KOSU-FM went from 500 watts to 100,000 watts and became the first station in Oklahoma affiliated with the National Public Radio network in 1971.

That same year, the other campus station, KVRO, went from wired wireless AM status to 3,000 watts of FM power (105.5 FM).

OSU students were the main on-air talent for both stations and KVRO allowed them to add commercial radio experience to their resumes.

The new chair of OSU's Radio-TV-Film Department, Dr. Jim Rhea, was instrumental in filing the application with the FCC that resulted in expanded coverage areas. He guided operations at both KOSU and KVRO until 1981. KVRO was especially popular among students for its rock format and KOSU for its classical music. Both stations featured student-led news operations.

The sale of KVRO to private owners moved it off-campus to the Strip (Washington St.) in the early 1980s, and students continued to work there through the 1990s. The station has been moved to north Perkins road by its latest owners.