KZEL-FM

KZEL-FM (96.1 FM) is a commercial radio station in Eugene, Oregon, in the United States. The station airs a mainstream rock/hybrid music format.

It has applied for a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) construction permit to move to a taller tower (HAAT 451.9 meters) at the same site and increase the vertically polarized ERP to 100,000 watts.

Translators

KZEL-FM programming is also carried on a series of broadcast translator stations to extend or improve the coverage area of the station.

History

KZEL-FM was founded and funded in 1967 by Eugene lumberman George "Tirebiter" Zellner. When he purchased the station, its call letters were KWFS. Zellner changed the call letters to KZEL and sold the station to Jay and Barbara West in 1971.

The Wests led KZEL for most of the 1970s as a free-format station. Its studios were located in Glenwood, near Springfield. Disc jockeys included John Napier, Gary "The Wasted Potato" Palmatier, Stan "Harry 'Til 6" Garrett, Michael Waggoner, Sleepy John (Cuthbertson), JET, Tom Krumm, Chris Kovarik, Magic Mike, and Peyton Mays. Additionally, KZEL carried "Daybreak" in the morning and "News & Information" in the afternoon. News anchors included Melinda Coates, Rosemary Reed, Cal Turlock (real name Phillip Johnson) and Bryce Zabel.