So, I had no idea this happened. And I’m wondering if this kind of piracy could even occur in our new digital signal era.
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One Response to “THE MAX HEADROOM PIRATING INCIDENT”
I was living in Chicago when this happened, and saw the disruption on WTTW. The prevailing theory on how it was done involves using a microwave transmitter, such as the type used on trains (these are small but powerful transmitters that facilitate communication between caboose and engine car). All he had to do was place himself between the television station and the Hancock building, from there you can override the station’s signal into the broadcast antenna.
I actually have a strong suspicion of who did it, I went to school with him, and he worked for a television station, so he had the know how. If I am correct, I can tell you his motivation was simply a prank. He’s very fond of playing pranks. It wasn’t political, and had nothing to do with Max Headroom being canceled, it just happened to be the mask he had on hand.
Since this incident, several steps have been taken to prevent it from happening again, so in my opinion I don’t think it would be possible to pull off a stunt like this again.
January 31, 2010 at 5:46 am |
I was living in Chicago when this happened, and saw the disruption on WTTW. The prevailing theory on how it was done involves using a microwave transmitter, such as the type used on trains (these are small but powerful transmitters that facilitate communication between caboose and engine car). All he had to do was place himself between the television station and the Hancock building, from there you can override the station’s signal into the broadcast antenna.
I actually have a strong suspicion of who did it, I went to school with him, and he worked for a television station, so he had the know how. If I am correct, I can tell you his motivation was simply a prank. He’s very fond of playing pranks. It wasn’t political, and had nothing to do with Max Headroom being canceled, it just happened to be the mask he had on hand.
Since this incident, several steps have been taken to prevent it from happening again, so in my opinion I don’t think it would be possible to pull off a stunt like this again.