Free Radio San Diego
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| FRSD | |
| Broadcast area | San Diego, California |
|---|---|
| Branding | Free Radio San Diego |
| Frequency | 96.9 (MHz) |
| First air date | October 13, 2002 |
| Format | Free Form |
| ERP | 1,000 watts |
| Class | Pirate |
| Owner | Unknown |
| Website | www.pirate969.org |
Free Radio San Diego (96.9 FM) is an unlicensed radio station located in San Diego, California. The founders claim that its creation was a reaction to Federal Communications Commission restrictions on new radio licenses. They have provided a community-based, commercial-free unlicensed broadcast since October 13, 2002 - with occasional interruptions due to FCC raids and technical issues. The open-format music selection is chosen by DJ preference but is weighted towards punk rock. Also featured are syndicated news programs such as Democracy Now! and Free Speech Radio News.
FRSD, by virtue of its location in the eighth largest U.S. city, is arguably the most widely heard pirate radio station in the country.
[edit] FCC Enforcement Actions
On July 21 2005, U.S. Marshals and the Federal Communications Commission carried out a raid against Free Radio San Diego, effectively seizing all of their broadcast equipment [1] [2] [3]. The station resumed broadcasting three months later from a new location. [4]
The station did not broadcast over-the-air from January to October 2007, as a result of a $10,000 Notice Of Apparent Liability (NAL) For Forfeiture[5], which was later reduced to $750 [6]. However, it continued to broadcast online, via internet.
As of October 20 2007, the station was again broadcasting on 96.9 FM.[7]
As of December, 2007, a Christian station out of Murrieta, CA is using the 96.9 frequency to broadcast their signal from Mt. Palomar. Pirate radio officials are trying to locate the KRTM transmitter on Mt. Palmomar so they can use it for Free Radio San Diego.
[edit] References
- ^ Pirate969.org: Raided by the FCC
- ^ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050722-9999-7m22piracy.html San Diego Union Tribune: Agents raid, shut down unlicensed Free Radio ]
- ^ All Business: Notorious Pirate Radio Operator Raided
- ^ Pirate969.org: November 2005 Broadcast Resumed
- ^ FCC NAL 200732940002 12/28/2006
- ^ FCC NAL 200732940002 6/13/2007
- ^ FRSD Is Back On The Air
