Free Radio Santa Cruz

Last updated
FRSC
Broadcast area Santa Cruz, California
Frequency 101.3 (MHz) (formerly 101.1 MHz, 96.3MHz and 89.3MHz)
BrandingFree Radio Santa Cruz
Programming
Format Freeform
Ownership
OwnerThe Free Radio Santa Cruz Collective
History
First air date
Spring 1995
Technical information
Class Pirate
ERP 200 watts [1]
Transmitter coordinates
36°58′05″N122°01′54″W / 36.96806°N 122.03167°W / 36.96806; -122.03167 Coordinates: 36°58′05″N122°01′54″W / 36.96806°N 122.03167°W / 36.96806; -122.03167
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website freakradio.org

Free Radio Santa Cruz (FRSC) is an unlicensed radio station in Santa Cruz, California, United States. Founded by activists Skidmarkbob Bob, Phil Free and Dennis Davey. The station has been on the air since Spring, 1995; its broadcast content is a mix of daily news, music, and cultural programs, produced both locally and nationally.

Contents

Because FRSC does not have a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the station is in open violation of US federal regulations. Free Radio Santa Cruz allows individuals in the community to have their own shows, and encourages participation through donations, membership in the broadcasting collective, and calling in live during shows.

On September 29, 2004, the station was raided by agents of the FCC, backed by federal marshals armed with assault rifles. No arrests were made, but the agents shut down the station and physically seized nearly all of the equipment, including the transmitter, computers, mixing boards, microphones, headphones, CD players, and CDs. The equipment was never returned.

However, with a strong showing of community support, the station was streaming online again within 48 hours and transmitting at 101.1 FM less than a month after the raid. FRSC continues to stream and broadcast 24 hours a day. As of October 2011, the station is broadcasting on 101.3 MHz.

List of Current Programming [2]

Democracy Now

Hour of Slack

Lava Lamps & 8-Track Theatre

The Mind's Ear

Music in the Mail

R Duck Show

Lost at Sea

The Gist of Justynn Tyme

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References

  1. "Pirate radio station marks 7 years on the air". Santa Cruz Sentinel. April 1, 2002.
  2. "Free Radio Santa Cruz :: Schedule".