In some ways the idea of pirate radio is charming, the idea of someone throwing themselves on the air and doing offbeat music, etc. Sometimes you can actually do this legally (that is, a low powered station but LEGAL)—a flea-powered station, provided you are within power limits.
(Example: Old age facilities that run ‘Companion Radio’—programming sent via satellite or online that they rebroadcast within the facility. Oh, and there are even some drive in theatres—not that many are left—where you are told to tune to a certain frequency to hear the audio.)
And there are traveler’s info stations; or Low Power FMs
(licensed by the FCC) If someone does it legally, on an LPFM or, say, “expanded band AM” (1600-1700, again, legally), then fine.
The pirate stations also can make it tough for those who want to rebroadcast (legally) satellite radio or an mp3 player in their car. Try finding a spot where you can,
say, listen to the XM you subscribe to, etc. when the dial
is full of signals.
Some pirate stations have websites where they claim they are legally running a station by order of FCC rules (but they aren’t). One in Boston, Choice FM, said on their site that the FCC gave them the call letters WCFM.
Except that the legal college station at Williams College in
Williamstown, MA, already has them.
Boston newspapers talk about local politicians appearing on
“Touch 106.1” for events, etc. That station’s site makes it seem like they are legit. They aren’t.
The proper history of the phenomenon of “pirate radio” has yet to be written. I see it as a manifestation of humankind’s primal need to inter-communicate as it sees fit, regardless of governmental dictates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine,_%26c.,_Broadcasting_%28Offences%29_Act_1967
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Caroline