The Crystal Ship (shortwave): Fall/Winter 2006-07 North America
The Poet
The pirate radio station 'The Crystal Ship', ("The Official Radio
Voice of The Blue States Republic"), whose first pirate radio career
spanned the years 1982-1984 (see Andrew Yoder's books on "Pirate Radio
stations" chapter on 'Political Pirates'), remains active again since
September 2004, twenty years after their last activity...
As of this posting on 9/7/06, we are active on 6,875 kHz on selected
Sunday evenings and random weeknights. Generally we are not able to
broadcast on Friday/Saturday evenings, but may occasionally work that
out too. Hours of operation are usually -2/+2 hours from local sunset
in the Great Lakes region, currently anytime from 2230-0230 UTC, on 43
meters.
Our alternate 43 meter frequency is 6,854 kHz, but that will only be
used if 'the religious powerhouse' (WEWN?) again takes up residence on
6875 this winter.
We also plan to use 90 meter frequencies extensively this winter
2006-2007, most likely 3237kHz or 3275 kHz, +/- 1kHz. Operations in
that band, come winter, will run many hours well beyond local sunset in
Eastern North America, possibly as late as 0400-0500 UTC in
December/January 07. Schedules in all bands will shift depending on the
current hours of darkness.
We often send Email notices about pending transmissions.
If you would like to receive Emailed notices about transmissions and
current frequencies, please ask to join our Email list. Requests to
join our list should be Emailed to tcssho...@gmail.com
Our transmitters include two Johnson Viking Valiants with AM carrier
power outputs of 150-170 watts, a Johnson Viking 2 with 100+ watts (all
plate modulated), and a now mostly unused but majestic in its history
Knight T-150A with 100+ watts screen-grid modulation, (same model we
used in the '80s). Antennas currently in use are dipoles for 43 meters
and 90 meters. We use a variety of MFJ antenna tuners to keep the SWR
at transmitter close to 1.1:1, regardless of frequency used.
QSL requests are honored via emailed reports at tcssho...@yahoo.com
Snail-mailed reports should be sent to:
The Crystal Ship
P.O. Box 1
Belfast, NY 14711
Since 2004, we also have confirmed reports from Venezuela and eastern
France, so our reach on shortwave may extend beyond North America when
conditions are favorable.
Strictly for the sake of our "DX fans", we hope to make some
transmissions on 1710 kHz AM this winter.... if we get a suitable
antenna erected before winter. To be notified of any such
transmissions, you must be on our Email list. (See above).
73s and FIGHT for FREE RADIO!
The Poet, aka John Poet
The Crystal Ship
tcssho...@yahoo.com
.