WJDI

WJDI (1620 kHz AM) is a pirate radio station. It was located in Cottekill, New York from 1989 to 1996. It was one of the pioneering & most successful pirate stations, known as "The Pirate King". Despite being a pirate radio, the station was a member of the National Radio Club. This made a lasting impression on so many DXers across the world.

History

WJDI was run by Dave Schneider. It began its broadcast on January 1, 1970, on 1580 kHz using a Meissner Signal Shifter as its transmitter. The Meissner Signal Shifter used plug-in grid coils wound for amateur radio frequencies. Later on, the station began using Collins 30K transmitter rated for about 300 watts. Since the transmitter only covered 3.5 mHz and higher, it a new set of plug-in coils with the aid of Schneider's Millen grid dip meter. In 1976, WJDI received a warning from the FCC for running a pirate station. In 1977, when Schneider moved to Arizona to work for Motorola Research on the Voyager II project, WJDI ceased its operations.