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re: “Wrong! 42 years ago I had a “dop scan” device for transmitter hunting. Good enough to pin down which antenna was in use on your car. You don’t think the FCC has gear at least as good as that now? “

NO MONEY for enforcement, and their mobile equipment nowadays works *lousy* on low band (below 50 MHz). They are using ‘patch’ antennas conformal to the top of their (used to be) Ford Explorers ...

O’Rielly Seeks Funding to Implement PIRATE Act
Commissioner wants Senate to factor new enforcement tools into FCC budget
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/orielly-seeks-funding-to-implement-pirate-act

“One FCC commissioner is personally asking for the Senate to be mindful of one particular part of the newly requested Federal Communications Commission budget — and it involves the money the commission needs as it attempts to tackle pirate radio activity in new ways.”

It's slightly amusing to hear where the FCC falls today. In the 1977 to 1980 time frame I was doing electronics work for the tuna fleet in San Diego. Much of the work was maintaining the radio gear and prepping the boats for the annual FCC inspection. November/December were very busy times with appointments. That was my commercial "day" job.

The hams in San Diego had a monthly transmitter hunt. The geographical boundaries were the San Diego county line. Participants gathered at Sears in Chula Vista or a hilltop in east San Diego(Tierra Santa). Odometer reading were recorded. The transmitter went on at 5 PM. Upon finding the transmitter, your time was recorded and odometer reading as well. The score was the sum of miles and minutes. Low score wins.

Having described the rules, I enjoyed a "win" using my doppler DF and the privilege of hosting the next month. I found the transmitter on the north side of Presidio Park in a bush. The following month, my site was in the open. It was on the beach north of the Del Coronado Hotel. Yaesu FT-221 on a car battery. 11 element beam pointed at downtown San Diego to maximize multi-path. Pulsed to mess with the folks using "null" antenna techniques. Audio with broad "warble" to keep all the dop scan LEDs illuminated. 3 1/2 hours before the first hunter arrived.

We had good technology in 1978. It wasn't expensive. Lots of "home brew" stuff. A large, active ham community in San Diego. Much of what we enjoyed at that time has faded into amusements on the internet.