Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Nostalgic look at pirate radio at sea

Outlaws May Ue Super-Stations at Sea - 1934
Back in 1934, the United States established the Federal Communications Commission, laying the groundwork for regulation of wired and wireless services in the country. Among the concerns facing the commission was interference from pirate broadcasters advertising illicit gambling and liquor sales.

That year Modern Mechanix magazine printed a look at stations operating from international waters and Mexico. The most interesting part of the article, however, is the "radio floating seadrome," a pulp novel-style bandit's lair that places a full radio studio (complete with piano), living quarters and generators.

The original article may be found at Modern Mechanix:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/02/04/outlaws-may-use-super-stations-at-sea/
(Source: RW/Modern Mechanix cover)