Medium wave pirate radio...

[@michealcade7313]

Your yesteryears and your story’s. Are great. Enjoy them all even two years later after you uploaded so glad KZbin recommended your channel. Till next time 73 SIR.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy the videos. Cheers, Ray.

[@TheCrunchbird]

Back in the 1960's a friend of mine took the service door off a lamppost that was on a bridge over a main road. He hooked up a twenty watt transmitter to the mains and used a surplus US military UHF transmitter to transmit the audio to it from his house a mile away. The lamppost was not grounded worth a damn as it was attached to a concrete base. My friend used an L match to match the transmitter to the lamppost using the lamppost as the antenna and the mains power ground as the RF ground. It worked great and his transmitter could be heard for miles. It took over two years for the GPO to actually find it. Eventually they finally put in a maximum effort to locate the transmitter. They ended up driving from one side of the bridge to the other until they finally figured out where it was. Being remote with UHF linked audio, my friend was never caught.

[@grahamdewey4727]

Great stuff, brought back many memories. I remember listening to RNI - Radio North Sea International - when they were being jammed by the government from a transmitter in Rochester. It was a strong beeping sound but the station kept going and we kept listening in defiance. One night they closed down, as usual at about 1 am, and the jamming also stopped about 10 minutes later. Then, after a while, RNI came back on the air again having left enough time for the bloke on shore to pack up and go home! I listened for an hour or more but the jamming didn't start again until the next morning so we chalked that one up as a point to us.

[@g4nsj]

I remember the jamming. Great station! Happy days. Cheers, Ray.

[@dynacoman7363]

Great story... Well told. Keep posting about the good years. Jim- General Class since 1958.

[@g4nsj]

Will do Jim. 👍

[@ViolonistaCanhoto]

I can't believe I spent 19 minutes listening ... but you are a great storyteller! Pure fun, especially for anyone who has been in radio for many years. Thank you!

[@g4nsj]

19 minutes... Blimey, I think that's a record. Nice to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@colinsmith4185]

Please keep telling these stories,(since we are probably from the same era) they bring back fond memories of doing similar very things,brilliant!!!

[@g4nsj]

More coming soon! Cheers, Ray.

[@coroamanicolai4527]

I think I watched this video at least 4 times last year with all the others about pirate radio you posted. Really good stories. Please, do more.

[@g4nsj]

I will be doing more soon. Glad you liked it. Cheers, Ray.

[@OH8STN]

Excellent story :) please don't wait two months to tell us the next one!

[@g4nsj]

OK, more coming soon!

[@abdullaex4119]

Thanks Ray. Always loved being surrounded by my electronic equipment. An Extra class ham for many years. Working on and listening to the tube amps and FM receivers. All the joys I have had with electronics in my life, I still can't understand why someone pirates the air ways? How one person can be so destructive.. Thanks again Ray

[@ponyboymidnight]

What loads of fun, Ray! I'm always quite "chuffed" when I see a new post from you!

[@hymanlipschitzmd6101]

A wonderful posting and a good story. I grew up with valves and operated a VHF station on 50Mc's in the 'Sixties. The trouble was just about everyone had a telly that was basically unshielded and in a wooden cabinet. The I-F's would just be swamped when I threw on the A-M carrier wave, and it was just like Pirating, except when I imagined the villagers marching up to the castle with pitchforks and torches!

[@g4nsj]

Harold Mandel I loved those great days.

[@hakangustavsson3538]

Enjoyed your story telling! Thise were fun times.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, glad you liked the video.

[@crisstryna_mma1622]

All this expertise and knowledge is much appreciated. Well worth listening in.

[@acree3739]

I really love your pirate radio storys! Thank you for sharing, and greetings from the state of Virginia!

[@g4nsj]

Hi from sunny Worthing UK. Thanks for the feedback. More stories coming soon! Cheers, Ray.

[@electrolytics]

Oh heck no. Drone on buddy. I just found your channel. Love your stories.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@RingwayManchester]

I've been waiting weeks for a new story Ray and this one certainly didn't disappoint! Great stuff, looking forward to the next one. You should write a book. 73

[@g4nsj]

A book about the good old days. Yes, it might work. Cheers, Ray.

[@brianfretwell3886]

Yes, I remember it was the radio interference division of the Post Office that did the groundwork for finding pirates. I worked in the same building as one lot in Farringdon but on the international Telegraph side of the company.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks for the info, Brian. Sounds like an interesting job. Cheers, Ray.

[@KarsonKimbrel]

I love these stories, I hope you share more in the future!

[@RobMacKendrick]

No droning here. Keep it up, mate! Your stuff is magic.

[@jonjuliecat]

I.m pretty sure that AM was limited to 10w on top band. I pirated on there very occasionally. Some of the net on there were G2 two letter call signs which were probably issued in the 1930's.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, top band power was limited to 10 Watts. I'm not sure what the limit is now.

[@bradh6185]

I'm studying for my technicians license here in Texas. Meanwhile, I'm soaking up all the information that I can. The local club hasn't responded to any of my emails, so I'm on my own. This story was fascinating. I plan to watch more of your videos.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent, thanks!

[@FrancoDX]

Love these old stories Ray, thanks for sharing.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@battmann7089]

Excellent video, I love this channel. I can’t believe people whinge and whine about ‘droning on etc’ I love the detail, the memories, you could treble the length of the videos and I’d still love them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with long videos when the content is this good. Long live Ray and his magic coffee cup👍👍

[@g4nsj]

Batt Mann thanks, you’re very kind. Cheers, Ray.

[@battmann7089]

Radio Workshop A pleasure Ray, the channel is a real Gem!

[@battmann7089]

I’ve already bought a Retekess V115 following your advice. Very happy with it too.👍

[@g4nsj]

Batt Mann great!

[@martbrighton2885]

Nice story. My grandad was one of two original directors of Reece Mace from 1926 ... (& my MW rig in the 70s was a pair of KT88s driven via a 5763 from a EF91 VFO, with a 125W Bi-Pak solid state modulator ;o))

[@g4nsj]

Hi Mart, I had a lovely Reece Mace transmitter which covered the lower end of medium wave. Great fun! Cheers, Ray.

[@liambradymusic]

Ah go on admit it, it was you Ray wasn't it! The Statute of limitations doesn't go back that far! you are safe. Loved your story! I used to charge 10 bob to tweek the local osc to get Radio Caroline back in the 60's 73's EI9DVB

[@g4nsj]

Liam Brady it might have been me... I can’t remember!

[@rtsphotography]

Yes, those were the good ole days! Loved the story.

[@KD0LRG]

Love the old stories

[@g4nsj]

More coming soon!

[@MyNikolaas]

I love your channel, all these wonderful stories! please stay on the air!!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@RGC198]

Interesting story. I live in Melbourne Australia and during the 1980's, we heard several pirate radio broadcasts on both AM and FM bands. We also received some pirate TV broadcasts, with one of them, even transmitting Christmas wishes in December one year.

[@g4nsj]

Happy new year!

[@RGC198]

Thanks, I have subscribed to your channel.

[@denisagar8915]

absolutely loved it brand back memories tell us some more and how do you get a amateur pirate radio licence

[@Atomshamradio]

Love the old stories i really enjoyed it very much👍📻⚛

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@RGC198]

Using a converted car radio years ago, I managed to run a low power AM transmittion with a range of about 2 inches. With a range that small, the authorities would have had to be living in my house to hear it!!! LOL.

[@g4nsj]

Haha, two inches... I like it!

[@RGC198]

@@g4nsj I told a friend working in the Dept of Communications at the time and he told me that if he had a 2 inch truck I would cop it!!! LOL. Maybe, he could have used a Matchbox Car!!!

[@g4nsj]

@@RGC198 Haha, nice one!

[@GroundControl204]

Awesome story, I could talk with you for hours buddy. Nice shack as well, 73 from the U.S.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@rogair747]

Came across this by accident. I certainly will watch all your videos. We could spend a good night chatting in the pub together. John Downtown Radio Dublin from the mid 70’s

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

What a great story mate, I pirate broadcast on FM on and of. Im going to build my own AM transmitter using ocilator and old transformer. I live in Crawley, and was wondering if you like to meet for a coffee one day. Would love to hear more stories.

[@g4nsj]

TRIPPLE JAY Glad you liked the story. Can’t meet at the moment due to ongoing family commitments. Sorry about that.

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

@@g4nsj Family come 1st that ok I can enjoy your video's. All the best.

[@junglejammer1]

Great stories! It's always a treat, to hear from you. Cheers!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Dave, more coming soon.

[@FuzzyTekShow]

This was a really funny and interesting story and great to listen to, thanks for sharing!

[@g4nsj]

FuzzyTek thank you!

[@RingwayManchester]

Ray can we have more stories please, having withdrawals over here.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, more coming soon. Sorry for the delay. Cheers, Ray.

[@big_b_radical3985]

That could work back in the day, but so few have RF knowledge these days that they probably go to the amateur records early on in the tracking process.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, good point.

[@brettcooper3893]

That's how the FCC found my physical address back in high school as I was/am a licensed amateur. I was running a 1/2 watt FM station back then. Oopsie.

[@Palifiox]

Very good yarn. Pirate television. About 1986, there was no TV transmitter for SBS television in Rockhampton in VK4 land. Some character who was an amateur and owned an electronics shop used to take the SBS feed off the satellite and re-transmit it locally on one of the VHF TV channels at about 10 W. I was a kilometre or two away and could receive it, but it wasn't so good. Maybe if I'd swung the antenna about, but never did. I'm pretty sure the radio inspectors knew but they were not bothered.

[@g4nsj]

There was some pirate TV here in Worthing back in the old days. Pretty good, too. Thanks for commenting. Cheers, ray.

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

A few details, perhaps: 1.) He DID have a suitable mic or key next to the transmitter, right? 2.) He did have a history of 160 m contacts? Back then, at least in the USA, you had to maintain a logbook of every QSO, and keep it for FCC inspection. 3.) The antenna was properly tuned for decent SWR on 160 m. 4.) If the inspectors had asked him to make a 160 m contact right then and there, he could do so.

[@g4nsj]

He did, indeed.

[@markosparko7873]

Loved this, it's like the David Icke electronics.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@AntiqueRadioandTV]

Love the old story Ray! Funny you remember so much detail although it wasn't you? Hmm... I love the way you explained it so that we can picture the scene as if we were there also. Great story telling. More... Bravo 73 Tom

[@g4nsj]

It is rather odd that I recall so much detail. Hmm... I can't think why!

[@sabeehwahyly9725]

Noce very nice im iraqi in Bassra

[@bradh6185]

It's like he was right there.

[@G4MOF]

Thanks for sharing Ray love these story's I really would like to go back to those days !! That looks like a nice Amp you have there KT66's ? Please when you get time can you tell the G.W.M Worthing story ..Mr Grout? I brought so much from that place back in 1970,s What a gold mine that place was !! Cheers mate take care ..Mel..

[@g4nsj]

Hi Mel, it's nice to hear from you. GWM Radio... Blimey,. those were the days! The shop has gone now but I have many happy memories of that amazing place and, maybe, I'll make a video. The valves in the amp were KT88s. Cheers, Ray.

[@m.9243]

Lol! They never got me! They were trying for 3 years and I always managed to evade them, but this was not in the UK. The long wire antenna was going up during transmission and then disappear from sight as it was replaced by a thin fishing line that was tight up at one end! So, during the day the hardly visible fishing line was hanging between the two buildings while at night the antenna wire was taking its place, just by pulling the nylon line at one end! Great times c. 1967

[@g4nsj]

Great times, indeed! Thanks for your comments. Cheers, Ray.

[@m.9243]

@@g4nsj Hi Ray, great to hear from you, as it's been a while since you've been active on KZbin. I trust all's well and hope the new year is kind to all of us as we started to 'get on' with age.. LOL! Best wishes my friend from 'down under' (..a very hot and smokey place at the moment!..) 73's

[@umajunkcollector]

Sooo Ray, was that your hifi amplifier that was in your lounge back in the day? you know, with the reel recorder and phonograph connected to it... LOL on

[@umajunkcollector]

BTW, did they check out the neighbor? That was the era of radio free Europe and the IRON CURTAIN, when the commies jammed radio. So there was some politics to pirate radio too. Don

[@g4nsj]

Ah, er, no... Actually, it's not my amp. I wish it was!

[@g4nsj]

No, they didn't check the neighbour. I don't think they knew what to do!

[@ado75]

Good stuff Ray. You certainly did a lot of observing back then...

[@g4nsj]

A lot of observing, indeed! Haha! Cheers, Ray.

[@43duelly]

I always love your stories

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@mattdalby1210]

Is it normal for an fm transmitter to be all over the radio at a few yards? But after say 20 to 30 yards to be a clean signal?

[@g4nsj]

Matt Dalby yes, it will swamp the radio if it’s too close.

[@madrad999]

Thanks Ray, I look forward to your stories of past times, I only wish I could have been there with you.

[@g4nsj]

They were great days. Glad you like the videos. Cheers, Ray.

[@SpeccyMan]

The penny dropped for me when you were about half way though the story. I'm shouting at my screen "He's a HAM" hehe Life would be so much simpler for we electronics enthusiasts here in the UK if we had the equivalent of America's FCC part 15. Just for us to experiment without having to go for a HAM licence. (My nearest examination centre is too far away and I have limited mobility.)

[@g4nsj]

Hi Nick, I've been sussed! Yes, I am a ham but I like all aspects of radio. CB radio or the 11 metre band is full of SSB stations so it might be worth having a go there. Cheers, Ray.

[@SpeccyMan]

@@g4nsj I'm just a humble SWL myself but with probably at least sufficient technical know how to pass the intermediate exam including the practical stuff. I'd just need tutoring on the operating procedures and licence conditions stuff. However, I am happy enough as an electronics hobbyist but would love a 100mW rule like the Americans have to be able to play about with low power transmitters.

[@raysrants]

@@SpeccyMan I'm short wave listener as well as a ham. In fact, I spend more time tuning around HF than I do chatting to people. It's a great hobby.

[@alancordwell9759]

Great tale Ray, well told! Thanks :)

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Alan.

[@miguelsalami]

JOLLY GOOD MATE👍👍SMASHING🎶

[@butterbean4195]

great story reminds me of the 70`s pirate stations here in America and all over the world

[@MrSuperheterodyne]

Fantastic as always. Enjoy your vids and your website a great deal. Looking forwards to the next. 73

[@g4nsj]

More coming soon. Thanks for your comments. Cheers, Ray.

[@frankm7490]

great story ray those were the days my friend i thought would never end alas internet killed the radio star

[@LeeLocke]

Watched all the way through Ray, enjoyed your story mate.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent, glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Ray.

[@Wyowanderer]

Great story, Ray, thanks for sharing it.

[@SarahJane148]

Great story ,Did any of your mates work for the offshore stations ?

[@g4nsj]

Sadly, no. Otherwise I'd have more stories to tell. Cheers, Ray.

[@johnwmacdonald994]

Thank you, Ray.

[@radioham2387]

Hi Ray Thanks for the great stories go on do a teardown and repair of that nice amp!!

[@g4nsj]

It's a lovely amp. I hope to be working on it soon.

[@davyhenry8985]

Thanks for sharing the interesting story.

[@m0dad]

Great stuff RAY, I`ve been waiting for this video and looking forward to the next one. I like the relaxed atmosphere like being in the shack with a true radio Elmer. Take care. Best wishes from David M0DAD

[@g4nsj]

Him David, thanks for your kind comments. A true Elmer... I love it! Cheers, Ray.

[@minibikemadman]

Trying my hand at a sdr MW station one day..I've found inverted V's in the woods is best. Up about 100ft the apex.

[@g4nsj]

@@minibikemadman excellent!

[@mikedennington8856]

Another great video, love the stories, thanks Ray...

[@g4nsj]

Thanks,. Mike.

[@984francis]

You don't so much drone on as wobble on! Still, it's about an era that I miss, a lot.

[@MegaBuckfast]

Brilliant stuff. Love your stories, thank you.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks :-)

[@TheRadiogeek]

Very interesting story! Keep them coming. Thanks.

[@g4nsj]

More coming soon.

[@pegbars]

Oh, yes... I'm afraid you do drone on a bit, mate. You took 20 minutes to tell a 5-minute story. Haha... just like an American truck driver telling stories... they take forever to get to the point! Fortunately, you are pleasant to listen to, so not too difficult an endurance. :)

[@dirkbergstrom9751]

Good stuff, love it!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@Atomshamradio]

I would love to talk to you for hours about radio love old war stories 👍👍⚛

[@MrFergusferret]

Always look forward to your videos many thanks

[@g4nsj]

Excellent, thanks for posting.

[@metatronscube3218]

grand parameter optimization

[@hunter00047]

We have all done it, just keep transmissions short. Old barbed wire fences worked well on MW.The 70s were great times. Had a close call via GPO funny I worked for them later. Mr Moxey in Cheltenham was on the ball, just watchout.

[@ooocrowooo]

Great story time, thank you.

[@SpectreOZ]

Great smoke and mirrors story Ray or should I say cat and mouse? LOL

[@g4nsj]

Haha, love it! Cheers, Ray.

[@davidflamee]

Raydio workshop-I think it's got a nice ring to it, and your name in there too. Hope everything is ok there in Worthing Ray. :-) Nice story.

[@g4nsj]

Hi David, everything's fine in Worthing. Nice to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@ChoppingtonOtter]

Really enjoyed that story.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent!

[@joej6254]

Pirate radio at its best!

[@DJVybeBeats]

Very interesting story. You made me laugh!!! :) :) :)

[@g4nsj]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Ray.

[@thechetjr]

Damn, it's windy in here.

[@Scotscan]

Nice story. Almost felt like I was in the room sharing a coffee too

[@g4nsj]

That's great, thanks for the feedback.

[@mraudiommn7612]

Excellent story! Great game of cat and mouse...

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@AndrewBryantPianoTuner]

Bloody good video! Yeah E is a bit gobby though :)

[@g4nsj]

Thanks for commenting Andrew.

[@AndrewBryantPianoTuner]

just teasing enjoyed every minute mate

[@g4nsj]

:-)

[@brandonkellner2920]

I don't know anything about radio broadcasting, but this was still a great story.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Brandon.

[@RadioHamGuy]

Always enjoyable, thanks again! 73

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@ofthechase8783]

Thanks that was very good keep up the drone sir

[@g4nsj]

I'll keep droning!

[@johnnymac26]

keep droning mate!!!!! love it

[@g4nsj]

johnny mac thanks!

[@control5835]

Radio sea-gull very recent, if there's space in the spectrum someone will always use it!

[@DihelsonMendonca]

I used to do it too. Good old days...

[@g4nsj]

Excellent!

[@RJDA.Dakota]

Dihelson Mendonca When I was a teenager I had crafted together a small fm transmitter. I managed to serve the 2 blocks around my house.

[@wilwad]

Good story bro.

[@jrichards266]

Could you do a video about dstar please?

[@g4nsj]

James Richards I'm afraid I know nothing about dstar. Sorry.

[@mtabernig]

Good narration. However, what is medium wave???? I never herd of medium wave. all we had was am, fm and sw. now...... can you tell us what is Medium wave??????

[@g4nsj]

mtabernig medium wave is between short wave and long wave. It's roughly 200 metres to 550 metres. Cheers, Ray.

[@mtabernig]

And how many people listen on that band? the regular sets do not have this band. In fact I ask a lot of people and no one ever herd of medium wave.

[@g4nsj]

mtabernig All radios have medium wave. It was the most used band world wide and is still in use today. The US used it until FM came along, and they still do. You must have heard of medium wave!

[@mtabernig]

Are you taking about the AM band between 55 and 160 khz? That is the regular AM band then the Fm band is in the VHF band. We, in the us, do not have any other commercial bands on radio broadcast. Thanks.

[@g4nsj]

mtabernig type 'medium wave' into Google and all will be explained.

[@dm.2023]

its after 2am but I really want a coffee

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Great story!

[@Frank55]

Nice story! (A bit long though...)

[@charlesparks7267]

The good old days I ran a station in Harlow in the 70s the !st radio Essex

[@g4nsj]

Charles Parks Excellent! Long live pirate radio!

[@bee5kree]

thanks for another great story..make some more...I am in saint pete florida

[@g4nsj]

More stories coming soon!

[@mike97525]

love this stuff thanks

[@slippery396]

Drone on my friend !