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An Intro to Pirate Radio<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
by Necross Sinister & Thomas Icom<br />
<br />
Getting a start in pirate broadcasting is pretty simple. To be honest with<br />
you, you probably have the basic stuff in your house already.<br />
<br />
FM Radio<br />
<br />
FM is one of the easiest bands to pirate in. You can also transmit here<br />
legally under the right conditions in accordance with Part 15 of the FCC<br />
Rules. Under Part 15 you are allowed 100 milliwats of output power with a<br />
maximum antenna length of 3 feet. Under the best circumstances that gives<br />
you a maximum range of about a mile. If you're in the city, a mile might do<br />
it, but under any other circumstances, you'll need some power.<br />
<br />
For starting equipment you'll need a transmitter, an audio mixer, a stereo<br />
system with cassette deck, record player, CD, whatever, a microphone, an<br />
antenna, and possibly an RF amplifier. The transmitter can be either home<br />
built, or something a long the lines of Mr. Microphone. I prefer the<br />
homebuilt route as it allows for more flexibility, and low power FM<br />
transmitter plans and kits abound. The audio mixer is to combine your<br />
microphone input with your music. It's optional, but it does allow for a<br />
more professional set-up. The stereo system is whatever you can get<br />
together.<br />
<br />
Anything that plays music will do. Same goes for the microphone, pick up<br />
one for 5 bucks at Radio Shack. The amplifier is a bit more difficult. You<br />
might be able to dig one up at a hamfest, or electronics/computer show, but<br />
chances are you'll have to make one if you want to put some power out. Get<br />
ahold of a Motarola MRF229 or MRF230 transistor, and use that to build a<br />
base amplifier for your transmitter. With 100 milliwats input it will put<br />
out about 1.25 watts. A little bit better, and then you can add another AMP<br />
to get it up even further, such as an MRF233 which will output 17 watts<br />
with a 1.25 watt input. There are also transistors that will boost the<br />
output power even further, although that runs a greater risk of causing<br />
interference; attracting the FCC to you. For most practical pirate radio<br />
uses, 17 watts is all you'll need. For an antenna, you can either buy a TV<br />
antenna and use that, or just build a dipole or quarter wave vertical. No<br />
big deal there. Now, assuming you already have a stereo system and music,<br />
we'll go over the cost of a basic pirate station.<br />
<br />
TV Broadcasting<br />
<br />
The basis for a TV broadcasting station is a VCR and an antenna. Hook up<br />
your VCR "out to TV" jack to your antenna, pop in a tape, and hit play.<br />
Poof! instant low-power TV transmitter with a mile or so range on whatever<br />
channel is unused in your area. Now for accessories you might want to get a<br />
video camera for broadcasting "live", or playing reporter, and then<br />
broadcasting whatever you recorded. And you also might want an RF amplifier<br />
to play with for extra power.<br />
<br />
Get ahold of a 6 meter ham amplifier at a hamfest, and use that. You want<br />
one that can be driven with 100 milliwats. Or, you could have one built<br />
using the same Motarola transistors used for our FM amplifier. The only<br />
thing you have to do is modify the circuit values for 54-88 Mhz. instead of<br />
88-108 Mhz. For those of you into do-it- yourself, The June and July 1989<br />
issues of Radio Electronics magazine had an article on building a 2 watt TV<br />
transmitter that runs on UHF channel 14.<br />
<br />
Pirate Operations<br />
<br />
Broadcasting without a license is illegal. If you are busted, your<br />
equipment will be confiscated, and you might be fined. Also, if you are a<br />
hacker, or any type of non- conformist, or someone whom the big-shots think<br />
is "subversive", expect mo re severe treatment. So, to keep from getting<br />
caught, transmit sporadically, and from a mobile location if possible, also<br />
never give out any info over the air which they might be able to track you<br />
down with.<br />
<br />
Don't cause any interference to a legit station, as this will get you<br />
busted real quick. One idea which was used to good effect was to tape<br />
record the entire broadcast, and then take the transmitter to a remote<br />
mountaintop. This way, you get farther with less power, and if they track<br />
the station down, you will only lose your radio if you're unlucky. If you<br />
stake the place out, you should be able to see them coming and then shut<br />
down and get out of there. But in any event, even if you do lose some<br />
equipment, they won't nail you, and you'll save yourself a fine or worse.<br />
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[[Category:TV and Radio]]</div>Netfreak