It looks like a controversial shortwave militia pirate station is off the air now, possibly for good.
Kentucky State Militia Radio, or KSMR, began broadcasting a couple of months ago from a location in Kentucky. Major Steve Anderson was behind the mic, and he used the station to disseminate contact information for militia groups around the United States. However, the operation of the station was not sanctioned by Anderson’s parent organization, the Kentucky State Militia.
When the Militia’s commander found out about Anderson’s broadcasts – and the pending confrontation it would cause with federal authorities – he ordered Anderson to cease operations.
Anderson complied for a few days, then returned the station to the air under the name “United Patriot Radio.” Anderson claimed the station had no ties to the Kentucky State Militia anymore, and that he’d recruited help from other groups around the country to keep the station running.
United Patriot Radio may have been a useful tool for other militia groups, but it was quickly ostracized from the rest of the shortwave broadcasting and listening communities, as Anderson repeatedly stated that he wouldn’t acknowledge communications from shortwave “hobbyists” or other broadcasters.
Now, according to a recent news item on Clandestineradio.com, United Patriot Radio may be dead once and for all.
The commander of the Kentucky State Militia has threatened Major Anderson with expulsion from the group if he didn’t stop broadcasting immediately. But at a recent gathering of militia groups in Kentucky, Anderson was caught soliciting donations for the station.
According to a release from the KSM commander, a Brigadier General Charlie Puckett, “Seems some people that have a hard time following orders, and keeping their word, never seem to learn the meaning of discipline…I have no choice but to dismiss Mr. Anderson from all duties, and membership with the Kentucky State Militia. If we cannot REGULATE ourselves then we are no better than the people we say have not done their job in government.”
Not surprisingly, other shortwave pirates have been quick to belittle United Patriot Radio and its demise. Just a few days after Major Anderson’s expulsion from the group, another station calling itself “United Patriot Militia Radio” took to the air on UPR’s old frequency (3260 KHz) and broadcast a show filled with rap songs and anti-FCC material.
Such nose-thumbing is not unheard of. In past years, rival pirate stations have spoofed each other in similar ways.
What is interesting is that the Kentucky State Militia decided to ditch the station entirely; maybe they’re not ready to take on the government just yet.
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