Pirate on 107.9

[LibertyNT]

I just want to know why all the pirates in NYC have the same format?

I might just have to move my Part 15 up there to give them some variety

Could you imagine if all the pirates moved to the X Band (1610-1700) as part 15 stations? Talk about a mess! ;D

 

[Ike]

I might just have to move my Part 15 up there to give them some variety

Don't let your wattage go above part 15 or the FCC will actually shut you down, unless you are in a really bad neighborhood that the FCC is afraid to go into, like the pirates!

Or at least I guess that's why the pirates don't get shut down. That's why they all seem like they're the same format. A rock or oldies or easy-listening pirate is much less likely to come from a high-rise in a neighborhood that frightens the FCC.

It's not really just one format, of course. In Passaic/Clifton NJ there is a Latino pirate (maybe Colombian) at 89.7, and nearby in Paterson, a reggae pirate at 90.9 interfering with WFMU. And apparently there are hip-hop pirates in Newark (though I can rarely receive them clearly in northern Newark). So it just seems like one format if you're not listening closely. (Although maybe all the pirates in NYC are Caribbean?) And these stations all carry LOTS of local ads, and LOTS of nightclub promotions. I'd guess many of them are actually operated or bankrolled by local nightclub promoters.

 

[Barry]

In southern Westchester County, I've heard several unlicensed stations that broadcast various types of Spanish programming. There is also one on 106.5 that provides Jewish religious discussions.
So the pirate stations are not all providing reggae or hip-hop programming. But they do seem to be in the majority, in the metro area.