Medium Wave Pirate Radio memories from the 1960s

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

I pirate on 87.5FM and work around another guy who has shows Wednesday and Sundays in Crawley, West Sussex. He has a nice show I listen and never broadcast when he's on. I'm 39 and studying for my Ham license. But long story short I would love to broadcast on AM after building my own transmitter. Thank you for your story's they are great.

[@jasontwynn7356]

Love all this old day's of good fun story's. I've watched them a bunch of times.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@RockyP77]

glad i found your channel.... i could listen to your stories all day long

[@driverfilmsshortwavechannel]

If you wrote a book about these adventures Id definitely buy it! Love hearing these stories!

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Glad you liked it

[@FPSAnarchy]

ye same

[@barriepeck4377]

Great stories back in the 60s i use to rig aerials up in my bedroom in somerset to get radio sutch radio city and so on.loved it

[@Antony_Jenner]

Nice listening to you again Ray, your stories are allways top shelf..

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@jrichards266]

Had my license since last summer. I don't get out the house much hence taking the test to at least have the world to speak to. I love these videos you make. They remind me of my teenage years! Also although diverse, they are Informative and a pleasure to watch. 73 (for those of you who dont know what 73 is I am 35!)

[@g4nsj]

Nice to hear from you, James. I hope you're enjoying the hobby. I'm pleased that you like the videos. They are, indeed, diverse! Cheers, Ray.

[@ariboni73]

listening to his stories never get boring

[@Cephas049]

When you get to be our age you have a lot of memories. A lot of memories that are fun to share with the grandkids, but things you didn't want your kids to know about when they were young and foolish like we once were. I never knew my granddad Kern. I was born in October 1949 and he died in July of 1950. Shortly after that Granny moved into a little house in town. I grew up on a farm in Central Kansas. Anyway, Mom used to take us into town to mow Granny's lawn, just a tiny little thing, not the five acres that we had at home. I was the one that usually ended up doing the mowing and t.rimming. One hot summer day when I was 12, Mom had taken me into town again. When I got done, Granny got two beers out of the refrigerator - one for her and one for me. I'd had beer a time or two before, but this was something new. I think Granny wanted a beer and she wanted someone to drink it with. Thus started a new relationship with Granny. When I turned 14 and got my restricted license, Granny started having me drive her to the liquor store. Granny liked Schlitz and Pabst. Uncle Stub liked to drink Granny's beer, but when he would replace it, he'd buy grocery store Falstaff. Granny hated Falstaff, and especially grocery store Falstaff because it was only 3.2 percent alcohol rather than the 5 percent sold at the liquor store. She got to where, if she knew that Stub was coming over, she would hide her Schlitz. So, I became Granny's beer runner, though she would always go in the store to get the beer ... until one day she decided to stay in the car. She said that, if the liquor store guy wanted to check, he could look out the window. She was a little old gal who had arthritis, so it was a bit difficult for her to get around. The first time it happened, the liquor store guy did check, but never after that. Then one day, Granny wanted me to make the beer run alone. She said that the liquor store guy could call her if he wanted to check. He didn't, so well into college I was buying beer at the liquor store for Granny ... illegally, but it was a different time back then. Well, you know. different countries, different times, but still the same for the times. Take care, and keep spinning your tales.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent recollections, thanks!

[@glenwoofit]

I love listening to pirate radio talk it takes me back to when I didn't do it. I've heard of a medium wave station in Wales using an old long dead powerline that was feeding the old mine. It's been running for years and never been found.

[@g4nsj]

Wow, I like the idea of the aerial. It must be excellent! Cheers, Ray.

[@claughton1345]

Beautiful description of harmless, exciting fun.

[@g4nsj]

Pwj Bishop thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@smcdonald9991]

Great way to spend 25 mins and 28 seconds.. Thanks for making this!

[@geoffreypowell9220]

Your Vids Ray are really rivetting , I love looking at them ....

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@junglejammer1]

Great stories, Ray. I never tire of hearing them. I picture in my mind, you lads running around at night, stringing aerials and burying cables. What great fun! Thanks for sharing.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Dave. That's just how it was, running around at night putting up aerials and digging holes. Great fun! Cheers, Ray.

[@charlieoscar09]

Great stories once again...Thankyou for sharing the memories

[@g4nsj]

charlieoscar09 Thanks! 😃

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Great to hear about the old days Ray. I will confess i dropped off half way through on the first attempt but thats down to lack of sleep my end. I came back for the rest and enjoyed it.

[@g4nsj]

fredintheshed1 excellent! Glad you woke up! 😃

[@984francis]

That Ecko radio is gorgeous.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Hey. Just found your channel with your stories of pirate radio. I’m getting back into radio after over 20 years. To get around the incredible noise on the HF bands, I have been experimenting with tuned magnetic loop antennas. A loop of wire acting as an inductor with a tuning capacitor. Gives you a resonant LC circuit. Pass that once through a toroid, 3 turns on the feed, and you have an antenna that only has a limited bandwidth, but in turn, picks up so much less background noise, especially all the out of band energy that a conventional antenna would pick up. I can get a 1.5:1 match across 500KHz on 10m, and a little less more 100KHz on 40m with the prototype ones made from RG6 with a short length of RG6 as a tuning capacitor. The trick is to get as close to 1/4 wave length to give you the most efficiency. There are a few online calculators. I find toroid coupling is more efficient than a loop within the loop as you see with many designs. Also, a word of warning. The voltage at the capacitor end is very high. Thousands of volts at 100W. I have had _science_ smoke and lights coming from the trimmer capacitors and coax stubs with prototypes I tested with as low as 40W. Fine for QRP. Rethink your strategy if you’re punching 1.5KW Just what I’ve found in some research on compact antennas. Cheers for the content 73s from Sydney Australia

[@kk6vqq-tim781]

Always love your stories, Ray. Not boring at all, not to us!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Tim. More coming soon! Cheers, Ray.

[@Cultwatch123]

You are so interesting with your talks about radio

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@MegaBuckfast]

Love your stories Ray. Always look forward to the next instalment.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, more coming soon.

[@normanyoung6830]

Drone on, my friend. Great stories!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@TheRadiogeek]

I enjoy your stories so please continue to drone on. LOL. Thanks for sharing Ray!

[@g4nsj]

TheRadiogeek I'll keep droning! Cheers, Ray.

[@johnmcmahon3959]

Your stories are really interesting Ray not in the least bit boring keep droning on i'm sure most of us want this

[@g4nsj]

John McMahon thanks for the encouragement, John. Cheers, Ray.

[@gingerunit]

You carry on droning mate! Very entertaining. Thanks. 73 G7OGX

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@petemoss1938]

The 60s, yes I was there! Great times and great music! Keep the vids coming Ray, nice to hear your tales!

[@g4nsj]

Pete Moss more coming soon 😃

[@martynfletcher2054]

Good video Ray - great stories. Keep 'em coming.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Martyn.

[@mark_osborne]

Love love love! these stories

[@mike97525]

love these stories thanks

[@billthecat3159]

One of my favorite vids so far. Thanks

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@jarekjagielski366]

A new video, yessss! Couldn't wait. There is some seriously fascinating stuff you share here with us.

[@stuartpottinger542]

Definitely no droning, good stuff, very interesting sir, thanks!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@michaelaldred6529]

You are very entertaining this is better then the T.V keep it going makes me laugh.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@winstonbanks1057]

Live your video I want to buy one of your Spectrum analyses

[@wild-radio7373]

You are a Badass!♡♡♡ 🤜🏻👍🤛🏻

[@g4nsj]

Haha! 😃

[@m0dad]

Excellent stuff Ray. Not seen any videos from you for a long time. I thought you must have had a knock on the door. Hope you are keeping well. 73 from David M0DAD

[@g4nsj]

Hi David, I'm keeping well and still here! I'll try and make more videos and not keep people waiting so long. I'm working on the next one at the moment. All the best, Ray.

[@tonep3168]

Brilliant! Love hearing your stories.

[@g4nsj]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Ray.

[@colinsmith4185]

Keep going "young man"I really enjoy your productions,reminds me of my youth also,regards Colin G1PGI

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Colin. More coming soon. Cheers, Ray.

[@clairejensen4859]

CB total bliss - Recently bought from Maplin Intek 520 handheld multi band uk FM and Euro am and fm :) Also still have Skiptech HS200 handheld stamped 27/81 legal fm

[@far2manygadgets38]

Another good story. Pirate radio is still around on shortwave, and here in the U.S., on FM.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent, glad to hear it. Cheers, Ray.

[@wild-radio7373]

I can confirm ;) ACTIVE in USA ♡♡♡

[@wild-radio7373]

Listen for me on the Westcoast ♡♡♡

[@weasel2htm]

These stories are good entertainment. Here in the United States, if you are caught pirating and have a HAM (Amateur) radio license, you can get your Amateur license revoked. I assume such was not case back then in England. I look forward to more videos.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, same here. I know one person who lost his ham license. Cheers, Ray.

[@darrelll1207]

very nice video. enjoyed it

[@MirlitronOne]

One of your best.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Ray.

[@bills1613]

Keep "Droning On" Old Man!!! I LOVE hearing the stories and the passion and humor with which you tell them! I'm a Ham and have been for decades too, but I got my start listening to Short Wave Broadcast and listening to and for Pirates. I always wanted to get into the game too but never did, so I love listening to you "drone on" telling your stories/memories from the pirate days. So please more stories OM! (except the ghost stories, I don't dig ghosts!) 73, Bill BTW, I never heard or was able to find the second story of you, I mean your mates, using the pram. Did you ever get around to telling that one? Thanks

[@g4nsj]

I don't think I did the pram one. I'll check. Cheers, Ray.

[@MrSuperheterodyne]

Brilliant Ray! thanks

[@madrad999]

Keep um coming Ray, love them.

[@g4nsj]

Rad Redfern more coming soon!

[@RadioHamGuy]

Another good one Ray!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@winstonbanks1057]

Your a good bloke

[@AsBi1]

really like ur videos

[@bobbalser5284]

Your review of Retekess hr11 made me buy one Did you notice manual has no mention of sw operation?

[@g4nsj]

I didn’t notice. Thanks for the info.

[@1fanger]

Thanks Ray.

[@g4nsj]

I'll try and get the next video out a little quicker. Cheers, Ray.

[@ArlenMoulton2]

Ekco A22 on the bench! possibly my dream radio!

[@g4nsj]

Arlen Moulton it's beautiful. 😃

[@ArlenMoulton2]

one day i will get one, im saving up currently. are they good radios?

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Nothing wrong with a bit of droning on......keep on droning, sir!!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks,. Steve.

[@miata149]

I was so happy to see you posted a new video! Your talent as a story teller definitely does *not* belong in the category of "droning on and on." Oh, and do not worry about being perceived as a sexist (or whatever "-ist" is in vogue this week). Why? Because none of it means anything; most of us have grown weary and bored of being wrongly accused anyway. *Please* continue posting whatever radio subjects you choose to produce.

[@g4nsj]

miata149 thank you, that's very nice of you. Take care and all the best, Ray.

[@coastalsandwich]

Are you able to provide a tutorial or something to spring board from for building a transmitter or similar from a guitar amp? Was given one recently but not a musician or electrician so no clue how to trick it, am a computer science student though so quick to learn. It'd be great to put the box to some real good use!

[@g4nsj]

Hi Eric, I'm afraid not as it's quite complicated and time consuming. There are designs for transmitters on the internet so it's worth having a look round. Cheers, Ray.

[@coastalsandwich]

Once the study pressure burns off & I've some free time from my coming work I'll definitely look into it. If (that's "if") I'm successful I'll make a video of the results. I've got a good job coming out of the interest I've built from your videos :)

[@clifffiftytwo]

I enjoy your reminisces - please continue! Were the penalties for being caught typically fines? Was this crime viewed as minor, with no particular public shame or disgrace attached - rather like a parking ticket? I worried when younger about becoming an old boy but truth told, I actually enjoy it now.

[@g4nsj]

Hi Cliff, there was no shame or disgrace. It was more like a badge of honour to get busted! Fines were minimal, just a few pounds. Cheers, Ray.

[@Wyowanderer]

Thank you for sharing your exploits (I mean the exploits of others) with us.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@clairejensen4859]

Who remembers Radio GLADICE based in Glasgow who transmitted from noon Sundays to late evening? GLADICE is an acronym Gay Lesbian And DI-verse Communication Experience. I used to listen to it from Glasgow's Corton Vale prison where I was serving a custodial sentence

[@JonesFilms]

I love when he is like I did this. Awww shit never mind I just saw it.

[@christopherhulse8385]

You could broadcast 24/7 on MW today and nobody would bat an eyelid, plenty of spare frequencies available!

[@g4nsj]

Indeed! I might just do that!

[@martinusher1]

One use for a tiny pirate radio station would be to use alongside those vintage receivers. It would give them something to listen to. Modern broadcast stations broadcast modern material -- this way you can stream vintage material. (I've used this trick on FM to distribute music around the house for parties.)(In the US its legal to transmit very low power.)

[@g4nsj]

Hi, it’s nice to hear from you. We do have low power medium wave transmitters here, which are legal, and great for using with vintage radios. It’s tempting to add a small linear amp. Say, 5 Watts. Naughty but nice. Cheers, Ray.

[@richiep7812]

Do you think MW is on it’s way out with the advent of digital becoming more popular?

[@g4nsj]

Rich Parkin maybe, but I’m not sure. It could be used for community radio or something.

[@coastalsandwich]

Is there anyway to donate? I'd love to buy you a pint for the knowledge! Your stories are motivating!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Eric, that's nice of you. There isn't a way to donate but I'll say "cheers Eric" the next time I have a beer.

[@coastalsandwich]

I hope you enjoy it & you catch this fresh dose of sunshine we've been given!

[@emerituse3390]

I suppose that the GPO is/was the equivalent to the FCC in the states?

[@g4nsj]

EmeritusE yes, more or less.

[@gfb20001]

Happy Days 🤗🕵

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, more coming soon!

[@mikedennington8856]

Missed ya over the months ya did no vids.

[@g4nsj]

Sorry, I was very busy. More vids coming soon.

[@chrishenniker5944]

Have you thought of doing something about the London pirate radio stations now? Say, something like investigative journalism or profiling them, as a good pirate radio guide?

[@g4nsj]

Hi Chris, now there's a thought. Good idea. Cheers, Ray.

[@ado75]

Great stuff Ray. Love the stories. Hopefully DAB will die, it's a duff technology anyway - too few of us are willing to throw out the perfectly good radios we already have.

[@g4nsj]

One Time Pad I'm sure DAB won't last. Nice to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@SpectreOZ]

Great video as always Ray, I would disagree regarding the "droning" comment, people's attention spans have simply gotten significantly shorter over the last decade or so...

[@g4nsj]

SpectreOZ glad you liked the video. Thanks for your kind comments. Cheers, Ray.

[@radiorob007]

You can still listen to MW and SW! Before you click on the link, You must first adjust this online tuner to listen well, (Before you say it's nothing good) Also, the screen needs to be adjusted so take a good look! (So look good and be positive !!!) The SDR is in the Netherlands (in Twente) Http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ Unfortunately, the conditions on SW are not that good anymore, But in a long time, hopefully, it will be good again! ;-) Kind regards from the Netherlands! (Rotterdam) Rob.

[@kissingbanditt]

Tell us a haunted scary story next time....please..

[@g4nsj]

A ghost story... Hmm, that's an idea! Cheers, Ray.

[@cigarboxguitar9519]

If MW goes all DAB then transmit pirate DAB - Happy Days

[@g4nsj]

Cigar Box Guitar indeed!

[@poseypapusdiazfamily4630]

Real crime is not being able to control speech. Monopoli good independent bad. I think mexico considers it free speech and does not criminalize it. As long as it won't interfere with comercial ones. This is one way you can see how free people in your country are. England is not very free.