KSSU (AM)

KSSU is an unlicensed, carrier current AM radio station on the campus of Sacramento State University broadcasting at 1580 AM and via streaming audio on the internet.

History

KSSU was started in 1989, but was originally known as "The Edge". Another radio station of that name provided KSSU with a cease and desist letter in 1993, forcing the small station to change its identity to "The Apex". The station changed frequencies several times before settling at 1580 AM, and was run out of the campus library. At the time, the station was barely heard in the campus dorms and stadium parking lot, but the signal was so weak, most DJs frequently played when they were the only listeners. A petition was signed to obtain the frequency of Capital Public Radio (also funded by CSUS but is not student-run), and efforts were later made to get a larger signal, though they proved fruitless. DJs at the time were given free rein to say whatever they want and play whatever they want, since nobody was really listening. The station eventually moved to the Union after its expansion, but the signal strength remained unchanged.

Since the summer of 2005, after going online, the station's audience has nearly quadrupled, as has its staff (from about 20 or so in 2004, to about 60 by the end of its Spring 2007 run) [http://www.kssu.com/ Associated Students ] ] . This growth is due to a revamped promotions team which has unofficially partnered with Unique Programs at Sacramento State; promotions and support from Capital Public Radio and Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) the campus's student body and KSSU’s rebroadcast partnership with KYDS 91.5 El Camino High School radio which started in the Fall of 2007.

According to Robert Young (DJ Rob Fatal), KSSU's station manager as of Spring 2008, this new growth has led to increased opportunities including interviews which are made available for download on KSSU.com's "media" section [Robert Young, KSSU.com station manager] . These interviews include Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, Gogol Bordello (this KSSU interview features lead singer Eugene Hutz performing an unreleased track that was not put on the new album Super Taranta!, as well as performing a rare, early form acoustic version of the song "American Wedding" which did appear on Super Taranta!), rapper Pigeon John, Los Abandoned, the Aggrolites, Rise Against, Of Montreal, and international acts like TAT from London, England and artist/ graphic novelist Christie Shinn from Toronto, Canada.

Programming

The station's on-air programming consists of free-format student-Run programming: everything from underground hip hop, to country; from metal to Latin music [ [http://kssu.com/ Associated Students ] ] .

KSSU is a reporting station to the college music magazine, CMJ aka the College Music Journal, where it won 4 awards in the Fall of 2007 including "Music Director of the Year- Susie Kuo" and "Best Use of Limited Resources" [ [http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=50047317 CMJ News Story ] ] [ [http://cmjcollegeday.imeem.com/ CMJ 2007 College Day Community on IMEEM ] ]

In the Spring of 2007, KSSU's "The Local Slice" entertainment magazine was started by Sacramento State journalism major, Sarah Kay Hannon (aka DJ Sarah Slice). It is still going strong and has captured worldwide attention by readers online. The magazine's issues feature album reviews, movie reviews, artist spotlights, featured venues, food and dining, original comic strips produced by KSSU DJs, show reviews, and much more.

Cold Hard Facts

-The local Sacramento punk rock band, the Secretions, met and formed at the station in the early 90's, even before the station was called KSSU.

-Danny Secretion hosts a radio show on KSSU, "The Blitzkrieg Zone", on Wednesdays from 8pm-10pm Pacific Standard Time.

-The station follows FCC protocol even though it is online and is funded by ASI (Associated Students Incorporated), the student government body at Sacramento State University [KSSU Training handbook] .

-Kevin Seconds of the band Seven Seconds hosts a show called "Absolute Rant and Ruckus" which airs Monday nights 8pm-10pm Pacific Standard Time.

References

External links

* [http://www.kssu.com KSSU]