FCC Approves KZSM License for New Tower & Boosted Signal

SAN MARCOS, TX — San Marcos' non-commercial FM radio and streaming station KZSM has achieved a historic milestone in its mission to serve the community.

Following a successful multi-year "Power the Tower" fundraising campaign and partnership with the American Red Cross, the station has received its first-ever broadcast license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The license authorized KZSM to move its transmitter from its downtown location to a higher-elevation site, increasing the station's reach to thousands of additional listeners across Hays County. The transition from a temporary permit with limited broadcast range to a regular license allows the station to cover the city with full authorized power.

"This is a transformative moment for community radio in San Marcos," said KZSM board president Jeremy Garrett. "These station upgrades aren't just about better sound. Our diverse range of local programming — from music and culture to vital public affairs — is now available to a broader audience."

The station now provides better reception in the city's growing business and residential areas, and neighboring portions of Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties.

The tower relocation was made possible in part by the American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program. Recognizing KZSM's role as an all-volunteer asset in emergency resilience, the Red Cross supported the engineering and equipment costs necessary to complete the tower move and obtain full FCC authorization.

KZSM is committed to forwarding all Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages to listeners. In contrast, most other stations meet only minimal EAS requirements, but do not voluntarily relay all life-saving EAS alerts, warnings and notifications from local and state emergency managers to the public.

Additional support was received from VTX1, provider of fiber and wireless Internet and telephone service; and attendee donors at KZSM events including the San Marcos Music Awards and our free music performances at the Square.

About KZSM

KZSM is part of the nationwide Grassroots Radio movement of independent, non-commercial, community radio stations. One of only two locally based FM stations in the city, KZSM's music, talk and cultural shows celebrate the rich diversity of Central Texas.

While the transmitter has moved, KZSM's heart remains at its downtown studio at 216 N. Guadalupe Street, where volunteers produce over 40 hours of original local programming each week. The schedule also includes award-winning national programs, including the flagship Democracy Now news hour each weekday morning at 9:00.

Besides its 104.1 signal, KZSM is accessible on the Internet, streaming online at kzsm.org.

The community is invited to celebrate this achievement at the upcoming KZSM Sock Hop on May 15, 2026, at the VFW, 1701 Hunter Road, where the station will honor the donors and volunteers who made the "Power the Tower" campaign a success.

KZSM is licensed to the San Marcos Texas Community Radio Association, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization.