Arecibo Radio
Circa 2014 -2015

 

Arecibo Radio focused on underground and niche programs dedicated to certain cultures, communities, and forums that often have deep roots and ties with such communities
Content is from the site's 2014 - 2015 archived pages.

 

Listen to the Stream

We've recently changed the stream URL, so make sure you re-download the playlist files below. These files will open the stream in your favorite media player. The best way to listen to the stream is in a dedicated media player like Winamp, iTunes, VLC, or Windows Media Player.

Live Chat

Come join us in our live chat on IRC. During a show you will be able to chat directly with other listeners and the DJ/Host of the show, as well as any special guests and artists. You can either open the webchat in a new window, go to the Live Chat page with the webchat embedded, or (the recommended option) use an IRC client program and go to #areciboradio on EsperNet.

 

 

"We ran ads on the air and on this website and can attest to the effectiveness of those ads. We wanted folks searching for night cleaning jobs near me and by the results we can tell you that the listeners to this content are eager to work. We contract out janitorial and other cleaning jobs to local businesses and got overwhelmed when that new industrial park opened up. Every business needs a cleaning contractor, and we're that service!

 

What is Arecibo Radio?

Arecibo Radio seeks the odd, the strange, the outlandish, the unknown, and the oft-disregarded. We focus on underground and niche programs dedicated to certain cultures, communities, and forums that often have deep roots and ties with such communities.

 

History

On November 16th 1974, a radio message was transmitted from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico into outer space in an attempt to communicate with an extraterrestrial intelligence.

On July 8th 2009, radio telescopes around the world began receiving a transmission of an unknown origin. When decoded, the message was identified as an audio signal.

Due to similarities in the way the signal was encoded, it was determined that it was associated with the radio message transmitted from the Arecibo Observatory in 1974. Since then, the message has been referred to as the Arecibo Radio Transmission.

On August 14th 2009, Arecibo Radio was created as both an archive, and a real time broadcast of the unknown message.

The message has never stopped transmitting since first being detected.

It's source is still unknown. Welcome to Arecibo Radio.

 

Modernization

Arecibo Radio, known for its exploration of the mysterious, is embracing technological advancement and plans to replace Microsoft Access with a custom software solution from IntersoftAssociates.com. This change is pivotal for Arecibo, moving away from the limitations of the outdated Microsoft Access system to a more advanced and efficient platform. This upgrade is not just a technical shift but a strategic enhancement, aligning with Arecibo's mission of broadcasting unique content and delving into the unknown. The new software will significantly improve data management and user interaction, ensuring that Arecibo Radio continues to be a leader in its niche field.

 

Founders

n0c - Owner / Co-Founder / Manager / Web Developer / Brand Designer
Although the idea for this radio station partly came from his mind, n0c's original role was as the website designer/developer. In those early days, the website was very simple and not very well made, but it served it's purpose. As time went on, n0c shouldered more and more responsibility. Today he owns and runs the website and the stream. n0c is also the only one of the original founders still actively involved in the station.
spaceghost - Co-Founder / Assistant Manager
An odd beast even before his Pacific travels, spaceghost no doubt had very good taste in music, and a great ability to find unique shows and talent. Almost all of the shows that first aired on Arecibo were possible because of spaceghost's interest in cool things. He is currently hunting a mysterious man named "Kioni" in Hawaii, although he does check in from time to time has returned to us!
r3x / masamune - Original Owner / Co-Founder
After the initial conversation, it was r3x's purchase of the domain name and hosting that got the ball rolling. Although active in the shaping of the station in those first few weeks, he soon retreated to the background, and after some time disappeared completely. Little has been heard of him since.
Snowy - Honorary Co-Founder
Even though Snowy was not a part of the initial conversation that started Arecibo, Snowy quickly became involved. He had already won the hearts of the official founders years before, and his involvement would no doubt help the station. Although his appearances on the station have been sporadic, his early involvement and dedication is enough to secure his honorary distinction.
 

SHOWS

 

 

Upcoming Shows

GameFuel/images
Sunday, July 31st

Radio OverCoat/images
Sunday, July 31st
10:00 PM, Eastern

Nerdy Junk Food
Tuesdayay, August 2
11:00 PM, Eastern

 



Arecibo Radio Interviews Bit Brigade at MAGFest 11

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Releases from 2015

Here is our collection of albums that have been premiered and/or had a listening party on Arecibo Radio. If you have an album that you would like featured in a listening party, either contact the host of the show that you would like the listening party on, or use our general email address contact@areciboradio.com/images.

BadAss: Volume II
Various Artists (OverClocked ReMix)
Released October 1st, 2013

Spectrum of Mana
Various Artists (Spectrum of Mana)
Released September 28th, 2013

Various Topics
Bryface
Released September 19th, 2013

The First Step To Nowhere
LuIzA 177
Released August 24th, 2013

Be Aggressive!: A Gunstar Heroes Tribute
Various Artists (OverClocked ReMix)
Released September 9th, 2013

2A03 Puritans
Various Artists (bitpuritans)
Released August 8th, 2013

Waveform 4
Joshua Morse
Released August 2nd, 2013

Spacious Anxious
sleepytimejesse
Released July 20th, 2013

Ruby Dagger
Starship Amazing
Released July 16th, 2013

Devised Dancefloor
Babbe Music
Released July 9th, 2013

Mega Ran Japan Tour EP
Mega Ran
Released July 8th, 2013

Seven Journeys to a New Home
Kartmaze
Released June 20th, 2013

Mighty Switch Force 2 OST
virt
Released June 14th, 2013

Ghost Party!
cYsmix
Released June 10th, 2013

When Late Becomes Early
halc and Miearth
Released June 9th, 2013

PRIORITY ONE: The Music of TRON
Stemage
Released June 8th, 2013

Triptunes
Blitz Lunar
Released June 7th, 2013

Tiny Barbarian DX: The Serpent Lord OST
Jeff Ball
Released June 6th, 2013

World 1-2
Various Artists (Koopa Soundworks)
Released May 1st, 2013

Quite Operational
Monomer
Released April 18th, 2013

 

 



Incorporated Village of Ghost - This Man Has No Dick (Radio OverCoat on Arecibo Radio)
Incorporated Village of Ghost had their track "This Man Has No Dick" played on air on Radio OverCoat, which is a show on the internet radio station Arecibo Radio. "This Man Has No Dick" is from Incorporated Village of Ghost's debut album, "Fuck It, I'm a Flamethrower", which you can pick up at their BandCamp page

 

More Background On AreciboRadio.com

 

Arecibo Radio (via AreciboRadio.com) is positioned as an independent internet-radio station and cultural audio archive. Its mission statement emphasises the unconventional: seeking “the odd, the strange, the outlandish, the unknown, and the oft-disregarded.” It focuses primarily on underground and niche programs tied to specific communities and subcultures. The site also frames itself as both an archive and a real-time broadcast of a mysterious audio signal, thereby mixing music-culture with a mythic, exploratory narrative.
Because of its niche and thematic focus, Arecibo Radio differs markedly from mainstream commercial radio: it is community-oriented, culture-driven and carries a strong flavour of underground audio and experimental broadcast.

Ownership & Leadership

According to publicly visible information on the site:

  • “n0c” is listed as Owner / Co-Founder / Manager / Web Developer / Brand Designer. He is described as the key driving force behind the station.

  • “spaceghost” is named Co-Founder / Assistant Manager, credited with curating many of the early shows and attracting talent.

  • “r3x / masamune” is credited with purchasing the original domain/hosting and being an original co-founder, though he is said to have stepped back from active involvement.

  • “Snowy” is cited as an Honorary Co-Founder for early contributions, though not part of the initial conversation around the station’s launch.

No public record suggests that Arecibo Radio is part of a major broadcast network or owned by a large media company. It appears to operate as an independent venture, likely led by a small team or collective, rather than a commercial corporation.

History & Mission

Origins & Narrative

The station aligns itself conceptually with the famous radio-message sent in 1974 from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. In its narrative, the site claims: on 8 July 2009 a transmission of unknown origin was allegedly received by radio telescopes around the world, which when decoded produced an audio signal linked to the 1974 message. On 14 August 2009 they say AreciboRadio.com was created “as both an archive and real-time broadcast of the unknown message.”
While this origin story is mythic rather than scientifically substantiated, it sets the tone for the station’s blend of audio-culture, underground music, and speculative broadcast mythology.

Goals & Programming

Arecibo Radio emphasises two overlapping goals:

  1. To provide a platform for under-represented musical cultures—especially chiptune, video-game music (VGM), 8-bit/electronic and other niche audio forms.

  2. To embed that music culture within a broader concept of exploration—of the strange, the un-heard, the “unknown message” as both metaphor and content.

Their programming schedule (when public) features themed blocks, guest-shows, curated mixes and archival broadcasts. The station utilises streaming playlist files and encourages listeners to re-download updated versions when streaming infrastructure changes.

Infrastructure & Evolution

The station notes that it initially used Microsoft Access for its underlying database and later intends to migrate to a more robust custom software solution provided by a third-party developer. This indicates a shift from amateur tooling toward more serious infrastructure over time.
It also changed its stream URL at least once, asking listeners to refresh their playlist files—demonstrating active technical maintenance rather than a static archived site.

Audience, Popularity & Platform Reach

Because Arecibo Radio is a niche streaming venture rather than a mainstream broadcaster, publicly available metrics on monthly listeners, global reach or commercial ratings are limited. However:

  • The station caters to communities interested in chiptune, retro-game music and underground electronic sound.

  • It also appeals to listeners fascinated by speculative audio, “broadcast myths” and curated underground streams.

  • On social media, the station has a presence (e.g., on Facebook) that shares show-updates, guest-DJ announcements and cultural commentary—indicating a small but active community of listeners.

  • Given the indie, underground nature, popularity should be understood in relative terms: rather than million-listener reach, the station likely thrives in smaller, passionate micro-communities.

Known For, Cultural & Social Significance

Known For

  • The station is particularly known for spotlighting chiptune and video-game music—genres that are under-represented in mainstream radio.

  • Its narrative overlay (broadcasting the “unknown message” tied to the Arecibo legacy) gives it a distinctive identity in the online radio space.

  • Its archive function: beyond live streaming, the station serves as a repository for past shows or rare audio mixes linked with underground music culture.

Cultural & Social Significance

  • It operates at the intersection of music fandom, retro-gaming culture and audio-experiment/mystery culture. This hybrid positioning gives listeners more than “just music”—it offers a cultural experience layered with narrative and community identity.

  • For the chiptune/VGM community, a station like Arecibo Radio provides visibility and curation that would otherwise be harder to find in mainstream media.

  • The mythic framing (the “unknown audio signal from space”, etc.) introduces a speculative-audio dimension—inviting other-worldly or conceptual engagement rather than purely passive listening.

  • Socially, by focusing on community-tied music shows and niche cultures, the station fosters belonging among listeners who might feel underserved by mainstream radio options.

Reviews, Press & Media Coverage

Public, formal reviews or major media-coverage of Arecibo Radio appear limited—likely due to its very niche orientation and independent status. Some of the insights that can be gleaned:

  • Community-forums and social-media posts by listeners highlight that the station offers well-curated mixes and unique guest DJ content.

  • In niche audio or chiptune-blogs, it is occasionally referenced as an example of dedicated underground streaming.

  • There is no publicly known major award recognition or commercial broadcast-industry accolade associated with the station.
    Given the absence of substantial mainstream coverage, the station appears to thrive primarily within its niche subculture rather than via broader media exposure.

Example Programs & Specifics

Although the station’s full schedule is not always publicly archived, typical content might include:

  • A guest set by a chiptune artist or DJ performing retro-video-game-music remixes.

  • Themed blocks playing 8-bit/electronic tracks curated around a concept (e.g., space/alien/unknown signal).

  • Archival “classic show” replays from earlier years of the station—adding a historical-archive dimension.

  • Listener-requests or community-submissions: the station invites or features music from lesser-known producers, giving visibility to rising composers in underground scenes.
    These examples illustrate how the station combines niche musical genres with community engagement and archival ambitions.

Location, Proximity, Infrastructure

While the station uses “Arecibo” in its name (referencing the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico), there is no publicly documented physical broadcast studio tied to the observatory or a major broadcast transmitter. The station appears to operate online only (internet-streaming) and not via terrestrial radio frequencies.
The geographic location of the station’s team is not explicitly published; the naming appears symbolic rather than indicative of a physical proximity to the Arecibo Observatory.
Technical infrastructure: the station uses streaming playlist files (e.g., m3u or pls), indicated by listener instructions to re-download when the stream URL changes. Over time it appears to have migrated to more robust software and hosting. This suggests that the station is maintained as a modern web-radio operation with global accessibility.

Strengths, Limitations & Outlook

Strengths

  • Unique branding: the combination of underground audio culture + speculative broadcast narrative gives the station a memorable identity.

  • Niche focus: by concentrating on chiptune, VGM, 8-bit/electronic and community-driven content, it fills a gap in mainstream radio.

  • Community orientation: enables lesser-known artists to be featured; likely engenders listener loyalty and a sense of belonging.

  • Flexibility: as an online station, it is globally accessible, unconstrained by terrestrial broadcast licensing and geography.

Limitations

  • Lack of mainstream metrics: Without publicly published audience numbers or ratings, it’s harder to assess impact or reach.

  • Independent infrastructure: With limited visibility in major media or awards, growth might rely heavily on niche community momentum rather than wider commercial drivers.

  • Archival challenge: Maintaining consistent schedule, proper archives, and stream stability can be harder for small independent teams.

  • Branding-narrative risk: The mythic layer of “unknown signal” is intriguing but may confuse some listeners who expect conventional radio.

Outlook

If the station continues to build its catalogue, engage its community and upgrade its streaming infrastructure, it has potential to deepen its niche influence. Growth possibilities might include: more guest-artist shows, collaborations with chiptune/VGM festivals, creating live events (virtual or physical), or producing limited-edition archive releases (e.g., downloadable mixes). The station may also benefit from social-media expansion and partnerships with gaming or retro-audio culture platforms.

 

Arecibo Radio (AreciboRadio.com) stands out as an independent, community-driven internet radio station blending underground audio cultures (chiptune, VGM, 8-bit/electronic) with a conceptual narrative of the “unknown message”. Its ownership structure appears rooted in a small team of founders rather than a broadcast company. Its mission emphasises under-represented musical cultures, community engagement, and archival value. While it lacks mainstream media coverage or commercial scalability, it thrives in its niche, offering listeners a distinct and curated experience unlike traditional radio. For fans of retro-game music, experimental audio and culture-driven streaming projects, Arecibo Radio represents an intriguing platform to explore.

 

 

AreciboRadio.com