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 KSER - 90.7 FM
A Sound Adventure
2623 Wetmore Ave
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425-303-9070
www.kser.org 
Listen to KSER
KSER
Program Schedule
KSER
A Sound Adventure
 KSER's programming focuses on serving Everett and the other communities of
Snohomish, and North Puget Sound counties. Their news, public affairs programming
and public service announcements emphasize the North Puget Sound region. Their
use of volunteers to create the programming, results in a radio station that
is both fascinating and challenging for a casual listener. KSER's music emphasizes
world and traditional sounds that are unique for this area. They are different
and adventurous, by design.
Operation of KSER is made possible by the dedication and efforts of over 100
volunteers who provide the programming, do the filing and bookkeeping, handle
the cleaning, and perform all the other support needed to keep a radio station
on the air. KSER's volunteers contribute over 25,000 hours annually to make
their communities a better place to live and work.
KSER began regular broadcasting on February 9th, 1991 at 1000 watts with the
studio and transmitter located in Lynnwood, Washington. KSER came on the air
licensed to the non-profit Jack Straw Foundation based in Seattle. The station
claimed, at 90.7 FM, the last broadcast frequency available in the Puget Sound
region.
The Jack Straw Foundation has a long history with community radio, having started
KRAB in Seattle nearly 40 years ago. KRAB, established in 1963 by Public Radio
Pioneer Lorenzo Milam (see the book Sex and Broadcasting by Lorenzo Milam),
was the second non-commercial, community-supported radio station on the air
in the United States. It operated in the commercial band at 107.7 FM for nearly
20 years, broadcasting from such diverse 'homes' as an old donut shop and an
old firehouse on Capital Hill. KRAB went off the air in the early 1980's and
its frequency was sold to a company interested in operating a commercial radio
station. Eventually, the money from the sale of KRAB was used to establish and
operate both the non-profit Jack Straw Production facility in Seattle, and KSER-FM.
KSER was operated by the Jack Straw Foundation until 1994. In 1994, the Jack
Straw Foundation decided to divest itself of KSER. The Jack Straw Foundation
invited a group of listeners to take over the radio station operations. In late
1994, this group created the non-profit KSER Foundation to operate the station.
The Foundation accepted the property and assets of KSER from the Jack Straw
Foundation. The Federal Communications Commission gave final approval for the
transfer of the broadcast license in early 1995.
When the station signed on in 1991 it was understood that its power of 1000
watts was not sufficient to adequately serve the people of Snohomish County.
In fact, the location of the transmitter, coupled with the terrain and the low
power effectively kept the signal from being heard in Everett, the station's
city of license. A translator at the frequency of 90.5 FM was briefly used to
serve Everett. In late 1996 efforts began to secure funding for and permission
to move the transmitter to a location north east of Everett and to raise the
power. In mid-1997 authorization from the Federal Communications Commission
was secured to raise KSER's power to 5800 watts and move the transmitter to
a site near Lake Stevens on Soper Hill. This change allowed KSER to be heard
clearly for the first time in Everett and regions north. On April 19, 1998,
KSER began broadcasting from its new location, at its new power and started
a new chapter in its history. Funding for the new transmitter and relocation
was made possible by a federal Public Telecommunications Facilities Program
grant, and generous support of the Seiko Corporation and Motorola Antenna Site
Services Company.
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