This arrived in our email last week via Andrew Yoder. Many of our readers have already seen it. This post is primarily for those who may not be on those email lists, which may include station operators who have never publicly given any contact information.
My initial reaction was skeptical - but not toward Andrew or Professor Hepler, in the slightest. I'm confident that Andrew is as fair, neutral and objective an observer as you'll find anywhere in the shortwave pirate radio scene - certainly far more so than I am.
Personally I'm looking forward to Professor Hepler's documentary and sincerely wish him well in that pursuit. There's no lack of colorful characters and anecdotes in the North American shortwave pirate radio scene.
Note that I added the "free" and "pirate" radio descriptions to this post's headline due to the nature of the readership of Tales of Radio Paranoia. As the professor's letter explains, he prefers the less pejorative term community broadcaster.
Note that I added the "free" and "pirate" radio descriptions to this post's headline due to the nature of the readership of Tales of Radio Paranoia. As the professor's letter explains, he prefers the less pejorative term community broadcaster.
In a rare break from this blog's usual snarky tone, I'll reserve further comment for a later blog post.
--GF
Dear community broadcaster,
I write asking for your help, but I don't call you "pirate" because I believe that miscommunicates what I'm finding to be your motivation and purpose--and I'm just back from meeting the original offshore broadcasters of Holland and England who similarly broke barriers in the English Channel in the 1960s.
I am a college professor doing a video documentary on both causes: yours and the historic broadcasters of the 1960s. I am very aware of the persecution going on among you U.S. broadcasters and your need for confidentiality. Toward that end, I interviewed a community broadcaster at Winter Fest outside Philly a few weeks ago--in silhouette--and that interview should be attached with Andy's email for you to see. The interview brings good news and good news--no kidding--in that the guest got to express his views and our silhouette completely protected his identity. This is what I offer you: a chance to express your views at no risk.
I have already been asked to present this finished documentary at Winter Fest next year, though I await an official invitation. I will present it to a national conference of educational colleagues in April 2013, and perhaps to the professional broadcasters' conference (the NAB) if they'll have me. After that, I suppose any further distribution would be up to Europeans or other interested parties, should such interest come about.
I leave for a 5-week trip across the U.S. around May 1. With your say, I'd like to give you a chance to be a part of this work if you're anywhere near my route. Your confidentiality--and message--are everything to my documentary. With your approval, I will honor both. Thanks for your consideration.
Wayne Hepler
Professor
Baltiimore, MD
(4*1*0) 6*8*8-3*9*0*0
whepler@harford.edu
