Radio Beat: New pirate station raids the airwaves

A new station appeared at 93.7 on the local FM radio dial recently, with a particularly strong signal from Renton to Federal Way in South King County.

But you won't be seeing billboards, bus advertisements or other promotions for the station. According to the Federal Communications Commission, there's not supposed to be a station in this area on that frequency.

The station is what's known as a pirate, meaning unlicensed and unauthorized to broadcast.

Pirate stations are hardly rare, but they usually cover short distances and have a short duration before the operator -- or the FCC -- shuts it down. The pirate at 93.7 is somewhat notable for the strength of its signal.

Licensed broadcasters complain about pirates for stepping on their signals. Pirate defenders say such stations give more people access to the airwaves to broadcast what commercial stations won't.

This wouldn't be the first occurrence for a pirate at that frequency. Last year a pirate calling itself "Deez Nuts" operated at 93.7 until the FCC shut it down. An FCC spokeswoman declined comment yesterday on whether the agency has received a complaint about the pirate station.

It's not clear whether this latest pirate has the same operator as the last version, although the mix of rap (with not-safe-for-commercial-radio lyrics), hip-hop and reggae is similar. Monitored on a recent evening, the station mixed rap with the incongruous sound of an Elvis Presley track.

While no stations are approved for the frequency in this area, there have been applications filed for it for translator stations, according to FCC filings.

In other radio notes:

KIRO-AM (710) has yet to announce who will succeed Dave Ross when the morning talk host departs July 23 to run for Congress, although station manager Ken Berry says its could be several hosts who fill in.

KUOW-FM (94.9) will broadcast a debate between Howard Dean and Ralph Nader on the role of third parties in national elections at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Live performances on KEXP-FM (90.3) include Bobby Bare Jr. at noon tomorrow and Magneto at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Father Tony Haydock, pastor of St. Mary's Parish and chaplain of the Catholic Seaman's Club and Sea-Tac Airport, is the guest on "Conversations With Father Bob" at 8 a.m. Saturday on KKNW-AM (1150).

Jim Wilke's "Jazz Northwest" at 4 p.m. Saturday on KPLU-FM (88.5) features a tribute to the late bassist, Tacoma jazz-club owner and occasional politician Red Kelly with performances and interviews.

The Carr Nord Hofmann Trio performs on "Sonarchy" at midnight Saturday on KEXP-FM.

Lizz Sommars' guests on "Conversations" at 6 a.m. Sunday on KISW-FM (99.0) and KBSG-FM (97.3) include Mark Lynas, author of a book on global warming, "High Tide."

Kate Daniels interviews Margaret Starbird, author of "The Woman With the Alabaster Jar," on "Inspirational Women" at 6 a.m. Sunday on KRWM-FM (106.9).

Don Riggs' guests on "Introspect Northwest" at 7 a.m. Sunday on KMPS-FM (94.1) and KYCW-AM (1090) include Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman.

Lee Callahan interviews Mary Roach, author of "Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers," on "Mountain Magazine" at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on KMTT-FM (103.7).

"Music With Moskowitz" at 7 p.m. Sunday on KYCW-AM features songs about sports.

The Sunday edition of Jim French's "Imagination Theatre," heard at 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on KIXI-AM (880), includes a new Harry Nile mystery.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels takes listener calls on KUOW-FM's "Weekday" at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

P-I reporter Bill Virgin can be reached at 206-448-8319 or billvirgin@seattlepi.com.

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