HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mycal@netronix.com (Mycal Johnson)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: television pirating 
Distribution: world
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 92 17:09:56 GMT
Organization: Netronix, Inc.


In article <1992Aug19.180927.3228@u.washington.edu> pauly@hardy.u.washington.edu writes:

  > 
  > I have a file that has plans on making a television xmitter.  If you're
  >  interested in looking at how that would work, I'll send it up.

        I'm interested, and I'm sure a lot of others are to, so by all means
send it.

mycal



Pirate Radio? Whats that.                               mycal@netronix.com

                            Just Say Know to Drugs.

Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: greg@ecse.rpi.edu (Greg)
Subject: Re: Pirate TV: feasible?
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 17:24:22 GMT

jka@ece.cmu.edu (Jay Adams) writes:


>>   What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
>> feasible to amplify one like the way you can with the FM-10 kit?  
>> (Substituting higher frequency transistors, etc.)
>>   Ramsey sells an inexpensive short-range TV transmitter that I 
>> built, it works nice but has an *extremely* short range.  (I haven't 
>> hooked up a larger antenna yet.)  Also it is tunable only to channels 
>> 2-6, tho that looks like that would be easy to fix just by getting a 
>> tuning coil with more turns.

>Channels 7-13 are in a different frequency range.  They're like
>200-some-odd MHz instead of 70- or 80-some-odd MHZ.

2-6 <--> 54-88
7-13 <--> 174-216

>Also, would the frequency of an amplifier transistor need to be
>higher?  I would think not since you're amplifying the RF and not the
>video signal.  In fact, you may get away with using the exact same
>circuit if the output stage of the TV transmitter is similar to that
>of the FM10.

>- Jay

I doubt that you could use the same output stage. TV has *VERY* 
different requirements than FM. FM amps are generally nonlinear. This makes
them more efficient and simpler. U.S. terrestrial TV signals are
VSB w/ a WBFM sound subcarrier. An amp for such a signal MUST be
VERY linear and have a flat frequency response accross the 5-6 MHz channel.
It is certainly possible for an amatuer to build such an amp, but
it is definitely not a simple project.

The easiest solution is to buy a commerically made broadband amp. You might
be able to find one at a flea market if you're lucky.

Also note that because a tv signal is about 30 times as wide as an WBFM
broadcast signal, you will need 30 times as much transmitter power to
achieve the same pre-detection SNR.



greg@megas.ecse.rpi.edu
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Re: Pirate TV: feasible?
From: rdale@cstp.umkc.edu
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 19:27:01 GMT
Organization: UM - Kansas City, Computer Science

>   Ramsey sells an inexpensive short-range TV transmitter that I 
> built, it works nice but has an *extremely* short range.  (I haven't 

	If you look in the classified ads of Popular Electronics and the
like, you'll probably see an ad from Progressive Concepts for an RF amp
which ostensibly works from 75-150 MHz.  This is smack in the middle of
the lower VHF TV and FM band.  The complete amp kit runs around $180,
but that includes the PC board, coils, heat sinks, and case.  I think it
puts out about 15 watts.

>   What is also  (theoretically only :-) interesting to me is the 
> possiblity of broadcasting a powerful enough signal to over-ride the 
> transmissions on a channel that is being used.   Even if you could 

	You'd need quite a potent signal to wipe out a TV station more
than four or five houses away, I'd imagine.  Better to pirate on a
clear channel than to cause intentional interference.  That would probably
have the FCC knocking at your back door within a few minutes, grin.
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: wlsmith@valve.heart.rri.uwo.ca (Wayne Smith)
Subject: Questions about the Ramsey place...
Organization: The John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 16:14:38 GMT

Is Ramsey set up as a regular store with over-the-counter sales?
What's the NY sales tax?

I'm planning a trip that will take me close to Victor NY, and was going to
buy a few kits there.

I already made an FM-10 a few months ago, and was wondering if they sell
a modified FM-10 with the 38khz crystal.

What other kits would you recomend (RF amps, tv transmitters, etc)?
From: markz@ssc.wa.com (Mark Zenier)
Subject: Re: Pirate TV: feasible?
Organization: SSC, Inc., Seattle, WA
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 23:38:04 GMT

In article <1992Aug12.232518.13509@u.washington.edu> adamfast@hardy.u.washington.edu (adam fast) writes:
>  What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
>feasible to amplify one like the way you can with the FM-10 kit?  

Gee, the axiom that any project request in sci.electronics was in 
last months Radio-Electronics applies here too. See item 4.

1. "Wireless Video Camera Link", Radio-Electronics  February 1986
    a low power transmitter for UHF channels.
2. Letters to Editor, Radio-Electronics, March 1986
     A letter from the FCC Denver office about how the previous months
     project is illegal.  It still is.  The video relay units available
     don't use the standard channel, but use a seperate band around 900 MHz.
3. "Amateur TV Transmitter", Radio-Electonics  June and July 1989
    Ham band version of number 1.
4. ATV Linear Amplifier. Radio-Electronics August 1992
    Amplifer for transmitter in number 3.

>  What is also  (theoretically only :-) interesting to me is the 
>possiblity of broadcasting a powerful enough signal to over-ride the 
>transmissions on a channel that is being used.   

The video portion of television is AM.  This requires that the overriding
signal is strong enough to completely squash the real signal.  By somthing
like 40 to 60 dB.  Pretty hard to do in town.  Maybe out in the fringes.
(Unlike FM where you only need a little bit, do to the capture effect.)

>off their sets or watch cable....  

The trick is to find the receiving antenna the cable company 
uses to feed its system and override the entire areas
reception.  Done a lot in the Netherlands, I've read.

Don't expect them to be pleased.

Mark Zenier  markz@ssc.wa.com  

Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: Radio-What exactly is legal?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 22:06:49 GMT

ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry) writes:
: 
: 
: I just heard of a guy who lives in Arizona,has I believe and FM10 with a 2
: or 4 watt amplifier that does 4 miles of range I think,don't hold me to this,
: I'm working from memory.They said the 
: FCC can't do anything because they are a federal agency and he isn't going
: outside of his locality with the signal.

The guy is fooling himself. The FCC controls what can be transmitted and the
power that can be run. If someone complains, he is setting himself up for a
fine up to about $10,000 - for each occurance.

: What is legal then?Everyone seems to have their own ideas.Can the FCC be held 
: powerless unless you override radio stations,fire,air or police?
: Does this mean we can open up our own little fm stations on empty channels
: with out getting in trouble?I sure wish I knew,does anyone else?
: Rob

You can run a station, without FCC approval - if the radiated signal is 
small enough. I believe it measures in the micro-watts for the FM and TV
bands. Even then, if your station interferes with any licensed station,
then you can be cited and forced off the air.

Call or write your local FCC field office. They will be happy to send you
information on unlicensed stations.

Bill
From: mycal@netronix.com (Mycal Johnson)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Ramsey TV-6, First Look
Distribution: world
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 23:29:55 GMT
Organization: Netronix, Inc.


I have just finished building the TV-6 kit by Ramsey.  Here is the 10 second
tour:

Fairly simple to build, took about 1hr.  6 transistor design. Layed out
in almost an Identical fashion to the FM-10 kit with the RCA jacks, power
switch and board size exactly the same.

Tune up took about 15 min.  For best Picture I had to crank the bias and
gain adjustments to max.  The sound seemed ok, but I had to adjust the
IF can so that 3/4 of the tuning slug was sticking out of the can (Yuck!).
I am fairly sure that I just got a can with a out of tolarance cap in it.

the sound IF can adjustment is very touchy, but this may be because of the
above.

Frequency stability was Surprizeingly good, I could grab on to the antenna
and there was no apparent frequency shift.  Unlike a production video
sender unit I have.

With a 9 volt supply it puts out 95mw. With a 13.8 volt supply 130 mw.
I haven't checked it for range yet, though I am sure that it is not as
great at the FM-10 kit, since the video sensitivity on most TV's is
much poorer than the audio.

It does work much better than commercial built unit called the "video
sender" that I bought last year.

It uses standard transistors 2n3904's for every thing,  output could probibly
be enhanced alot by replaceing the RF section with VHF transistors, I
don't see why you couldn't get 400-500mw out.   This would be enough
power to drive some 6-meter ham amps.

The kit was worth the $17 bucks I payed for it (bought it on sale :,)

I will let you know more later

mycal

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     ?
Pirate Radio?  Whats that?        @ o o @                mycal@netronix.com
                                     O

                            Just Say Know to Drugs.
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: pashdown@javelin.sim.es.com (Pete Ashdown)
Subject: Crystal, antenna, filter questions
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 14:51:16 GMT


I constructed most of the FM10 last night.  I did the suggested 75K Ohm &
silver-mica cap modifications.  I've got a few questions now though.

The 38khz crystal:  I've left off C7 and C8 in order to replace them with the
crystal.  However, I'm a bit skeptical as to how this works.  Do I still need
C7?  If not, why not?  Where do I solder the crystal in?  Why didn't they use
this in the original kit?  It seems like a much simpler solution and it is
only a dollar or so more.

The brazing rod ground plane antenna: Mycal was a bit vague as to the
construction of this.  The only part I don't understand is what I'm supposed
to use for a radiator.  Will a copper brazing rod work for this as well?  If
so, am I supposed to have a total of 5 brazing rods rather than 4?  How do
these COPPER brazing rods stand up to the elements?  Also, how do I aim it?
I just plan on pointing the radiator at the sky.

Filter:  I have not added Mycal's amp yet.  I want to do some testing on my
range without it first.  In the construction, Mycal mentions he tried both
configurations with variable caps & set inductors and set caps & variable
inductors.  What about set caps and set inductors?  Not having any fancy
equipment to figure out whether or not it is working as well as not being able
to tune it precisely, I would prefer being able to construct a filter without
any variables.  I'm going to be operating on 89.5, so what are the values I
need on a seven element Chebyshev?  Also, I have this question about how to
hook it into the antenna:

          ---()---()---()---
           |    |    |    |
          ------------------

This is a reduced representation.  Mycal shows each end going off to the 50ohm
connection.  However, there are two wires on each end.  Do I connect both of
them to the 50ohm?  Does anything need to be grounded?


Lots of questions.  I've lost the mailing address to the FM10 list, could
someone send it to me?
-- 
			  I'm not wearing any pants.

DISCLAIMER: My writings have NOTHING to do with my employer.  Keep it that way.
Pete Ashdown    pashdown@slack.sim.es.com    ...uunet!slack.sim.es.com!pashdown
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: C0031018@dbstu1.rz.tu-bs.de (Johannes Heyer)
Subject: Book: Pirate Radio
Organization: Technical University Braunschweig, Germany
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 12:58:42 GMT

Hi,
 
someone mentioned the book "Pirate Radio" by Andrew Yoder. If I order it
from Germany I think I have to buy it that means I can't have a look at it
first. Can someone please tell me if this book is any good and which topics
are covered. Also I would like to have the adress of TAB Books, the
publisher of "Pirate Radio"
 
Thanks pirates       :-)
               jh
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   |\/\/\/|      Office:                         Private:
   |      |      Rechenzentrum der TU            Johannes Heyer
   |      |      z. Hd. Herrn Heyer              Brinkstrasse 4a
   | (o)(o)      Hans-Sommer-Strasse 65          Germany - 3303 Vechelde
   \      _)     Germany - 3300 Braunschweig     Phone: +49 5300 / 67 14
    | ,___|      Phone: +49 531 / 391-5555
    |   /        FAX:   +49 531 / 391-5549
   /____\        EMAIL: C0031018 @ DBSTU1.EARN
  /      \              c0031018 @ dbstu1.rz.tu-bs.de (134.169.1.1)
From: Terry.Murphy@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Terry Murphy)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Re: Ramsey address?
Keywords: Ok Pat, tell us about those parting gifts
Date: 20 Aug 92 00:02:50 GMT
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service

Ramsey Electronics
793 Canning Pwky.
Victor NY 14564
(716) 924-4560
 


--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
From: mycal@netronix.com (Mycal Johnson)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Pirate TV: feasible? 
Distribution: world
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 17:27:37 GMT
Organization: Netronix, Inc.


In article <greg.713726662@hibp1.ecse.rpi.edu> greg@ecse.rpi.edu writes:

  > 
  > jka@ece.cmu.edu (Jay Adams) writes:
  > 
  > 
  > >>   What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
        edited...
  > >Channels 7-13 are in a different frequency range.  They're like
  > >200-some-odd MHz instead of 70- or 80-some-odd MHZ.
  > 
  > 2-6 <--> 54-88
  > 7-13 <--> 174-216
  > 
  > I doubt that you could use the same output stage. TV has *VERY* 
  > different requirements than FM. FM amps are generally nonlinear. This makes
  > them more efficient and simpler. U.S. terrestrial TV signals are
  > VSB w/ a WBFM sound subcarrier. An amp for such a signal MUST be
  > VERY linear and have a flat frequency response accross the 5-6 MHz channel.
  > It is certainly possible for an amatuer to build such an amp, but
  > it is definitely not a simple project.
  > 
Well this baby is going to be my next project, but the amp that I have
in my FM-10 info file will probibly work fine, it is running class-a (hence
linear) and it is very broadband.  You will probibly have to watch the input
resistance 'cause amplifing 6mhz of signal can require lots of power.
You might think about replacing the mps2222a with a mrf901 for better gain.

you could use about the same antenna for the ramsey fm kit running at 88mhz
as the ramsey tv kit running chan 6.  see above.

  > greg@megas.ecse.rpi.edu


also the reason the guy several posts before was able to stomp the audio signal
was because it is FM, you only need to be 2db stronger and you will wipe the
other broadcast out.  The video is AM, and it takes much much more signal
to achive the same results.  AM is also the reason you need a linear amp.



Mycal Johnson                          _
mycal@netronix.com                    | |_ _ _         There is only one
(707)769-3309                         | | | | |__          nor-cal
-----------------                     |        ___\         so-cal
   -  -  -  -                          \      /              mycal
     Ban all Bans                       |    |
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Re: Pirate TV: feasible?
From: flash@lopez.marquette.MI.US (Gary Bourgois,Hamshack)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 21:43:23 EDT
Organization: Great White North/UPLink

In <greg.713726662@hibp1.ecse.rpi.edu> greg@ecse.rpi.edu (Greg) writes:

>jka@ece.cmu.edu (Jay Adams) writes:


>>>   What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
>>> feasible to amplify one like the way you can with the FM-10 kit?  

The Ramsey kit is not very stable, AND uses AM instead of VSB for the video.
A better solution it to buy a device called "Channel Plus" which is a video
modulator designed to add the signal to a home cable system.  However, if you
take the output from the channel plus and feed it into a video amplifier, you
could get some pretty fair coverage.

Once a long time ago, I conducted an experiment using a commercial RF
modulator made for a cable company (the device they use to put a signal into
the cable system).  I connected the output to just a regular outside TV
antenna, and fed a videotape into the modulator.

The signal could be picked up clearly two blocks away with rabit ears.  It
was 4:00AM, in a city that has no off air signals available.

Commercial TV modulators are available.  Used ones can be had for scrap value
if you know a cable company that is rebuilding.

--
    /   Gary Bourgois, WB8EOH, The Birdwatcher: Marquette Michigan  USA   \
   ([-o ~ Tune FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!  S3/21 6.2. Fridays from 9-midnight ~ o-])
    \  Now a snazzy new DOMAIN address!  flash@lopez.marquette.mi.us      /
        GEnie: SIGNALS   FAX: (906) 228-7477    GWN BBS: (906) 228-4399
From: insomnia@carson.u.washington.edu (Ryan Klemmer)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Ramsey address?
Date: 18 Aug 92 01:44:13 GMT
Organization: University of Washington

Could somebody please send me the address for Ramsey.

Ryan (insomnia@u.washington.edu)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: gah@hood.hood.caltech.edu (Glen Herrmannsfeldt)
Subject: Re: Pirate TV: feasible?
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 19:45:39 GMT

Channels 2-6 are directly below FM radio, as the numbers indicate.

Some FM radios can tune to the audio of channel 6.

TV sound is FM with 25khz deviation, where FM radio is 75kHz.

Turn up the volume on the radio a little bit.

With FM signals (including TV sound) the receiver automatically
grabs the highest power signal.

With AM signals (TV video) they mix together.


In the days when VCRs were new, there were lots of stories about
people hooking them up to the TV without removing the antenna connection,
broadcasting the signal.  Sometimes X rated movies, which neighbors could
then watch.

I haven't heard this recently, though.
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry)
Subject: Radio-What exactly is legal?
Reply-To: ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 92 18:58:23 GMT



I just heard of a guy who lives in Arizona,has I believe and FM10 with a 2
or 4 watt amplifier that does 4 miles of range I think,don't hold me to this,
I'm working from memory.They said the 
FCC can't do anything because they are a federal agency and he isn't going
outside of his locality with the signal.

What is legal then?Everyone seems to have their own ideas.Can the FCC be held 
powerless unless you override radio stations,fire,air or police?
Does this mean we can open up our own little fm stations on empty channels
with out getting in trouble?I sure wish I knew,does anyone else?
Rob
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: jka@ece.cmu.edu (Jay Adams)
Subject: Pirate TV: feasible?
Originator: jka@mustang.ece.cmu.edu
Organization: CMU ECE Dept.
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 05:38:40 GMT


>   What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
> feasible to amplify one like the way you can with the FM-10 kit?  
> (Substituting higher frequency transistors, etc.)
>   Ramsey sells an inexpensive short-range TV transmitter that I 
> built, it works nice but has an *extremely* short range.  (I haven't 
> hooked up a larger antenna yet.)  Also it is tunable only to channels 
> 2-6, tho that looks like that would be easy to fix just by getting a 
> tuning coil with more turns.

Channels 7-13 are in a different frequency range.  They're like
200-some-odd MHz instead of 70- or 80-some-odd MHZ.

Also, would the frequency of an amplifier transistor need to be
higher?  I would think not since you're amplifying the RF and not the
video signal.  In fact, you may get away with using the exact same
circuit if the output stage of the TV transmitter is similar to that
of the FM10.

- Jay
From: adamfast@hardy.u.washington.edu (adam fast)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
Subject: Pirate TV: feasible?
Date: 12 Aug 92 23:25:18 GMT
Organization: university of washington

Folks,
  What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
feasible to amplify one like the way you can with the FM-10 kit?  
(Substituting higher frequency transistors, etc.)
  Ramsey sells an inexpensive short-range TV transmitter that I 
built, it works nice but has an *extremely* short range.  (I haven't 
hooked up a larger antenna yet.)  Also it is tunable only to channels 
2-6, tho that looks like that would be easy to fix just by getting a 
tuning coil with more turns.

  The Ramsey kit (about $40) broacasts ok on empty channels, and I 
am wondering how hard it would be to build a small amplifier for it--
on an empty channel, with a good antenna you could have a range 
of 10-20 blocks at least (in the city).

  What is also  (theoretically only :-) interesting to me is the 
possiblity of broadcasting a powerful enough signal to over-ride the 
transmissions on a channel that is being used.   Even if you could 
only over-ride nearby sets, if you had a range of few blocks you 
could do some interesting things... video graffiti, etc... this would 
seem to be very hard to track also...
  The Ramsey kit can overpower the audio portion of a broadcast 
without any amplification-- the video breaks up tho.  I imagine if 
you could send strong signals you could get _some_ kind of vid in 
there?

  Anyway, suppose you can.  Imagine getting ten or so of these pirate 
TV xmitters, tuning them each to a different channel, and sourcing 
the same video signal to each of them... with a battery or a hook up 
to 12v in a vehicle you could have a mobile set up that could 
*compel* people to watch your (brief) broadcasts, if they didn't turn 
off their sets or watch cable....  this would only cost you a couple of 
hundred bucks...
  (The same goes for a gang of pirate radio xmitters, which I am also 
interested in... theoretically only of course.)

  In a mobile setup, you could cover a whole city in 10-20 block 
regions very easily, without being traced (because your signal isn't 
strong enough).  Of course you are limited to short broadcasts, but so 
what?  This is art...;-)


adam

adamfast@hardy.u.washington.edu
  
Newsgroups: alt.radio.pirate
From: davep@county.lmt.mn.org (Dave Polaschek)
Subject: Re: Pirate TV: feasible?
Followup-To: alt.radio.pirate
Keywords: channels FM frequency
Reply-To: davep@county.lmt.mn.org (Dave Polaschek)
Organization: LaserMaster Corp
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 92 20:30:42 GMT

>>   What do you think about building pirate TV transmitters?  Is it 
>> feasible to amplify one like the way you can with the FM-10 kit?  
>> (Substituting higher frequency transistors, etc.)
>>   Ramsey sells an inexpensive short-range TV transmitter that I 
>> built, it works nice but has an *extremely* short range.  (I haven't 
>> hooked up a larger antenna yet.)  Also it is tunable only to channels 
>> 2-6, tho that looks like that would be easy to fix just by getting a 
>> tuning coil with more turns.

>Channels 7-13 are in a different frequency range.  They're like
>200-some-odd MHz instead of 70- or 80-some-odd MHZ.

Channels 2-6 are below FM.  7-13 are above.  On some older FM radios you can 
get both channels 6 & 7 audio by tuning to the very ends of the band.

Dave Polaschek            Internet:davep@county.lmt.mn.org
LaserMaster Corp. R&D              ICBMNet:44^59'N 93^13'W
7156 Shady Oak Road                     AppleLink:LASERMAX
Eden Prairie, MN 55344                   ATTNet:6129439204