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Pirate Radio |
WARNING FROM RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS AGENCY REGARDING DJ COMPETITIONS
The Agency has learnt that a licensed broadcasting station is running a competition to recruit DJ’s from pirate radio stations.
The economic value of the UK radio industry is worth £20 billion at 2000 prices. The Agency is responsible for ensuring that this vital national asset is not threatened by misuse of the radio spectrum. The greatest threat comes from unlicensed broadcasters who operate with total disregard for authorised radio users.
Recruitment of staff from pirate radio stations may require pirate broadcasters to provide information that is effectively evidence of their committing a criminal offence of unlicensed broadcasting. The penalties for that criminal offence are:
The Agency expects that anyone in possession of such evidence will hand it over to them for further investigation. Failing that it can be seized under the Agency's legal powers under section 15 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and section 79 of the Telecommunications Act 1984.
What is Pirate Radio?
Pirate broadcasts are made by broadcasters that do not have a licence issued under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Independent broadcasters must also have a broadcasting licence issued by the Radio Authority.
Why is pirate radio a problem?
Pirate radio is seen by some people as a bit of harmless fun and the actions of the Agency in taking enforcement action against stations heavy handed and unnecessary. The truth is that participation in pirate radio is a criminal and anti-social activity and station operations are a menace to legal broadcasters and the public alike. Pirate broadcasters:
Cause interference to the broadcasts of legal radio stations depriving them
of audience and the public of the ability to listen to the station of their
choice.
Steal frequencies and space on the radio spectrum and their use of poor transmitting
equipment makes interference an inevitable consequence of their activities.
Unauthorised use of premises as transmitter sites leads to criminal damage and
theft - a burden carried by the owners or residents of the premises used.
Pay no business, council, VAT or income taxes and therefore take from, rather
than contribute to, the communities they claim to serve.
They disrupt the vital communications of the safety of life services, particularly
air traffic control.
How does a typical pirate operate?
A typical pirate station will identify what they think is a clear slot in the FM broadcasting band (87.5 - 108 MHz) irrespective of radio spectrum planning considerations designed to avoid interference and they will establish a transmitter site on high ground or the roof of a council tower block. Use of the latter site normally involves smashing locks to gain access to the roof and tapping into the power supply in a lift motor and stealing electricity.
A transmitter similar to that in Figure 1 (shown being cut free) will then be concealed in the lift motor room or ventilation shaft.
Figure 1
Quite often the transmitter is fed by a signal from the pirate's studio which may be several miles away (see Figure 2) via a microwave radio link (see Figure 3). An antenna on the roof (Figure 4) radiates the signal from the main transmitter.
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Figure 2 |
Figure 3 |
Figure 4 |
Click on the images above to view a full-size version.
What is the Radiocommunications Agency's role?
The Agency addresses the pirate problem proactively, listening to the broadcasts of pirate stations from its monitoring station to gain information about pirates, such as the telephone numbers used in station operation. Service providers may cut them off if they are being used for illegal activity. Other information gained from this monitoring, such as about advertisers, is used to support enforcement action.
The complaints of licensed broadcasters and members of the public about interference are recorded and passed to the Agency's local staff for action. Figure 5 below shows the number of operations carried out against pirates over the last five years.
Figure 5
Figure for
2003 shows the number of operations carried out against pirate stations as at
31 September
Anyone involved with pirate broadcasting, even if they allow their premises to be used, or if they advertise on a station commits an offence. The maximum penalties, at Crown Court, are unlimited fine and two years in prison.
How do I report pirate activity?
Pirate activity can be reported by telephone, fax or letter to any one of our local offices or by email to pirates@ra.gsi.gov.uk
The chart shown below (Figure 6) shows the outcome of the Agency's prosecutions up to 2002.
How do I get into radio without becoming a pirate?
The Radio Authority, a separate organisation to the Agency, set up as a result of the Broadcasting Act 1990 to license and regulate all independent radio services, can explain the legal route to establishing a radio station. Their website http://www.radioauthority.org.uk can provide further information. Alternatively they can be contacted by telephone, fax or letter at:
The Radio Authority
Holbrook House
14 Great Queen Street
LONDON
WC2B 5DG
Telephone 020 7430 2724
Fax 020 7405 7062
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