. Don’t let me stop you. 😁
  • SouthCitySouthCity Posts: 15,213
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    edited 26/11/25 - 14:31 #81
    Erwin wrote: »
    Yes, and what's your point my friend? I know it's a marketing stunt, that's fine, awesome and a deep bow for it. But I can give my opinion to make it even better.

    Global are not interested in expanding the playlist. They have delivered the specification required by the customer (Netflix) to promote their TV series and it will be gone by 2 January, the day after the last episode is aired. I have no idea why you think they would welcome feedback on this.
  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    edited 26/11/25 - 15:00 #82
    They stopped on DAB with it, but it's not said that it stopped online as a stream. The series is for ages online after january 1st on Netflix so this station can also exists. Or they moved it in another tribute stream.
  • Absolute FreezingAbsolute Freezing Posts: 5
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    I’m enjoying it.. good fun radio!

    And in a couple of weeks I shall, probably, tune into something else… almost certainly with some Christmas music.
    Krazee, I know.
  • 3532135321 Posts: 941
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    edited 26/11/25 - 20:22 #84
    A mock promo about problems at the station's tower leading to "static interference" and advice to listeners to "reset" their radios - think it should be more like (for the time) advice to switch from stereo to mono !

    'resetting' sounds like something to do with an Internet or DAB/"HD" (in USA) radio, non-existing back then
  • RadioHamRadioHam Posts: 524
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    Is every night a casserole night? :smiley:
  • cody jarrettcody jarrett Posts: 2,229
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    Good to hear Oingo Boingo! Also the Journey track Who's Crying Now, much better than Don't Stop Believin'.
  • ChelmoguyChelmoguy Posts: 1,383
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    Yesterday I heard Jefferson Airplane, Stray Cats, AND Never ending Story.

    Global please make this permanent!!!!!
  • SonOfPurpleSonOfPurple Posts: 2,886
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    Have had a couple listens to this on my travels now and although the US-style format is unlikely to stick around after the Stranger Things tie-up it does suggest to me that something on the lines of Radio X 80s would be a good thing, playing the edgier kind of sound we've had from much of WSQK - that could cover everything from electronic/synth, through post-punk/new wave, via the suave pop-rock of the Level 42/Talking Heads/Simple Minds ilk and out to some of the US radio rock anthems of the era, maybe even all the way to the early knockings of baggy/Madchester at the end of the decade to buttress up against X 90s.

    Also agree the sound has been pretty good quality - if Global stations are going to hover mostly around the 32-40 kbs mark then maybe lessons can be learned from this pop-up in how to make the bitrate shout above its weight - the Capital (particularly Anthems), Radio X and Gold stations would absolutely sing given this kind of care and attention! (Obviously wouldn't be quite as useful at Classic FM or the more chilled stations, but different strokes float different boats!)
  • Watts O'PowerWatts O'Power Posts: 2,490
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    Have had a couple listens to this on my travels now and although the US-style format is unlikely to stick around after the Stranger Things tie-up it does suggest to me that something on the lines of Radio X 80s would be a good thing, playing the edgier kind of sound we've had from much of WSQK - that could cover everything from electronic/synth, through post-punk/new wave, via the suave pop-rock of the Level 42/Talking Heads/Simple Minds ilk and out to some of the US radio rock anthems of the era, maybe even all the way to the early knockings of baggy/Madchester at the end of the decade to buttress up against X 90s.

    Have you tried The Buzz from Manchester SSDAB?
  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    Have had a couple listens to this on my travels now and although the US-style format is unlikely to stick around after the Stranger Things tie-up it does suggest to me that something on the lines of Radio X 80s would be a good thing, playing the edgier kind of sound we've had from much of WSQK - that could cover everything from electronic/synth, through post-punk/new wave, via the suave pop-rock of the Level 42/Talking Heads/Simple Minds ilk and out to some of the US radio rock anthems of the era, maybe even all the way to the early knockings of baggy/Madchester at the end of the decade to buttress up against X 90s.

    Have you tried The Buzz from Manchester SSDAB?

    Sounds also decent. Good music mix. Sound pretty good. StereoTool?
  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    Have had a couple listens to this on my travels now and although the US-style format is unlikely to stick around after the Stranger Things tie-up it does suggest to me that something on the lines of Radio X 80s would be a good thing, playing the edgier kind of sound we've had from much of WSQK - that could cover everything from electronic/synth, through post-punk/new wave, via the suave pop-rock of the Level 42/Talking Heads/Simple Minds ilk and out to some of the US radio rock anthems of the era, maybe even all the way to the early knockings of baggy/Madchester at the end of the decade to buttress up against X 90s.

    Also agree the sound has been pretty good quality - if Global stations are going to hover mostly around the 32-40 kbs mark then maybe lessons can be learned from this pop-up in how to make the bitrate shout above its weight - the Capital (particularly Anthems), Radio X and Gold stations would absolutely sing given this kind of care and attention! (Obviously wouldn't be quite as useful at Classic FM or the more chilled stations, but different strokes float different boats!)

    Yes, I don't know why Radio X have a Radio X 80's but only a 90's subchannel and a Classic Rock channel with a broader playlist with less classic alternative, like the new wave etc. but also the predictable classic rock track you hear to death on other CR stations.
  • jimlad888jimlad888 Posts: 10
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    edited 27/11/25 - 21:48 #92
    Deep cuts from Metallica and Cheap Trick tonight! I’ve been lucky as had to drive to Heathrow and back and WSQK sounds great on London 3 (is it 48k?). Also got to add it as a car preset on the stereo!

    Had a good signal as far as J13 Newbury M4 - switched to Nation South just to hear the difference and it just showed how spot on the processing is on WSQK - Nation sounded tinny and mid range heavy in comparison. So kudos to the Global engineering team plus the programmers here - top of the hour news for Hawkins 🙂
  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    edited 27/11/25 - 21:59 #93
    After January, something fun can be done for Global with this processing. Make something up.
  • gardensleepergardensleeper Posts: 2,224
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    So, we’re all loving the station sound and that retro analogue processor.

    What I find curious is - if this is a supposedly better sound, why is it not in use today?

    Surely, modern processors are objectively better, louder, or more efficient at creating a spectral range?

    I’m genuinely curious.

    Is it just nostalgia for my youth?
  • -ajm--ajm- Posts: 6,442
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    edited 27/11/25 - 22:43 #95
    So, we’re all loving the station sound and that retro analogue processor.

    What I find curious is - if this is a supposedly better sound, why is it not in use today?

    Surely, modern processors are objectively better, louder, or more efficient at creating a spectral range?

    For one thing, the signal chain is being converted from digital at source, then converted to analogue, then fed to the 250, then converted back to digital from it's output to be transported, encoded with a lossy codec, then converted to analogue to your amplifier or audio device, so there are a lot of junctions.

    Another reason is presumably reliability and energy efficiency.
  • ErwinErwin Posts: 3,014
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    edited 27/11/25 - 23:30 #96
    For sure, this not start to end analog audio, it's a bit of analog sauce from the Ino 250 but not all the sound is coming through it.

    B.t.w. I saw the first episode of season 5 of Stranger Things and the station is actually in the series and playing an important role. Awesome! Some little details of the setting was not real but a good try.
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 37,849
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    jimlad888 wrote: »
    Deep cuts from Metallica and Cheap Trick tonight! I’ve been lucky as had to drive to Heathrow and back and WSQK sounds great on London 3 (is it 48k?).

    32k stereo. But that processor is helping it sound tolerable on DAB+.
  • adc82140adc82140 Posts: 4,262
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    So, we’re all loving the station sound and that retro analogue processor.

    What I find curious is - if this is a supposedly better sound, why is it not in use today?

    Surely, modern processors are objectively better, louder, or more efficient at creating a spectral range?

    I’m genuinely curious.

    Is it just nostalgia for my youth?

    Nostalgia isn't what it used to be
  • MrDMrD Posts: 2,648
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    Well, I’ve been listening, but it sounds like it is all just generic pre-recorded links rather than live presenters. And they only seem to have two presenters anyway. Bloody Global!

    I reckon they could have at least got Tony Dibbin to do something, and the Dial A Dedication slot would be better with somebody like Dean Martin. Flippin’ Global.

    Also, there’s no travel news or anything. Before Global, WSQK had travel reports through the day. Typical now Global have cut that.

    Bloomin’ Global!
    🤪🤪🤪



    In all seriousness, it is epic and an exceptionally brilliant listen.
  • adc82140adc82140 Posts: 4,262
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    Had a listen today. It's all good fun, and the processing certainly takes me back. I'll dip in and out between now and the end of December, but let's not get carried away. It wouldn't be sustainable as a permanent station.
  • RadioHamRadioHam Posts: 524
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    adc82140 wrote: »
    Had a listen today. It's all good fun, and the processing certainly takes me back. I'll dip in and out between now and the end of December, but let's not get carried away. It wouldn't be sustainable as a permanent station.

    I'm not sure Global could sustain it even if they wanted to.

    There would be a massive effort to develop it into a permanent station with changing content.

    We should enjoy it while it lasts.
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