About Surge Radio

We are Surge Radio, streaming live worldwide from Lancaster, CA in Northern Los Angeles County. Surge Radio is 100% licensed and DMCA compliant. Surge Radio is also a member of the Dance Radio Megamix airplay panel.

Surge Radio brings you the music you desire. We air a carefully balanced mix of Dance Hits, Top 40, Classics, and Underground tracks; all for the purpose of creating a musical "feel" that makes Surge Radio what it is, and we include mix shows and specialty programming to expand the variety of music you hear on Surge Radio. We love to hear from our listeners, and we always welcome feedback. We can be reached through email, social networking, phone calls, text messaging, and even faxing (if anybody even knows how to use a fax machine anymore).

You won't hear the same song every hour, even if it's our #1 track of the week, and you also won't have to wait days before you'll hear a hit track again. We keep the talk on Surge Radio to a minimum in order to make sure that you get the most music possible each hour. You'll always get at least 55 minutes of music every hour, if not more. We are on top of the latest tracks, that way you are always sure to hear the latest freshest music on Surge Radio.

We also feature mix shows from Antelope Valley DJs Smerk, Dan Da Mix Man, Cueball, Kino, Chubbs, Mirage, and more along with other great DJs from out of our area Gabriel Ghali, Rohit Bangera, DJ Kick, and Zaid Mohammad as well as world renowned talent tyDi, Johnny Budz, Mickey Bono of The Beat Thrillerz, and Garage Sound System (DJs Suhov, Viper, & Polina).

Surge Radio is also the exclusive place where you can hear the music of Ozone333!

We are Surge Radio... RESPECT THE MUSIC!

 

Underwriting

Surge Radio is currently looking for underwriters. If you have an interest in promoting your business or events on Surge Radio and would like more information, check out our Underwriter's Information Packet.

 

The History of Surge
The World's First FRS-based Radio Station

On December 28, 2000; the TDP1 Simplex Repeater System was launched on FRS Channel 8 (467.5625 MHz), serving West Lancaster, California. The function of the Simplex Repeater System was to record then rebroadcast all received transmissions, allowing for communications over greater distances, and was nicknamed the "Yak Bak" by many of its users. In January 2001, the system was renamed the "DPI5 Simplex Repeater System" and began playing Modern Rock & Dance music on weekday afternoons, gradually expanding to playing music all weekend.

In June 2001, the DPI5 Simplex Repeater System was renamed "FRS Radio Station DPI5", discontinued offering its simplex repeater service, and became a full time music station, incorporating some programming from Europa Plus in Moscow (which was in Russian) as well as 1220 KIISAM in Canyon Country. By January 2002, FRS Radio Station DPI5 had expanded to Channel 3 (462.6125 MHz) in Quartz Hill, Channel 10 (467.6125 MHz) in West Palmdale, and Channel 14 (467.7125 MHz) in East Lancaster as well as streaming worldwide on the internet.

Europa Plus Antelope Valley

FRS Radio Station DPI5 rebranded itself as Europa Plus Antelope Valley in February 2002, replaying a majority of Europa Plus's programs; which consisted of a blend of Pop, Dance & International (mostly European & Russian) Hits. Europa Plus Antelope Valley also aired Rock & Metal specialty programming every weekday afternoon, as well as simulcasting Digitally Imported's Trance stream over night. Europa Plus Antelope Valley also operated IRC channel #europaplus on gamesnet (now gamesurge). Despite the unorthodox medium of broadcasting, Europa Plus Antelope Valley did have a dedicated following in the Antelope Valley.

Europa Plus Antelope Valley also attempted to partner with various other gamesnet radio stations, simulcasting programming daily in order to help fill the void of Modern Rock music in the Antelope Valley. These stations were XFR (Xtreme F'n Radio), CKR (Cyber Kast Radio), TNM (The New Mix), and DR (Digital Radio); and were all mainly Rock and Metal formatted. However, each partnership was short lived. Up until the founding of The Edge 100.1 in 2003, Europa Plus Antelope Valley was the only place you could get heavy doses of Modern Rock music in the Antelope Valley. Europa Plus Antelope Valley was also, for a time, the official radio station for the "Elite Warfare Knights", an online Counter Strike clan, and aired live narration of their tournaments.
See Europa Plus Antelope Valley's On Air Schedule from 2002-2003

The station was taken off the air in May 7, 2003 at 9:48pm when it was noticed that a member of the Antelope Valley Amateur Radio Club was conducting an investigation of the FRS signals in front of the residential house where the signals were emanating, with the intent of reporting it to the FCC. Later, Europa Plus Antelope Valley returned as an online station in September 2003 (no longer simulcasting Digitally Imported overnight) under the new branding "Europa Plus Online".

Zed Radio - The Online Party Station

Several months later, the station received a cease and desist order from the Europa Plus network. Europa Plus signed off with the L.A. Style track "James Brown Is Dead", and then began operating under the name "Radio 1" for 2 weeks until merging with Ukraine-based Z Radio in June 2004, forming "Zed Radio - The Online Party Station" playing a Dance & Chill focused Hot AC format, later leaning Urban Contemporary. The new Zed Radio was officially launched on June 20, 2004 at 8pm.

Originally, "Z Radio" only operated for a few hours each day, and was not capable for operating 24 hours. After the Z Radio team and former Europa Plus Antelope Valley team joined together, the station became a 24/7 broadcast with both English and Russian language programming.

The English language programming was the local programming that had originally been offered by Europa Plus Antelope Valley, and the Russian language programming was the programming that Z Radio had originally been offering. Zed Radio also featured Ukrainian language programming from "FDR", which is a company offering programs and content to radio stations across Ukraine. After a few months, Zed Radio reached the Top 25 on the SHOUTcast Directory, regularly having several hundred listeners.

The Beginning of Surge Radio

Due to conflicts of interest between the Ukraine and USA Departments, the venture fell apart in late March 2005. Then on April 22, 2005; the USA Department, still being in possession of the streaming servers and after being off the air for nearly a month, launched "Surge Radio" with the slogan "Respect The Music!", which aired a Dance Hits format. Surge Radio offered almost entirely English programming, which included all of the English language programming from Zed Radio.

The former Zed Radio staff from Ukraine went on to launch Radio Galaktika, but still didn't have the ability to operate a 24 hour stream. In exchange for Surge Radio's help, hosting servers and offering a dedicated computer for Radio Galaktika to offer music and other programming 24/7, Radio Galaktika's production team also did production work for Surge Radio.

Surge Radio 96.3 & 102.1 FM

In October 2005, after stunting for several days playing a loop of the sound from the board of the 1980's game show "Press Your Luck", Surge Radio relaunched with pirate FM signals and the new identity as "Surge Radio 96.3 & 102.1 - The Antelope Valley's Underground Alternative Radio" was born, playing Underground Metal & Electronica, Local Antelope Valley Punk and Metal Bands, and Alternative News Talk as well as playing some Modern Rock and Dance Hits. During this time, Surge Radio was nearly fined $700 by the City of Lancaster Code Enforcement for mass posting of fliers, advertising the 96.3 FM signal. The phone message left by the Code Enforcement can still be heard on the station today on a comment line jingle.

In addition to airing a wide variety of local music programming, Surge Radio also carried many syndicated radio programs which paralleled those of Free Radio Santa Cruz (mostly News/Talk), Pirate Cat Radio (Eclectic Music & Talk), Wild Bunch Radio (Comedy), One Louder Radio (Metal), and Ministry of Sound Radio (Dance/Electronic).
See Surge Radio 96.3 & 102.1 's On Air Schedule

The mission of Surge Radio during this time was to be apart of the growing micro-radio movement, to support the work of independent media outlets, to protest corporate control of the airwaves, and to be the local voice of free speech in the Antelope Valley. These ideas were fueled by a reaction to Part 95 of the FCC's Regulations which resulted in the shut down of the FRS transmissions. Surge Radio's website was banned from being viewed within all of the schools in the Antelope Valley Union High School District.

Surge Radio managed to evade FCC attention during the entire 7 months of operating the pirate FM signals. 96.3 FM operated from West Lancaster at 5 Watts, and 102.1 operated from Quartz Hill at 2 Watts. Surge Radio ceased broadcasting on 102.1 FM on May 1, 2006 after being politely contacted by KSCA "La Nueva" 101.9 in Los Angeles. Surge shut down 96.3 FM on May 7, 2006 due to a new construction permit issued for what today is KCEL "Que Buena" 96.1 in Mojave.

Surge Radio's Final Year of Broadcast

Surge Radio continued to stream online after shutting down the FM signals. The online streams continued with mostly the same programming, excluding the removal of some local programs and the introduction of new local programs.

In November 2006, Surge Radio began phasing out the talk programming as well as a majority of the programming carried (including local programming) and split into 4 playlist-based internet radio channels: Surge Radio (Modern & Classic Rock + Punk & Alternative), Brutal Surge (Death Metal/Grindcore), Extreme Surge (Extreme Metal/Metalcore), and The Pulse (Dance & Electronica). The name "The Pulse" was a homage to the late Underground Electronica station Pulse 1330/KENU in Washington. Attempting to operate the station as a profitable business, Surge Radio started selling banner ads on their website, as well as in-stream advertisements.

The loss of the FM signals resulted in great difficulty maintaining a local identity. This combined with the drastic change in programming resulted in major backlash from the original audience and then ultimately led a virtually non-existant interest in the station. Also, new rulings were being proposed which would greatly increase the royalty rates paid by internet radio stations, which would make it impossible for small internet radio stations to continue to operate. While the new Metal channels were beginning to attract a following, Surge Radio still didn't see it to be in good interest to continue operating.

Surge Radio shut down operations entirely on May 7, 2007 at 8pm. This date was chosen because it was the same date of when the FRS stations were shut down in 2003, and when 96.3 was taken off the air in 2006. The final song to air on Surge Radio, Brutal Surge, and Extreme Surge was Skinlab's "Anthem For A Fallen Star".

Surge Radio's attempted relaunch under XRQK

Surge Radio's channel "The Pulse" continued to broadcast after the other channels signed off, but then in August 2007, segued to "Rave HD - The High Desert's Dance Authority", a Dance Hits formatted online station. The brand was launched under XRQK Media Group.

In early 2009, plans were to relaunch Surge Radio under XRQK, but XRQK cut ties with Surge Radio after the female members of Surge Radio's staff refused to participate in being photographed for XRQK's "hot girl" calendars and Surge Radio's program director refused to "donate" $300 to XRQK, as was demanded by XRQK management.

Rave HD, which operated from Surge Radio's server, ceased operations in February 2009. While XRQK still maintains a page for Rave HD, it no longer streams online, nor has offered any legitimate or properly licensed over-the-air broadcasts, if any, since.

XRQK still maintains a Surge Radio page consisting mainly of risque photos of scantily clad women, claiming that it is "the real Surge Radio", but it also doesn't stream online nor does it actually offer any legitimate or properly licensed over-the-air broadcasts, if any. Surge Radio no longer does any business nor has any contact with XRQK.

After the incidents with XRQK, all plans to relaunch Surge Radio were scrapped.

Building A New Surge

Over the 3 years and 7 months Surge Radio was off the air, several letters and phone calls were received from individuals who were hoping to see Surge Radio return, and were even interested in being involved. Although, the resources were no longer availalbe to start a new radio station. In November 2010, the former Surge Radio staff members had a reunion party, and during the party, over a few beers, they discussed the possibility of bringing Surge Radio back. Several of them even contributed financially to the venture, which was enough to get started, and the building of a new Surge commenced the following January.

Surge Radio began testing new streams with a stunt format, airing a repeat of Tomandandy's tracks "Arcadia" and "Binoculars". Surge began working with all the scraps of what was left over from before, including the imaging and the website as well as combining the original Surge Radio playlist and Rave HD playlist plus significant musical updates to bring the station up to speed with the latest music. Many of the former Surge personalities volunteered to return, and several new personalities came on board.

The testing came to an end on at 11pm on January 24, 2011 and Surge Radio relaunched with Black Label Society's "Fire It Up". Soon after, Surge Radio began refining the playlist, phasing the Metal music as well as some of the more obscure tracks out of the format, in favor of a Dance & Electronica leaning format with various non-Dance specialty shows. The new slogan "Southern California's Digital Radio" was adopted. Mitch Craig and Handy Andy were used as the new voice of the station.

Surge Radio attempted to operate as a community focused radio station, and built a new studio at BLVD Today Cafe/KING Photo Supply on Lancaster Blvd, and rebroadcasted their live events and ilivetoday programs, including Wednesday Night Vinyl Night, Socialnomics 101 on Saturday morning, and the Saturday night Open Mic night. Surge Radio also hosted an event on Friday nights at BLVD Today Cafe with DJ Mizu spinning live, in which on one occasion the City of Lancaster demanded the music to be turned down. On April 2, 2011 shortly after 6pm, Surge Radio's DJs were asked to leave and remove the station's equipment from BLVD Today Cafe immediately.

The Surge of SoCal

Surge Radio began to head in a different direction, refocusing as a station for all of Southern California, operating an entirely jockless Dance Hits format, with the exception of adding several mix shows. Surge Radio has partnered with various groups and events including Resinate events, Feel Good Fridays, and Session Sundays; as well as broadcasting live from venues including BeX Bar & Grill's Underground Bowling Lounge, Ruben's Bar & Grill, and Sami's Donuts. The original personalities of Surge Radio occasionally make guest appearances on the station, but most of them are busy with their careers nowadays. We owe a major thanks to everybody who has contributed to Surge Radio in their own way over the years.

Today, Surge Radio is a Dance Hits station, serving Southern California and anybody around the world who wants to hear the newest freshest Dance music. Unlike our previous manner of operation, today we're committed to doing things properly and legitimately. Thanks for being a supporter of the radio station that has been apart of bringing Dance music to the Antelope Valley and Southern California since 2000. Respect The Music!

Short-lived Simulcast on KNIZ 90.1 FM

On April 9, 2012; Surge Radio began simulcasting on KNIZ 90.1 FM in Gallup, New Mexico every night from 11pm to 3am. The first broadcast started with Avicii's track "(We Won't) Fade Into Darkness" and ended with Radio Killer's track "Don't Let The Music End".

The night of April 17, 2012 was unexpectedly the last night of simulcasting on KNIZ. The final song from Surge Radio to air on KNIZ was coincidently Daniela's track "Love Me Enough To Lie" (Afsheen Remix). On April 18, 2012; Surge Radio was informed that due to non-payment, KNIZ's internet connection had been cut off, and that they had received a notice that their utilities would also be shut off in 3 days due to non-payment. Surge Radio's contact quit KNIZ that same night.

Surge Radio made multiple attempts to get ahold of KNIZ, but no response was received until the president of Available Media, KNIZ's parent company, was reached. Surge Radio was later contacted by KNIZ's program director, who said that the board would vote on whether or not to continue Surge Radio's programming overnight. On April 28, 2012; the board declined to continue Surge Radio's programming.