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Pirate Cat Radio (87.9 FM) is a low-power community radio station that originally operated in the San Francisco Bay Area and has since returned to Los Gatos, California, and Santa Cruz, California, with FCC approval.

The station, founded by Daniel Roberts, originally broadcast from Roberts' bedroom in Los Gatos without a license and became a cultural touchstone for pirate radio in the Bay Area. In 2024, Pirate Cat Radio relaunched as an FCC-approved low-power FM (LPFM) station, marking a new chapter in its history after more than a decade of dormancy.

History

Early Years and Unlicensed Broadcasting

Pirate Cat Radio began in 2001 as an unlicensed community station in Los Gatos, broadcasting an eclectic mix of music, talk shows, and cultural programming. The station was part of a broader trend of pirate radio in the Bay Area, known for challenging traditional media boundaries and giving voice to underrepresented communities. Despite numerous warnings and fines from the FCC, Roberts continued to operate the station, citing a loophole in wartime broadcasting regulations.

Legal Challenges and Closure

In 2009, the FCC fined Roberts $10,000 for broadcasting without a license, and in 2011, the station ceased operations amid financial and legal disputes. The physical station in the Mission District of San Francisco also closed, marking the end of an era for Pirate Cat Radio.

Revival in 2024

In August 2024, Pirate Cat Radio made a highly anticipated return, this time with FCC approval and a focus on its roots in Los Gatos and Santa Cruz. According to Roberts, the station aims to blend its rebellious spirit with community-oriented programming, leveraging its legal status to build new partnerships and reach a broader audience.

The relaunch includes upgraded facilities and programming that reflects the station's original eclectic ethos. Roberts noted that this revival is part of a broader effort to support community media and provide a platform for diverse voices.

Impact and Legacy

Pirate Cat Radio's story has been chronicled as a significant chapter in the history of community radio. The station's blend of innovation and defiance has inspired other independent broadcasters, and its return is seen as a victory for local, independent media.

The station now operates with a commitment to preserving its legacy while embracing modern broadcasting technology to reach a new generation of listeners.

See also

• Pirate radio in North America
• Community radio
• Low-power broadcasting

References

1. ^ Los Gatan Staff (2024-08-04). "A Pirate Radio Story". Los Gatan. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
2. ^ Mercury News Staff (2024-08-04). "Pirate Cat Radio Returns to Los Gatos, This Time with FCC Approval". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
3. ^ Good Times Staff (2024-08-04). "The Return of Pirate Cat Radio". Good Times. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
4. Sullivan, James (October 21, 2003). "The Bay Area is the capital of pirate radio stations". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
5. Kava, Brad (January 7, 2007). "Daniel Roberts won't stop making pirate radio broadcasts. The FCC won't stop telling him to stop". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
6. Harrell, Ashley (May 26, 2010). "The Radio Pirate Goes Legit". San Francisco Weekly. Retrieved 2010-05-26.

External links

• Pirate Cat Radio Official Website

• Community radio stations in the United States
• Pirate radio stations in the United States
• Radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Radio stations established in 2001
• Radio stations disestablished in 2011
• Defunct radio stations in the United States