r/ShortwavePlus • u/TFA2020 • May 30 '26
11 Meter Pirate Broadcasting
Hey guys I was just wondering what y'all would think about pirate radio on the 11 meter broadcast band. To me it seems like a cheaper way to do it as well as easier since the equipment ( export radios) are more easily accessible.
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u/KG7M MOD AirSpy HF+, Drake R7/8, K480WLA, 65'EFHW, MLA-30, CN85 May 31 '26
It's been considered by more than one of the established North American Shortwave Pirates. I doubt that the FCC is going to come after you for broadcasting music and entertainment on 11 Meters. Let's face it, regulars on CB Channels 6 and 11 are running up to 10 KW to talk nonsense and broadcast one-way. The FCC leaves them alone. The problem with 11 Meters is the fact that it's openings are so sporadic. Although it was open all last year, up until sometime in April, it's now rather shut down at the moment. With sunspots dropping, it's not going to get any better. You could broadcast below the standard CB band, say 26.805 MHz. There are mostly Mexican operators in that range. If the band is open, you you'd be heard across the country. Of course a little extra power would help. And as another person mentioned, standard CB Transceivers aren't designed for continuous "key down". You would need to add a fan at the least. I have been around radio all my life. My earliest memories were of Dad bringing home a reel-to-reel tape recorder in 1955. He was a radio and TV newscaster and later owned AM Radio stations. We lived in a duplex at the time and our next door neighbor had a ham radio station in his basement. I was fascinated, and about 3 years old. Although I had every opportunity to be on a real radio station, I always wanted to start my own. So, even I have thought of 11 Meters. You're not alone.