List of Pirate Radio Frequencies
From HFUnderground
Pirate shortwave broadcasts tend to be on well-known frequencies (or at least relatively small bands that can be quickly scanned with a traditional radio/receiver or watched/recorded with a SDR). 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 include:
Contents |
HF High Frequency or SW Shortwave Pirate Frequencies
By far the most active ranges are 43 meters (6765-7000 kHz), 49 meters (6100-6400 kHz) and 70 meters (4000-4100 kHz)
Last updated: 2020
1610-1700 kHz | AM - Mediumwave pirates (see also 1710 kHz and 1720 kHz) |
1710 kHz | AM - Mediumwave pirates |
1720 kHz | AM - Mediumwave pirates - known as the "AM pirate clear channel" |
3375 kHz | AM/USB - used by Amphetamine Radio |
3390 kHz | AM/USB - used by Old Time Radio in February 2019 and March 2019 |
3425 kHz | AM - used by The Crystal Ship (also reported on 3430) |
3440 kHz | AM/USB - reported use in 2018 |
3465 kHz | AM - reported use in 2017 |
4015 kHz | AM/USB |
4020 kHz | AM/USB |
4025 kHz | AM/USB |
4060 kHz | AM/USB |
4065 kHz | AM/USB |
4080 kHz | AM/USB |
4085 kHz | AM/USB - used by X-FM in late 2018 |
4140 kHz | AM/USB - used by Mix Radio International |
4145 kHz | AM/USB - used by Mix Radio International |
5010 kHz | AM - used by Relay Station |
5015 kHz | AM - used by Relay Station |
5100 kHz | AM - reported in use June 2019 |
5150 kHz | AM - used by Relay Station |
5200 kHz | AM - used by Relay Station |
6150 kHz | AM - used by European Pirates |
6220 kHz | Used by Mystery Radio in Europe and other European Pirates (see 49 meters below) |
6750 kHz | AM/SSB - reported in use August 2017 |
6770 kHz | AM - used by Old Time Radio or OTR, considered to be OTR's "home channel" |
6780 kHz | AM/USB - including nearby frequencies 6777 kHz, 6777.7 kHz, 6778 kHz and 6779 kHz |
6790 kHz | AM/USB - including nearby frequency 6789 kHz |
6805 kHz | AM/SSB (repored use by UNID Europirates) |
6815 kHz | AM (repored use by UNID Europirates) |
6840 kHz | AM |
6850 kHz | usually AM |
6855 kHz | usually AM |
6868 kHz | AM/USB - noted use by Mix Radio International (May 2019) |
6870 kHz | AM/USB |
6875 kHz | usually AM - noted use by The Crystal Ship (often 6876 kHz or similar close frequencies) |
6880 kHz | usually AM - used by Relay Station (noted use in late 2018) |
6885 kHz | AM/USB |
6886 kHz | AM/USB |
6888 kHz | usually AM - noted use by Unknown Name Radio Network |
6890 kHz | AM/USB |
6900 kHz | usually AM, although 6900 LSB and 6900 USB are both heavily used by Spanish-speaking "peskies" |
6905 kHz | AM - noted use by Unknown Name Radio Network, another commonly use pescadore frequency in LSB mode |
6910 kHz | AM/USB - Used by Seven Trees Radio and Clever Name Radio |
6915 kHz | AM/USB |
6920 kHz | AM/USB |
6923 kHz | AM/USB - used by Amphetamine Radio, Fess Parker Radio, Yeah Man Radio and others |
6925 kHz | most common frequency - virtually all modes have been heard +/- 1-2 kHz Many pirate radio listeners park receivers on 6925 kHz. |
6927 kHz | AM - noted use by Yeti Radio in 2018 |
6930 kHz | AM/USB |
6935 kHz | AM/USB - Latin American pirates can also be heard here (i.e. AD149 on 6934.8 kHz or 6934.9 kHz AM) |
6940 kHz | AM/USB - noted use by Clever Name Radio |
6945 kHz | AM/USB |
6950 kHz | AM/USB |
6955 kHz | AM/USB |
6960 kHz | AM/USB - noted use by Radio Illuminati |
6965 kHz | AM/USB |
6969 kHz | LSB/USB - Used by Cold Country Canada and others |
6970 kHz | AM |
6973 kHz | AM - Latin American pirates can also be heard here, specifically Lupo Radio |
6975 kHz | AM/USB - often used by X-FM (also heard on 6970) |
6985 kHz | AM - Latin American pirates |
6995 kHz | AM/SSB - noted used by KUNT |
7415 kHz | historically, an extremely active frequency, more recently occupied by WBCQ |
7425 kHz | historically, an extremely active frequency prior to the movement down to 43 meters |
7465 kHz | AM - noted use by YHWH religious pirate |
7470 kHz | AM - noted use by YHWH religious pirate (June 2019) |
7480 kHz | AM - noted use by YHWH religious pirate (May 2019) |
13560 kHz | AM - Old Time Radio daytime frequency - logged June 2019 |
15070 kHz | active in the early 1990's by Europirates and pirates in North America, but recently quiet due to the solar cycle low |
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. During periods of minimum solar activity, there has been some movement down to the 3-5 MHz region.
The 43 meter band (6765-7000 kHz) is where most US-based pirates are found, generally clustered around 6925 kHz. Because many pirates use older-generation transmitters, it is not uncommon to find stations on "6925" actually using 6924 kHz to 6926 kHz. AM transmissions operating in the 6924.5 kHz to 6925.9 kHz area are often logged, when operators are using older-generation or crystal controlled homemade equipment it is not unusual to see carrier frequencies close to, but not exactly on, 6925.0 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).
In late 2018, several stations appeared around 6775-6790 kHz, including 6780 kHz, 6789 kHz, 6777.7 kHz and other nearby frequencies. Old Time Radio or OTR continues to be heard on 6770 kHz AM.
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. Other pirates deliberately interfere with pescadore/freebander communications.
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 HF Underground Shortwave Pirate logging section. and some stations will also announce a broadcast ahead of time on the HFU Broadcast Announcements section.
Euro-Pirate Radio Frequencies
- 3920-3950 (75 meters)
- 6100-6400 (49 meters or 48 meters)
Latin American Pirate Frequencies
See also: pescadores, peskies and freebanders
- various other bands, including within the legal shortwave broadcast bands
- 9500-10200 kHz
- 7400-8100 kHz
- 6765-7000 kHz
- 5000-6300 kHz
- 8000 kHz - Radio Casa
- 6925.1 kHz - RCW Chile
- 6930 kHz - Radio Pirana (slightly drifty carrier, heard on 6930.1 kHz
- 6934.9 kHz - AD149 (slightly drifty carrier, 6934.8 kHz, 6934.9 kHz, 6935 kHz)
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.
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.