Brooklyn Pirate Radio WFAT

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 Ale…

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24 replies
  5. Ron Gang
    Ron Gang says:

    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.

    Reply
  11. Restricted Rights
    Restricted Rights says:

    I’m studying electronics and I’m really fascinated with radio, I’d like to do have a pirate station! Any ideas on gear that’s relatively reliable and not too expensive?

    Reply
  13. Moreoff
    Moreoff says:

    Alex Zimney actually is a very nice guy, I had the pleasure of working with him to take down a bunch of Hasidim who were illegally broadcasting on the maritime distress frequency while operating a taxi service. Radios & antenna seized and fines levied.

    Reply
  17. Hank Jim
    Hank Jim says:

    – You’re correct. WFAT was AM only, operating on 1620am. And on our shoe string budget, instead of a mixer, we improvised and used the mic and line inputs of the reel-to-reel deck to mix our audio sources!

    Reply
  19. BobWXXI
    BobWXXI says:

    WHOT? Were they trying to pass themselves off as the real WHOT, which was a licensed AM/FM outfit in Youngstown, Ohio?

    Reply
  20. Hank Jim
    Hank Jim says:

    We never meant to pass ourselves off as the real WHOT AM/FM in Youngstown. When we began WHOT we were at about 1 watt of power on FM and our signal was very small. We had done a large talk/music station called FAT Radio, and we simply wanted to program a Hot type of music format, for the kids.

    By the time the FCC busted up our WHOT, we were also AM/FM and simulcasting on the Eastern Seaboard. We actuall visited WHOT Youngstown, and had some (secret) fans there!

    Reply
  21. Hank Jim
    Hank Jim says:

    In all of our dealings with Alexander Zimney he was very polite and professional. We understood that he had his job to do, and as lunatic teenagers, we had our job to dfo, as well. Drive the FCC crazy, lol. Were you in the NY Field Office? Did you also work with our arch nemesis, Judah Mansbach?

    Reply
  22. Hank Jim
    Hank Jim says:

    Low power home/hobby transmitters and kits are out there – Google them – and read up on antenna types and especially transformers and baluns to match your antenna with your cable, etc.

    Reply
  23. iguanna41
    iguanna41 says:

    Hank says “As long there is radio there will be pirates” i was busted in 2006 & i am proud to say i was a pirate & enjoyed every second of it 🙂 you need to do it to realize how much a buzz it is:)

    Reply
  24. Jason Sweet
    Jason Sweet says:

    blah blah blah. Government does not own the electromagnetic spectrum. Let me see their license that says they own light.

    Reply

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