NJ pirates are back!Fm DX is beat.

[magicjellybeans]

Yes they seem to have been off the air for awhile coming from Paterson and Passaic NJ but yet again they are back on the air 91.9,94.3,95.1,102.3 and 104.7 all spanish music .99.9 out of Orange area with reggae music .Seems like the same people are getting warned and are back on in a few weeks.Tough luck for FM dxers! ???

 

[ansky212]

There is a very strong pirate on 102.5 in the Orange area. I was driving in West Orange near the Orange border last weekend and this 102.5 pirate was actually causing interference on 102.7 on my car radio. The 99.9 pirate has been running for a very long time. I also get strong pirates on 96.7 (new since this past summer), 97.5, 103.9 (farily new), and 106.5. Every one of these plays some type of reggae or urban music.

 

[TimeIsTight]

Last weekend there was also a Pirate on 88.1 near Paterson. It really made it hard to listen to WBGO on 88.3 anywhere in that area, even on the mountain where you can clearly see Newark and WBGO's transmitter site 10-15 miles away.

These Pirates are now starting to block out licensed stations that are normally clearly heard. The new pirate on 91.9 completely destroys reception of WNTI in Hackettstown, which normally comes in like a local station in the suburban towns on the mountains around Paterson.

For years, "Roadblock Radio" has also been destroying reception of the Morristown high school station in areas where it can be heard when the "Roadblock" transmitters aren't blocking it. The Montclair State station, which has a legal power of a couple of watts, also gets wiped out over much of its normal reception area when these pirates are on the air.

In NJ the laws are on the books to fine and jail illegal broadcasters in addition to fines for violation of federal regulations. Jail and deportation for the illegal aliens involved is probably the only hope that the FCC has of stopping these guys, but it doesn't seem like anybody in authority cares enough to go to all that bother.

 

[ansky212]

I have always wondered, where are these pirate stations getting the equipment that allows them to broadcast at such high power? Is this stuff readily available, or does someone need to stop the source that is selling this equipment? It's not like you can just walk into Walmart and buy the stuff needed to set up a radio station?

 

[in3media_be1]

Some posts from this thread have been moved to Take It Outside

http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=178963.msg1560922#msg1560922

 

[nd2023]

I have always wondered, where are these pirate stations getting the equipment that allows them to broadcast at such high power? Is this stuff readily available, or does someone need to stop the source that is selling this equipment? It's not like you can just walk into Walmart and buy the stuff needed to set up a radio station?

I have to admit that when I was in high school I did indeed build my own pirate radio station from stuff I bought at Wal Mart. It probably was a watt or two ERP and only went a mile. All I needed was a Belkin FM transmitter, coaxial cable, an amplified antenna, a cable TV amplifier, and a non-amplified rabbit ears antenna. But the stuff needed for serious power wouldn't be available at Wal Mart. But someone could modify a ham linear amplifier to work on the FM band.

However, people with the skills to do what I did are not inclined to continue using their skills for building illegal radio stations when they can make more money with a legal job such as the chief engineer of a radio station.

 

[satech]

Today in South Plainfield I heard some Caribbean pirate on 97.5 almost completely drowning out what should've been weak but clear reception of WPEN-FM from Burlington.

 

[d21ofnj]

a while ago, I was in Fort Lee near the GWB and picked up pirates on 92.9, 94.3, 95.1, 95.9, 97.5, 99.9, 100.1 (mexican pirate) 100.9, 101.5, 102.3, 103.9, 104.7, 105.5, 106.3, 106.5, 107.1, 107.9.

 

[VeteranPD]

This is exactly why, for the longest time, I have advocated arresting these operators. Take them out in handcuffs like the criminals they are. Revoke the equipment and either imprison them for two years or deport them. Let's see how they like broadcasting on
W-J-A-I-L. Pressure must be placed of your congressional delegation to force the hand of the FCC. FCC HATES congressional pressure, but it is the language they understand.
Ever get the feeling that FCC really wants terrestrial radio to "drop dead?"

 

[magicjellybeans]

Just get em off the air,Jail?Are you serious?This is RADIO,they arent running a drug cartel!
I've heard some whoppers before, but that takes the cake.Jail for radio.Ha.
The corporate stations lease a space on the band to make money and play music or talk,they
get a license to do so.Theres no reason a license should cost millions of dollars secondly.They should make another band for hobby broadcasting or religious broadcasters ,set aside a frequency or small range of frequencies so hobbyists,etc can do their thing without interfering with commercial radio.Why dont they do this?!!!!!!Then they wouldnt need the fcc.Or
They are afraid ,thats why.Afraid the little 10 watter will take away from the commercial stations,it aint gonna happen.Too many people out there listen to your KTUs your Z-100s,think about it if they wanted to,they could listen to cds,mp3s,sirius,xm or slacker.There are people that want to be entertained by a big 100Killowatt FM,they want the talent,the music.Thats what they stay for.You think that maniac in the bronx isnt going to start pumping up the power soon,he aint gettino shut it off is he?Thats when youre interference will start to your regular Fms.
I myself Fm Dx ,and hearing spanish or reggae over the distant fm isnt any fun.
Some kind of solution needs to be put in place.They arent criminals,they just need a place to go.
How about the "old fm band"?

 

[MickeyD]

Last weekend there was also a Pirate on 88.1 near Paterson. It really made it hard to listen to WBGO on 88.3 anywhere in that area, even on the mountain where you can clearly see Newark and WBGO's transmitter site 10-15 miles away.

These Pirates are now starting to block out licensed stations that are normally clearly heard. The new pirate on 91.9 completely destroys reception of WNTI in Hackettstown, which normally comes in like a local station in the suburban towns on the mountains around Paterson.

For years, "Roadblock Radio" has also been destroying reception of the Morristown high school station in areas where it can be heard when the "Roadblock" transmitters aren't blocking it. The Montclair State station, which has a legal power of a couple of watts, also gets wiped out over much of its normal reception area when these pirates are on the air.

In NJ the laws are on the books to fine and jail illegal broadcasters in addition to fines for violation of federal regulations. Jail and deportation for the illegal aliens involved is probably the only hope that the FCC has of stopping these guys, but it doesn't seem like anybody in authority cares enough to go to all that bother.

What does a NJ cop know about tracking down pirates? As if they don't have enough to do. One solution would be for the NJAB to gather financial support to track down pirates for the police. They have the equipment and manpower with the volutuntary station inspection program.

 

[tom]

What does a NJ cop know about tracking down pirates? As if they don't have enough to do. One solution would be for the NJAB to gather financial support to track down pirates for the police. They have the equipment and manpower with the volutuntary station inspection program.

The "NJAB" "volutuntary" inspection program costs each individual station a rather large fee,
and is conducted by an outside consultant, who doesn't actually need any equipment.
I'm sure he'd be happy to ride around New Jersey all day every day for a $ 1000 a day fee.

Bottom line is, although pirates are clearly illegal, they typically aren't hurting stations
in areas where it matters, so they get away with it. No one has the manpower or
funding to chase down every pirate that pops up, including the FCC. Do the math,
New Jersey has roughly 8000 square miles of land, and there are 100 FM frequencies,
and let's say it takes 15 minutes to listen to each one, to determine if the station
is a pirate or not. If you listened in the center of each square mile, for 15 minutes,
on each frequency, it would take 22 years to complete the job, oh wait, that doesn't
include travel time. hmmmm

 

[TimeIsTight]

Are you serious?This is RADIO,they arent running a drug cartel!
I've heard some whoppers before, but that takes the cake.Jail for radio.Ha.

First of all, don't be too sure that some of the more organized radio pirates don't have some connection to drug dealers since they promote gatherings and venues where drugs are sold and distributed. Both the pirates and the audience are from countries known for smuggling drugs. No doubt being pirates they are criminals who are comfortable breaking laws to make money. I am not saying this connection between pirate stations and drug dealers is certain but its a strong possibility.

As to "jail for radio" being a joke, in New Jersey operating an unlicensed broadcasting station is a fourth class felony that carries a jail sentence of up to 18-months and a state fine of $10,000. That would be in addition to any FCC fine. The decision to make being a radio pirate a crime in NJ was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Cody back in January of 2006. Check the news story linked to below:

http://www.diymedia.net/archive/0106.htm#011006

What does a NJ cop know about tracking down pirates? As if they don't have enough to do.

What really has to happen is the FCC has to call the local police when it has found an illegal transmitter and they have to go to the site together. The FCC can deliver its papers and the police can arrest the pirate and go through the normal procedure when a felony arrest is made. The police only have to know that the FCC is charging the pirate with an activity that is a felony in New Jersey.

Also in New Jersey, the State Attorney General issued an order a couple of years ago that when illegal aliens are arrested for a crime the Federal immigration authorities must be notified. Immigration may hold that defendant, and deport them once the crime case is settled.

If the authorities really want to shut these guys down, they can probably get them on other charges including conspiracy, running an illegal business, tax violations etc. If the prosecutors decide to get them there are all kinds of ways to do it.

Since the pirates have advertisers who pay them, and announce telephone numbers and websites, all a detective has to do is listen to the station for twenty minutes, and make some phone calls to track them down.

Do the math,
New Jersey has roughly 8000 square miles of land, and there are 100 FM frequencies,
and let's say it takes 15 minutes to listen to each one, to determine if the station
is a pirate or not. If you listened in the center of each square mile, for 15 minutes,
on each frequency, it would take 22 years to complete the job, oh wait, that doesn't
include travel time. hmmmm

Finding these pirates is not all that difficult. When listening you can almost always tell the difference between a pirate's audio and a licensed station. And its also easy enough to scan the dial with a list of licensed frequencies, and any frequency not on the list is a pirate to be tracked. You go to a couple of high spots and triangulate the signal, and then take a ride around the city block where the lines cross and watch the S-meter, as you look for suspicious antennae on apartment balconies or other high places. But it's not even that hard, the FCC has vehicles equipped with devices that can make it a lot easier.

At least for now, the pirate stations seem to be confined to several urban areas in New Jersey, and they try to put the transmitters on either high buildings or high ground further narrowing the easy places to look first.

It appears some of these pirate organizations have some very profitable operations going, they have been on the air for years, and are loaded with commercial spots. They could be taking in some serious money. The FCC fines are likely chump change to them, and a stronger penalty is needed.

One could actually admire their entrepreneurship if they weren't blocking legally licensed stations and breaking the laws of a country they may be in illegally. Its also not a good example to set for immigrants to have lawbreakers become their community communicators and do better financially than honest workers.

As to setting up a "hobby band" where these guys could go. These guys have proved it wouldn't work. Often one pirate grabs every frequency he can and puts a signal on it. There would never be enough frequency space and nothing but interference on the band. The radios out there now wouldn't get the new band and it would be years before there were enough new radios to have any audience numbers.

Meanwhile, any frequency space that becomes available now will be much needed for broadband, cell phone and other uses that are much more high priority. The FCC has to decide the best use of spectrum and the demand for digital communication is overwhelming.

What appears to be happening now is that these pirates are grabbing more frequencies, and they are grabbing frequencies on which licensed stations can normally be heard, or they are causing interference on adjacent frequencies. If they were smart, they would bring the transmitters into the immigrant neighborhoods and bring the power down so the signal doesn't leave the neighborhood.

Instead, they will continue to blast from the mountaintops eventually irritating suburban citizens into forcing the FCC to do whatever it takes to shut them up. It will take just a few well placed news stories to alert the average citizen to the situation. Many now find the interference annoying but don't realize it may be coming from illegal aliens breaking the law.

A final thought: this country is full of radio guys who would love to be able to put up a transmitter, put on a format they enjoy and make some respectable money from local advertisers. Citizens don't do that because it is illegal, so why should we let foreigners come into this country breaking our laws get away with it for years.

If this doesn't stop, don't be surprised when some of these pirates become citizens and have enough money from their illegal activities to buy a real big time licensed radio station. That kind of thing has happened before.

 

[nd2023]

The FCC acts on complaints. If someone complains about a pirate, they'll investigate it months or years later.

They will never drive through every square mile listening for pirate stations. Or even the urban areas known to have lots of pirates. One problem with just monitoring frequencies for pirates is that if there's DX on the day they decide to do it, that day is wasted. Such as several days in a row with e-skip back in June.

 

[ansky212]

The average citizen is not going to be able to tell the difference between a pirate and a legitimate station. And on top of that they're not going to take the time to figure out how to report it or even who to report it to. That's why pirates will continue to flourish.

 

[TimeIsTight]

The average citizen is not going to be able to tell the difference between a pirate and a legitimate station. And on top of that they're not going to take the time to figure out how to report it or even who to report it to. That's why pirates will continue to flourish.

You're probably right about the "average citizen" but it doesn't take too many complaints to spur the FCC into effective action. If the stations being interfered with start talking about the problem on the air, they can spur listeners into action.

There is the case of the pirates in Paterson on an adjacent channel interfering with reception of New York's WFUV in nearby Bergen County and surrounding areas.

WFUV set up this complaint form on its website http://www.wfuv.org/audio/receptionform got lots of responses and kept the FCC's feet to the fire. When it would fine and shut down a pirate on one end of Paterson, another would pop up on the other end, but it appears after several fines and shutdowns the pirate community got the message and WFUV is listenable.

The FCC acts on complaints. If someone complains about a pirate, they'll investigate it months or years later

From what I have heard the FCC acts in days or weeks. The silly part is that they will go to a place with a dozen pirates on the air and only go after one. They need to periodically visit locations where pirate activity is known to occur.

Example: in North Jersey they need to drive up to Eagle Rock on the first mountain near Newark and Garret Mountain near Paterson, scan the FM dial with their direction finders and go to work on whatever pirates they find. And they need to go to these places on nights and weekends when the pirates come out to play, not during business hours when all but the most bold are silent.

 

[nd2023]

If a new pirate signs on, I won't see a NOUO in the Enforcement Database for months or years after I first hear it, if it ever gets a NOUO. Even rarer is to see a NAL.

The pirates don't always sign off after a NOUO. For example, my station on 90.3 complained to the FCC about a pirate 5 miles from our transmitter site on 90.1. That pirate is still on the air despite receiving a NOUO.

 

[MickeyD]

What does a NJ cop know about tracking down pirates? As if they don't have enough to do. One solution would be for the NJAB to gather financial support to track down pirates for the police. They have the equipment and manpower with the volutuntary station inspection program.

The "NJAB" "volutuntary" inspection program costs each individual station a rather large fee,
and is conducted by an outside consultant, who doesn't actually need any equipment.
I'm sure he'd be happy to ride around New Jersey all day every day for a $ 1000 a day fee.

Bottom line is, although pirates are clearly illegal, they typically aren't hurting stations
in areas where it matters, so they get away with it. No one has the manpower or
funding to chase down every pirate that pops up, including the FCC. Do the math,
New Jersey has roughly 8000 square miles of land, and there are 100 FM frequencies,
and let's say it takes 15 minutes to listen to each one, to determine if the station
is a pirate or not. If you listened in the center of each square mile, for 15 minutes,
on each frequency, it would take 22 years to complete the job, oh wait, that doesn't
include travel time. hmmmm

I know how the NJAB inspection program works, I was the Chief Engineer of a NY TV station when it was implemented, and it is around $500 dollars for radio stations. If the FCC can'r do it and keeping the integrity of a multi-million dollar radio station isn't that important to the owners you are right it isn't worth it.

 

[MickeyD]

The average citizen is not going to be able to tell the difference between a pirate and a legitimate station. And on top of that they're not going to take the time to figure out how to report it or even who to report it to. That's why pirates will continue to flourish.

You're probably right about the "average citizen" but it doesn't take too many complaints to spur the FCC into effective action. If the stations being interfered with start talking about the problem on the air, they can spur listeners into action.

There is the case of the pirates in Paterson on an adjacent channel interfering with reception of New York's WFUV in nearby Bergen County and surrounding areas.

WFUV set up this complaint form on its website http://www.wfuv.org/audio/receptionform got lots of responses and kept the FCC's feet to the fire. When it would fine and shut down a pirate on one end of Paterson, another would pop up on the other end, but it appears after several fines and shutdowns the pirate community got the message and WFUV is listenable.

The FCC acts on complaints. If someone complains about a pirate, they'll investigate it months or years later

From what I have heard the FCC acts in days or weeks. The silly part is that they will go to a place with a dozen pirates on the air and only go after one. They need to periodically visit locations where pirate activity is known to occur.

Example: in North Jersey they need to drive up to Eagle Rock on the first mountain near Newark and Garret Mountain near Paterson, scan the FM dial with their direction finders and go to work on whatever pirates they find. And they need to go to these places on nights and weekends when the pirates come out to play, not during business hours when all but the most bold are silent.

It isn't that the FCC is lazy. The FCC is primarily interested in cellular sites. The new FCC Commissioner could care less about radio and TV and is focusing on taking the TV spectrum AWAY from tv stations and getting broadband nationwide. The FCC field engineers are given all of their orders from Washington. Unless there is a pirate interfering with the aircraft bands, they do what Washington tells them to do. I know one of them pretty well and was very surpised to hear that this is their new protocol.

NJ, and Florida, have laws with teeth if someone were to enforce them.

 

[ansky212]

Yesterday I noticed the 103.9 pirate was off the air. I was able to get pretty good reception of WFAs. A new pirate popped up on 95.9.