KZSC Through Time

  • 1967: Student run radio begins at UCSC.
    Dr. Mark Bernhard remembers:

    Radio at UCSC actually started in 1967-8 with the broadcasts of KRUZ from the basement of Stevenson Dorm 2. I don’t remember how many watts, but I think we could be heard as far away as Dorm 7. The programs were mostly music, but there was also a radio serial drama entitled “The Adventures of Karl Zyzz” written and performed by yours truly, Stephen Pollock (now deceased) and Marc Okrand. Marc (the real brains behind this venture) was a former KPFK/Los Angeles volunteer and friend of the Firesign Theater (after whom our shtick was largely fashioned). He went on to fortune-less fame and Star Trek trivia notoriety as the creator of the Klingon language. I also remember a guy named Lany Jolmson who was instrumental in starting KRUZ. He worked for several commercial broadcasters in the area both as a DJ and promoter. I don’t know whatever happened to him. I also don’t know how long KRUZ actually lasted.

  • 1974 KRUZ becomes KZSC: FM station now broadcasting at 10 watts.
  • 1976 June: FCC application filed to increase wattage.
  • 1976 Sept: Full authority from FCC to construct new transmitting facilities granted.
  • 1980 June 14th: Power increased to 1,250 watts and moved into new campus location.
  • 1988 December: FCC Amends its unconstitutional ruling and allows stations “safe harbor” hours from 10 pm to 6 am.
  • 1991 Spring: U.S Bombing of Iraq: KZSC covers downtown protest (live).
  • 1993: Budget update: KZSC’s registration fee allocation cut from $68,000 to $30,000
  • 2002 July: KZSC upgrades its signal to 10,000 watts, allowing us to broadcast to listeners throughout Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.
  • 2002 Spring: The students of UCSC pass Measure IV to provide KZSC with a one-time funding boost to complete a major renovation, bringing us into the 21st century.
  • 2003 Winter: Renovation begins, starting with the Studio B Production Room. KZSC begins internationally accessible webstreaming.
  • 2003 Spring: KZSC’s First Annual Spring Festivals featuring Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Coup, and Hella.
  • 2004 Winter: First live, play-by-play broadcast of a UCSC sports event on KZSC.
  • 2004 Spring: Spiffy new On-Air studio unveiled
  • 2004 Spring: KZSC’s Second Annual Spring Festival featuring Andrew WK.
  • 2005 Spring: KZSC’s Third Annual Spring Festival featuring Ratatat and High on Fire.
  • 2007 Summer: KZSC finally upgrades its signal to 20,000 watts after months of technical difficulties
  • 2024: KZSC celebrates 50 years on air
ArticlesProgram GuidesOther Photos

Articles

Newspaper Article With The Headline “Behold The Thrilling Origins Of Kzsc,” Text About The Campus Radio Station, And A Vintage Photo Of A Crane Lowering A Transmission Tower As People Guide It Into Place.
A Newspaper Clipping Announcing That Kpig’s Dallas Dobro Has Joined Kzsc, With Details About His Radio Show, Career, And Comments From Coworkers And Friends.
Newspaper Clipping With Headline: “Uc Santa Cruz Dj Reaches Goal By A Hair.” Subheadline: “Hip-Hop Radio Host Raises $1,000 For Ucsc Station.” Article Discusses Student Dj Abel Arias Raising Funds For The College Radio Station.
Black And White Newspaper Clipping Titled “Kzsc: Rockin’, Rollin’ And A Whole Lot More” Shows College Radio Station Djs, With Images Of Two Students Smiling At The Mixing Board And Sitting At A Desk With Equipment.
A Group Of Eight People Posing And Smiling Inside A Radio Station Studio, Surrounded By Posters And Records. The Headline Reads, “Pump Up The Volume: Ucsc’s Student Media Outlets Power Up The Airwaves.”.
Newspaper Clipping Titled “Watts Up, You Ask, At Kzsc?” Describes A Campus Radio Station Off-Air Due To A Transmitter Upgrade, Expected To Increase Broadcast Power And Range In Santa Cruz.
Two Newspaper Articles Feature A Man Speaking Into A Microphone At A Radio Station, With Headlines Discussing Budget Constraints And Limitations On Public Radio. Text And Images Are Arranged With Overlapping Sections.
A Newspaper Article Titled “Slug Talk Supports Slug Sports” Discusses A Radio Show Highlighting Local College Sports, With Quotes From Students And Staff And Details About The Show’s Content And Goals.
A Bearded Man With Headphones Sticks Out His Tongue And Points At Himself, Appearing Enthusiastic. Text Reads “Rock Y Roll” For Metro Santa Cruz, With Smaller Text About Spanish-Language Music.
Two Men In A Radio Studio Operate Audio Equipment And Wear Headphones. The Newspaper Article Discusses Spanish-Language Rock Music’s Impact In America, Featuring Quotes And An Interview With A Musician Expressing Cultural Significance.
A Newspaper Page Features A Man In A Radio Studio Surrounded By Shelves Of Records, With Headlines About Radio Host Jesse Thorn And His Work On Public Radio. Blocks Of Text And A Small Ad Appear At The Bottom.
A Flyer For “Day Of Decency” On Kzsc 88.1 Fm, Listing Radio Programs About Censorship. Includes A Cartoon Of A Person Holding A Paper Labeled “Decent After Ban Panel.”.
A Newspaper Article Features The Headline “Kzsc: From 1,250 To 10,000 Watts.” The Article Includes A Photo Of A Radio Host At A Station Console With Broadcast Equipment And Monitors.
A Newspaper Column Titled “The Roundup” By Mary Mccaslin. It Discusses E-Town’s Arrival In Santa Cruz, Its Focus On Music And Environmental Issues, And Briefly Mentions “Two Books And A Movie.”.
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Program Guides

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Black Illustration Of A Bearded Face Overlaid On Newspaper Text. Blue Text Reads “1968 Winter Guide Kzsc 88.1 Fm” Above And Beside The Face.
Cartoon Radio With Arms And Mouth Holds A Microphone Marked “Kzsc” While Musical Notes And People Surround It. Text Reads “Kzsc 88.1 Fm Fall 1985 Program Guide, Effective October 13 To January 18.”.
Poster For Kzsc 88.1 Featuring A Stylized Eagle, River, And Landscape, With Text Reading “Winter 1987 Program Guide” In Collage-Style Letters Against A Red And Black Background.
A Vintage-Style Radio With Yellow Flowers And Leaves Growing From It. The Text Reads “Kzsc 88.1 Summer Program Guide” In A Yellow And Black Color Scheme.
Cover Of The Kzsc 88.1 Fm Summer Program Guide With Blue And Gray Lines, Large Kzsc Logo, And The Phrases “Listener Friendly Radio” And “Summer Program Guide.”.
A Program Guide Cover For Kzsc 88.1 Fm Featuring A Black-And-White Photo Of A Man In A Cap. Text Reads “Interview With Paris” And “Summer Ninety-One Program Guide.”.
Cover Of The Kzsc 88.1 Fm Winter 93 Program Guide With Abstract Black And Gray Art, Orange Station Logo, And Text About Dj Top 10S, Letters, And Special History Month Features.
Kzsc Spring 1993 Program Guide Cover, Featuring An Article Titled “Secrets Of Success” With A Black-And-White Photo Of A Man, Program Details, And Pink And Purple Headline Text.
Black-And-White Collage Of Smiling People, Some Posing Playfully. Green Text Reads “Kzsc 88.1 Fm” And “Summer 1993 Program Guide.” Smaller Text Says “Mellow Max And The Mellow D Posse.”.
Black And White Cover Of The Kzsc 88.1 Fm Santa Cruz Fall 1993 Program Guide, Featuring Abstract Figures And The Text “Many Beats 1 Station.”.
Black And White Cover For Kzsc 88.1 Fm’s Fall 1994 Program Guide, Featuring A Vintage Microphone, Radio Slogans Like “It’s Great,” And Retro Graphics, With “Many Beats 1 Station” Written Under The Logo.
Green And White Kzsc 88.1 Fm Santa Cruz Spring 1995 Program Guide Cover, Featuring Abstract Art Of Dancing Figures, A Microphone Graphic, And Bold Text.
Purple And White Cover With Stylized “Kzsc 88.1 Fm Man Beats Station” Art, “Summer Ninety Five Program Guide” Text, And A Small Circular Graphic At The Bottom.
A Maroon And White Cover For Kzsc 88.1 Fm Santa Cruz Fall 1995 Program Guide With Stylized Figures, Text, And Decorative Words Like “Choice,” “Variety,” And “Nutritious” In The Background.
Cover Of The Kzsc 88.1 Fm Spring 1996 Program Guide, With Blue Text On A White Background. “Spring” Is Written Vertically, And “96” Is Centered In Large Numbers.
Kzsc 88.1 Fm Summer 96 Program Guide Cover With Two Red Abstract Human Figures And Bold Red Text On A White Background.
Blue Cover With A Large Black “Z,” A Partial Black-And-White Image Of A Person’s Eyes, And Text Reading “Kzsc 88.1Fm Spring 97 Program Guide.”.
A Flyer For Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm’s 1997 Summer Schedule. It Humorously Lists “Indications,” “Treatment,” And “Dosage” For Listening, Mimicking A Medical Label, With Bold Black Text On A Pink Background.
A Smiling Teen With Hands Behind His Head Thinks, “I Think I’ll Take The Day Off And Listen To Kzsc.” Text On The Right Reads: “College Radio Kzsc 88.1 Fm.” Yellow And Black Color Scheme.
Green Flyer With A Black-And-White Photo Of A Man And Text: “I’m Just Talkin’ ’Bout Kzsc. Kzsc 88.1 Fm Program Guide Fall 1997.”.
Black And White Cover Showing “Kzsc 88.1 Fm” Logo, A Dj Turntable With Tonearm, Mixer, And The Text “Winter Program Guide 1998” At The Bottom.
Flyer For Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Spring Program Guide 1998 Featuring A Satellite Dish, Phone Numbers To Pledge Support, And A Message To Help Raise $25,000 For The Station’s 25Th Anniversary.
Yellow Poster With Three People In Spacesuits, Labeled “Kzsc,” And Text Reading “Summer ’98 Program Guide” And “Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm.” One Person Sits, The Other Two Stand Next To Equipment.
Black And White Image Of A Person Using Turntables And Audio Equipment With “Kzsc 88.1 Fm” And “Winter 1999 Program Guide” Text.
Blue-Toned Flyer With An Ear In The Center Labeled “Music” And “Happiness.” Four Radios In Corners Point Sound Waves To The Ear. Text: “Spring 1999 Program Guide, 88.1 Fm, Kzsc Santa Cruz.”.
Yellow Cover For The Kzsc 88.1 Fm Santa Cruz Summer ’99 Program Guide, Featuring A Large Vertical “Kzsc” Text And A Vintage Microphone Illustration.
Kzsc Santa Cruz Program Guide Cover, Fall 1999. Text Reads: Non-Commercial, Educational, Community Radio. 88.1 Fm. Design Is Purple And White With Geometric Shapes And A Headphone Icon.
Blue And White Poster For Kzsc 88.1 Fm Showing A Family Looking At A Radio Tower Emitting Signals, With Text: “Winter 2000,” “Non-Commercial, Educational, Community Radio,” And “The Dawn Of A New Life...kzsc.”.
A Large Dog’s Head Roars Behind A Group Of People And A Cityscape. Text Reads “Kzsc 88.1 Fm,” “Non-Commercial, Educational, Community Radio,” And “Vicious And Delicious.” “Spring 2000” Is Handwritten At The Top.
A Pink Flyer For Kzsc Fm 88.1 Santa Cruz, Featuring Hand-Drawn Radio Imagery And A Chess Piece, With Text Promoting Non-Commercial, Educational, Community Radio.
Red Flyer For Kzsc Santa Cruz, “Fall Program Guide Fall 2000.” Features A Cartoon Face With The Words “No Nonsense Radio” And Station Info: 88.1 Fm, 459-4036. Handwritten Style With Playful Design.
Orange Flyer For Kzsc 88.1 Fm, With A Drawing Of A Person Tuning Their Brain, Text Promoting Tuning In With A Spoon And Lanyard, And Note About The University Station’s Accessibility. “Spring 2001” Handwritten At Top.
Bright Green Flyer For 88.1Fm Kzsc Santa Cruz Radio, Featuring A Cartoon Snail In A Kzsc Shirt Sitting On A Boombox, Flashing A Peace Sign. “Fall 2001” Is Handwritten At The Top Right.
A Blue Flyer For Kzsc 88.1 Fm’s Winter 2002 Program Guide, Featuring Handwritten Text And A Black-And-White Image Of People Posing, With Captions About Radio Fun And Playing Leapfrog.
Blue Pamphlet Cover With “Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm,” A Map Of The Americas, And Text: “Spring 2002 Program Guide, Listener-Supported Educational Radio.”.
An Orange Cover For Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm’s Summer 2002 Program Guide Featuring A Vintage Illustration Of A Radio Dj At A Mixing Console With Text Emphasizing It’s Listener-Supported And Educational Radio.
Light Blue Cover With “Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm” At Top, Two Drawn Figures, And Text: “Listener Supported Non-Commercial Public Radio,” Plus “Fall 2004 Program Guide” At The Bottom.
Red Cover With “Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm Winter 2003 Program Guide” Text. Two Outlined Drawings Of A Person In Glasses And A Beanie Are Side By Side At The Bottom.
Yellow Cover With A Black Line Drawing Of A Turntable, Kzsc Santa Cruz, 88.1 Fm, And The Text “Spring 2003 Program Guide” In Bold Letters.
A Hand-Drawn Soda Can With “Kzsc” Printed On It And Text Above Reading “100% Commercial Free! Summer Schedule...” The Background Is Bright Yellow-Green.
A Purple Pamphlet With Three Outlined Squares, Each Containing Text. It Reads: “Commercial Free Radio,” “Kzsc, Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm,” “Fall 2003 Program Guide,” And “Kzsc” In Bold.
Yellow Cover With Black Text: “Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1Fm Winter 2004 Program Guide.” Features A Necklace With Five Lettered Beads Spelling “Kzsc.”.
A Line Drawing Of A Fish On A Green Background, With Text: “Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm Spring 2004 Program Guide” In The Upper Right Corner.
Yellow Cover With “Kzsc 88.1 Fm,” A Stylized Sun Blowing Wind Into A Balloon, And Text: “The Fall 2004 Program Guide.” Border Of Leaves At The Top.
Black And White Illustration Of A Tree, A Snowflake, And The Text “88.1 Fm. Kzsc Winter 05” Presented In Bold, Stylized Fonts.
Black Silhouettes Of Two People, Bold Text Reading “2005 Spring Program Guide,” And “88.1 Fm Kzsc Santa Cruz” With A Stack Of Papers Under The Santa Cruz Label.
Yellow Flyer For Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1 Fm’s Ultimate Music Sale On Saturday, November 19, 1-4Pm At Merrill Cultural Center. Features A Sumo Wrestler Graphic And Event Details About Used Cds, Records, And Vendors.
A Bear Plays A Drum Set Labeled “Kzsc.” The Text Reads: “Kzsc Winter ‘06 Santa Cruz, 88.1 Fm.” The Image Is In Grayscale And Has A Hand-Drawn Style.
A Group Of Rabbits Race On A Grassy Hill Toward A Rabbit In A Suit Holding A “Bunny Race 2006” Flag. Text At The Top Reads, “Kzsc 88.1 Fm Spring Program Guide.”.
Black And White Poster For Kzsc Santa Cruz 88.1Fm, Showing A Large Submarine Underwater With Mermaids And Bubbles Below. Text At Top And “Summer 2006” At Bottom.
Black-And-White Poster For Kzsc’s “The Ultimate Music Sale,” Held November 4Th, 10Am–4Pm At Merrill College Cultural Center At Ucsc. Features An Old Radio With Arms And Legs. Event Details And Contact Info Are Included.
A Snowman In Sunglasses And A Hat Plays Guitar On Stage Under A “Kzsc Santa Cruz Winter 2007 Tour” Banner, While A Crowd Of Snowmen Watch. Text At The Bottom Reads “88.1Fm / Kzsc.org”.
Black And White Image With Clouds, Two Flying Radios, Flowers, And A Sign Reading “Kzsc Spring 07, 88.1Fm - Kzsc.org.”.
A Beach Scene With A Palm Tree, A Crab Holding A Flag Reading “88.1 Fm,” And Text On The Sand That Says “Kzsc Summer 07.” The Image Is In Grayscale.
Black-And-White Poster For Kzsc Santa Cruz Fall 2007 Ultimate Music Sale, Featuring A Dj In Headphones Using Radio Equipment. Event Details And Contact Info Are Listed Below.

Other Photos

Black And White Photo Of Shelves Filled With Cds Or Tapes, Labeled With Letters. A Window Labeled “Studio B” Is On The Right, And More Media Is Displayed Below The Window.
Four People Sit Closely Together On A Couch In A Casual Room, Some Smiling And Laughing. There Are Posters And Photos On The Wall Behind Them. The Photo Is In Black And White.
Two Young People With Curly Hair Stand Outside A Closed Store. One Wears A Dark Blazer And Brown Pants, While The Other Wears Glasses, A Dark Hoodie, And Jeans. Both Appear Relaxed And Are Smiling.
A Man With A Mustache Puts His Arm Around A Smiling Woman Holding A Cigarette. They Are Standing Outside Near A Building. The Photo Is Black And White.
Two Men Smile Indoors. One Wears A Blue Shirt And Makes A Hand Gesture; The Other Has Long Hair, A Beard, And Wears A Green Bob Marley T-Shirt. The Background Shows Posters And People.
A Group Of People Sit In A Circle Around A Low Table Covered With Papers And Cups In A Cluttered Room With Posters On The Walls. Some Are Seated On Chairs, Others On The Floor, Appearing To Have A Discussion.
A Group Of People Gather In A Room Decorated With Posters, Talking And Eating Food From A Table. Some Stand Near Lockers; Others Are Lined Up Along The Wall, Creating A Casual Social Atmosphere.
A Group Of People Sit And Stand In A Cluttered Room With Couches, Posters, And Stickers On The Walls, Talking And Eating. One Person Holds A Plate Of Food In The Foreground.
A Person Wearing Headphones Sits At A Radio Station Control Board, Speaking Into A Microphone. They Are Surrounded By Audio Equipment, Cds, And Papers In A Studio Setting.
Five Young Men Pose Together In A Casual Room, Smiling And Leaning Closely. Bulletin Boards And A Computer Are Visible In The Background, Giving The Scene A Relaxed, Friendly Atmosphere.
A Group Of People, Mostly Young Adults, Stand Outdoors In Front Of A Red Fence And Green Building, Surrounded By Trees. They Are Dressed Casually And Appear To Be Posing For A Group Photo.
Two People Are Singing Into Microphones, Standing Side By Side In A Room With Gray Walls. Both Appear To Be Enjoying The Moment, With One Gesturing Expressively While Singing.
Five People Stand Together Singing Karaoke In Front Of A Screen, Sharing Two Microphones. They Appear To Be Enjoying Themselves In A Casual Indoor Setting.
Three People Stand Behind A Merchandise Table With Shirts, Mugs, And Buttons. A Woman Is Standing On A Chair, While Two Men Stand Beside Her. T-Shirts Are Displayed On The Wall Behind Them.
Two Smiling People Sit At A Booth With Colorful Flyers, Balloons, And A Radio. There Is A Sign Overhead Reading “Student Broadcast Media.” An Umbrella Shades The Booth, And A Person Walks By In The Background.
A Group Of People, Including Children, Sort Through Large Bins Labeled “U.s. Mail” In A Room With Brown Walls And Hanging Plants.
People Browse Through Boxes Of Books Laid Out On Tables At An Outdoor Book Sale. Some Individuals Are Flipping Through Books, While Others Are Holding Stacks Or Talking. Trees And Parked Cars Are Visible In The Background.
Four Young People Stand And Sit At An Outdoor Table Covered In Electronics And A Banner That Reads “88.1Fm Kzsc Santa Cruz.” Trees And A Building Are Visible In The Background.
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Four People Sit Behind Tables Covered With Signs, Including One Reading “Kzsc.” The Tables Display Various Items For Sale. Two Women Are Smiling While Another Person Stands Nearby. Posters And A Banner Hang Above Them.
Two Women Stand Smiling With Arms Around Each Other In Front Of Shelves Filled With Vinyl Records And Music Posters In A Cozy, Cluttered Room.
A Large Group Of People Poses Outdoors At Night, Some Holding Large Letters Spelling “Kzsc.” A Dog Lies In Front Of The Group. Most People Are Smiling And Dressed Casually.
Black-And-White Photo Of A Large Group Of People Sitting And Standing In A Cozy Room Lined With Shelves Full Of Records, Posters, And Papers On The Walls And Ceiling. The Group Appears To Be Listening Or Watching Something.
Two Women Stand In An Office Holding Promotional Flyers And Round Cards. There Are Desks, Computers, And Papers In The Background, Along With A Bulletin Board Covered In Notices And Photos.
Three People Sit Behind A Table With Flyers And A “Kzsc Radio” Sign Outdoors, Smiling And Talking. Trees, Grass, And Buildings Are Visible In The Background.
A Large Group Of People Stands Together On A Wooden Walkway Next To A Building Covered In Colorful Posters, Smiling And Posing For A Group Photo In A Casual Outdoor Setting.
Black And White Photo Of A Room Filled With Shelves Of Vinyl Records, Posters On The Walls, A Person Sitting At A Table, And Another Person On A Couch By The Door.