[Florin_Andrei]

Like everything else, context was very important.

There were amateur radio operators in the Eastern Bloc countries, with equipment capable of transmitting a signal to the opposite side of the Earth on a good day. But they were licensed by the government, and were aware that their activities were being watched.

The old regime really hated not having control over you. That was the most important thing. As long as they knew what you were doing, and approved, they were fine with almost anything.

I've built a few low-power FM transmitters back then, and I was aware of the possible dangers. It was more of a high-schooler's hobby. But teenagers like to push boundaries anyway.