Pirate Radio

[dnlbrrg]

I was browsing through this forum and read a few posts about pirate radio stations that pop up during holidays. With the upcoming Labor Day holiday I thought I'd ask:

Are these regular short wave pirates or do I need to tune to the SSB?

Are we talking about full blown stations broadcasting music or just chit chat between unlicensed hams? What can I expect in terms of content?

thank you

 

[ka3jjz]

Yes, many are on sideband, though a few occasionally can pop up in AM - and at least on some rare occasions, at least one station used Slow Scan TV...

and as for content - literally anything goes. From the most primitive stations playing songs to folks that go through a full blown production (well as much as any hobbyist could afford it, anyway) and anything in between best regards..Mike

 

[KC4RAF]

Here's a link for FYI:

Pirate radio in North America - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Pirate radio stations on FM are often found towards the bottom of the FM broadcasting band, particularly between 87.9 MHz and 91.9 MHz, which is allocated to non-commercial educational, public and religious broadcasters. On mediumwave (AM), pirate radio stations are often found between 1610 kHz and 1710 kHz. On shortwave (SW), the most common frequencies to check for pirates in North America is the 6800 to 7000 kHz (42.86 metres-44.11 metres) range, with 6855 (43.76 m), 6875 (43.64 m), 6925 (43.32 m), 6950 (43.16 m) and 6955 kHz (43.13 m) being most commonly used, and 6925 kHz being by far the most commonly used frequency. Pirates can pop up anytime, but evenings and weekends are the best time to listen. Pirates operating on shortwave from North America often use single sideband modulation as an alternative to AM."

Google a search for Pirate SW radio transmissions will pop up a LOT of links.
Years ago, pirate stations were interesting to listen in on. I've not tuned in lately, but I suspect it's still enjoyable.

 

[ka3jjz]

And from our wiki - this comes from the 2011 Winterfest handout - with some additional links

Pirates and Clandestines - The RadioReference Wiki

Good hunting...Mike

 

[KC4RAF]

Thanks Mike for that link.

I forgot all about RR's link concerning pirates! Me thinks I'll have to start listening again to those freqs and see what pops up. Another good reason to stay up late with the SW radio...

 

[Token]

Due to recent enforcement activities by the FCC, including busting at least one long time SW pirate station, US pirate SW activity is a little sparse. There is still activity pretty much nightly in the 6925-6950 range, but only one or two a night on average, instead of the sometimes multiple stations at any one time that could be heard 8 months ago.

Also, the time of year is not good for the freq range. Give it 2 or 3 months and I bet activity will be up a little more. The recent busts will have faded in memory a bit, the winter conditions will improve the band, and the longer dark time will increase the time window of decent propagation.

T!

 

[dnlbrrg]

Cool beans.

Now, how do you go about determining X radio station is a pirate station?

I mean, I doubt they say it out right, do they?

 

[ka3jjz]

Well, on occasion they will mention it...however there are many clues. Keep in mind that there are a few broadcasters - religious hucksters, for the most part- that are showing up in the 6800-7000 khz range, so if you hear something like that booming in, chances are it isn't a pirate...

If the station doesn't appear on the NASWA spreadsheet and is hanging out around 6925, then you might be a redneck....(sorry lapsed into an old Jeff Foxworthy routine there for a moment...) you might have a pirate...

It does sometimes take a bit of listening - some of these pirates are quite good with their productions, and it sounds almost like the 'real thing'. Sometimes they will announce in advance when they're going to broadcast. To echo an old friend of mine that's heavy into Pirate DXing, 'if one were to know such things...'

best regards..Mike

 

[Fast1eddie]

Ah, wish I had logged this, but managed to monitor a pirate last Saturday on 6925ish (not a stable transmitter) broadcasting classic rock stuff on SSB. Good signal strength into my suburban Pittsburgh location but horrible audio. Could not stand to listen to it for more than a few minutes.

Wait 'till Halloween, all kinds of stuff in that frequency range.

 

[k9rzz]

Heard someone on 6924.7 (I think that's what it was) around 0200z last night. Heavy QRN though.

I've got my receiver on the front porch right now, and at 0141z I saw the Space Station fly over. It was quite bright until it went into the Earth's shadow.

 

[kilokat7]

Pirate station "The Voice of Captain Ron" coming in nicely right now at 0223 UTC on 6925.3 khz upper sideband mode with music and talk between songs.

 

[reedeb]

ARRGGG I hear it matey. Them Pirate stations may be makin a comback. ARRGG. Them scurvey dogs be a gettin ready to make ye walk then plank ARRRRGGG!!!

 

[Pigmeat]

Cool beans.

Now, how do you go about determining X radio station is a pirate station?

I mean, I doubt they say it out right, do they?

I always did. My basic id was "You're listening to Radio Pigmeat International,Free Radio from North America."

None of the summer holidays,except for the 4th of July,are big for SW pirates. The noise levels during the summer are too high for most pirates,running well under 100 watts,to be heard well. Things pick up in the fall as conditions improve. Halloween and the the week-week and a half before it is probably the best time to hear pirates. The weeks around Christmas and New Years would be second, Thanksgiving third,and Easter,Groundhog Day,and Valentine's Day coming in tied for 4th. However,activity is pretty decent year round. Any night of the week you're going to hear 2-4 pirates in the 6925-6955 range.

I hope this helps you fellas out.

How's it goin',Token? You stayin' out of trouble and away from Ol' Man Fansome?