FCC Visits Free Radio Santa Cruz

Press Contact: Vinny Lombardo (831) 426-7712
Santa Cruz, CA-

At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2004, agents from the Federal Communications
Commision attempted to gain entry into the studio of Free Radio Santa Cruz. The
all volunteer, collectively-run, community based radio station began
broadcasting in the spring of 1995, providing Santa Cruz radio listeners with a
diverse array of music, talk, and experimental programming unparalleled by
anything on the local dial.

The FCC visit comes just five days after the 35 watt station relocated to a new
home and new spot on the dial. After nine years of broadcasting at 96.3 FM, a
previously unused frequency, FRSC operators moved to 101.1 FM. The switch comes
as a good faith effort to avoid interference with Air 1. Last summer, the
Christian rock station was granted a license for a ten watt repeater on 96.3 FM
in Salinas, CA.

As FRSC volunteers were trying to complete construction of the new studio,
Thursday, a voice asking, "Hello?" was heard from afar. FRSC programmer V-Man
went to investigate and was confronted by David Doon & David Hartshorn, who
identified themselves as agents from the FCC's Pleasanton field office. Agent
Doon demanded to know where the radio station was located & also claimed
unlicensed operators face a $10,000 fine for each day on the air. When V-Man
asked to see a seizure order, Agent Doon admitted they did not have a warrant,
but asserted he would soon. The agents were immediately ordered off the
property, at which point they made their way to the sidewalk.

While Agent Doon took a few photos of the house, FRSC volunteer, Skidmark Bob
approached the pair to ask if they had received complaints of interference.
Both agents said the only problem was the station isn't licensed. As they left,
Agent Hartshorn threatened to return with a warrant if FRSC did not shut down.


The field agents left a notice of unlicensed radio operation stapled to a nearby
fence. According to the form, the FCC did not detect any interference coming
from the broadcast on 101.1 FM.

Thursday's visit to FRSC is yet another attempt at silencing the tiny station,
despite strong community support. On September 3, 2003, the Santa Cruz City
Council voted 7-0 in support of an emergency resolution calling on the FCC to
leave the station alone.

At this point, FRSC operators plan to continue broadcasting despite the FCC
visit. To support the station financially, send checks to "FRSC" PO Box 7507
Santa Cruz, CA 95061 or visit http://www.freakradio.org