Free Radio Santa Cruz is a unlicensed radio station based out of Santa Cruz, California. The key in that last sentence is that FRSC is unlicensed. This means that they are not allowed to broadcast on public airways based on FCC regulations.

Despite this fact, FRSC has been broadcasting for over 12 years since 1995. One interesting thing to note is the main content of the radio station is very in tune with public opinion in the United States because it is not driven by advertising revenue.

Free Radio Santa Cruz was raided by the FCC and Federal Marshals who were armed with assault rifles in Sept. of 2004. The FCC shut down the station and confiscated all of their equipments and computers which was never returned to FRSC.

Amazingly within 48 hours the station was broadcasting online and within one month was back on 101.1 FM. FRSC still broadcast today 24/7 thanks to community support through donations. The community demanded the station be allowed to continue even though it is technically illegal for them to broadcast at all.

This is a great example of how the powers that be are not always the ones who decide who stays and who goes. Tune in online or on 101.1 FM in the Santa Cruz area for a chance to listen to free speech at its best.

www.freakradio.org

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