Medium and Long Wave Hobby / Free / Pirate Radio broadcasting in the UK

[David2999]

Hi All. Now that the Long and Medium wavebands are soon to be abandoned in the UK, is there any now any interest in Free Radio broadcasting on those old AM bands in the UK as is done in Holland and other Euro contries?

[jvok]

Theres still a few medium wave pirates out there eg radio blackbeard. They're all intermittent though only bank holidays, the odd weekend etc

Long wave seems like a non starter given the aerial sizes involved. Would be fun to put something on 198 when 4lw goes off though

[David2999]

Hi jvok. Thanks for the reply. It would be good to have Free Radio back on the Medium waves again, now those old AM bands are becoming abandoned. Ofcom don't seem bothered, and will not commit themselves one way or the other. It seems Ofcom does not have the recources to try and track down Pirates on Medium waves, OR any "logical" reason(s) why we should not now use these "obsolete" disused bands. Underground (buried) antennas work well on these old bands too!! Perhaps we can arouse others here to enjoy doing free radio for fun. What do you think about encouraging free radio enthusiasts in the UK to do free radio on the Medium waves,as they do in Holland and other places?

[jvok]

Definitely something I've thought about. Theres a lot of disused old am sites up and down the country with the towers still standing, just waiting for a pirate to come and hook up a rig

[David2999]

Hi jvok. I think this will get popular again for nostalgic reasons of keeping the old AM bands active. Ofcom don't seem bothered, as I have learnt by trying to get their views on "UK Hobby broadcasting". It appears we now have a free hand, providing we don't cause interference.

[FMEnjoyer]

Hi jvok. I think this will get popular again for nostalgic reasons of keeping the old AM bands active. Ofcom don't seem bothered, as I have learnt by trying to get their views on "UK Hobby broadcasting". It appears we now have a free hand, providing we don't cause interference.

That is a nice thought, but I would be very cautious about thinking this would be a safe hobby, even if MW is less used. Not much is done about it because there are extremely few people on there.

I cannot see why it would be any less risky than FM. If they want you off, your site is tracked and your gear taken, very easily.

You have to ask if you want to go up to a muddy field somewhere with head torches on and lug batteries, sling shot wires into tall trees, people wonder what's up call the police and and all that, who wants to do that in 2025 ?. I don't know about you but I prefer reading Radionecks posts, warm, dry and with a nice mug of tea.

I suppose there might be a hardy few out there. Or it will be people doing 1/2 a mile and heard by themselves driving around and no one else.

These days I am much more practical minded about this and it always tips the I cannot be ar$ed I will do something else I like.

[David2999]

Hi FMEnjoyer. Thanks for your thoughts on this. I work for the UK Military, and we know there are NO UK utilities that want either the L or MW BC wavebands. The Military are ONLY interested in VHF / UHF, a bit of SW in the "field", and VLF / ELF for data that lays LF of the Long Wave BC band. VHF (band 2) could be of Military interest for utility personal comms, once broadcasting ends there, which could be fairly soon? So, this means the L and MW bands have no other use, other than for Ham and Hobby broadcasting. TV licences are another "archaic" concept that are irrelevent in these days of PC's and mobile phones. Ofcom have niether the will or resources to track down hobby MW pirates. Catching MW hobby pirates costs VAST sums of resourses for no return. I am also a Radio Ham, and also have involvement with RJR 98.3 FM pirate in London. The thing is if you enjoy transmitting, just do it. No one gives a toss these days, but it's a good idea for good relations not to QRM the neighbour's Hi Fi.

[FMEnjoyer]

As warned all the time they go after FM stations though, cause interference which AM is well known to do and you will be off.
You need only for a neighbour to moan and you are finished.

Entirely up to you of course though.If I forget to pay my archaic licence fee I will get a court summons so not quite outdated yet.
How is it more costly to track AM than FM ? I bet I could track a AM station using a SW radio with a RF gain and piece of wire.
These days I just listen that's the most comfortable and enjoyable.

I am very much convinced that doing anything on the radio is not worth a life destroying criminal record.

The UK has made it harder for itself than any other country recently, no one needs a criminal record on top to play a few records on the radio and make life even more difficult for themselves. I recommend young people stay very far away from pirate radio. If you are retired, own houses that are 10 times more valuable than you bought them and have a nice big pension then you can take your small fun risk, but don't risk messing your life up if you have working years ahead of you. Unless you like being poor and unemployable.

That's my view these days. I am interested in all things radio more or less, but that's as far as it goes.

[jvok]

Why do you even bother going on a pirate forum if all you want to do is shut down any idea of running a pirate?

[FMEnjoyer]

All aspects should be discussed even the negative and there are real negatives, like not having a job for the rest of your life as a young person.
Anyone involved should be aware of consequences of actions I reckon. Better not to shy away from possible realities of being involved.

[jvok]

So how many jobs have you applied to where you had to get a CRB check? Only had the one myself and tbh I'm not convinced they wouldve given half a shit about a WT act violation

[David2999]

Right on jvok!! Doing Pirate Radio on ANY broadcasting band can hardly be considered a crime in these days of internet for all things media. Pirate Radio is a GREAT hobby, and it's a crime NOT to do Pirate Radio!! It's interesting some so called "Pirate / Free Radio" forums BAN anyone that suggests doing M / LW / VHF FM Pirate Radio for fun!!! If you DARE suggest that Radio Caroline on 648 is "boring and like any other Bauer station", you get BANNED for life!! I greatly admire the Dutch Pirates in the old "disused" Trawler band, and I'm sure we should do the same in the MW's. A good and easy way to start is to hook up a signal generator (that can be modulated) to an antenna. When more power is required, add a PA!!

[Wk-end]

Got to say i agree, Very negative..
Spoken like someone who has no clue about free radio!

[FMEnjoyer]

I have no clue, I am not an expert. When Ofcom knock on your door then you will find out if it is a crime or not, no other time.

Do what you want to personally. For myself I like to have a listen about, I have messed about in the past. If you can find someone to listen great ! Enjoy it.

For a young person, I would get involved in something that is of greater value to life prospects, like... anything really.

[David2999]

Pirate Radio keeps radio alive. Remember the BBC began as a PIRATE. Also, Pirate radio means "self training" in radio, which in emergencies has to be a good thing. Pirate radio also increases the interest in Ham Radio.

[Wk-end]

Young people don't even know about radio!

[FMEnjoyer]

You need water and a waterproof outfit in an emergency, not a radio. The people on the radio are the last people who will be helping anyone. You are right there it is only an old farts interest now, not many old farts in the field with aches and pains getting tangled in wires on a cold rainy sat night. .

[David2999]

Hi WK-END. Yes agreed about "yoof" not knowing about radio. Your "WK-END" stream sounds very good, BUT how do you get listeners online? I am involved with RJR 98.3, who have MORE listeners online now. However, it's the "ethnic audience" that makes RJR. Can you answer how you get your listeners with an online station that's not ethnic?

[Wk-end]

You need water and a waterproof outfit in an emergency, not a radio. The people on the radio are the last people who will be helping anyone. You are right there it is only an old farts interest now, not many old farts in the field with aches and pains getting tangled in wires on a cold rainy sat night. .

Strange.

[Wk-end]

Hi WK-END. Yes agreed about "yoof" not knowing about radio. Your "WK-END" stream sounds very good, BUT how do you get listeners online? I am involved with RJR 98.3, who have MORE listeners online now. However, it's the "ethnic audience" that makes RJR. Can you answer how you get your listeners with an online station that's not ethnic?

Being consistent