I have mixed feelings about pirate
radio. When I was young I heard
many pirates - most of these were
at the top end of the AM BCB at
night - they were sort of like
I have mixed feelings about pirate
radio. When I was young I heard
many pirates - most of these were
at the top end of the AM BCB at
night - they were sort of like
clear channel do it yourself miracles
that covered 5 or 6 states at night.
Then somebody would come on FM with
10 or 40 or 100 watts or so. Back in
those days when the FM band was
fairly clear - I was very interested
in how these pirate operators built
their stations, and how they were able
to do it AT ALL. Equipment was hard
to find and make in those days.
Most of these operations
were closed down in short order. However,
I called many of them on the phone and
got the tech details of how they ran.
I was fascinated. I wanted to know how
they were built and how they worked. I
a;so heard several on shortwave. That
was fun. They were even more mysterious.
It was also a credit to my good listening
set-up and the fact that - as a young person -
I had plenty of time to tune around the spectrum.
The Hartford area has always been a hotbed for
pirate activity - from the 1970s - all the way
up to now.
TODAY - in 2012 - many pirate stations are still
operating in the Hartford area. These are of
a different breed than those of my younger years.
These stations are not just technical experiments
by young wannabe engineers. No.
These stations SELL TIME.
There are a few above 1600 and one that is on 1700.
I vacated 1700 years ago with my Part 15.219 set-up
and went down to 1690 as a result. (My Part 15.219 1690
set-up is off now - - just for those of you who
have mot read many of my posts.)
A lot of powerful pirate signals have come and
gone over the last few years. And there are two
that are still hanging on. One is on 101.7, and
the other is on 103.3 Mhz.
The scuttlebutt (what ever that means) is that
these stations get notified by the FCC and the
building blocks start to be assembled for these
pirates to be busted.
Then the stations just pick up and move, and
start up again, just as they were - in slightly
different locations. Then the FCC has to try
to bust them again - and the pirates just pick
up and move again. And on and on and on it goes.
Just curious. Are any of you living in or
near cities where this is happening?
I was fascinated by pirates as a young person -
but now I find them mainly annoying. These guys
are not up and coming engineers that are
exploring electronics. They are in it for
the money. Don't get me wrong - there is not
enough money going around and everybody needs
it. And I know some of these pirates are
serving local communities.
But that still doesn't make it right.
Bruce, Big Ear Monitoring System
"So Large It Fell Over."
What is ironic is if said pirate station that is making money, has a payroll and tax ID number.
Might not have a license but at least it's putting people to work.
Perhaps eventually one or both will have that piece of paper with the great seal of approval...and perhaps end up with a bigger payroll!
RFB
There is zero unlicensed activity in this area, middle of the U.S., as far as I can tell. It might be the water which turns everybody into a TV couch zombie with bags of snack food watching 1,000 cable channels.
Prior to starting a part 15 station I would have enjoyed finding a pirate on AM just for the entertainment value to escape the recitations from the gospel of john, ruminations over adult football players and the eunuchs of public radio on a program called "Tea Time in America".
I have made three categories of pirate stations, and I'm in the mood to go on discussing it:
Category 1: As Bruce mentioned, there are the technically curious, who enjoy building and testing transmitters and antennas. They are the athletes of piracy, trying to see how far they can be heard, just for play;
Category 2: The narcissistic fanatic who zealously believes that his music taste or religious belief needs to be blasted to the countryside. This can also include wild animal party types who spout foul language and belch in an echo chamber;
Category 3: The patriot savior who devotes his very life to warning mankind about the fluoride, the U.N. and corrupt politicians from the convenient easy chair of a radio microphone.
My position is that I will never do pirate radio, but I would love to find it on the dial, since I don't have a couch for watching the cable.
We have an FM Pirate here in Santa Cruz .
They are a joke for the most part.
500 watts and they don't get out as well as my flea powered TH.
When they get on the air the spout fascists crap and are the Conspiracy crowd to.
I have talked to them a few times and said why not go part 15 and be on the air for real. They look at me like I am from Mars.
As Carl says most of the people would rather watch the utter garbage on TV and sit on there ass rather than learn or even try something fun and new like real radio.
Here is California it's just the same as the mid waist as Carl calls it.
Only difference is they are left leaning rather than the Right wing yahoo's from the Center of the US.
I said back in the 80's that Beavis and Butthead were part of the dumbing down of all of us . And it looks like it worked.
Most of the people here in the west are just the same , Get up go to a crappy job then come home and spend the small amount of money made at Costco.
I find most pirates to be very boring and most of the programming that goes on those stations is just the other side of the conspiracy stuff.
Of course the other side of the conspiracy stuff is far more interesting than Football , Sports or the Right VS Left crap that goes on.
And music ? OMG these RIAA , BMI Stations suck.
BTW Carl , Loved the LPH with the LPFM People .
very interesting .
Important spelling correction for Lefty and others...
My silly name for "the midwest" is, watch the spelling...
The Mid Waste.
Lefty spelled it "mid waist", which would be about belt level, But on the other hand, that might work too, since we are in "the bible belt buckle".
The Transcendental Court is now in session, acting lord Carl Blare residing and presiding.
The word "pirate" will no longer be used for over-powered unlicensed broadcasting. Pirates are outlaws who board ships and declare eminent domain on private property.
From now on over-powered unlicensed radio stations will be called
Civil Disobedients.
There will be a slap on the wrist by a beautiful woman.
You are free to go.
I generally don't notice much difference between the pirates on the AM or FM broadcast bands, and the licensed stations, other than the latter are legal (most of the time, in any event). The only pirates that I give more than a passing moment to are the ones on shortwave - they're an entirely different breed of cat. And while I don't condone that kind of operation, it's challenging to pick up one broadcasting with a couple of watts from the East Coast on the West Coast. Those interested in listening to something really different can check 6.950Mhz and thereabouts, during the evening; generally SSB, sometimes AM. You'll need a really good receiver and antenna, and lots of patience.
We have had two pirates (yo yo ho and a bottle of electrons) in this area on FM that I know of. I learned of both via another forum and each had a range of a few miles. The forum had outed the location of one of them and I could see his antenna on the balcony of a high rise apartment building as I drove to work. When I tuned to his frequency there was dead air. He was shut down and is gone.
The other broadcast constant prayers (Muslim I believe) as programming. They are also gone but I don't know if this is a result of a "visit" or not.
A big problem with operators in Carl's categories 2 and 3 is that they are most likely just putting a plug and play transmitter on the air without knowing what they are doing and resulting in interference to other radio services which is certain to dampen any official enthusiasm and hamper forward progress for legitimate part 15 rule changes to allow more range.
Neil
"A big problem with operators in Carl's categories 2 and 3 is that they are most likely just putting a plug and play transmitter on the air without knowing what they are doing and resulting in interference to other radio services which is certain to dampen any official enthusiasm and hamper forward progress for legitimate part 15 rule changes to allow more range."
That would only apply if it were true. This kind of prospective is no different from big brother wanting everyone to watch everyone, suspect everyone and consider everyone a threat.
Paranoid is what it's called.
Regardless if there are raised limits in Part 15 or not, pirate operation will ALWAYS be there no matter what. Do away with Part 15 completely and is that expected to also eliminate pirate operations?
Wishful thinking.
In fact, you will end up with FAR MORE pirate operations.
It is human nature to do exactly the opposite to what an oppressive law says to do otherwise.
Look's like the blame needs to go elsewhere, as it should.
For the life of me, can't figure out why those who obey the law would be considered breaking the law.
Then again...up is down, left is right and forwards is backwards..with today's politically correct BS.
RFB
Back is forth (as in "back and forth")
But really, I agree with everything that's been said on all sides.
No one is ever wrong at part 15 dot u s.
If I was an illegal unlicensed broadcaster I would be doing it for the technical achievement.
It would be quite exciting to get any audio at all out to several states or countries. Speech played backwards. Opera music. The sound of birds splishing in the bird bath. Electric trucks talking to each other.
But like most people I stay dull and legal, running these tiny but very efficient transmitters putting signal into unpopulated air while maintaining regular office hours like a regular group owner.
Allow me to end by saying, what I have to say can wait.
RFB wrote:
That would only apply if it were true. This kind of prospective is no different from big brother wanting everyone to watch everyone, suspect everyone and consider everyone a threat.
Paranoid is what it's called.
You do not know that my speculation about interference is not true but if you will stipulate that it is then how is what I posted classed as paranoia?
I made no call to action which could be interpreted as everyone watching everyone else so where did the statement to this effect come from? From my perspective the prospective outcome is restrictive laws.
I am merely stating the fact that legislators can and do react to the problematic actions of a few by passing restrictive laws which affect those who don't. Does this make me paranoid?
Neil
"You do not know that my speculation about interference is not true but if you will stipulate that it is then how is what I posted classed as paranoia?"
Not what you posted, more of comparing the reasons to pirates as is the views towards us Part 15'ers. It's kin to the current division in society...ie which is the lesser of the two evil's is the current moto isn't it?
There is a large misconception and negative attitude towards Part 15 operators by the so called following the rules licensed operators.
Let the record show, and it does..that licensed operations rack up far more violations than pirate or Part 15 operations combined.
The pirates will always be there, and yep, neat to listen to.
To comply or not to comply...either way we are all scrutinized.
RFB
Well, posting a bold type copy of a clip from my Antenna Spotted post followed by your "prospective", "big brother", "watching everyone", and "paranoia" certainly seems to associate what I wrote with your conclusions which I did not even address. Why did you feel it necessary to quote me before beginning your comments which are beyond what I said?
You began by saying "That would only apply if it were true" so I ask do you know it is not true?
Neil
Because even around here, there are those who "act" like they are participating, but suddenly show their real intents...as they did on another forum by dragging yours into it, and they got the pat on the back..as they have here before...and there as well.
Relaxed rules in Part 15 isn't going to bring out the boogie man as you imply, and is why I quoted you and responded to that quote in the manner I did, and as I am now. And is why it..ie your implication, is exactly like the fear mongering entrenched into society today. Fear this, fear that, suspect this and that, hell you can't even go for a walk down the street without someone calling you out as a boogie man terrorist. Carl can attest to that. Walks down the street carrying a gas can to go fill it up and next thing he knows is a cop car pacing behind him.
My point...quoting your point..is exactly what it deserves for a response. Because even you, have sometimes shown this dual edge side on things. Not so often with Part 15,...but there have been enough examples of it scattered here and there, especially supporting the actual ones who start stink...both here and elsewhere.
I'll say this though, so far this place seems to know where the rotten apple sits..."so far".
I mean listen to some of you. Talking about pirate radio as if it were some kind of immoral disaster biggest crime of the century thing. How dare any of us ever raid the ice box or stick our hand into the cookie jar when no one's looking..then deny it later even with the smears of cookie crumbs all over the face. How dare any of us point out where the bear sits and how many of them there are who really should be scrutinized.
There is a good reason why pirates do what they do, all of them. Though me personally I don't care, I condone their actions simply because they got the steel spheres to do it and go against an oppressive law that licenses are given out to violate year after year. There doesn't seem to be this hard on heavy go after em attitude towards those...is there. In fact, I got to sit in the front row seat to just such a violator last week and it all unfolded right there in my own frigging house and even with that, plus the history, there is one lone rat who insists on causing trouble for the innocent while getting away with it, ignoring the real crooks, like clockwork and scripted scenes from a play. Perhaps that is exactly what it is...a play being played out. Why aren't any of you screaming bloody murder here when I gave all of you the play by play action? Where is the rat and his rants about it?
You see my point yet?
I'm just counting down the hours when the next reward of cheese will be given to the rat.
Licensed to violate, special treatment called "long time membership click privileges". It's all the same...good ol boy club pat on the back gig.
I've answered enough. The rest...it's quite simple. Perhaps said rat will partake and do their little dance here about real pirate operations instead of the usual assumption accusations with no facts backing them.
It has before...soon to again..count on it..at least I am.
RFB
when you wrote "Relaxed rules in Part 15 isn't going to bring out the boogie man as you imply, and is why I quoted you and responded to that quote in the manner I did..."
This might be what you inferred but it is not what I implied. What I stated essentially was that the result of pirate stations causing interference would be a factor to use to argue against considering relaxing the part 15 limits applied to legal part 15 operators. I wrote nothing about the consequences of relaxing the part 15 rules, only about the process of getting them relaxed. When I wrote "dampen any official enthusiasm" I was referring to the use of the potential for interference as an argument against relaxing part 15 rules by those arguing against this who will cite experiences with pirate signals as an example.
Then you continue with comments about things which are not on the topic of discussion. Leave me out of it because I do not want to be associated with your rants about how unfair and unjust things are.
Neil
all i say is oh christ. 1 watt input with a 15 meter antenna on am will not bring planes dropping out of the sky. 100uV/m @ 100m on fm will not bring planes dropping out of the sky. 10 watts input with a 60m antenna on longwave and maybe an extended band from 100khz-200khz in place of the 1w 160-190khz 15 meter current restrictions will not again cause the universe to unravel and implode on itself.
relaxed restrictions on lpfm will not bring planes dropping out of the sky.
none of it will end broadcasting as we know and in fact will resurrect the broadcast industry as the high powered broadcasters are doing a large disservice to the am and fm broadcast bands with their utter disregard for the rules and their dry programming with voice tracked dj's.
there is here in denver luckily a few stations who still think its the 1940's-1970's and i like it. it's something fresh on the dial from that replicated clear crap trash!!!!