WSQK - The Squawk
RadioMonkeyUK
Posts: 291 Forum Member
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I see a station for the launch of the new Stranger Things series has launched on London3 DAB. I think I heard Global mentioned on one of the sweepers.
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To capture an authentic sound, the audio is being processed through a vintage Inovonics FM250 unit dating back to 1983, the same type used widely by radio stations during the decade. This approach gives WSQK a period-accurate tone that matches the Stranger Things setting.
A level of geekery that I can only commend. Surprised that this was signed off on, especially for a pop-up.
It's a commercial deal with Netflix, so Global have delivered what Netflix want for their money:
https://global.com/global-and-netflix-partner-to-launch-stranger-things-pop-up-radio-station/
I guess if it had been Jan-Sep it would have been on D1 using the Heart Xmas slot.
Whatever will Erwin make of it?!
We could really do with it hogging some AM frequency somebody wants to DX, to complete the bingo card.
It's well produced to the point that the programmer is aware of American playlisting from the 80s. A shame it's only on until January but great stuff from Global.
It'll be interesting to see what everyone else thinks.
80s AM/FM radio, as I remember it, driving across the Mojave Desert/High Desert on my first visit to the US.
The attention to detail is good, I love how they've managed to sit out some old hardware to give it that boomy sound you used to get to counteract the hiss of FM.
This blows all of them out of the water ,Global certainly have done a heck of a job ,it's on Global player , if you can’t get London 3 dab .
To nit pick, this would be the error. Wouldn't a minor market station in small town Indiana sound a little more tin pot?
The advert for the VHS rental almost has a bit of a dig at Netflix... 'Pop down, it's subscription-free'.
Artistic licence rules though, they've nailed the brief.
It may seem strange to a UK audience, but small-time stations in the States in the 80s often sounded very much like this incarnation.
The difference being they were almost entirely live, with presenters who stood up and pretty much shouted!
I had the opportunity to visit several of them at the end of the 80s.
The processing is a reminder of how good it was in the 80s. Even with an 80s Invonnics FM processor you can hear the difference even on the web stream. It's punchier but more natural sounding than current digital processing.
https://tunein.com/radio/WSQK-s349683/
Has reminded me of this gem from the '80s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7lfOWu4TNk
Are Global having to hide it under the floor from OFCOM?
Apparently not, but great to see such a retro 19" rack mount in amongst the servers with a nice big scratch on it (Picture from RadioToday https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/11/global-launches-wsqk-the-squawk-for-stranger-things-fans/):
https://radiotoday.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MZ9_0971.jpg
It's certainly different.
I'm not sure I'd say more natural. Perhaps more fatiguing, I like the music but after 15 minutes I tuned it because it had practically zero dynamics.
Modern processors are much better at retaining dynamics.
The Invonics 250 was a nice unit when not running "hard". It sounds like it's been set very hard to me. If it was backed off just 6dB it would sound very nice.
I think they've turned down the top and bottom bands a little to give it a subtle AM mid range sound as well.
Can you tell from the indicators in the photo?
To capture an authentic sound, the audio is being processed through a vintage Inovonics FM250 unit dating back to 1983, the same type used widely by radio stations during the decade. This approach gives WSQK a period-accurate tone that matches the Stranger Things setting.
I’m not convinced the 250FM is actually being used, the live stream has quite a stereo enhancement and sounds too clean for a 250 imo 🙂
Seems a bit of a stretch that they would hire a unit and install it in one of their racks just for a photo?
I’m sure they would have some of these old timers lying around in an engineering room from years gone by..