Koala vs. KSDT

KSDT is still on air today. But the about section of their website lists only current staff names, no history whatsoever. The 2008 website was the same way. But the station does have history. It goes back decades. The best secondary source on those early years is the UC Guardian. [SOURCE] It describes the earliest set up in 1968, an old military building made out of corrugated steel. They ran carrier current over the university’s electrical system on 540 AM. The Guardian cites the true start in 1967

"According to these accounts, KSDT originated in 1967 in a Pacific Beach garage, from where a group of students broadcasted tunes using a low power signal. With the help of then Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Robert Topolovac, KSDT founders Don Bright and Jon Collins were awarded funding to establish a college radio station on UCSD. "

I am pleased to report we have a print reference at least as early as 1971. The Underground Guide to the College of Your Choice describes KSDT as "dynamite like an FM rock station". 

KSDT is unusual in that there is a decent print record of their activity from at least the mid 1980s through today. Typically there are obvious gaps, or newspaper stories about re-starting the station. This one just has a short gap in the early 80s. It's also notable that the call letters never changed. 

In February of 1974, KSDT appears in the "What's Happening" section of Billboard as a College chart reporter. It reads "KSDT-CAFM U. of California, San Diego at La Jolla, Linda Clark."   No frequency is given.  The most evidence we have for continuous operation is in CMJ from the mid 1980s  through the 1990s. There are too many phone numbers. 

In a CMJ chart from April 1984 a very fake sounding MD name Taarson Homard accompanies a top 30 which lists it as CAFM but at 95.7 so they may have moved to a leaky PM operation in that era. 619-452-3673. 

In 1989 A top 30 submitted by Kicky Kia. The book Gigging also includes the station that year, but only with generic contact info still using the 3673 phone number.  

1994 a metal chart issue, Jerry Radcocg phone number is (619) 534-4225. 

1995 a Top 30 with two MDs: Michael Hu/Brent Turne, still 4225

In 1996 the MD is Brent Turner, solo this time, and he cranked out a few Top 30 charts.  

In 1997 KSDT appears again in reporting Loud rock chart and Beatbox but not Top 30. (Beatbox was a predecessor to the RPM chart) The metal director is still Jerry Radcocg. 

In 2002 MD Bryan Brick started reporting a top 30, and a new phone number shows up: 619-534-0479. 

In 2011 KSDT is listed in the CMJ directory

 

The late 1980s look very active. They even appear in Maximum Rock N Roll in 1989. Apparently they were selling a compilation cassette: "I hear College Puke."  It's very rare. [SOURCE] I want this tape so bad. It's actually one of 6 releases recorded at the station, the first and last of which both feature the punk band Sub Society. More here. 

 

In 1990 and 1992 they again in MRNR, plugs for the shows "Hardcore Punk Etc.," "Kids on Coffee" and "Energy Control" in scene reports. It makes the connection that Chris Valle in Sub Society hosted that program.  Also in 1992 they are references in Flipside magazine which is notable because it describes the broadcast situation for them and KSD. It's highly unusual but they may have been available on local CATV off campus. 

"...there [are]  two 24 hour alternative radio stations. KSDT on the campus of UCSD (95.7) and KCR onthe campus of SDSU (sorry, don't know the dial #). Unfortunately, both are on cable radio, so you must have a cable hookup on your stereo to receive these. Cox and Southwestern have recently changed their policy and do not charge any monthly fee to get your cable radio"

The 2000 version of the KSDT website confirms the usual local CATV arrangement. But it also lists both the AM and FM channels. It does appear all four were active at the same time.

• SRTV Triton Channel 18 - SAP channel 
• Cox Southwestern Cable Music Choice Channel 41

Another 1992 highlight for KSDT is their inclusion in the Book Your Own Fucking Life which every band should own. It instructs the band to call Adam Eisemberg. The 2000 edition names Daniel Najera. In 1999 the KSTD call letters appear in an issue of the USCD underground newspaper named Koala and I don't even know what to say about this. It is one of the stranger things I've ever found googling call letters. In 2001 Koala thanks Pete from KSDT. They also appear in the CMJ directory that year. It appears again in 2002 minus the Koala dildo thing. It is not the only time Koala deliberately misspelled the call sign. 

That is not a typo, that's personal - Koala March 2008

Around 2017 They are referred to in a poetry book Voices Bright Flags with the mention of a poetry podcast on KSDT radio. This is a frequent trajectory for carrier current stations. If they last into the 80s they usually attempt an FM conversion. If they survive that we usually see podcasts after 2010.  Jen at Radio Survivor visited the station in 2019. [SOURCE] That article mentions the stations 50+ year history, by my math their 60th anniversary is next year! 

Disambiguation: 

• From 1999 to 2006 there was a 1320 KSDT-AM in Hemet, California. It was owned by Lazer Broadcasting, and the format was "Pure Gold, rock and roll", which seemed tired at the time but I'd take it back today.  
• The call sign KSDT also appears in reports about the Ryukyu Islands. This is always 780 KSDT-AM in Okinawa. This is an interesting station, just not one in La Jolla.