Where has the Ozcat gone? Ozcat Radio has changed frequency. The local community-based station moved from their former home at 104.9 FM to 91.5 FM in Vallejo. Why the sudden, unannounced change? Ozcat founder David Martin reported that, “When we originally searched for a frequency, we listened for over a month, and there was nothing on 104.9 in Vallejo.” According to the explanation on Ozcatradio.com, “It turns out that Santa Rosa’s KMHX 104.9 FM had their local Napa translator off for the last year while the station changed owners. The translator has since been turned back on and Ozcat was treading a teeny bit on the fringe of KMHX’s broadcast territory. They told us to get off their turf…immediately…or else…so we did.”
Ozcat insiders say Maverick Media (the new owners of KMHX) filed a complaint with the FCC, then contacted Ozcat with threatened legal action if they didn’t leave the frequency immediately (though a map of KMHX’s coverage area excludes Vallejo). Katie Martinelli, webmaster of Ozcat, said the station, “complied within hours, leaving without an opportunity to advise listeners or volunteer DJs of the unexpected change.” Ozcat was simply an internet stream for several hours without a home on the radio dial. After investigating local vacant frequencies, Ozcat relocated to 91.5 FM.
Ozcat volunteer DJ Jeremy McCaleb told L&BH that the FCC paid a visit to the station on November 20, and told Ozcat to expect a letter within ten days demanding to know their intentions. Ozcat will then have 21 days to respond. “Ozcat has been doing everything possible to jump through the various FCC hoops in an attempt to become a legitimate on-air presence (as opposed to their current pirate status). At this time, however, the FCC is not accepting applications for the class of license (low power, non-profit, non commercial) that Ozcat wants to obtain. Their request for a letter of intent actually gives us our first opportunity to present our application for this license to the FCC. No station currently serves Vallejo and a community-based radio station is needed. We want to be that station.”
You will find Ozcat Radio at 91.5 FM in Vallejo and at Ozcatradio.com. According to McCaleb, the station plans to continue serving our community through their frequent interviews with local artists, and weekly live broadcasts of local bands.
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