Pirate radio

The term pirate radio lacks a specific universal interpretation. It implies a form of broadcasting that is unwelcomed by the licensing authorities within the territory where its signals are received, especially when the country of transmission is the same as the country of reception. When the area of transmission is not a country, or when it is a country and the transmissions are not illegal, those same broadcast signals may be deemed illegal in the country of reception. Therefore "pirate radio" can mean many things to many people. Pirate radio stations are sometimes called bootleg stations.

Pirate radio by geographical area

Since this subject covers both national territories, international waters and international airspace, the only effective way to treat this subject is on a country by country, international waters and international airspace basis. Because the laws vary, the interpretation of the term pirate radio also varies considerably.

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Questions have been raised about various types of broadcasting conducted by national governments against the interests of other national governments which have in turn created jamming stations transmitting noises on the same frequency so as to destroy the receivability of the incoming signal.

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While the USA transmitted its programs towards the USSR which attempted to jam them, in 1970 the government of the United Kingdom decided to employ a jamming transmitter to drown out the incoming transmissions from the commercial station Radio Northsea International, which was based aboard the Motor Vessel (MV) Mebo II anchored off Southeast England in the North Sea.

Related Topics:
USA - USSR - Jam - 1970 - United Kingdom - Radio Northsea International - Southeast England - North Sea

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Other examples of this type of unusual broadcasting include the Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Courier which both originated and relayed broadcasts of the Voice of America from an anchorage at the island of Rhodes, Greece to Soviet bloc countries. Balloons have been flown above Key West, Florida to support the TV transmissions of TV Martí which are directed at Cuba. Military broadcasting aircraft have been flown over Vietnam, Iraq and other many nations by the USAF. The European Union financially supported a radio station broadcasting news and information into the former Yugoslavia from a ship anchored in international waters.

Related Topics:
USCGC Courier - Voice of America - Rhodes - Greece - Soviet bloc - Key West - Florida - TV Martí - Cuba - Vietnam - Iraq - USAF - European Union - Yugoslavia

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Pirate radio in Asia

For individual listings under this heading please click the link above.

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China (From International Waters)

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Taiwan (The history of Underground Radio)

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Pirate radio in Australasia

For individual listings under this heading please click the link above.

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New Zealand (From International Waters)

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Pirate radio in Central America and Caribbean Sea

For individual listings under this heading please click the link above.

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Swan Island (History of Radio Swan / Radio Americas)

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Pirate radio in Europe

For individual listings under this heading please click the link above.

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Belgium (From International Waters)

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Denmark (From International Waters)

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England (From International Waters)

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France (History of Pirate Radio from 1970 to 1990)

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Ireland (History of Pirate Radio)

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Luxembourg (History of "Radio Luxembourg")

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Netherlands (From International Waters)

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Scotland (From International Waters)

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Sweden (From International Waters)

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United Kingdom (History of Pirate Radio: Pre-World War II; Land based)

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Yugoslavia (From International Waters)

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Pirate radio in the Middle East

For individual listings under this heading please click the link above.

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Israel (From Territorial Waters)

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Pirate radio in North America

For individual listings under this heading please click the link above.

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Mexico (History of the "Border blasters")

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United States of America (History of Pirate Radio; From International Waters)

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