List of Pirate Radio Frequencies
From HFUnderground
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|[[7415]] | |[[7415]] | ||
|historically, an extremely active frequency, more recently occupied by [[WBCQ]] | |historically, an extremely active frequency, more recently occupied by [[WBCQ]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |1710 | ||
+ | |AM - Mediumwave pirates | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |1720 | ||
+ | |AM - Mediumwave pirates | ||
|- | |- | ||
|3375 | |3375 |
Revision as of 02:26, 24 April 2017
Pirate shortwave broadcasts tend to be on well-known frequencies. This allows listeners to quickly find a pirate station when it comes on the air, as they only have a relatively few number of fixed places to look. Some of the locations on the HF band that are in frequent use as of September 2007 include: (Updated April 2017)
15070 | active in the early 1990's by Europirates and pirates in North America, but recently quiet due to the solar cycle low |
7415 | historically, an extremely active frequency, more recently occupied by WBCQ |
1710 | AM - Mediumwave pirates |
1720 | AM - Mediumwave pirates |
3375 | AM/USB - used by Amphetamine Radio |
3425 | AM - used by The Crystal Ship (also reported on 3430) |
3465 | AM - reported used in 2017 |
4020 | AM/USB |
4025 | AM/USB |
4065 | AM/USB |
4085 | AM/USB |
5150 | AM - used by Relay Station |
5200 | AM - used by Relay Station |
6150 | AM - used by European Pirates |
6220 | Used by Mystery Radio in Europe |
6770 | AM - used by Old Time Radio |
6850 | usually AM |
6855 | usually AM |
6875 | usually AM - noted use by The Crystal Ship (often 6876 kHz or similar close frequencies) |
6880 | usually AM - noted use by Unknown Name Radio Network |
6888 | usually AM - noted use by Unknown Name Radio Network |
6900 | usually AM, although 6900 LSB and 6900 USB are both heavily used by Spanish-speaking "peskies" |
6905 | AM - noted use by Unknown Name Radio Network, another commonly use pescadore frequency in LSB mode |
6915 | AM/USB |
6920 | AM/USB |
6923 | USB - noted use by Amphetamine Radio |
6925 | most common frequency - virtually all modes have been heard |
6930 | AM/USB |
6935 | AM/USB |
6940 | AM/USB |
6945 | AM/USB |
6950 | AM/USB |
6955 | AM/USB |
6960 | AM/USB |
6969 | LSB - Used by Cold Country Canada |
6970 | AM - often used by XFM (also heard on 6975) |
6975 | AM - often used by XFM (also heard on 6970) |
6925 kHz is the most used frequency at this time; however, it's important to note that the list will change. Broadcasters will experiment with new frequencies according to the season, and the appearance of utility, military, and broadcast stations on a favorite spot may also force stations to move to new locations.
The 43 meter band (6765-7000 kHz) is where most US-based pirates are found, generally clustered around 6925 kHz. Pirates tend to use 5 kHz steps up to 6975 kHz. However, use "split" or "offset" frequencies is also common, examples include 6912.5 kHz, 6969 kHz, 6929.5 kHz, etc. Offset frequencies (for example, 6876 kHz instead of 6875 kHz can sometimes be due to quirks of transmitting equipment).
The 6765-7000 kHz band (referred to as "43 meters") is by far the most popular band for shortwave pirate radio. This band is internationally allocated to the fixed/mobile service and as a result many other legal (and illegal) voice and data users appear on these frequencies.
The 43 meter band is also heavily used by so-called "peskies" (a play on the Spanish term "pescadores - meaning "fishermen"), stations engaging in two-way radio chatter in Portuguese, Spanish and other languages (including English). Peskies generally use LSB mode. 6925 kHz LSB is one of the most active peskie frequencies, which can cause serious interference issues for pirates operating in AM mode on 6925 kHz or adjacent frequencies. The area around 6900 kHz (including 6895 kHz and 6905 kHz) are also heavily used by Spanish-speaking stations in both USB and LSB modes. Unknown Name Radio Network has recently started using 6900 despite heavy QRM from SSB traffic on or near 6900 kHz.
Later in the evening when propagation on 43 meters is unfavorable, pirates will sometimes move the lower frequencies, including the 90 meter band (most commonly 3375 kHz, 3425 kHz, 3465 kHz) or the 70 meter band (roughly 4000-4100 kHz).
A good place to look to get an idea of what frequencies are in current use is the FRN Loggings section or the HF Underground Shortwave Pirate logging section. and some stations will also announce a broadcast ahead of time on the FRN PX Announcements section.
Euro-Pirate Radio Frequencies
- 3920-3950
- 6200-6300
Previously Active Pirate Radio Frequencies
- 1616 - Used by AM pirates in the 1970s and 1980s
- 1620 - Used by AM pirates in the 1970s and 1980s
- 1625 - Used by AM pirates in the 1970s and 1980s
- 1630 - Used by AM pirates in the 1970s and 1980s
- 6250 - Used in the 1980s
- 6840 - Used Voice of the Voyager and others in the 1980s
- 7425 - The most popular pirate frequency in the early 1980s.
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