it is a member of the Student Radio Network group of stations, all of which are run from New Zealand University campuses.

The impetus for the station began with an open letter to the President of the Otago University Students' Association (then Phyllis Comerford) from Alastair Thomson, who had worked on the Waikato University student radio station.

This letter brought together other interested parties including members of the bands Netherworld Dancing Toys and The Verlaines:Graham Cockroft was the first station manager.

It runs a wide variety of general interest and specialist shows, many of them catering for audiences not covered by Dunedin's other radio stations, such as The Local which plays only New Zealand content and Overgrown which is New Zealand's only Cannabis Law Reform themed radio show.

This gave subscribers ("Rad-ones") the opportunity to gain discounts at local stores and events, and to enter on-air competitions in return for a small annual fee.