(rec.radio.cb,alt.fishing,rec.boats.cruising,rec.b oats)

You can join the search to gather evidence against a "problem"
pirate radio operator in the Tampa Bay area....

-His name is unknown, but he goes by the handle of "Twistedhed".

-He is white male, 5'10", receding hairline, wears a captains cap.

-There is evidence he is a licensed captain operating Sat. and Sun.
fishing charters from a Tampa Bay public launch.

(You may have been, or know someone who has been on a
charter with a captain that answers this description)

-He is an illegal radio bootlegger operating on unauthorized
goverment allocated frequencies at or above 27.555 mhz.

-Not only has he refused to cease operation, he has posted taunting
Usenet messages that defy the FCC to catch him.

This Saturday, August 23, beginning at 7AM EST, at least one volunteer
boat will be cruising the Tampa Bay area. Please join us in our
effort. You will be helping to contribute to the public good. Such
"radio pirates" often interfere with health and safety communications
and emergency transmissions.

To catch Twistedhed on the freeband and get him "FCC busted",
we will need to have solid evidence. One way is to photograph
him on his boat with a telephoto lens. Get the boat's name and
reg. number also in the photo. At the same time a recording
must be made of the operator illegally transmitting. It may be
difficult but it CAN be done. This method has been proven
successful by hams in North Carolina for catching illegal
truckers on 10 meters.

Be advised this is NOT stalking or harassment, simply a legal
effort to gain evidence and merely OBSERVE a crime being
committed. These are PUBLIC waterways and ALL boaters are
permitted to be there. We urge you NOT to confront Twistedhed.
Leave that to the FCC and the courts. You are just there to gather
evidence.

You will need a CB or shortwave receiver capable of receiving 27.555
mhz. This is above the CB frequency band.

You will also need a LORAN or GPS.

We have confirmed these coordinates around Tampa Bay as "likely" areas
that he frequents:

The Ice Box is a large area that starts about 8 Nautical miles west
of Casey Key and 10.11 miles at a 209? mc from New Pass.
He is sometimes in this location.

Cuda Hole GPS: 2714.398 - 8245.326:
This ledge is called Table Rock and is one of many in the Cuda
Hole area that he goes to often.

Gully Loran C: 2715.002 - 8246.890:
Another large area with ledges he fishes at. A 259? mc for
10.29 miles out of New Pass will put you in the area that Twistedhed
frequents.

Swiss Cheese Loran C: 2712.031 - 8254.902:
This is a hard bottom area. A 250? mc for 18 miles out of
New Pass will get you started on locating him.

Old Barge GPS 2709.694 - 8253.053:
The Old barge is very old and in 80' feet of water. A 249.6? mc
for 17.69 miles from the New Pass sea marker is the Range
& Bearing. This is a Twistedhed favorite.

Point of Rocks GPS 2714.224 - 8231.829:
Warning, this place has large rock just under the waters surface
for some ways out from the beach. Please be careful. We joke about
this man but the truth is that he IS a pirate operator, which
means he does not recognize the laws of the USA, so he may
try and run you aground if you get too close and he sees that you
are attempting to surveil him in the act of freebanding. Please
use CAUTION at all times.

Please send all tapes and photos to .