No Stinking License: Free Radio Transmission in Detroit

On June 17, 2017, a Free Radio transmission at 87.9FM covered about 13 square miles of Detroit, Michigan.

The broadcast began with a station identification and dedication to tearing down white supremacy and capitalism by means of Free Radio. Tabling and canvassing in the immediate surroundings elicited contributions of original music, shout outs, and overtly political statements.

Free Radio transmission area in Detroit, Michigan.

Fortunately, Free Radio Berkeley (FRB) volunteers were able to educate Low Power FM enthusiasts about the inherent limitations of licensure, such as the feds searching radio stations without a warrant and prior restraint of free speech. FRB is not associated with any LPFM stations.

PVC antenna stand with coiled coaxial cable. 

Mass defense note:  The Committee for Democratic Communications of the National Lawyers Guild represented FRB in United States v Dunifer, the case that forced the FCC to create the LPFM licensing scheme.

NLG-CDC continues to offer legal support to Free Radio Operators.

Technical assistance note:  FRB offers technical advice (soldering is easy!), hardware (like FM radio transmitters), and an anti-authoritarian frame of analysis (video) to embolden and empower broadcasters worldwide.

Well-deserved plug for IGD:  search for “radio” to find more here, including recent events in Mexico:

• Response from Radio Ké Huelga about the EZLN’s presidential candidate.
• Timeline and analysis of recent Free Radio happenings in Mexico.
• Regeneración Radio in Mexico City came under serious attack earlier this year (here, here, and here).
• Community Radio Hueyapan 105.5 went on the air.
• 3rd anniversary of Community Radio Amiltzinko.
• As part of a wave of repression, Oaxacan security forces killed Salvador (Chava) Olmos García, a Free Radio broadcaster.  Rest in power, comrade (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).

An ungovernable society includes autonomous communications systems.  Over the Corporate Labor Day weekend (September 1 – 4, 2017), FRB holds a Free Radio Camp in California.  With an emphasis on direct, hands-on learning, learn how to solder, identify electronic components, use a kit to assemble an FM broadcast transmitter, build and tune an antenna, properly set up and test broadcast equipment, and much more.

See you there, and remember:  you don’t need no stinking license.