As a licensed employee in radio I have to say the pirate radio is the ONLY way a local community can have true local radio representation. Since the FCC deregulated ownership rules, the corporate radio giants took over. The original idea was to have local stations represent the local needs of the city they are licensed to have their signal. The FCC destroyed local representation when they cut the controls they once had on ownership. It is a sad day when the airwaves are run by corporations.
A lot of schools have found its nearly impossible to get an FM license for use as a educational station because the FCC feels their market is already "full." So you have to wait until a license goes up for sale, and when that happens the media conglomerates buy them up at unreasonable prices.
The thing I don’t like is there are licensed broadcasters that fail to serve the public interest, whereas most of these pirate radio stations serve the community better.
As an avid longtime SWL, I hear pirate radio stations all the time on 6.925 MHz (USB mode). All you need is a decent shortwave radio receiver with a halfway decent antenna (you can clip a long piece of wire to the whip antenna and position it outside or around a window or wooden door). Best time to listen is after sundown and for a few hours thereafter, especially on holidays and weekends. Happy listening!
SWL broadcasting is a blast. So many neat little stations taking turns going on the air 6925, 6955 and many others....Now AM hobby broadcasting mainly on the expanded band US AM band. Nighttime USA expanded band is a mess listening to 2 or 3 stations transmitting on top of each other. USA FCC rules for expanded band was non-directional 10kw out day and 1kw night. A lot of "part 15" stations on the air
"From R. Scott Communications Canada": Many many thanks to all of you in the 1990's who bought and used our Clean PLL FM Broadcast Transmitters, thank you!! It was so great to put you on the Airwaves! Free Speech from a small clean 1-5 mile station never hurt anyone. Low Power FM took us back to a time when small free speech stations were everywhere. It was so sad to see the Low Power FM Movement die out. Thanks again for using our Clean Signal 1-25 Watt FM Transmitters! It was a lot of fun!
1. You are not a victim. 2. Get off the commercial FM band. 3. If you're going to go to such trouble to set up a station, why not spend thirty minutes on a Saturday to get licensed?
You are too naive. Licensing is nearly impossible. The FCC, like other agencies of Federal Government, practices the golden rule. Those with the gold make the rules. Or as George Carlin would say, "They got a club and you and I ain't in it"
Home slice, broadcasting a signal shouldn't be a fucking crime. The government is fucking greedy and that's the ONLY reason this is considered a crime.
The FCC is supposed to regulate the public airwaves in the public interest. Giving 1200 radio stations to one company like clear channel is violating the public trust the FCC works under. We need media ownership limits, no company can have more than 50 stations.
Not a fan of the FCC owning firearms or having armed agents, it’s your job to secure the airwaves not shoot people for resisting you, I share the same beliefs with the IRS having armed agents as well as the Bureau of Land Management, NASA and several other government agencies that have firearms or armed agents that shouldn’t have them
They don't have either. FCC field agents don't carry firearms, and they don't have armed agents. What you are seeing is regular SWAT and POLICE. When the FCC decides to bust somebody, they work with the local law enforcement when it comes to the actual actions
I would agree. Broadcast from a work van. Another one if the many reasons the govt wants all vehicles on the road to be connected to their system. They want you to have NO freedom and NO privacy.
I found an old copy of FCC code from the 1970's. 100 mW would have been permitted unlicensed on AM. The problem was we were on FM, for 13 months, always experimenting with the sound and signal for best coverage. It was an incredible fun time.
I totally hat FCC's US shortwave policies, absurd, Australia shows you can be more fair and it will work. I do not believe, however, that you can just let anyone do what they want a.k.a. if this radio station was not raided after the kindly & legally unnecessary cease and desist first , the FM band would become almost like CB after a short while. Order parts from Greece or Cyprus for several hundred dollars and compete for airspace, I've seen it elsewhere it's a mess. There are indeed 2 sides to the issue. FM is corporate space you have 0 chance of getting away with "free" radio there. Tell people to buy $20 shortwave radios or better with a wire up a wall and there's way more space on the dials and the signal propagates way better on AM.
OK, I'm being a role of pirate radio operator in China. I just broadcast it on frequency below 87.5MHz for 3 monthes with 15Watt power. I'm giving radio fans a free air from ADs and annoying medical "consulting". All the programs are for music, academic and language study stuff, as well as NPR.
What is the situation in the US today? here in England, the radio authorities have more or less turned a blind eye to pirate broadcasting because of newer digital radio.
It's not about erosion of civil rights. It's about keeping the airwaves organized and protecting the rights of licensed users. What if someone decides they should set up shop and broadcast on the local police or fire frequencies because they feel "it is their right". Just because we have a system of laws doesn't mean that the "evil gubmint" is taking away your rights.
Get real. The example you give ( police frequencies etc ) is clearly a tort. Intentional interference. Pirates in the FM band almost never cause interference. I know, I was a pirate and have been sued two times by the Feds. Once by NBC News and once by Tom Brokaw. So if you wish to reply, do it on the basis of some experience.
***** Yes, because we have frequency allocations and laws. That is why most sensible pirate operators (and I have met a few on FM, AM, and HF) transmit on frequencies that are least likely to interfere with emergency or life saving communications. However, with no frequency allocations or band plans anyone could go anywhere with impunity. Like it or not, frequency allocation and regulations are a good thing.
"Technical Dave" Huff of Canyon Lake Radio, 105.7fm here. I remember well when FCC Special Agent Lloyd Perry and his pals with the Comal County Sheriff's office raided my station. I filed suit in Federal Court, San Antonio, Texas 3 days later. and went right back on the air with my backup equipment.
Long Live The Pirates! Go the Dunnifer route. Flood the band with Micros. If the d@mn FCC is not going to provide a sliver of spectrum and make it so hard to get a LPFM license THEN TRANSMIT ANYWAY! In the Early 80s we saw what a flood of CB radios did to the license plan. When was the last time you heard of an enforcement action on the GMRS bands covered by the bubble-pack FRS radios? If you want free airwaves in your life-time your only choice is to seize them yourself. Most Hams are statists boot-lickers! Of course they are going to complain... And then go tear up some portion of an HF band yelling "CQ-Contest" all weekend. Just look at what a joke the 2 meter and 70 centimeters bands are in most cities. Multi-Megahertz wide bands dedicated to house whacker repeaters, many of them private that nobody even uses! And then they complain about some rinky-dink 5 watt station in some ghetto some place? Screw that noise! If you want a micro station why don't you grow a pair, put the d@mn thing on the air. If they take it down build another. Make them cheap and hide them in the mountains. Use solar and batteries to turn them on nightly when it is hard as hell to find them. Meanwhile insist they open up a few notches local micros! I figure the only way they will consider it is if not doing so scares them worse. I mean what really would it hurt to open up three to five channels slots at the bottom of the band for 5 watt type-accepted transmitters? As much as I hate licensing, even I would apply for that. Keep it out of reach and people will transmit anyway! (I hope) We all know true freedom of speech is generated at the grass-roots neighborhood level. If the so called powers that be refuse to give a little piece of the spectrum for true freedom of speech then they have already lost my respect. I have waited patiently for them to move forward with a doable LPAM band plan. Ten years later they are still dragging the F-ing feet? LPAM? Amherst? Screw them!!! Ima drive a d@mn Isoloop with 10 watts at 1700KHz... Honestly... screw this notion of waiting around asking our oppressors if we can be free..
As the founder of Radio Free Lenawee 99.3 fm in Adrian Michigan I totally salute the mayor of Santa Cruz for his courageous support of this station in the face of ARMED thugs of the FCC. Give me a break! How much more of this are we the people going to take?
Try low power AM Broadcasting instead. I suppose the authorities has less monitoring there... I think the most evident reason why a pirate station has been raided is because low power broadcasters were being complained for their offensive broadcast contents - say propaganda/ anti government talk shows, or they have noisy RF transmission which interferes the licensed stations. Who would be there to complain if no one even knows you're on the air? The trick is get as much support from the community and use your station as a means of public service, then chances are there would be no one to report you if you have a noble cause..
It seems like pirate radio is pretty awesome if I had one I would play all my favorite classic rock song. My slogan would be stop listening to them garbage overplayed commercial stations listen here to here true classic rock 70's hard rock and much more from the decades that rocked and then if the FCC came well hey party's over.
There is a reason for pirate radio being illegal. INTERFERENCE is a major problem even for licensed broadcasters. These people with no regard for the law make it much worse. You want a radio station? Get financial backing from legitimate businesses, a non-profit endowment or a Small Business Administration loan and buy an existing station that is for sale. Check the brokers, there are plenty of them. I didn't spend 48 years of my blood, sweat and tears in the legal broadcast industry to have these greenhorn dabblers jump in and screw up everything I worked for. So they got busted. No sympathy here.
TO DAVE MITCHELL:You Sir are incredible. I was prosecuted for FCC violation a number of years ago. My station caused no interference at all and we ran ERP of 500Watts. I have a radio background and made sure we had a clean signal with lots of side channel spacing. At trial the only complaining witness after 5 YEARS of broadcast service to our community was another pathetic scrooge like you. Yes, WABJ a failing and useless local station. Get a life Sir. If you were in the grocery business you would be whining about local stop and shops and convenience stores cutting into all your sacrifice, big investments, etc.
pclover Doesn't matter if the "good ones" do not cause interference (although they do). What part of ILLEGAL don't you understand. Obey the rule of law. Go through the process like the rest of us who have worked our tails off in this industry have. I have no sympathy for law breakers.
Rick Strawcutter Buster, I have a life. And it is the radio industry that I have poured myself into for 48 years for sweat, blood and tears. I have done legally what you lawbreakers have done by trying to short circuit the system, and I'm proud of that. And by the way, what part of ILLEGAL don't you understand? Just because a law doesn't suit you personally, you choose to circumvent it. Go through the process to get your radio station. The rule of law is there for a reason. I'm sure your the kind of person that if a police officer instructs you to do something you don't like, you just pull out your .38 and blow him away. You'll find no sympathy for law breakers here.
BULLSHIT Dave. Where were you when Clear Channel was criminal in its broadcasts and legal limit violations. 48 years and you have a guilty conscience for being such a coward.
We had this same argument in the early 1970's and even though at that time the FCC had only "implied" authority to regulate much like the IRS gets away with enforcing the illegal federal tax code the adults involved with our bootlegging ended up in prison. Those of us that were minors were not prosecuted but had our equipment destroyed because it wasn't useful as evidence. You just have to get up, dust off and start over - never give up on your cause or the rights of your constituents.
Thank you for your very good point. My wife and I tried to inform the public about the corp. media takeover & have been surprised how people are only motivated to discourage us from exercising our right to free speech. We came up with solutions and yet found no support. Like tax advertising to publicly fund presidential elections. Segregate internet porn to .xxx, teach media literacy in the schools as propoganda resistance and increase the resources of public access stations.
Don Lewis Don't you prefer to say downsizing products and charging the same or more is out of control more than freedom of speech ? Just a observation.
jake k Mr Jake as it is here in the UK if these operators applied for a FCC licence they would no doubt be turned down. To get a licence on FM or AM on commercial bands with the type of content this station likes to share no one stands a chance in hell.
And just how many notices did you ignore before the FCC gave you The Knock? The city has no authority over the airwaves, so they can't give you the OK to transmit. The will of the people of Santa Cruz does not override the will of those people outside the city. Radio does not stop at the city limits, but goes out to a wider area. There are several stations that are legally allowed to broadcast on 96.3 MHz in California and you were probably interfering with several of them. Try podcasting or internet radio instead, that way you won't bother anybody else and you can say whatever you want.
No reason for these rules? Just listen to Citizens Band. You have idiots running 7000 to 8000 watts of power with no idea the dangers they are creating. Rules are there to protect others from stupidity. Without rules there is anarchy. Life has rules.
The original intent of the FCC was to allocate frequencies and limit power says that the radio stations did not interfere with each other. And you were registered not licensed. Keeping track of what's going on is good. Government usurping powers and using it to stifle free speech and opinions is bad. There is a difference
Collin Blomberg The government making these rules is the same one that At one point had “rules” that said black folks were on 2/3rd of a person. And the fact that the FCC has an assault team is absolutely disgusting.
I went to one of the studios for Free Radio Santa Cruz once a couple years AFTER the raid mentioned. It was Awesome. I used to love listening to that channel all the time in college. Best Radio Ever
The reason why there is no money in Internet Broadcasting is because there are too many people out there doing it. In pirate radio, the FCC will get a complaint from one of the big corporate groups like Clear Channel, Cumulus, Saga, Emmis, etc., then they can shut you down and in some cases, you could serve jail time. Ham Radio is fun, but to me it's getting to the point it was like CB Radio back in the 70s/80s, and that's boring, unless you love vintage broadcast gear.
Put your pirate station in the educational band, DON'T interfere with anyone, run it as though it were legal and the feds wont bother you. Been doing it for years with 500 watts.
Look as an Amateur radio operator I agree you have the right to broadcast, but only with in the limits of the law that the rest of us obey, we have licences to do what we do as hams, an you as well should go thru the proper licences, an study to understand the science behind broadcasting RF waves thru you local area, an understand the reason why you must have a formal training before doing so. Really people really? You are lucky they did not fine you for danger an interference you have created, due to your lack of understanding. 73 K4DGP use your head people.
Derrick Plyler Ok Gomer. You have every right as a citizen to look the fool. Your thumbnail picture speaks volumes to that. You are doing a fine job, by the way.
I love how the fascist usurp hate speech as free speech. No idea of history they think free speech means anything can be said, They hav no concept of time, place and manner rstrictions , tey don't even see the monopolization of the media is the death knell of democracy. they basically push the laws so they can masterbate in public pushing their morallity on the rest of us!.
Actually I do understand radio frequencies. Electronics has been a lifetime hobby. No need to get so defensive. I understand the role of the FCC. I just think it's a little extreme like many other federal agencies. The rules are to constricting. I would like to broadcast across my own property but I'd be in violation if I broadcast for 500 feet. Also the SWAT team response is uncalled for. Even the agents recognized that, you could see it in there facial expressions unlike those in other videos.
Just between us, I think its time for us to realize the difference that sometimes fail to show just between us, I think its time to recognize the spaces inbetween leave room for you and I to Grow! I think neil Peart is an awesome philosopher too.
Why not give control of the public airwaves back to the communities or broadcast regions? The reason authority was given to the feds no longer applies. The FCC licensing process is a relic which should be decentralized, otherwise we will lose regional flare and taste and become sterile and homogenous.
Limit your power to a tenth of a watt. Otherwise, I hope the FCC shuts you down. The AM band is now nearly useless because of noise and interference. Now you want to do the same for FM? That's crazy!
+Thomas Andrews Well said. I wonder how these "pirates" would feel if somebody parked by their "station" and broadcast 1500 watts of noise 1khz away from their signal?
Thomas Andrews But it's not pirates ruining the "AM" broadcast band it's just too many legal stations being allowed to set up on formerly "Clear Channels" and not shut down at night. So every 10 kc all you hear is hetrodyne with nothing standing out clear enough. It's just like FM now good for local only, why do we need that many medium wave stations on the air at night anyhow? look at all the empty space on UHF TV going to waste even in a major area like Los Angeles? not to mention Broadband over Power Line wiping out MF AND HF?
James Hiney That's not the case here (Minneapolis). We have strong, well-spaced FM, not much happening on AM anymore. That UHF spectrum you mention will be auctioned for LTE/4G/5G data...if it hasn't been already. It will never be used for any audio broadcasting.
Whatever you think about "corporate radio" or "the corporate media", the fact remains that licensing and frequency allocation have sound reasoning behind them. If everybody could set up a station and broadcast anything anytime they want, there would be chaos on the airwaves, and people would turn away, as many have already. "Corporate radio" is it's own worst enemy, by eliminating local personalities, playing 20 minutes of commercials an hour, and showing zero creativity, they've destroyed their own business. Let the ship continue to sink. If you want to run a radio station, get a license, or go on the internet.
in england we survive on pirate radio.. but our plays mainly underground rave music like... dubstep/drum n bass. pirate radio stations in london get as many viewers as the normal stations and they hardly ever get shut down.
Cleaning up the spectral crap, one turd at a time. Or, to put it in your terms; if you have a right to broadcast, then I have a right to broadcast too, and right on your frequency.
Stan .cnet Stan, get back to us after you post something about killing a president, or you suggest there is an example of rapid combustion in a theater, or you starting mentioning the first day of May on an international distress frequency.
Joshua's Recordings Care to back up your opinion with any law citations? A "right" is something very specific, so I'm sure you must have some basis for your claim.
The license is well over $150,000, but the equipment is cheap. The problem is, the FCC lifted ownership limits meaning billionaires could buy up the entire spectrum. When there were ownership limits then there was more spectrum for sale and thus a license was cheaper. But the billionaires found that cntrolling the airwaves was the best way to control the news. that is why Colin powell's son, michael, was head of the FCC and now Kevin Martin.they make sure no independent voices broadcast.
That Santa Cruz mayor is full of it. No one has a "constitutional right" to take to the airways without a license from the FCC. A license to transmit is a privilege not a right, the same as a drivers license is not a right. The mayor and council of Santa Cruz do not have the authority to authorize anyone to transmit over the airways. Get a broadcast license and transmit in accordance with FCC regulations, or stay the hell off the air. Charges should have been made during that raid, and fines should have resulted. Any second offense should result in prison time. Podcast over the internet all you wish, just stay off the air.
Burg Bass's Workshop, the Communications Act on 1934 among other laws. These were passed so that the federal government can regulate the limited resource known as the RF spectrum for the benefit of all the citizens of this country (as well as to conform to international agreements). They also are authorized to grant broadcasting licenses which include commercial as well as private, low-power licenses to qualified applicants. Before you spout off re free speech, go over to the FCC web site and look at their page devoted to low power broadcasting AND SEE THE OPTIONS THESE FOOLS COULD HAVE AVAILED THEMSELVES OF. Instead, they are looking at fines upwards of $75,000 and possible jail time. Maybe they could DJ on the local prison station?
I believe you are slightly misinformed! a drivers license is simply a way to tax a person! the right to travel allows any American to operate their private property without the burdon of paying a 3rd party,(dmv,bmv) A drivers license is for someone who is employed & earns money by driving. etc...a semi driver, taxi etc... Free people have the right to travel free of taxation & harassment by officers for not paying a 3rd party, (dmv,bmv) There is a difference between driving & travelling!!! I don't earn money while using my privately owned vehicle to travel to & from like a taxi driver so, I am a traveler, Not a driver!!! Please look it up, I know nothing about ham radio, Tho, I find it interesting but I don't own a hand radio! I don't think its right that free people must pay the government separately for everything they do or just maybe, They aren't as free as they thought? JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT! ABOUT THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL VS DRIVING? IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA(WITH ALL OF ITS LAWS,TRAVELERS ARE WINNING!!!) & IN MANY OTHER STATES! THO, ONE MUST SPEND MONEY TO PROVE THEIR CASE! COURT DATE AFTER COURT DATE, IT COMES DOWN THE PIPELINE & ALL CHARGES ARE DROPPED! I DO HAVE A DRIVERS LICENSE,INSURANCE & REGISTRATION & I KNOW THE RULES & REGULATIONS AREN'T JUST & SOON, THE PUBLIC WILL KNOW TO. PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP! I agree with you in ways but,please search travelling vs driving on youtube,,,please
Many people think that nobody owns the radio waves so therefore they can broadcast without a license and in fact many do. But think of this, say you are broadcasting on 92.5 Mhz illegally with 500 watts of power the radios within you broadcasting range pick up your station instead of the legally licensed station. Now suppose a neighbor of yours decides you have a good Idea and decides to transmit on the same frequency at 1000 watts now your station is being interfered with as well as the legal station. The FCC regulates this in that it licenses the frequency you will operate on and only permits you to operate on that frequency with the same frequency separated by distance to reduce interference to other stations. Secondly FCC licensed stations are required to give emergency broadcast information, Your Pirate station might interfere with people getting that emergency information and could result in loss of life. People listening to your station might not get that information and are unaware of the emergency because you don't transmit legally and don't broadcast the emergency information. Unlicensed broadcasting will lead to chaos on the frequencies as stations transmit over-top of each other on the same frequency the band becomes useless for its intended purpose. Its the same as driving a car a license is required to prove you have the necessary capabilities to operate that car safely. That you understand the rules of the road like driving on the correct side of the road and stopping for red lights etc. If no license is required think of the chaos that would cause with everyone making their own rules to follow. So get a license and do it legally if you want to operate a radio station, otherwise may the FCC fine you and confiscate your equipment. Sometimes there are rules you must follow even if you think you are harming no one
+John Cherish how many stations can you squeeze in 88-108mhz(at least europe use this band wavelength)?Sooner or later there will be interference no matter FCC (or any other agency) regulations due to either too many legal stations or to many legal and ILLEGAL stations.also as others already mentioned; internet radio or podcasts will kill AM/FM sooner or later.though its still useful in case of emergency ....
+ApocGuy - The reason for the enforcement is that an illegal station is operating on frequencies that are allocated to legal license holders in the US the FCC maintains and regulates where the stations are located ensuring a minimal of interference in broadcasting. In fact they tell you the frequency you are authorized to operate on you have no choice as to frequency. So that said it is not a question of how many stations can operate in an given area because once an area is filled with legal licenses no more licenses will be issued for that area even if you legally apply for one. So once again it is not a matter of freedom of speech it is a matter of violating another stations legal right to operate on their assigned frequencies. Even if the frequency appears open unused it may be allocated to another station. It really isn't that costly to apply for a station license and operate legally. It is just an excuse by these pirate station operators to claim freedom of speech restrictions.
The feds MUST have the cooperation of the sheriff's department to do anything like this. If the sheriff supported the station, all he had to do is tell them to FOAD.
Sorry, but untill the FCC gets a handle on things, and actually does what it is supposed to, simply blowing it off wo't solve the "problem," which you clearly don't get. It isn't about getting a license, no, but rather how impossible it is for the knowledgeable average citizen to prove he is capable of handling the responsibilities of having - and then getting - a license without becoming bankrupt. This is something the FCC was NOT meant to allow.
Well, since the airwaves belong to all of us (maaaaaan), I think I'll broadcast my Grateful Dead tapes all over the local Air Traffic Control frequencies. Everyone will be hella inspired by my whole "Freedom Of Speech" stance, and nobody will care about all of those plane crashes. Right?
Tony Gambini I feel as a maaaan we all should tack control of our actions, if you cause a plane to crash because of your negligence in lack of du-diligence of which frequency's can be transmitted on and on the ones that our services need clear we stay off! They include fire, ambulance, air we need freedom of speech freedom of expression however we cannot disturb these services we all need :-) go well
the light is bright and the shadows dark absolutely agree with you. Common sense has to be the only regulation. I will not impede air traffic, neither public safety, nor I even will be broadcasting music on HAM band. But I want to talk to the people I know, not some random dudes with numbers I don’t even care about. Wanna track me down and turn in to FCC? Fine, give it a try, I’m ready for a war. I want to use radio for my needs, and you cannot make it illegal.
No one's contesting your constitutional rights. I got my license in 10 days! Impossible, not at all. They don't want any unnecessary pollution on the air. Interference if you will. I'm all about freedom, but there must be organization on the air. I'd turn you in as well....regardless of your views on freedom. You already have it and are taking it for granted at the cost of the law abiding....peace out!
AM is full of noise, and the licensed AM Broadcasters have had no cooperation from the FCC or Congress to do something about it. The AM Broadcasters have had to suffer because the Government has allowed the automobile manufactures to put $300.00 for the FM side of the radio to sound good, and $5.00 on the AM side of the radio to just make a crack or pop. As to your question, the Feds could careless about if a light switch causes interference to your radio. It's sad, but it's true.
By not being licensed to run a radio station you are greatly risking the rights of those who got permission to use that frequency. The whole reason that the FCC regulate radio is so that people can broadcast without fear of others interfering with their broadcasts.
Allen Pendleton Considering the station was illegal what did you expect. I'd wish the FCC would crack down more.. Specially on these over powered cb nuts. Just not enough money in the budget to go after everyone . So they have to pick there cases...
I am anxious to open an AMLP station. I like Pirate radio, and have a friend that made radio fame (see Jolly Roger Radio). However, I conform to what the FCC gives me, for now. I am a Ham Radio operator, and don't want to lose my license. But with the way the Government is taking away our rights, it might not be too long where I will start doing things MY way.
100KW stations are likely to have proper licensing and technical support to prevent beat frequency transmissions (multiple of base frequency) and prevent crosstalk on other bands that may include aircraft traffic. Do not misunderstand, I would really be in favor of pirate radio IF this one thing was addressed. MIC (Japan) & FCC (USA) were formed primarily for that purpose.
The FCC should leace pirate radio stations alone!! Bust & shut down all the legal stations that are violating the FCC rules everyday. Thats what the FCC should be doing.....
But there is no freedom of speech unless citizens have access to the public mind. when corporations monopolize the public airwaves then all that is broadcast is commercial speech which is "paid speech." That is why the FCC doesn't care about prooganda lies, anti-social behavior and indecency being broadcast. all that matters is money being made and that free speech by the citizenry is never allowed. Have you ever tried to get on CNN or PBS. They all have corporate sponsors. i.e. no free speech.
Radio laws are a Federal crime, not a local crime. A Pirate Radio station is one who didn't go through the Federal Communications Commission to get the legal right to operate on the air. So this is NOT a local crime, but rather an International Crime/Federal Crime.
Reason for the Raids was because a radio broadcasting license to run an Am/Fm station is very costly and by running under the radar unlicensed the FCC loses money that is the only reason this happens. Next time they desire to do this it would be better if they are not stationary and move around a lot. Or take a boat out into international waters and the FCC has no rule out there. You can broadcast to the Fishes then.
I will not endorse nor condone pirate radio operators however they need to contain their activities to the non-commercial frequencies below 92 MHz. Some licensed stations above 92 MHz are also Emergency Broadcast Stations for the Emergency Alert System. Pirate stations can cause interference to these emergency operations which can lead to the deaths of innocent persons when the licensed stations cannot broadcast their emergency signals to the community of license to which they serve as well as pass that signal down to secondary lower class EAS stations. Therefore this is a community safety issue.
Who gives anybody the right to sell parts of the spectrum? Nobody owned any parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to begin with, you can't just say "These spectrum ranges are mine, and I'll sell you a license to use small parts of it" It's exactly the same as saying "I own red light"
Phat Rat I see what you're saying, but as a person who is into ham radio, I have developed a different stance on the subject. I see it this way: if there was no regulation on the way the EM spectrum was used, it would be chaotic, and people would make it useless. It's exactly like traffic laws: speed limits, license and registration required etc. Could you imagine what the roads would be like if there were no rules, and nobody needed a license to drive? If you want to use a part of the spectrum to make money (commercial), you have to buy a license and meet requirements. If you simply want to communicate, you can use citizens band radio, or get a ham radio license (which is free, but simply put, it shows that you are responsible enough to use the spectrum in a reasonable manner.) I do agree that our freedom is being limited, but in my opinion, it is for a good cause.
Phat Rat How do you own land? It is a surface of earths mantle that has likely been exposed for eons. What gives anyone the right to claim ownership over a square of land? I understand your point but without some kind of order and regulation, the whole thing would be useless garbled shit. Would you be cool with the FCC playing garbled static on every channel they could track pirates using? After all who are the pirates to claim rights over certain frequencies?
Let's forget the government for a bit. How can you own land? You can't really. However, you can stake a claim. If you can defend that land, you can essentially call it 'yours' even though you don't own it, even more so if you're not bothering somebody else. Let's treat radio waves the same way. Yes, it's harder to defend an electromagnetic frequency, but let's say you pick one that nobody is using, and you're not bothering anybody by using it. Where, may I ask, is the problem?
Well the government have staked a claim on radio waves to ensure order within the system. It's not really hard to defend that system when you can send in cops to smash infringing equipment. Usually the pirates are bothering someone in the form of creeping frequencies, shit transmission and using material that is not theirs which others have had to pay for. All in all I agree with you that pirate radio is not a problem in the grand scheme of things and I despise commercial radio but by the same token, if I get caught speeding I don't sook about how speeding laws are part of an oppressive regime that are contrary to the laws of nature and possession of intangible resources. You break the laws you know you cop the punishment just as others cop theirs when they infringe upon you...
At "R. Scott Communications", we were so proud in the 1990's to put many Low Powered "Clean FM Station's" On The Air! This was done with our "PLL 88-108MHz 1-25 Watt Mono & Stereo Transmitters". This was Clean Free Speech Broadcasting, Period! How as a Free People could you say No to that? We built our Transmitters to meet the FCC / Industry Canada Spec's for a Clean FM Signal & Broadcasting! If you don't like a Station, just turn it off. "A small 4 mile Free Station never hurt the Big Boys!!
Well when your knowingly transmitting on frequencies that you don’t have authorization or license to use. YOUR ASKING FOR A RAID. the FCC has rules for a reason. Shut em down.
The airwave regulation is the problem, just like how the internet was supposed to be, “free for all” . It’s the principle that matters. Even tho this comment is years old I’m gonna reply LOL
There really should not be any griping last year on here. The FCC opened a LPFM Window for all to apply. There is still talk of a LPFM Window at 10 Watts, as soon as the Obama Administration gets the AM Revitalization Process done, which will wrap up next year. Find a Broadcast Engineer to lead you a Consultant Engineer to file for one. LPFMs are non-profit, and very inexpensive to build and operate. I have even heard talk about LPAM. Look, you got the Democrats in office, get busy before their terms are over!
10 watts? Are you kidding me? Corporate government controlled radio doesn't accept that and neither should you or anyone else. We should be allowed as much power as they have as long as we are assigned a frequency in the area that doesn't conflict with other stations. Wake up. Think real hard why they do not want it easy for us to get a high power license? It's not out of fear we will interfere with other stations since they will assign a freq to operate on, it because they fear our uncontrolled FREE SPEECH message!!
I am torn on this topic. I do see the need for free speech and the right to be heard, I also see the need to prevent frequency chaos. If not properly tuned an FM transmitter can produce beat frequencies that are half and double what the intended frequency is and possibly disrupting air traffic communications. I don't need to tell you the risk of lives doing that. I also have my own LPFM station that is legal and PLL controlled preventing drift. FCC & MIC need to be more relaxed though.
You are correct. Terrestrial Broadcasting (AM & FM Bands) is fading. In the new automobiles, we have radios that can receive On Line Internet Broadcast Stations, Pandora, and now over the majority of the AM & FM Stations in the U.S. are streaming on line. My suggestion to everyone who wants to broadcast, go set up your station on line. No FCC License, no hassles, just do it. There are websites like "live 365" that tells you how to do it, set up, be on the air in no time. That's the future.
Glad FCC is taking these clowns off the air. Without some sort or regulations on all the air waves, there would be just chaos. Prime example is CB radio. I bet if someone put a station on same freq as this pirate they would complain. Being able to broadcast is not a right, it is a privilege that is regulated just like driving on our public roads.
Thanks, it would be great if the US decided to democratize its media, but it will never happen because individual citizens can't buy politicians. A tax on advertising would fund public access TV and radio stations. Checkout my other media posts. All i have is solutions, but no one wants to get involved!
If the mayor really sided with the people he should have had his city police arrest the FCC swat team. It may have not stuck but would have been a hell of a statement.
There are *consequences* for not complying with federal law. The persons depicted in this video are prime examples. Remember, these laws are written by people we *elect* to office (Congress). There are many, many complaints on this thread, but the *only* solution available is by contacting your Senators and Congresspersons
The FCC is bringing you a nice fine with a bit of firepower.. Don't be foolish by assuming TX station responsibilities with who knows how many Kilowatts. ** Licensing is Required!! Believe it or not License Regulations aren't arbitrary..
Way to go guys.... I am filled with joy to see your Mayor supporting you. With the support of the City Council I would think it would be easy to get a LPFM app submitted. We were able to get one. WPKC-LP...
Also podcasts make AM/FM obsolete when it comes to talk shows. No need for license and worldwide access. Why are you guys still putzing around and risking jail over outdated and soon to be obsolete technology?
chistine lane so broadcasting in a 5ft radius is going to reach people in China? Please there's so many proxies and ways to circumvent any restrictions and you don't need high speed internet for a podcast. Keep clinging to that outdated technology though.
Joe Doe umm, what? radio travels WAY longer than 5 feet. you can send radio signals to another galaxy with enough power. plus, shortwave can easily reach other countries. its how spies kept in touch with their leaders
chistine lane yeah I'm sure pirate radio stations are reaching more people than podcasts are. Shut the fuck up, no one is listening to pirate radio stations outside of a small radius of where they're broadcasting from, 5ft was you know an exaggeration, you must be a radio guy seeing as you have no commonsense or sense of humour. shortwaves have yet to reach intelligent life so who cares who far theoretically it can travel? and spies "kept" being your keyword there as in "past tense" times have changed in case you haven't noticed. Pirate radio is retarded in this day and age, podcasts are out drawing even legal radio station programs. If you dumbasses really wanted to make a change or had anything important to say you'd make a podcast pure and simple.
Joe Doe "you must be a radio guy " i dont do radio, nor am i a guy "spies "kept" being your keyword there as in "past tense" times have changed in case you haven't noticed. " actually, many numbers stations are still up and running, and you can hear them with the right equipment
Have any of you ever heard of clear channel and the 1996 telecommunications act. you all sound very superficial when talking about a very important national issue.
...I know. My analogy is full of holes. I'm a licensed radio operator, so I guess I'm grumpy about anybody "driving" without a license. But these people are trying to do a community service. I agree, in part, with their guiding principles.
All the so called radio defenders work for Clear Channel which is a fascist company with a Nazi agenda. We were going after a clear channel DJ who was a pedophile encouraging sex with children with no pubic hair. Clear Channel was paying him millions and protecting him. No radio stations would report the broadcasts we had taped so we had to go to the illegal pirate station to get the word out. If you were working in the industry for 48 years then you were like a German citizen with the rise of Hitler and I imagine at best that you just stood by and watch Clear Channel go from 36 to 1200 stations in 5ears. I have very little respect for the legal broadcast workers who are brave enough to speak up on this page and yet buried your head and trembled in your underwear when the real threat Clear Channel was abusing the nation with its illegal broadcasts from having purchased more than the legal limit of stations. I call BULLSHIT to all those who oppose pirate radio, they are just a bunch of cowards and they know it. This is their piddly way they think that they are now making some sort of stand.
AHH..OHHH, Clear Channel has changed their name. They are now iHeart Media. That was done this year. iHeart Media is expanding into other investments. We know they are in the highway (billboard business). iHeart is a publicly owned company on Wall Street, way above any dealings Martha Stewart ever had on Wall Street. Obama is cutting jobs in the FCC, due to America is in so much debt as of early 2015. Their are anti AM Radio people in the industry, they want to sunset AM. That's stupid. FM Radio is next. Terrestrial (both AM & FM bands) are going to die. What we need to worry about is Congress and free speech On Line. That is the future! Bill Clinton stop Congress and the feds on controlling the internet in 1996, one of the few good things he did. On Line Radio is in the new automobiles as the dashboards are changing. Obama doesn't know crap about AM or FM Radio, as FM is becoming like AM has.
@ freespeech - and you know this HOW?!? Just a Govt paid troll to slander the guy, and make him out to be the bad guy. Did your Govt buddies write that dialog for you to recite or did you come up with disgusting bullshit all by yourself?
We'll, I tell you what. There is no such thing as "Free Speech" in this Country, IMHO. Between the Bush Jr. and Obama Administration, I think the U.S. Constitution has been thrown out behind the American People's Backs. Just take a look at how the Administration is handling this overseas deal with "ISIS" and the radicals. I'm beginning to believe Russian President Putin could be the anti-christ. The lobbyist in Washington that represent (iHeart) was Clear Channel push hard. Cumulus is the one to be afraid of. Cumulus and iHeart seem to have a "love/business" relationship together. Nothing we can do about it. Back last year, Clear Channel turned off several AM Stations & handed the licenses back into the Commission. Those AMs could have been sold to individuals to serve their community, but no, no,! C.C. wants no competition in the market places, in my opinion. I understand your pain, but it's politics. Nothing I can do about it. I am afraid we might walk into a hardware store and find out it has been bought by Clear Channel/iHeart! One preacher that I was listening to on shortwave radio that is very vocal about religion and politics, named R.G. Stair, says he's made a prediction that the 2016 election won't happen and Obama will become a dictator!
Radio is one of the easiest ways to communicate to a broad range of people, an easy way to spread IDEAS. IDEAS many people don't want to be public knowledge. Soundwaves can't be bought or sold. They will be produced long after the reign of the FCC.
