SAN DIEGO -- For the past four months, 96.9 FM, "Radio Free San Diego," has been broadcasting political discussions and underground music without permission from the government.

The radio station is almost a sequel to the film "Pump Up The Volume," where Federal Communications Commission officials run in circles attempting to hunt down pirate radio operators.

But this is no movie and 10News wanted to find out how pirate radio stations were possible. First they had to find the station.

KGB morning show know-it-all Chris Boyer said locating the pirate station is as simple as connecting the dots.

"It's very simple. You can do it with a cheap radio. In fact, the cheaper the better because they are not very sensitive," Boyer said. "You need a directional antenna, and you go to one spot on the map. You pinpoint the spot and you spin it around until you find where the signal is the strongest."

KGTV put Boyer's method to the test. They started in the KGTV parking lot. By using an inexpensive radio they determined which direction the signal was strongest and headed that way. The signals led them lead them east, south, north and southeast until they connected all the dots on the map which lead them almost directly to the doorstep of 96.9.

"I admit that it's really cool of you guys. I definitely think that tracking us down with a walkman (is cool). If it makes you feel any better, the FCC has spent tens of thousands of dollars to do what you guys did with about $20 at Wal-Mart, so good job on that," said 96.9 morning DJ "Bob Ugly."

Ugly said the FCC has threatened his station with a $10,000 fine and up to a year in jail if the station did not shut down. But he said the station still plans to continue operating 24 hours a day. As for the station's relationship with the feds, a recording of a brief encounter can be found on the station's Web site.

"They may not like the music, they may not like the commentary, they may not like the style that it's taking, but no one is saying that these guys should be silenced," said Bob Ugly.

Find out if you can hear 96.9 FM -- click here to view a coverage map.

Click here to visit the 96.9 FM Web site.