posted April 26, 2009 22:33         

Here’s the evidence, you be the judge and jury on Herr Marco:

I received this initial report from Marco, with some suspicious details:

Reception Report to Channel Z radio on shortwave listener Marco Hommel herte the Show

Date march. 12 .2009 time 22h58 Utc - 23h13
on 6925 am Sinpo is 12211 Signal S 2-3 on Dispaly

Details . 22h59 Id Channel Z and Sound of Nervous Wrecks wiht Tunes coming up from the Mumps Later again Id Channel Z

Investigating this a bit further, it turns out he copied a portion of Mighty Mic’s log on the FRN:

http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/013381.html

After I replied to Marco, and requested an audio file, he sent me another e-mail “report”, but for a new date, time and frequency. But, he didn’t bother to update his details, he just re-submitted the original report. This time he did attach an audio file, which I immediately recognized as the one sent to me by French DXer Iann. Not only did Marco submit Iann’s audio clip as his own, but he didn’t even bother renaming it! The .wma file is available on Iann’s website for download by anyone.

At this point, I had strong suspicions that Marco was a fraud, but just to be sure, I contacted several other US operators.

WEAK Radio shared an e-mail report from Marco with me, for his relay of Radio First Termer:

Reception Report via Mail to Radio Iraq via WEAK Radio
Hert From Marco Hommel
Date.2.4.2009 Time 1h04 .1h11 UTC

QRG .6925kc Sinpo 21222

Details .ID into Ina Gada Da Vida talking over Iraq

Lo and behold, check the FRN log from William K. Hertz:

http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/013538.html

Then yesterday, Blue Ridge Radio sent me the following copy of Marco’s report:

Reception Report via Mail to Blue Ridge Radio
Listener Marco Hommel
Date 25.4.2009 Time 0h15 -0h22

on 6925kc USB Sinpo 21222

Details Blue Ridge Radio Id back into bluegrass music
Man Can't Live By Bread Alone
blueridgeradio@gmail.com....we have a new QSL just waitin

Which is an exact copy of what Sealord posted on FRN:

http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/013729.html

Having seen enough, a trap was set yesterday, which Marco took hook, line, and sinker.

A bogus log of a bogus station (Yellow Rhino Radio) that never went on the air was posted on the FRN:

http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/013745.html

And of course, Marco even heard this one, based on the following e-mail report!

Reception Report via Mail To Yellow Rhino Radio

Listener Marco Hommel From Bretnig Germany

Date .25 .4.2009 Time 23h02 -23h07 on 6925 Kc on USB Mode Sinpo 13211

Details. Song From the Beatles. Id and E-Mail adress ansage.Music of Tom Jones

The latest news is that Marco has threatened Blue Ridge Radio that he will be blacklisted.

So, beware of Marco Hommel, just ignore him the way we all do Mr. Bellabarba.

By the way, I also received an e-mail report from Bellabarba last week, so he’s now sending his bogus reports via e-mail.

FFFR,

posted April 26, 2009 22:58            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Channel Z:
A bogus log of a bogus station (Yellow Rhino Radio) that never went on the air was posted on the FRN..

---

LOL! I noticed that log and wondered because several folks were tuned in at that time and nobody else heard it. I figured it was actually MAC, DCR or another op that plays Beatles and just logged incorrectly.

Makes me appreciate the Channel Z shows I actually *did* catch last year. Not much luck so far this year but I'll be listening.

posted April 27, 2009 01:20            

On a upnote, it's good to see ya here on the FRN Z

posted April 27, 2009 04:43            

Receptpion Report to MAC Radio Station
FromListener Marco Hommel

Date.8.3.2009 Time is 20h31 -20h42
On QRG 6924,8kc Sinpo 14121

Details. on Trumpets,Paul Starr Pressens The Beatles Show , Big Beatles


Hello Tony Good day Copy you again on 6924,8kc on USB Mode Super Show i Love Beatles Music .Ken You send my a QSL Nice verry Good Copy MAC Radio Send again E-mail ok 73 Marco Hommel Grossroehrsdorf Germany my City is 25km of the Big City Dresden Foto of My City Rahthous

NOW FRN POSTS - LOOKS LIKE COPY FROM MORE THEN ONE POST

olddxer
Troubled simian
Posts: 408
Registered: May 2008
posted March 08, 2009 19:33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45434
2029 MAC Interval signal
2032 Paul Star opening

2144 Off air

[This message has been edited by olddxer (edited March 08, 2009).]

Admin

Ragnar
Troubled simian
Posts: 320
Registered: Jul 2008
posted March 08, 2009 19:35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAC 6925AM 03/08/09 20:29- SINPO 44334
On with trumpets
rd

------------------
Ragnar Daneskjold
The Gulch
Piratesweek Podcast

Admin

WEAK Radio
Troubled simian
Posts: 86
Registered: Jan 2009
posted March 08, 2009 19:46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAC- Paul Star 6925 AM
2029z- Interval. Paul Star at 2031z.
2040z- Announced Beatles Show.

Signal S6 to S7...some deeper fades. Mixing with the crashes.

posted April 27, 2009 06:35            

And then my post here in the vines of Marco's reception. Notice the similarity to Ragnar's post, except Marco says it was in USB instead of AM: http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum1/HTML/003482.html (Now, I'm embarrassed for getting a bit excited, thinking WEAK was heard in Germany...a nice duped feeling. Though I should've paid more attention to details).

Of course, WEAK Radio is lucky to be heard across the street. How is it possible? I must be across the street from every reporter out there, heh.

I regard both reports from Marco (the above 3/7 and 4/2 report of the WEAK Radio/Radio First Termer relay mentioned by Channel Z), as clearly bogus. He also sent 2 completely different listening post pictures with each report. Both very NICE set-ups. Sure, anyone can have multiple listening set-ups... must wonder if those pics are bogus as well?

Thanks goes out to Channel Z for bringing this to our attention, and caodwolf for setting the bait. And welcome to the FRN Channel Z!

posted April 27, 2009 09:29         

Dave

posted April 27, 2009 16:28            

Commander Bunny showed me one from somebody in Germany, may be the same clown, that had no details and no real information, but was sent by email, and wanted a QSL.

Beats me, how could you be proud of a QSL collection, if you never really heard the stations? What's the point? Not like a woman would be impressed and it would get you laid! "Oh hey baby, look at these totally hot QSL's in my collection? Wanna screw?"! Sounds like something Fansome would say to the counter girls at Dairy Queen!

Anyone remember the name of the guy in Minnesota (I think) who wrote all his reports in pencil, or should I say "scribbled" in pencil? Haven't seen anything from him in years! Of course I really haven't be all that active in years either!

Takes all kinds, and Lord knows, they find their way to pirate radio!

posted April 27, 2009 18:37            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill O. Rights:

Anyone remember the name of the guy in Minnesota (I think) who wrote all his reports in pencil, or should I say "scribbled" in pencil? Haven't seen anything from him in years! Of course I really haven't be all that active in years either!

---

Oh yeah man... that was Alan P. Masyga from Winona, Minnesota who scribbled everything in pencil and it was always SINPO 11111 on the reports he sent me. I told him more than once to get a typewriter and as Maharishi I told him even I could not dicipher his Sanskrit hieroglyphics and would punish him very, very severely if he did not use a typewriter next time. F00kin A&PMLOL!

By the way, Mr. Masyga's reports seemed accurate as hard as they were to read plus he always included return postage so he was QSLd. Now the Ballabozo brothers from Italy never did include return postage and seemed demanding to boot.

After the Bellabozo reports and several others which I could not tell were legit or not as my stuff was getting relayed rather than me transmitting myself anymore, it got to be so much of a pain in the butt to decide what was fake or not, I finally quit QSLing. Now if I ever start transmitting the shows myself and know for sure I did it when the reports say I did, then I will consider QSLing again.

------------------
Captain Ganja

posted April 27, 2009 19:46            

Finally I have answer on this incredible fraud of reception of US stations in Europe by it or saying eavesdropper. I did not believe my eyes of it to see that at so not enough time Marco had heard so many US pirates stations, I said myself, check distribution went back up, it has better antennae, but for me I had a doubt on the authenticity of these receptions.

I made by the listening US pirate for about 5 years, and I know that it is very difficult spite of the propagation which goes back up, and I was bewildered to see that Marco every day had new QSL of the USA, in more it is lucky practically to receive from it in every needs report, while I spite my perseverance to take out real signals with a lot of evil, I wait still for some stations the QSL at the end of 5 years.

I am ashamed for this person's kind which has no appropriate love. I hope that this incident which regrettably will not be the last one will not carry damage to the true eavesdroppers of pirates US.

I hope as well as you appreciated the check works made by the true DXERS of Europe little numerous but honest. I hope that you will understand(include) what I want to say I use an on-line translator.

Regards FPD.

posted April 27, 2009 20:40            

quote:

---

Originally posted by MARCEL:
Hello All,

Finally I have answer on this incredible fraud of reception of US stations in Europe by it or saying eavesdropper. I did not believe my eyes of it to see that at so not enough time Marco had heard so many US pirates stations, I said myself, check distribution went back up, it has better antennae, but for me I had a doubt on the authenticity of these receptions.

I made by the listening US pirate for about 5 years, and I know that it is very difficult spite of the propagation which goes back up, and I was bewildered to see that Marco every day had new QSL of the USA, in more it is lucky practically to receive from it in every needs report, while I spite my perseverance to take out real signals with a lot of evil, I wait still for some stations the QSL at the end of 5 years.

I am ashamed for this person's kind which has no appropriate love. I hope that this incident which regrettably will not be the last one will not carry damage to the true eavesdroppers of pirates US.

I hope as well as you appreciated the check works made by the true DXERS of Europe little numerous but honest. I hope that you will understand(include) what I want to say I use an on-line translator.

Regards FPD.

---

Marcell my friend, I for one have never doubted the authenticity of your reports of any of my programs, so please know this. I do however find it appalling that someone would play such a stupid game, and not expect to be set up and caught. I was just in iann's pirate chat earlier today, and low and behold someone going by "Marco" was in there. When i made reference to this incident this marco individual proceeded to tell me that Channel Z is bad and is black listed. I will tell you this set off a red flag immediately. This only offered more creditability to Channel Z's presumption that this Marco was indeed responsible for this asshattery. When I informed this Marco person that i have spoke to channel Z in the past and felt i could trust his judgment, the marco character left promptly. I must admit i am inquisitive as to what would drive a person to do such a stupid thing. What reward is there, surely he has to realize he would be caught. Pirate ops for the most part are pretty sharp individuals, and are tricky enough to set a trap as was done to catch this Marco guy.

I will give Marco a thank you for giving me an idea for some radio programing however, of coarse at his expense.

His actions,in my opinion, yet appalling, have no bearing on reports overall from overseas. Best wishes to you Marcell and please keep listening.

Your Friend,

Kracker

posted April 28, 2009 13:31            

I am a little less active it is daylight saving time and for us Europeans it is not the best period, another one 1 hour ago furthermore and it makes very late, but I am always .

My friendships in all.

FPD

posted April 28, 2009 15:01         

I don't know about that. During the season, when QRN was low, I heard you several times here near the middle of Texas, S-3 to S-5 IIRC.

Now, though, I've begun to hear the dreaded tropical QRN almost every night (it's only about eight hundred miles to tropical waters from here, making them about the right distance for first-hop reception of tropical QRN on 43m). So I may not log you for a few months.

posted April 29, 2009 09:03         

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al Fansome:
it's a tough thing to worry about when you're out in the woods, being a Pirate.

---

posted April 29, 2009 15:09            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al Fansome:
It's odd that I never heard from the Bellabarbas back when I was broadcasting Radio Al Fansome. I suppose it might be that I just didn't have the antenna pointed in the right direction; it's a tough thing to worry about when you're out in the woods, being a Pirate.

---

posted April 30, 2009 09:51            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al Fansome:
It's odd that I never heard from the Bellabarbas back when I was broadcasting Radio Al Fansome. I suppose it might be that I just didn't have the antenna pointed in the right direction; it's a tough thing to worry about when you're out in the woods, being a Pirate.

---

Strange ain't it.

BTW,those Rabbit target qsl's are classics.
I understand Crate and Barrel wants to use the pattern for fine china and wall treatments? Another feather in the Fansome cap.Well done,Al.

posted May 04, 2009 09:08         

Dave.

posted May 04, 2009 17:39            

.....oooh...we are so frightened.....

posted May 05, 2009 12:04            

quote:

---

Originally posted by BramStoker:
This reminds me of the two Indian dudes several years ago that sent "reports" to everybody...two different names, same report. My favorite comment was, "Commentaries were very informative." The Radio Azteca staff laughed heartily, barfed, and ignored the whole thing.

---

posted May 05, 2009 12:41            

They either think they are so smart that no one will notice, or they are so stupid, they have no clue that its obvious to everyone what BS'ers they really are.

I've never understood, nor spent much time considering, the Mike Gaukin's the Lads and Marco's of the shortwave world.

Pirate radio is a very, very small microcosim of the shortwave hobby. The number of people who are active is very small, compared to the rest of the specialties, like UTE or even Broadcast SW. When you lie to one pirate operator, it soons becomes common knowledge amongst the rest of them, about your act of decpetion.

Pirate Ops talk to each other and communicate more than most folks think.

To think they could come in, and BS about logs and QSL's really makes one wonder what they are thinking.

Aside from the fact that they are trying to obtain a QSL under false pretenses (which seems to make it worthless to the holder) they display a lack of upbringing that would keep Dr. Phil busy for many episodes, exploring their lack of proper potty training.

Then, when they are exposed, the venom, the spew at their victims, defies logic. Why would you be angry at the very people you have defrauded?

posted May 05, 2009 17:57            

Let's look at it from the other side,how many of us run multiple ops for giggles to have fun with listeners?

I've had so many radio aliases at times I've had to write out the one I was using and post it over the mic to know what station I was doing.

Us running weird one-off stuff,them claiming to have heard in a basement in Bangalore,it all evens out.

posted May 06, 2009 16:38         

quote:

---

Originally posted by BramStoker:
This reminds me of the two Indian dudes several years ago that sent "reports" to everybody...two different names, same report. My favorite comment was, "Commentaries were very informative." The Radio Azteca staff laughed heartily, barfed, and ignored the whole thing.

---