SAN DIEGO -- A local radio station that is attracting the attention of hundreds of listeners hopes it doesn't get too much attention from the Federal Communications Commission.

The station is Pirate Radio, which dials in at 96.9 FM. The station is not licensed; the FCC officially says there's no space on the dial in San Diego for new stations.

That hasn't stopped a group of about 20 volunteer DJs from broadcasting. While the signal seems to be the strongest downtown, it can be heard as far away as North Park and Chula Vista, NBC 7/39 reported.

The station has no advertising, no play lists, and seemingly no restrictions on language. Music ranges from southern gospel on Sundays to indie to classical.

Pirate Radio is a response to corporate ownership and control of the media, says DJ "Bob Ugly," (pictured, left). It takes back an important right that has been lost in the wake of Clearchannel: the right to free speech without censorship.

Ugly says donations keep the station going. Last month, a listener sent the station a $100 check made out to SDGE to help the station pay its utility bill.

There could be a heavier price to pay than the station's utility bill if the FCC were to shut down Pirate radio. The fine for operating an unlicensed station is $11,000 and one year in a federal penitentiary.

When NBC 7/39 contacted the FCC, it said it "could not comment about the ongoing investigation into Pirate Radio."