Channel Z
The maiden voyage of Channel Z Radio took place on November 14,
2004, using a home-brewed 14 watt Grenade clone. Since that time
Channel Z has been a regular on the shortwave bands with a mixture of
new wave and obscure 60s and 70s music. The Channel Z programming
is inspired by the original “free form” FM stations from the 60s, like
WNEW-FM in New York and WMMS in Cleveland. Additional
programming is provided by longtime English pirate DJ Andy Walker
with his series of “Before They Were Famous” programs.
Station Op “Z” enjoys the technical aspect of the hobby, including transmitters, QRP, propagation, and antennas. He has helped several other stations get on the air, either by guiding them in transmitter construction or by building
transmitters for them. All of Channel Z Radio’s broadcasts have been via the station’s own home-brewed transmitters. Seven different designs have been on the air: Commando (by Dave Martin, 25 watts), LuLu (by LU8EHA, 18 watts), Grenade (by Radio Animal, 14 watts), Corsair (Dave Martin, 10 watts), Guerilla (Radio Anarchy, 8 watts), Corsette (Dave Martin, 1 watt), and Buccaneer (Channel Z’s own 4 watt, series modulated design).
These rigs have been heard in 40 states and 12 countries, including
Japan and New Zealand. In addition to the usual 43 meter pirate
frequencies, the station has also broadcast in the 49, 31, 25, and 19
meter bands, on frequencies anywhere from 6150 to 15090 kHz. The
380 mW “CZ” pirate beacon on 11428 kHz has been heard several times
in Europe.
The station verifies all correct postal reports to the Blue Ridge Summit maildrop with a hard-copy QSL card. Email reports are verified by eQSL only.