Pirate radio is the name for somebody who broadcasts over the airwaves without a valid license, But it gets deeper than that.
There are several factors that would classify a broadcaster as a “Pirate”.
Besides not having a valid transmit licence, actions like failure to transmit a station identification or exceed the transmit power ( wattage) limit of the station, even if it is simply an amateur radio transmission can be deemed “pirate”.
More sinister factors like transmitting illegal content or politically motivated information can also be considered pirates.
Interestingly, many of these transmissions contain content that is legal in the country of origin, however trouble can occur, when the information transmitted is illegal in the region or country where it is received.
Historically “pirate radio” is also known as free radio.
This name came about during the “Summer of Love” in San Francisco during the 1960s.
These secret and unlicensed land-based transmissions of “free radio” were tagged as being pirate due to the radio transmissions being beyond government control, as was offshore radio in the UK and Europe.
Have you seen these movies that feature shortwave?
Pirate radios have featured in a few movies and TV shows over the years including
On The Air Live With Captain Midnight, filmed in 1979, which tells the story of Captain Midnight, who runs his own pirate radio station and becomes a cult hit!
Jump ahead to the 1990s film “Pump Up The Volume” with Christian Slater. Mark is an intelligent but shy teenager who has just moved to Arizona from the East Coast. His parents give him a short-wave radio so he can talk to his pals, but instead he sets up shop as pirate deejay Hard Harry, who becomes a hero to his peers while inspiring the wrath of the local high school principal. When one of Harry’s listeners commits suicide, inspired chaos breaks out at the school and the authorities are called in to put a stop to Harry’s broadcasts (info from IMBD)
More recently pirate radio is seen in the 2009 film, “The Boat that Rocked” a 2009 British comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis about pirate radio in the United Kingdom during the 1960s.The story is loosely based on the famous pirate radio broadcaster, “Radio Caroline”. The station operated in international waters off the coast of the UK, broadcasting pop music the BBC would not include in their programming..
There are still many pirate radio stations in operation today available for you to listen to like Free Radio Santa Cruz (FRSC) which is an unlicensed radio station in Santa Cruz, California, United States. The station has been on the air since Spring 1995; its broadcast content is a mix of daily news, music, and cultural programs, produced both locally and nationally. Free Radio Santa Cruz exists due to donations, membership, and listeners can call in live during shows.
Recently, there have been claims that the FCC (Federal Communications Commision) that they are cracking down on pirate broadcasters and several broadcasters in NYC have been sent legal letters to cease illegal transmission or face fines up to $2M.
It may very well be an interesting time for pirate radio.
We recently became aware of a truly amazing story about the perseverance of shortwave listeners.
During World War II in Europe, many allied airmen were listed as Missing In Action. German shortwave broadcaster DJB, located in Berlin would regularly broadcast the names of airmen captured as Prisoners of War. This amazing story highlights the part that shortwave radio played in keeping hope alive for those distant relatives and the part that shortwave listeners played.
The story is told by the son of the lieutenant we are about to tell you about.
“On July 25, 1943 American Lieutenant, John Chapman Elliot who was tailgunner on a Royal Canadian Air Force Wellington bomber, took off from England to fly a mission over Nazi-held territory in Europe, this flight never returned to base and was named Missing In Action.”
Months later and after receiving no further news and fearing the worst, shortwave listeners in America began sending letters to Lt Chapman’s wife advising her that they had heard his name mentioned in a shortwave broadcast from Berlin.
“On July 30, a letter was sent to his wife. It began:
“Before receiving this letter you will have had a telegram informing you that your husband, Lieutenant John Chapman Elliott, is missing as a result of air operations. I regret to have to confirm this distressing news.
John and the air crew took off on an operational sortie over enemy territory on the evening of the 25th July and we have heard nothing of them since. However, it is decidedly possible that they are prisoners of war or are among friends who are helping them to make their way back to this country . . .
Status unknown . . . “we have heard nothing of them since.” A place that leaves you in limbo without much room for hope.
During September a number of things happen.
A telegram arrived:
Mrs. J C Elliott =
Report received through the International Red Cross states your husband First Lieutenant John C Elliott is a prisoner of war of the German Government . . .
Notation in the scrapbook above the telegram (in my Mother’s hand) reads:
The finest Telegram and the loudest words in the life of Phyllis Nancy Elliott
Around the same time, Mrs Elliot began to receive more letters and postcards with similar reports and kind words. These letters come from a cherished scrapbook.
Quite extraordinarily these postcards hailed from shortwave listeners from all over the country including Boston, Massachusetts ; Chicago, Illinois; Northville, Michigan; Green County, New York; Grand Rapids Michigan; Auburn, Maine; Burlington, Iowa, who had heard the Berlin broadcast that– First Lieutenant John Elliott is a prisoner of war, and offering words of comfort or explanation:
Wishing you best of luck in his safe return to you,
Hoping this may comfort you in knowing that he is alive and alright,
Hope this cheers you up.
Hope this will relieve your worries . . .
Jock Elliot (Kb2GOM) recounts his father’s story:
“My Dad later told me what happened. Their Wellington bomber was badly shot up, and the pilot informed the crew that it was time to bail out.
My Dad cranked his tail turret around so that the door opened into the air. He flipped backward out of the aircraft. For a little while, one of his electrically-heated flying boots caught on the door frame. Hanging upside-down, he kicked the boot off, pulled the ripcord on his parachute, and landed with green stick fractures in both legs. He hobbled around Holland for three days while trying to avoid the Germans. He was captured and spent two and one-half years as prisoner of war.”
When the war ended, he was repatriated, and in 1946, your humble correspondent showed up. The photos are of actual postcards and letters in an 80-year-old scrapbook kept by my Mother and passed down to me.
And so, dear reader, never belittle your hobby of listening to the airwaves, because you never know when something you heard may be able to offer comfort in times of trouble. I know it certainly did for my Mother.”
This is the most amazing and emotional story about the perseverance of those shortwave listeners in locating Lt Chapman’s family address and taking the trouble to write to his family, doing their bit to support the war effort.
Thank you to Jock Elliott, KB2GOM for this incredible story published on swling.com
The event will be held 1st of May, with a large portion of the event undercover.
Entry Ticket Presales Begin at 8:00 AM
General Entry Opens at 8:30 AM
Tecsun Radios Australia are proud to attend this event that features educational lectures, car boot sales, new product releases, opportunities to attain or extend or upgrade your radio licence, topics by keynote speakers include Collins T-195 transmitter restoration (100 watts output, 2-18 Mhz, 26 valves !), WINLINK HF email system, and Club Owned Remote Stations and integrating the Flex 6000 into such stations (Zoom presentation).
Tune in to the event broadcast while you find a bargain at the car boot sale.
As always, the Tecsun team will be there exhibiting our best sellers and will be available for a chat about all things shortwave. Pick up your free copy of our latest Shortwave Radio Listening Guide. Come and say hi!
One of the most exciting events as part of Mayham happens on the Saturday.
The FOX HUNT!
What is a Fox Hunt, you say?
Fox hunting is one of the many side quests of amateur radio. Fox Hunting or Amateur radio direction finding (ARDF) is an interactive amateur radio sport where individuals use the two meter amateur radio band whilst navigating through varying terrain and locations, searching for hidden radio transmitters.
All competitors must carry equipment capable of receiving the signal being transmitted by multiple transmitters. You may see quite the array of specialised equipment, including a radio receiver, signal attenuator, and directional antenna. Most equipment designs integrate all three components into one handheld device.
For this year the CCARC is promising to really mix things up!!
The details!!!
There will be three hunts operating sequentially.
- Short Pedestrian of approximately 30 minutes
- Mobile / Pedestrian hunt of approximately 45mins – 1 hour
- Long Mobile hunt to last approx. 1½ hours
Participants will be required to assemble on the footpath Wyong Commuter Carpark, Located at Rose Street Wyong. This is due to current access restrictions to the site.
Proposed timeline of events: (Allow additional time for any changes and transitions between hunts)
12:45 – Pedestrian footpath, Rose Street, Wyong.
This is for initial gathering, registration, and discussion of rules
13:00 First Fox Transmitter activated on low power. Good luck!
13:45 First hunt to finish, regroup for start of the first Mobile / Pedestrian hunt.
This fox will be on High power for first 15-20 Minutes, then reverts to LOW POWER
14:45 Second hunt ends, reassemble for start of longer Mobile “hunt”
17:00 – End of Mayham Fox Hunt for 2022.
Important Information:
1st Prize winner will receive Deluxe hotspot kit and Clear acrylic case courtesy of VK Direct and VK4NGA Amateur Radio to the value of $200
2nd Prize winner will receive $100 Westfield gift card
3rd Prize winner will receive a $50 Westfield gift card.
For the full rules of the event and further information click here
There will be a great selection of food available on the day. To see the full menu click here.
General Entry Gate Opening Times
Entry via Rose Street
Pre-Sales begins at 8:00AM
Entry Gates open at 8:30AM
Cash and Eftpos Facilities available on the day
Address
69 – 73 Howarth St,
Wyong NSW 2259
Car park entry is located in Rose Street
By Rail
Only a short walk from Wyong Railway Station
For the full details on this event including information about the lectures click here