KKSM

On November 2, 1955, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted an application from the San Luis Rey Broadcasting Company to build a new 500-watt AM radio station on 1320 kHz in Oceanside.{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/ab8db8df-a230-5e66-4ddd-c759af39150a|title=FCC History Cards for KKSM|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} The station began broadcasting as KSLR in June 1956. It was sold to Pacific Broadcasters in 1958 and changed its call sign to KUDE; the next year, it was acquired by the Dolph-Pettey Broadcasting Company.{{r|hc}} A companion FM station, KUDE-FM 102.1, was established in 1962.

KUDE and the FM station, then known as KJFM, were acquired by Par Broadcasting Corporation in 1982. Writing for North County Magazine, Ken Leighton described KUDE as "an automated country station that was not held in high esteem by those in the broadcasting community".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881477/newstalk-radio-makes-news-north-county/|date=October 3, 1985|page=North County Magazine 26, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881390/radio/ 27], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881398/radio/ 28]|title=News/talk radio makes news: North County stations sounding out listeners|newspaper=Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}} The two stations were relaunched as KEZL with an adult standards format until the FM flipped to adult contemporary in 1984. Larry Shushan, the general manager, then overhauled KEZL AM as KNNC "K-News North County" in 1985. The idea was to give North County a localized version of an all-news station, much like the popular KNX in Los Angeles.{{r|Time851003}} However, ratings were poor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881620/government-cuts-person-some-slack/|date=January 20, 1986|page=D1|first=Nancy|last=Schlesinger|title=Government cuts person some slack|newspaper=Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}}

As a result of the low ratings, KEZL and KNNC dropped their formats in 1986 and became a simulcasting oldies station, "Magic 102", with KGMG call letters.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881672/north-county-stations-play-radio-roulett/|date=September 30, 1986|page=San Diego VI:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881711/formats/ 4]|first=Thomas K.|last=Arnold|title=North County Stations Play Radio Roulette|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}} The nostalgic music format survived an intended format flip in 1989 after more than 1,000 listener comments were received.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881789/station-dumps-nostalgia-doug-best-opts/|date=October 5, 1989|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881841/station/ B2]|first=Pancho|last=Doll|title=Station dumps nostalgia, Doug Best, opts for rock|newspaper=Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881879/fans-win-brief-reprieve-for-station-form/|date=November 3, 1989|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123881894/fans/ B2]|first=Pancho|last=Doll|title=Fans win brief reprieve for station format|newspaper=Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}}

In 1994, the nostalgia format was ended for a simulcast of another station Par Broadcasting owned, KKLQ-FM 106.5.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123882178/blood-of-abraham-jewish-rap-thats-more/|date=May 27, 1994|pages=Go 10, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123882154/music-of-note/ 11], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate-sound/123882132/ 24]|first=Ken|last=Leighton|title=Blood of Abraham: Jewish rap that's more than shtick|newspaper=Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}}

In 1976, "KSM" began as the carrier current radio station at Palomar College. It first broadcast from a closet in the former drama lab.{{Cite web |url=http://www.todayslocalnews.com/?sect=lifestyles&p=2128 |title=They Have the Airwaves|work=Today's Local News|date= November 8, 2006 |access-date=2007-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020164756/http://www.todayslocalnews.com/?sect=lifestyles&p=2128 |archive-date=2007-10-20 |url-status=dead }} By the late 1980s, it was only available outside of campus as a cable radio channel on the local Cox cable system.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123898202/going-is-rough-for-sd-college-radio-st/|date=March 14, 1986|page=San Diego VI:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123898267/going-rough-for-stations/ 17]|title=Going is rough for S.D. college radio stations|first=Thomas K.|last=Arnold|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}} During the week, it aired blocks of Top 40, alternative, and album-oriented rock formats, along with specialty programming on weekends.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123898301/college-stations-prove-radio-can-be-diff/|date=March 14, 1986|page=San Diego VI:17|first=Thomas K.|last=Arnold|title=College stations prove radio can be different|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}}

Par Broadcasting agreed to acquire six radio stations from Compass Radio Group, including San Diego's KCBQ-AM-FM, in late 1995. In order to meet ownership limits, Par had to divest itself of KKLQ AM, and Par negotiated to donate it to Palomar College.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123892844/palomar-college-in-line-for-a-radio-stat/|date=October 25, 1995|page=B3|first=Phil|last=Diehl|title=Palomar College in line for a radio station|newspaper=Times-Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}} The transaction took effect on April 1, 1996, when 1320 was turned over to Palomar College and became KKSM, bringing the former KSM format to a broadcast facility.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123898484/quartet-of-local-radio-stations-change-h/|date=March 29, 1996|page=Preview 30|first=Ken|last=Leighton|title=Quartet of local radio stations change hands|newspaper=North County Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}}

Famous alumni of KKSM include Fox Sports announcer Jeanne Zelasko; network TV voice Erik Thompson; adult film star and Playboy Radio host Kylie Ireland; and nerdcore rapper Zealous1.{{Cite web|last=Leighton|first=Ken|date=March 3, 2020|title=Palomar, SDSU, City College – which one for future DJs?|url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2020/mar/03/stringers-palomar-sdsu-city-college-future-dj/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304044445/https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2020/mar/03/stringers-palomar-sdsu-city-college-future-dj/|archive-date=2020-03-04|access-date=2021-03-04|website=San Diego Reader|language=en}}

Coverage is along a crescent-shaped area stretching in a north–south direction from San Juan Capistrano to La Jolla and in an east–west direction from Interstate 15 to the coast.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} The 500-watt tower was designed to be heard in boats offshore.

KKSM was recognized in 1996 as one of the five best college radio stations in the U.S. by the National Association of Broadcasters.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123898917/palomar-radio-station-earns-honor-colle/|date=December 30, 1996|page=B-3|first=Deniene|last=Hunter|title=Palomar radio station earns honor: College takes position among top five in U.S. despite modest budget|newspaper=North County Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023}} In 2013, the station won the Golden Microphone award from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System for Best Community College Station.

• Campus radio
• List of college radio stations in the United States

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.palomarcollegeradio.com Official Website]
• [https://www.palomar.edu/kksm/ KKSM] at palomar.edu
• [https://www.facebook.com/kksmradio KKSM] on Facebook

{{AM station data|51506|KKSM}}

{{San Diego Radio}}

{{California college radio}}

KSM

KSM

Category:Oceanside, California

Category:Radio stations established in 1956

Category:1956 establishments in California