Illicit Caribbean, Hebrew and shock-jock radio stations are hijacking the airwaves in New York City.
 
Dozens of unlicensed shows operate on an average evening according to the FCC.
 
Government data shows there were 46 FCC raids in New York City in 2013, compared to just 20 through July 31 of this year because of budget restraints.
 
 “Brooklyn Pirate Watch” has clocked one pirate at 94.3 FM, where a host shouted for female listeners to tune in while wearing lingerie. There’s also Radyo Independans, a Haitian Creole station squatting on 90.9 FM, according to Jersey City indie station WFMU, which claims its legal broadcasts at 91.1 FM are often interrupted by its illicit rival.
 
WFMU general manager Ken Freedman said pirates are going strong because the radio tools are cheap and their audiences are often “way less wired.”.
 
All a pirate needs are an FM radio transmitter, an antenna, a programming source,  usually a computer, and cables. Pirates can evade the FCC by moving the transmitter from one building to another.
 
One admitted pirate, the Rev. Jerry Bowen, 48, (pictured) ran Miracle Radio in an East Flatbush studio for two years until the FCC came knocking this summer.
 
Said Bowen: “They were trying to catch me for a long time. I don’t do it for the money. The FCC man told me what I’m doing is illegal. I said, ‘All I’m doing is spreading the good word.’ ”