Messages

31

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Pigs Knuckles 6925 USB 0206 UTC 14 FEB 2023

« on: February 14, 2023, 0246 UTC »

14 Feb 2023
6925 USB
0240 UTC: Battle of Evermore, Led Zep
0245 UTC: Pig's Knuckles ID and sign-off

S3-S5, not quite as strong as last night but still well above local noise.

32

General Radio Discussion / Re: A reminder about stuff not allowed on the HFU

« on: February 13, 2023, 0306 UTC »

...There's a sticky topic at the very top of the loggings board that shows the Official HFU Approved Logging Message Topic Format. Here it is if you can't find it: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,8448.0.html

It should be followed. EXACTLY. This even means using the correct case for month abbreviations, modes (AM/USB/etc.) and so on.  The correct spacing between words. Why so apparently pedantic? A few reasons:

It makes it easier for people to find the correct logging thread, so they can add to it, rather than starting a new one, which then needs to be merged.

It makes it easier for people to search for logging threads, to find info about past transmissions.

Logging info is often used to generate reports on pirate activity, and a consistent and coherent format makes this much easier to accomplish.

Is it feasible (or even possible) to incorporate a data entry interface with pre-formatted selections for logs, especially the thread titles filed out by the original poster? That would help with consistency.

Many years ago when I was still using Clarion to create data entry utilities, I concocted a couple of free/share ware utilities just for logging radio stations. Worked great, especially on low end computers, no need to remember specific upper/lower case for every type of station (some military and government acronyms use mixed case). The only downside was that once the freeware/shareware utility was released into the wild, it couldn't be modified. I abandoned that project after Clarion was discontinued.

An app version of the HFU might be suitable for that kind of thing. For now I access the HFU via Chrome on my phone when I'm away from home with a portable. It works, kinda, but the browser version is hard to read on a phone, and tricky to poke the correct keystrokes if I've forgotten my 2.5x reading glasses.

33

Latin American Pirate / Re: Radio Casa? 8000 AM 0156 UTC 13 FEB 2023

« on: February 13, 2023, 0254 UTC »

0230-0253 UTC: Just a carrier here on 8000 via home receiver and indoor antenna.

34

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Pee Wee 6935 USB 0215 UTC 13 FEB 2023

« on: February 13, 2023, 0253 UTC »

0215 UTC: Music and SSTV just barely audible on 6935 USB

35

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Pigs Knuckles Radio 6935 USB 2349 UTC 12 FEB 2023

« on: February 13, 2023, 0141 UTC »

13 Feb 2023
0013 UTC
War "Low Rider," op talking about power level, 400 watts with 1500 peaks, joking about tubes overheating "Oh, my god! I like my tubes. Whoa, Loretta!" Pig's Knuckles ID. Seemed to be QSO with op I couldn't copy, or perhaps responding to logs on HFU and/or Discord, not sure.
0018 UTC: "Full monty," talking about power ranging from steady 400 watts to 1500 peaks. Another Pig's Knuckles ID.

Booming signal to my receiver with indoor antenna, S7-S9, clear audio, low noise. On an outdoor antenna this would have been well over S9. Recorded a few minutes via my phone, will upload to internet archive site later.

First clear signal I've heard to my home receiver on the funny bands in a couple of months, easily the strongest signal since an XFM marathon broadcast back in December 2022.

36

General Radio Discussion / Re: Arnie Coro, Radio Havana, passes

« on: January 09, 2023, 0410 UTC »

Sorry to hear that. I always enjoyed Arnie's programs. And regarded his minor feuds with Glenn Hauser as a guilty pleasure.

Earlier this year I Googled around to find out what Arnie was up to, as I hadn't heard him on RHC for awhile. Didn't find any news. When our acquaintance with media personalities is mostly through voice or the written word, it's easy to forget that people age and won't always be around.

37

General Radio Discussion / BBC free downloadable archive of sound effects

« on: January 07, 2023, 1239 UTC »

The BBC have made freely available their archive of tens of thousands of sound effects, categorized and searchable. Many lengths, playable onsite and downloadable. Top audio quality.

If you've ever tried to build your own library of sound effects, Foley sounds, background and ambient sounds and noises from a hodge podge of online sources, including stripping audio from YouTube, you'll appreciate how convenient this is.

https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/

38

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID "Goon Show" relay 6955 USB 2346 UTC 27 DEC 2022

« on: December 28, 2022, 0018 UTC »

Just barely audible here since 0005z, sounds like comedy bits and spoof songs.

39

General Radio Discussion / Re: Merry Christmas, all my old friends...!

« on: December 27, 2022, 0202 UTC »

Merry holidays and happy next year, JP. I only recently got back to listening after being away since 2015 or so. I had to dig out my seekrit ziplock bag of post-its with logins for stuff dating back to the 1990s. Because I'm all about hi-tech security.

40

North American Shortwave Pirate / WJAN 6935 USB 0110 UTC 27 DEC 2022

« on: December 27, 2022, 0116 UTC »

Tuned in just in time to catch Righteous Bros, Unchained Melody, op chatter (couldn't copy most of it), Small Faces Itchykoo Park, WJAN sign-off ID.

Fair signal, just enough to copy familiar music.

41

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: WJAN 6925 USB 2329 UTC 24 Dec 2022

« on: December 25, 2022, 0716 UTC »

2340 UTC Same heard here via the home receiver with indoor antenna. Fair signal, just enough to copy familiar music and ID.

42

North American Shortwave Pirate / Thunder Chicken Radio 4185 USB 1000 UTC 24 DEC 2022

« on: December 24, 2022, 1002 UTC »

4185 USB
1000 UTC rock guitar instrumental
1007z shout out from op, could only copy a word or two
1014z more rock guitar with vocals, maybe Joe Bonamassa, not sure.
1022z tech issues? Frequency seems to be shifting a bit, audio stopping/restarting
1040z back, seems back on freq center, sounds like Bonamassa live again

Fair signal via home receiver with indoor antenna.

43

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: BallSmacker Radio 4030 AM 0158 UTC 24 DEC 2022

« on: December 24, 2022, 0318 UTC »

4030 AM
0315z The Chimney Song, Bob Rivers Comedy Corp
0318z Ball Smacker ID with proton mail addy

Good audio and signal via MD SDR with sky loop, SINPO 43333. Just a carrier to the home rx with indoor antenna.

0330z Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Frank Sinatra. Signal fading a bit, SINPO 33323, still enough to Shazam or Google most songs.
0405z Closing ID theme music and off

44

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: B Side Radio 6935 AM 0124 UTC 24 DEC 2022

« on: December 24, 2022, 0133 UTC »

6935 AM
0123z Jethro Tull, Ramones
0126z B Side Radio ID
0131z Alice Cooper, Go To Hell

Good signal to Utah SDR. Just a carrier via home rx with indoor antenna

45

General Radio Discussion / Re: US FCC High Frequency Direction Finding Capability Center

« on: December 24, 2022, 0113 UTC »

Fact sheets, brochures, field operations manuals, etc., are reflections of policy, not the actual Code of Federal Regulations. It's not at all unusual for fact sheets and FOMs used by agencies to deviate from the CFR. They often attempt to assert authority they do not actually possess. My agency's FOM often departed from the CFR, usually stopping short of contradicting the actual regulations. There's a lot of bluffing in federal regulatory enforcement. Don't help them by tipping your hand just because they bluff or call.

If the FCC actually has the authority to inspect "radio equipment" under any and all conditions, on private property, there's nothing to stop any regulatory agency from inspecting your home, without probable cause, warrant, etc., to be sure your non-existent sweatshop is operating within OSHA and Dept of Labor regs; that your non-existent recycling center is complying with EPA regs; etc.

Don't get me wrong -- I support reasonable federal regulations designed to protect people from actual harm, and to preserve the common resources in the environment. There's plenty of history to show how unregulated private industry and individuals have abused employees, wrecked waterways and slaughtered wildlife nearly to extinction.

But federal regulatory agencies enforcing civil regulations specified in the CFR do not possess special privileges to flout the Bill of Rights. And any attempts by the FCC to assert the authority to inspect an alleged radio station in a domicile or building where there are no licensed amateur radio operators should be peaceably opposed on ethical grounds. Let the courts sort out the facts.

This ain't the UK where, for decades, OFCOM used detection equipment and triangulation to locate homes with televisions and radio receivers to be sure they're paying taxes for the privilege of being an audience member.

If the FCC shows up asserting the right to inspect your home, place of business, vehicle, etc., for "radio equipment," and you are not a licensed amateur radio operator, ask to see the warrant. If they don't have one, politely thank them for their time, perhaps apologize that they made a trip for nothing, and bid them farewell. If they show up with federal marshals, warrant in hand or not (it's very unlikely marshals will accompany inspectors without a warrant), it's up to you whether to continue to assert your rights to privacy in your private property.

Beyond that, the usual next step is to appeal to the federal regional office and/or magistrate of the federal district court. I've attended some appeals (again, not FCC cases) at which the person cited chose to represent themselves, and sympathetic magistrates actually coached the appellant through the process. OTOH, there are other magistrates who lean the other way, toward heavyhanded enforcement, so it's a gamble to appear without legal counsel.

I think folks will find this entire page to be relevant, from the horse's (insert appropriate body part) itself:

https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/guides/inspection-fact-sheet

Here are some very relevant sections:

Both licensees and non-licensees must allow an FCC Agent to inspect their radio equipment. Along with the privilege of possessing a license come responsibilities such as knowing the applicable rules, including allowing the station to be inspected. Licensees should be aware of the Commission's right to inspect. Equally important, FCC Agents are allowed to inspect the radio equipment of non-licensees. Non-licensees include those individuals or entities operating in accordance with Part 15 of the Rules. Non-licensees also include those who should have a license to operate their equipment but have not obtained a license and are operating without authority.

Q: Well then, if I am a low-power broadcaster and don't have an FCC license, they need a search warrant, right?

A: Wrong again. The FCC agents have the authority to inspect all radio equipment; even if you do not have a license, the FCC can still inspect your equipment. Section 303(n) of the Act gives the FCC the right to inspect all "stations required to be licensed." This language covers your low-power radio station. The FCC agents are inspecting the equipment, not searching your house.