It's 1992, you're a radio DJ, what's your DJ name? 'Cause it can't be your real name.
"Long Dong Silver," no, I don't know. Uh god, I'm on the spot.
That's funny because I'm Rocky Bukkake!
Rocky Bukkake! Woo, ring the cowbell!
[the modulated rogue] "The modern rogue can only be heard
in certain frequencies."
First of all, the ability to transmit FM transmission is not very complicated.
Pretty much anyone can do an FM or an AM broadcast, right?
Right, but I never could grasp exactly how far the signal was going.
Some people say that there's a one-to-one ratio of wattage-per-mile that you can hear the transmission.
But, most people seem to agree that it's not even a good rule of thumb.
That doesn't factor in competing transmissions. That doesn't factor in the antenna placement.
There's a million other factors including freaking sunspots.
There's a reason that you can hear AM radio so much farther at night, versus the daytime.
It's cause you're not competing with the signals from the freaking sun.
So if you want to broadcast where everyone can hear it, you gotta have a lot of money
and a license from the FCC. What if you just want to broadcast locally?
Then you want to check out Title 47, Part 15.
This is the part that says that unlicensed transmission is allowed for certain sections of the FM
and the AM section. The AM transmission is determined by the power of the station.
For FM, it has to be between 88 and 108 megahertz.
It talks about the field strength outside of the antenna, is that right?
That's how I understand it, it's byzantine.
As long as you are not affecting any broadcasts within 60 meters, I believe you should be safe, question mark?
I am not a lawyer, also check that out on the website.
It also merits mentioning, that most people don't own an EMF detector.
That's correct. If you actually wanted to obey all the rules, you would get certain detectors
that would measure the strength of the field from where you are, based on what kind of antenna you have.
And keep in mind, most people have already experienced being a pirate radio broadcaster
because if you ever got one of those things that you plug in your iPod to transmit on your car radio,
often times those are overpowered and you're technically doing an illegal broadcast.
Here's a good rule of thumb: If people can hear you, you're probably too loud.
I am not a lawyer, so I can't say if that's true or not. I can say that if you are caught violating
the FCC's statutes, it's $10,000 the first time. And up to $75,000 for being a repeat offender.
In fact, there's a fantastic website that breaks down the United States and shows where they've been
busting people with pirate radio stations. So this is nothing to be trifled with.
One of the big things that they look for is if you are overriding or
interfering with someone who actually has a license.
>>Brian: Correct.
If you are going to do this above board, you should go to radio-locator.com
Punch in your zip code, it'll tell you what the least-used parts of the spectrum is in your area.
This way you can make the loudest noise, in the smallest area,
using the least amount of power, which is important, to stay compliant with the law.
Here in my area, the best channel is 87.9 FM. Do you know what's wrong with that?
It's outside of the range,
>>Brian: That's right!
>>Jason: that we were told you could use.
So we'll have to go with one of the next best channels, in this case, 91.5 looks good.
Ok, what equipment do we need? And, how do we get it?
Again, we are not encouraging anybody to do anything! But a simple search on the Internet showed me
1 watt to 5 watt transmitters in the FM band for like $60.
1 watt to 5 watt anywhere in there, way too powerful.
Yeah, although it does mention on the FCC website, it talks about the effective range,
so it almost seemed like they were much more concerned with what you were actually interfering with,
less with what your theoretical maximum could've been. Does that make sense?
Yes. So as far as the equipment, we need a transmitter, an antenna, and an audio source.
Yeah, I think that's it.
Now this thing could theoretically get us into all kinds of trouble, but we're going to restrict
the amount of power, so that we only reach your car. I want to be a radio DJ, for you and only you.
Oh, that's what I've always wanted. Great.
To be clear, we are not stupid enough to document our illegal activities and post them on the Internet. Right?
This is why we're doing everything above board.
I'm asking you, Brian, right?
Ehhh
[background noise of Jason getting into his car]
>>Brian (over radio): Check, check check, check.
Alright, we're at the far end of Brian's neighborhood and we're gonna drive until we hear the signal
and whatever delightful broadcasting he's got planned for us.
[radio static]
Pulling up to Brian's house now.
♪ Bang on! ♪
>>Brian (over the radio): Oh, that's right central Texas,
it's me singing my song LIVE here on unlicensed radio, it's 91.5 A.K.A
[cat growling] >>Announcer: 105 9 The Cat!
>>Little Girl screaming: GTFO!
>>Brian (over the radio): Oh, comin' up next, we've got Quiet Wyatt!
Don't forget 'Kook and the Racist Badger' mornings, Fake and Gay the afternoons,
drive time, weather and radar on the fives!
>>Brian (over radio): It's unlicensed radio!
He's too good at this.
[laughing]
>>Brian (over the radio): Did it work?
Oh yeah...yeah.
>>Brian: What did it sound like?
It sounded like a really sh---y radio station.
>>Brian: Caller, you're on the air buddy, what's up?
Uh hey, big fan, long time listener.
>>Jason: What about some Fat Boys?
>>Brian: Oh, THE Fat Boys?
THE Fat Boys.
Here you go, buddy.
Oh my god!
By special request from Jason Murphy, it's The Fat Boys!
I'm very pleased, I never thought...I thought I would die before I heard that song again.
[laughing]
Ok that's good, I'm going to turn this off now.
>>Brian: Ok, alright, bye.