Brooklyn Pirate Radio WFAT

WFAT 1620 AM Brooklyn, New York. Circa 1980. This film features DJs Hank Hayes, Jim Nazium, and the FCC agents that kept busting them, Judah Mansbach and Alexander Zimney.

WHOT went on to be an AM and FM operation covering heard in 19 states, two time zones in the US and Canada.

All we wanted to do was go wild and do fun shows.

These two DJs are still up to their fun antics every day at http://Stickam.com/HankandJim

Duration : 0:5:59


[youtube iFhUJNVyQnE]

25 Responses to “Brooklyn Pirate Radio WFAT”

  1. century3horizons on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    In some states now …
    In some states now it’s actually a felony to operate a transmitter at anything above 100Mw. Humbug!

  2. hellokitty2007 on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    how exciting…
    how exciting…

  3. cuteblondecrystal on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    Pirate Radio RULES! …
    Pirate Radio RULES!!! :D

  4. about $30 on ebay …
    about $30 on ebay its $65 after shipping for a 5 Watt

  5. Letsgoherd3008 on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    Illegal XD :)
    Illegal XD :)

  6. Anybody remember ” …
    Anybody remember “CFUN” in Toronto in the wild early mid-60’s? They would actually fire up on 1540 AM when a sunrise to sunset local station would go off the air, catching their listeners; as soon as the national anthem was over and legit CHFI’s carrier dropped, they were on the same frequency with “fun radio”. CHFI’s owner heard them one evening at sign off , was incensed, called the DOT (law) and they were busted. They later were active again on 1615 KHz. Seems there were a few others.

  7. uk invented pirate …
    uk invented pirate radiO!

  8. Turn your 100mW …
    Turn your 100mW station into 500 Watts with on of my tube type amplifiers.

  9. thomas242007 on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    not unless you only …
    not unless you only did a 30 or 40 minute airshow, they have to have time to track you, and that would take atleast 20 minutes, and ive heard as long as you dont maliciously interfere with any other signals, ham, emergency etc your cool, dont have to worry about the knock

  10. thomas242007 on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    so id probally need …
    so id probally need atleast a 100 ft antenae right to get any distance? im wanting to go atleast 30, but marti transmitters are outta the question

  11. Hank & Jim are cool …
    Hank & Jim are cool i have big time respect for these guys :)

  12. thomas242007 on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    how much would a …
    how much would a 100 mw transmitter cost about?? is that pretty much all you need?? cause i am interested in starting one of my own, any ideas wher i can find decently priced antaneas?? id probally use a 50 ft one my self

  13. Me and my friends …
    Me and my friends have one in my basement. 100mw transmitter and 25 ft antenna. (pretty week transmitter)

  14. thomas242007 on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    i agree with you …
    i agree with you ill soon be in broadcasting myself hopefully cause otherwise im going to start my own pirate station:) i really would like to to say you federal commision

  15. You do this now …
    You do this now they would have you in minutes lol.

  16. it started in …
    it started in Denmark with radio Mercur in 1958.
    The Dutch noticed this way of radio making and started radio Veronica. Then the UK Followed with radio Caroline. and many stations came and go.

  17. johnniescarlett on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    This is fascinating …
    This is fascinating!!
    When I was barely a teenager in the 1960’s I would listen to Radio London, which was a offshore pirate radio station broadcasting 3 and a half miles off the coast of the UK. For 3 years it got away with it.
    The “PAMS” jingles played here are the same as the ones I used to listen to, but with the location changed to NY.
    “We love the pirates” was a song played alot in 1967.
    Would I be right in thinking that it was the British who started the trend for this kind of radio fun?

  18. I was born in 81, …
    I was born in 81, live in NJ close to the city! This must have been awsome!Did you build the equiptment? If so where did you learn?If not where you get it? Im about to make my own!

  19. The airwaves belong …
    The airwaves belong to everyone! Not the FCC. The only way we can take back radio is to overwhelme the FCC. Search for, and if you have them – support your local pirate stations. This is TRULY freedom of speech!

  20. pirateradionut on May 30th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    “I hear something …
    “I hear something on 1620…sounds like a man talking”

    Wow, amazing listening skills!

  21. This is one of the …
    This is one of the things in life that is normal for most folks. I incurage every one to get into pirate radio. On Oct 15 2008 it will be the bigest boom come- back ever in history.

  22. FCC… FU
    FCC… FU

  23. im one , lol
    im one , lol

  24. Jim Hank… …
    Jim Hank…Greetings from the #2 listener, Marc.

    Love you guys!

  25. You guys are my …
    You guys are my heroes, i got f***ed off ofcom they are the fcc but based in the uk i got busted for doing the same thing, my house at the time was over 900 feet above sea level with over 1000 watts of erp power i was transmitting all over the Manchester area but was soon tracked down because of the amount of power i was using, you guys are cool & didn’t care the fcc was after you, you guys have my respect!!.. fcc sucks & so does ofcom let the pirates play & entertain the public.

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