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Possible Pirate in the New Orleans area ?

G

gjroussejr

On Saturdaurday Dec. 10 while in the city I found a station on 87.9 fm playing french caribbean music and the announcers speaking Creole French leaving the mike open and phone lines live over the music. I would loose the signal around the airport in Kennerto the west, near mile 8 on the Causeway and just east of Chalmette to the east. I checked the FCC stie and only found the Lafayette station on CH.6 (87.7). There was no identifiable station at the top of the hour. When I went back to the city on Monday it was off the air all day, but returned after 6:00 pm. I had checked with RFLA, but do anybody know about this station? ???
 
I just went out to my truck and tuned in to 87.9 and, sure enough, there was a woman ranting in Creole (might've been preaching, I don't know). Think I might have to do some direction-finding! Frankly, I didn't think there was a really big market for Haitian-style programming in South Louisiana.
 
gjroussejr, I think you've made a good find!

I drove around my home (about 2 miles from Armstrong airport), toward NOLA on Jefferson Highway, over to River Road then downriver toward the city, cutting back to Jeff Hwy. near the Orleans/Jeff Parish line, then to Causeway Blvd. to Airline Drive and circled back home. I briefly lost the signal completely when stopped at David Dr. and Airline, but had continuous but somewhat reception otherwise. Best reception was probably along River Road, upriver of the Huey P. Long Bridge (possibly indicating a West Bank transmitter site?), with some spots rock solid.

Observations: operating monaural, modulation low (way lower than other stations--I'm guessing about 75% modulation), no usual FM pre-emphasis. Programming included some English-language Caribbean-style music, mostly (but not always) of a religious nature. No spots, no IDs, no promos. Significant multipath reception, particularly around Causeway and Airline.

While I'm on Christmas break, I may spend some time trying to track this one, just for the fun of it! Thanks!
 
From your descriptions, I suppose I will have no chance catching this one on the northshore. gonna give it a try when I get home today anyway.
 
soundesigner said:
gjroussejr, I think you've made a good find!

I drove around my home (about 2 miles from Armstrong airport), toward NOLA on Jefferson Highway, over to River Road then downriver toward the city, cutting back to Jeff Hwy. near the Orleans/Jeff Parish line, then to Causeway Blvd. to Airline Drive and circled back home. I briefly lost the signal completely when stopped at David Dr. and Airline, but had continuous but somewhat reception otherwise. Best reception was probably along River Road, upriver of the Huey P. Long Bridge (possibly indicating a West Bank transmitter site?), with some spots rock solid.

Observations: operating monaural, modulation low (way lower than other stations--I'm guessing about 75% modulation), no usual FM pre-emphasis. Programming included some English-language Caribbean-style music, mostly (but not always) of a religious nature. No spots, no IDs, no promos. Significant multipath reception, particularly around Causeway and Airline.

While I'm on Christmas break, I may spend some time trying to track this one, just for the fun of it! Thanks!
Click to expand...

Thanks. Let me know what you find, because I still can't find any data on the fed's site

kd5pck2 said:
From your descriptions, I suppose I will have no chance catching this one on the northshore. gonna give it a try when I get home today anyway.
Click to expand...

The mileage northon the causeway is a ballpark figure (+or- 2miles). I knew it had to be when the dj left the mike on and the phone mixer live on the board (busy dailtone and all)
 
More "it's a pirate" info: signal was gone today; looks like a weekend/after-hours operation. Definitely no listing w/ the FCC. Apparently there is a fairly substantial Haitian population here. I don't speak French (formal, Cajun, Creole or Quebecois), but I heard a live DJ Sunday evening with lots of "Joyeux Noels and Bon Soirs". Fun stuff!
 
technically wouldn't be allowed possibly as no channel 6 stations either applied or granted within 50 mile radius last time I looked (audio would be 87.75 mhz carrier) however fm starts at 88.1 and wouldn't be allowed as short spaced heavilly to WRBH (which the callsign was different almost called it a br station: WBRH)

Anyway curious as yeah sounds like a weekender/part timer ala pump up the volume movie... surprised with the fcc right there in elmwood if I remember, they haven't had a feild day in finding him? my guess no searching unless someone complains and my guess if the feds don't read this, a volunteer from 88.3 may drop the dime
 
It's been fun tracking this one...they were back on the air over the Christmas weekend, off during the day the Monday after, but back on Monday evening (after government working hours?) with what may have been a lively church service or revolutionary rantings (since I don't speak regular French, must less Creole, there was no way for me to tell). Still monaural, modulation still light. Signal was pretty strong in Mid City, attenuated a bit toward the French Quarter, but was very good in Metairie. From the fairly wide coverage area (albeit with lots of multi-path), I'm guessing they're running some power (20W or more), but a not very high antenna. Time to break out a Yagi, my step attenuator and an FM radio with an S-meter!
 
Hey Bob! Living and working on the northshore now, I don't think I'll be able to hear this one. If you were to somehow get me an mp3 recording of a few minutes, I might just buy you a cup of coffee at the Hammond hamfest. :)

--Scott
 
Update: Looks like they're on the air during the daytime after all, although sometimes with just a carrier. Those are church services I've been hearing (finally picked out some "amens!").

Scott: I'm hoping I don't end up with a work conflict that will keep me from the Hammond Hamfest. Either way, I'll record some MP3s for you.
 
Another update: The Haitian pirate station has been noticeably missing from the airwaves. I think I may have been able to detect a carrier on 87.9, but it coulda been one those little MP3-player modulators. Meanwhile, no Creole church services! Wonder if they got pinched? I haven't seen any NOUOs or NOVs in our area. Maybe the equipment broke or the person running it lost interest. Maybe I'm just speculating and pulling things out of my... ;D
 
smashedcd said:
The FCC reads the boards :)
Click to expand...
Maybe so, but the guy running the station kept giving out his telephone number. It was in Creole French, but you could tell it was a phone number! :D That and you could hear the signal all over town and noise-free in some areas.
 
Does anyone know approximately how much power this guy was pushing out?

The field strength of the signal on
frequency 87.9 MHz was measured at 22,682 microvolts per meter (uV/m) at
400 meters.
 
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