Lets take over the air waves!!

[CalebHayes]

We could do it if we all bought one of these: http://www.hobbytron.net/radiostation.html

I already run a pirate station anyway though.

[FreakinDJ]

1. Been thinking the same thing all day

Grass roots organised take over of the Clear cjannel crap we are now listening to

[CalebHayes]

2. Sounds good to me.

[wyldwolf]

3. how about giving us all a lesson on how to operate a pirate station?

Set up costs, avoiding FCC, etc.

I think it would be useful info.

[FreakinDJ]

5. Maybe some of us could start searching out the FCC regs

on low power stations 250watts AM will cover a fairly large city

Start checking now for open frequencies in your area. We could always apply for them

[wyldwolf]

8. actually nailing down frequencies costs $$$$$$$$$$

[Junkdrawer]

12. Link to FCC Low Powered info...

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lpfm/

[CalebHayes]

16. I'm to low power for them to notice but...

I have some friends that have to avoid them and it is tough. They are VERY secretive. It's amazing what they are like. I really don't know much about it because well, it is so secretive.

here is a link for that major pirate radio station http://www.frolympia.org/

[DemoTex]

19. Friend, if you are putting out a 2.5 watt signal, they can DF you.

Secretive? That is not the word. Effective is the word. If you are breaking the law, which is sounds like you are, you will get busted (I am an expert in DF).

Matter of time, bud. Verb Sap!

[CalebHayes]

21. No no no, I'm not Free Radio Olympia, I run my own thing out of...

my bedroom. I only get about 1 miles range anyway. I'm going to get a decent amp here pretty soon and then hopefully I will get some better range.

Those guys in Olympia are experts though. Your right. They are really good.

[MichaelHarris]

4. I would love one of those

been thinking about getting the Ramsey kit and building my own.

[CalebHayes]

17. Thats what I did. Then you just buy an amp.

and you have got your self a few miles.

[MichaelHarris]

25. did you

use one of the Ramsey kits?

[CalebHayes]

29. Yes but I have not gotten an amp yet, so I get about one mile....

only because I have a really nice homemade antenna.

[MichaelHarris]

30. I got the

new Ramsey Cat yesterday in the mail, which model should I look for?

[strategery blunder]

6. Don't have $3800 lying around

unfortunately

[FreakinDJ]

7. $3800 would be enough to put together 250 watts AM station

my tax returns are $3750

I think i could make up the $50

[Junkdrawer]

9. Someone email Franken and ask about free rebroadcast rights..

for low powered stations. Patch the internet straight into a legal, low powered AM station.

[DemoTex]

10. Think not of the $3795. Think of losing $3795.

When the FCC catches up with you, if you are transmitting or broadcasting illegally in the US, they will immediately seize your equipment. Then the penalty phase really kicks in (big fines and jail time). Is it worth it? Do you know how sophisticated the FCC's DF (direction finding) equipment is?

My legal 1000-watt station:

[Junkdrawer]

11. DemoTex, Could a Ham rebroadcast AirAmerica if AirAmerica gives..

its OK? Would you have to remove all commercials?

[DemoTex]

13. FCC Regulations (Part 97) prohibit any "broadcast" by a ham operator.

Likewise, music cannot be transmitted on the ham bands, not even background music (unless the transmission originates from a station in space, like the ISS). The amateur radio service is for station-to-station communications: direct one-on-one, "nets," contests (I hate 'em!), etc.

However, all FCC regulations are out the window in case of an emergency. If I have a heart attack up here in the mountains, my non-ham wife can pick up the microphone of my 2-meter radio and link immediately to Brevard, Asheville, Greenville, Anderson, and even Atlanta through the mountain top repeater system. There are other kinds of emergencies, too, if you know what I mean.

[Junkdrawer]

14. Just to be clear:

If you start "The DemoTex Hour of Truth", it's illegal.

If, however, Ham A and Ham B talk 2-way every night from 9PM to 10PM on a designated frequency, that's legal. :shrug:

[DemoTex]

15. Correct. Having said that ...

The ham radio "nets" are the special interest groups of the airwaves. There are nets for everything imaginable. Afternoons on 40-meters and nights on 75-meters bring out the Clinton-hating right wingers (especially in Texas and the South). There are plenty of Fundy nets where they read tracts to each other. The nets are wide open. Any political discussion is OK, as long as it is legal. Profanity is banned, but it is there (especially on 40-meter afternoon radio).

Most of the nets, however, are fairly technical or profession-oriented. I participate in an airline net that meets three times a week. I have even checked into the net as an "aeronautical" station, using the HF radio in a Boeing 737-300. That gets attention! Everyone wants to talk to you.

[CalebHayes]

18. How good is the FCC's DF (direction finding) equipment?

Are they gonna get me?

[DemoTex]

20. You are toast, CQ. (See my post 19)

Who might have better DF technology than the FCC? Well, my former employer the ASA (Army Security Agency) does, and the NSA (National Security Agency) does. They DF individual cell phone calls .. talk about low power!

FCC has fantastic DF equipment. FCC problem is manpower. That might have saved your butt up until now. If you have an anti-Bu$h message on your pirate station, my guess is they will move on you sooner, rather than later.

My advice is quit while you are ahead. Sell or destroy the equipment and think about a job in legitimate radio/tv. Or get a ham license if you just like to talk into a mike.

Mac

On edit: If you are putting out "subversive" stuff (and we all know the definitions on this change daily) on your pirate station, the FCC can call in the NSA for help in locating the transmitter site.

[CalebHayes]

22. I'm not FRO (see 21)

[DemoTex]

24. What is FRO?

.

[CalebHayes]

26. Free Radio Olympia

[FreakinDJ]

28. Who said any thing about operating illegally

I think $3800 would cover the cost of licensing and equipment for a 250 watt AM station.

Prices go up with population covered, but AM tends to get a great skip at night. I'm here in the Sierra foothills. At night they would receive me all the way to the coast

I could program a play list of music on my computer and at night read excerpts from DU and rant link Bernie Ward (my hero)

[proud patriot]

23. Hey cqhayes

Have you ever seen the movie "Pump Up The Volume" ?

You just have to see it , you'll love it :hi:

all about pirate radio "Talk Hard" standing up
to the establishment and all that good stuff .

[CalebHayes]

27. I have not seen it but people keep telling me to go pick it up....

I might have to do it.