Re:The Economics of Pirate Radio
by Aurornis on Saturday March 16, 2024 @02:24PM
(#39728216)
Interesting to see the other side of the pirate radio story. Pirate radio has been romanticized as anti-corporate, but it’s clear that many of these stations were businesses that were only interested in avoiding regulation and licensing.
> In 2018 the FCC carried out four raids across the United States with levied fines totalling $161,844. From 1998 until 2017 the FCC made 2,187 visits and 148 raids on pirate stations across the country. There were Notices of Apparent Liability fines and illegal broadcasting fines totalling $ 4,701,558 (an average $425). Many of these fines remained uncollected despite the authorities in attempt to collect and court challenges.
If the average fine was $425 and many of them weren’t even being collected, I can see why people would take the risk.
Re:The Economics of Pirate Radio
by 6510 on Saturday March 16, 2024 @06:37PM
(#39730100)
A station here use to drive around with transmitters in cars. A ball of wires mixed with naked pcb's. Lots of people calling the hot line when they spotted the evil men with their vehicle hopelessly chasing the signal. They would report on the show where the evil men were driving. It was enjoyable. They borrow different cars regularly since all they could afford was a soldering iron.
They pretend to be sponsored by local businesses they didn't like. This week 20% discount on everything! The evil men would have lots of questions for the business owners. They wouldn't be just promoting you if you didn't pay them!
> In 2018 the FCC carried out four raids across the United States with levied fines totalling $161,844. From 1998 until 2017 the FCC made 2,187 visits and 148 raids on pirate stations across the country. There were Notices of Apparent Liability fines and illegal broadcasting fines totalling $ 4,701,558 (an average $425). Many of these fines remained uncollected despite the authorities in attempt to collect and court challenges.
If the average fine was $425 and many of them weren’t even being collected, I can see why people would take the risk.
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-fines-three-pirate-radio-op...
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-35-million-fines-m...
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-40000-fine-pirate-...
They pretend to be sponsored by local businesses they didn't like. This week 20% discount on everything! The evil men would have lots of questions for the business owners. They wouldn't be just promoting you if you didn't pay them!
The FM band is full.