HFU HF Underground
General Category => Pirate Radio History => Topic started by: Beerus Maximus on February 05, 2020, 0134 UTC
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I'm starting this thread to post pictures/scans of written reception reports to pirate radio stations. We've all seen QSL cards, but few have seen what the pirate radio operators saw before email: written reception reports from listeners in the age of "maildrops".
I grew up with a friend whose air name was "Doctor Lobotomy". He operated numerous shortwave pirate radio stations in the early 1990's. We lived across town from each other, attended high school together but didn't really know each other until we became acquainted by CB radio in our town. Over time, he revealed he was a shortwave enthusiast, a ham radio operator, and eventually, he revealed he operated pirate radio stations. He was instrumental in my introduction to the hobby that has followed me to this day.. HF pirate listening, utilities, oddities, etc.
I'm starting to scan his absolutely huge collection of reception reports. He's long out of the radio scene but I've been bugging him about putting these out there for a while, since I think they are so cool. Maybe you'll find them interesting? If so, please let me know. If you SEE one of your reception reports, feel free to comment! In the interest of privacy, I'll blur out last names and street addresses but keep town/city names. Unfortunately many of these DXers may have passed, some may have no interest in the hobby anymore, and some may still be here. If I happen to post something YOU wrote and you don't want here, feel free to let me know and I'll gladly remove it.
The reception reports are presented in no particular order. Stations I've identified so far operated by Dr. Lobotomy: Radio Free New England, WGNK, KMRZ, WARI, Alternative Radio International, Lobotomy Radio Network, East Coast Music Radio. Operations were primarily from mid-1991 until late 1993, and sporadically from there until about 1995. Almost all of the broadcasts originated from this bedroom studio in the Boston suburbs. I took this picture of Dr. Lobotomy sometime in probably 1992:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GoWbKqMFV1iEedRmi8K2J8A_djnXYSN6)
I'll continue to update this thread during 2020 as I have time to scan in a huge collection of reports. Keep checking back! Also, if anyone else has reception reports they'd like to add, feel free!
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One of the stations he operated was "Radio Free New England". He used many different station names over time. Here's a reception report from 1991, which was one of the earlier operations he ran:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1owVFTacYBUsaEEUg4vyw0TCqU6G0k5Rk)
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Another Radio Free New England report:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fGuWafambgnV6pH8GRSR5KfAR622Nfvj)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IYb_eq0L1Bb6Dc7jD6BDXZqSI8NzyhF0)
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This DXer was well known (and derided) for his penmanship and very terse reports. His reports actually spawned at least one spoof pirate radio station (not operated by my friend). This is undated but likely from the fall of 1991 as it was bundled with other dated reports from that time.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B4vWM4hnQ7JvJyd-LedZAKtIKbLhDC-b)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11Al8mIkxiq20IfSicqSyW4A9u5FhiGU4)
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At the same time the operator used "Radio Free New England" as a station name, he occasionally also used "WGNK".. often in the same broadcast.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jeKs54hcuP_T5-7D4vKuQ5imFbdqzRLN)
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I see my report to Radio Free New England dated 9/23/91. Very cool!! Thanks for sharing Beerus, I'm looking forward to seeing more of these old reception reports. I was a madman with a pen back in those days lol!!
I recognized the penmanship of Alan P. Masyga. ;D
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That darned Bram Stoker never sent me an anti-QSL card. Only real hf men... and guys in rubber rooms hallucinating the shows got those.
Speaking of QSL's and rubber rooms, did anyone ever get one from Jimmy The Weasel? Jimmy was one of a kind. Thank God he didn't hit on LAD's Mom and produce a houseful of howler apes of the same type.
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I see my report to Radio Free New England dated 9/23/91. Very cool!! Thanks for sharing Beerus, I'm looking forward to seeing more of these old reception reports. I was a madman with a pen back in those days lol!!
I recognized the penmanship of Alan P. Masyga. ;D
Joe, there was also this card you sent, approximately 3x5":
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vAbaJm444cLmZIElPk38uoKgY45dVeKd)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FZtHslwKDCFKd7uSadT49YOpY-KJ_ARS)
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This reporter got the station name a little mixed up.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KELSzR-3g8zBW5ivj1Eo5JjQN9oMl8cn)
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These are very cool Beerus - thank you for sharing!
I wish I had a copy of my report to RBCN. I included a small bit about myself (age, location, interest, etc.) along with the reception details and the first thing he mentioned in his letter back to me was what was a guy in his 20's doing listening to pirate radio instead watching babes on the beach!
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Thanks Sealord! Here's one from a very well known Canadian DXer.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1nhQEiarYPjBlga81sz0h3iPp0p4hqCa3)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SArtgrioTVo9EpvNDe1mTa8z4Hq3_LYN)
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KMRZ is yet another incarnation of a Doctor Lobotomy station.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BuHdhvpEJZyaQ8l5ILZk0v1QE9FChc6k)
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This reporter got the station name slightly wrong.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yIWMqcuDXINkh1FC_tL4TuvfW8TDpEZX)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PTCJw9ccaPzLBC9xRL0YtQGBXVnUst2n)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FzCkwg4jMGl_nURiQhvX5IUQrc4drAnL)
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Perhaps the smallest reception report in the collection. Measures about 2x4".
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LYQwDFuwywNfVTkjFux5iRwNbDfPEfxN)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OHMrENr-A_CFNnHgtADiiarTAeM_yRL4)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1S3VQke1QkI5Gd4EnIPl9zetiftZWp0Vt)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tTiyaJw6iQw4sZpfMCo0Nr4_4FidnzAd)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1io43yYWbFJLhznmkag9UsO-7SA0zY9uG)
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This QSL was a printed photograph that represented a pirate station QSO between HV Short (who operated Radio Free Massachusetts) and Dr. Lobotomy. Sadly, I believe HV Short died several years ago.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16Gx0-eo-Bq2OSyMO8xxXgTI_UxUqlmp2)
The associated letter:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Boh1oJnHOeJXDsx2c4MkrM3NXF6jCpvD)
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WARI was yet another Dr. Lobotomy incarnation that appeared in 1992.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GW8mVcke4JMMRAjTIKM2IZ3Ich3nwwIY)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1DnAaxLydi3UO8esug8txZlvVz9kOypWg)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XEETy68DlppJgLb3mf2RB3xZkELz-Tys)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18ScnkvSpPwi-lyt0KEqTMWBPLvNpKh-Z)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rD2T6p0mf6rrvKjNcSwmnNb0bGkiIBJg)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mAUm0oWD-jdEPqupwsI1co6FMVRD6PKW)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1bJuRsSVCMsuX_9DbonoZQTwKggZH3l54)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Nv22gLDWVEy7supSQUKF4ybimtglx-2v)
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I like this one.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jkapwQz7TdOeiUK3QkocQ5IUtGsYuYaC)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LyZBWQtkjdDlT3wA7yqcwXXsJCCajxQT)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1foHKbNaeJg3X_MrBvwXlGpoPGtWqiszZ)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wW1iHJSqP10ioFSOEUk4mKQbfxiMM9TU)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vNErxyntw-QaLDzBSfSqNxPLRTxKZl1W)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FmPdU3jKlwBXG1MBQOiMNuvefWT8KO3s)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oSlDDSu9WCiujJxU0SomHVkGphNzoM3z)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Inz5n6rnGC1WZAjHEfV_IJSVmLf0qGnT)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yK1LGh1AphPZ26_3COR-KbZqJLijHHLL)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1bmSFFxDKrEBkSI17QISlG6KGH9WeNq-M)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1y2RSbEYq_VVDCBcJ1IOpyQXsgrmpfMVG)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dK3EtPYp4LIQvixWAPS9TqE8sW989qWd)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XuHVN1d_EULXGsGrcVHe-Ah-qYrEEhsM)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1V4aKuTBB54I7Js5wBG5OBou_YG6DbhUK)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1h8p1auKn7qUaeiTM27UrsYy_-Ffwq7TZ)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1v17pZtw51Xofr65ht_bAPqi7T0hlbEk-)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1omDpJncftZmWbM3g14BQUl2yrPSctGkD)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1_nMCz46iTNlBVHIIXSdZmtVrif_PF5LT)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1esUgskN9YFXdXSKbIYozi-HliOPljO-d)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kSlsaFEF5932amDmtRr_WX-porn-BgKY)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1C3FqrU7X_wLNpOu4fom3MOfBFXVJKVzc)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VLHoTdbV8HmW2oWEpA1ISL8jY9G7SAFE)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FHmwyOT8CDC3mAigO3nc1UHpg4GrDCIa)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SkLiCjGKbWD9wPJHe7O3PLU0ztm_0BDZ)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1J3kthDOMYwSFjBvGd6dRGcHIPqYrF5J8)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1bqwJWp8aZ3nuoTE09pIWd4pDVtYhAE1R)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=118KyTjctFXsjFj9zmxFpSNufGPpyBYxg)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GGxXajhwjU8_IbfQP8LRci_3ytk2guUm)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1l9V9GdIQrDk7J4L1Jy5lX97p19tIkRs8)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19J5XlFYy1ANT1-DXXqLV1ZVcYBAbaG6B)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1f0VMmJm5sFcVXORUC5YRguwpg_quyDhA)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1T-vA2HQqMH775bca0HTtQJD8s5HdkAAD)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17d74L8IEgopa4Gnh4-IGLKRNeIAlphJM)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ddWo148ZtVaeq_3zt6ryLO7Ad57DCXVe)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FdLQj9oB_XtUhCmsow56xJP__gNbuFrA)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1U2dRm9vYzNwrKf-kkxTsDDANEsvquMka)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1a5Ggrvmvaa98y1WZM4u3MuvW_X4nV3E5)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1l4AZOh9b8N_B7JYndhpvPdNzGgjVuIl_)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1o2a0s5puz_XqTrDk2ZUldnO8e4xZi2mS)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lxQ7sHU6o1KyreoTt1IHD9buSWrK1mB1)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LuIWq67YG_3aoXC10uy4HPmLzyBtnnTN)
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That's the last batch for a day or two.. scanning and resizing these things takes a lot of time, and I have tons of these! I'll post more after a short break.
In the meantime, are you joining us on the HFU chat server? If you don't hang out there, you should check it out! A huge gang of HFU regulars are always there and it's easy to join!
Click this topic to learn more about getting onto the chat: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,41066.0.html
You'll want to start with the #general channel, as that's where most daily chatter is. But there's lots of other specific channels for certain radio topics. Why don't you join us?
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What! No Giovanni Bellabarba reports?
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None yet, Pigmeat. But here's a few more North American reception reports:
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ELk5h_cSu91n0eCGnydAL3_DcqKOse2i)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1aW7zYyrV-VhXFCiJa7qcpmSp07zU3Rqh)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-jf2aNhtupOvpVRO4aliFYhWBw_9z1tn)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hdPWzB9plhrsQOZbBVtT7x-xrS_h41Enh)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=12atBPaBMjqzS32BnbMOCiRAgjKprAqbB)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hdPWzB9plhrsQOZbBVtT7x-xrS_h41En)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1aa-6F1OTL_NongyJLAF8SnsMGzroJePn)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YY4pJpskzAvMhtGpLYxI9QJNSztpQ6qf)
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(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pYAT0AZ4Fa7jf6ovtQBhBecqZyUoEj8o)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kNh-pgF7u1xApBn-kh7p7B2ILPVmFgZ4)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1olShfp5dy2Kg0LODw2-tj12C0JgbvFKF)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1347qisZsf55JhV8vppeYW-SCbYBuVtdQ)
(https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SZVuhyf-z_c6zr85kSCydB25wzxfHUux)
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Those are really fun to look though (and to fill in the last names of many of them :-) ).
I was active listening at this time but I don't recall logging WARI or ECPR
Thanks for the scans. I'll look forward to more!
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Thanks for taking the time to put these up. I was just unpacking some older radio items and when I saw your post, I checked and found a report from
Alternative Radio, dated 3/1992, signed by Dr. Lobotomy. Brings back some fun listing!
Thanks again.
Larry
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Thanks for taking the time to put these up. I was just unpacking some older radio items and when I saw your post, I checked and found a report from
Alternative Radio, dated 3/1992, signed by Dr. Lobotomy. Brings back some fun listing!
Thanks again.
Larry
It'd be great if you could post that! And one of these days I will get back to scanning some more reception reports.
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You can find many more "oldies" in the many
radio-relayed magazines @ my DataBase!
DataBase @ http://bit.do/database-radiorelated (http://bit.do/database-radiorelated)
☼ Read (PDF)files OnLine-/or Download! ☼
Over 950plus items!
Great reading stuff for "rainy days!"
André
CoolAM Radio
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Hi Andre
Was fun to look though some of your PiPa issues, and I did find some of my reports in there. Truly the "golden age" of SW piracy!
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Hey All,
A REAL blast from the past ! Lots of memories in this post.
FWIW, I used to use Johnny Arthur's Box 452 Wellsville ,NY as the drop for my old station WBZA (see my "Confessions" post ). I also built "BLR" and ran it on 1700 Kc .I had a Hotmail address for that operation.
I logged a LOT (A LOT !) of pirates back in the day (vast majority on HF , some on MW and a few on FM ). A ham once asked my how I did SO well. It was simply location , gear and standing "radio watch " on the known shortwave frequencies for 6 or 8 hours at a time (!) , especially Friday and Saturday nights. Otherwise put, perseverance.
Some recollections ( "off the top of my head") of stations copied : Wee Guy R., Lad / Baby Pirate, R. Beaver, Down East R., Dunloaghaire Local R., EBO ( Ellen Bloomfield Ostracized ) R. ( "Ellen , send me a picture of yourself and I'll stop "), He Man R., Hit Parade R., WSKY /Whiskey R. ( I met him at a ham flea),WKND /Weekend Music R. , R. Harmony, et al.
FWIW, I still have some old QSL's and my programming tapes.
Keep up the good work !
de N1NQC
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/4032/4338004335_e82843811d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/7Bkpyc)East Coast Music Radio Pirate Radio QSL Card (https://flic.kr/p/7Bkpyc) by jilly999 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jilly9/), on Flickr
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/4032/4338004335_e82843811d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/7Bkpyc)East Coast Music Radio Pirate Radio QSL Card (https://flic.kr/p/7Bkpyc) by jilly999 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jilly9/), on Flickr
Jill, that's awesome! Thank you for sharing. A blast from the past. I need to get back to posting more vintage reception reports.
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ECMR is one of those pirates I somehow missed hearing.