I know there's some discussion of FM radio on the AM thread, but no one's posted there since January. Hence, a new thread.
Just drove to the 'rents in north(ish) Jersey today and discovered 101.9 in New York's gone all-news. Why can't the largest city in the country sustain more than one rock station? Or is there one - beside 104.3, which I find a bit hard-rock for my tastes - I don't know about?
Any discussion of FM (or tangents) is welcome here, of course....
New York has five FM stations that cater toward African-Americans, four that cater toward Hispanics, and three or four that belong in the non-commercial band out of about 25 full-market FM stations in the commercial band (92.1-107.9).
Here's a place to look for stations that may be receiveable in your area: http://www.radio-locator.com/
^^Thanks. I'll play with that when I have some time.
I've gotten into the habit, when I travel, of printing out Wikipedia's "Lists of Radio Stations by State." Some of them (New York being one) are incomplete on format information, though, and I wouldn't expect them to be on top of every change. Nor would I reprint it every time I go anywhere. 101.9 was a modern-rock station two weeks ago.
I haven't listened to the radio with any regularity since high school.
Because I've realized something: if I just put on my own music, I can listen to whatever I want, unedited, and without commercials or annoying chatty DJs.
Quote from: Duke87 on August 14, 2011, 04:10:23 PM
I haven't listened to the radio with any regularity since high school.
Because I've realized something: if I just put on my own music, I can listen to whatever I want, unedited, and without commercials or annoying chatty DJs.
To each his own. Radio stations are one of the things that give me a sense of place when I'm tooling around. And in cities with multiple stations you like (or in-between areas where you can get stations from more than one place), commercials and chatty DJs are largely avoidable. Commercial comes on, switch the channel.
Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 14, 2011, 03:13:13 PM
^^Thanks. I'll play with that when I have some time.
I've gotten into the habit, when I travel, of printing out Wikipedia's "Lists of Radio Stations by State." Some of them (New York being one) are incomplete on format information, though, and I wouldn't expect them to be on top of every change. Nor would I reprint it every time I go anywhere. 101.9 was a modern-rock station two weeks ago.
I use radiostationworld.com. It lists stations by state and then market area. The format information is usually very up-to-date and they also list each stations' power, which makes it easier to determine how far you can pick up a station.
I like the annoying chatty DJs. Some are truly annoying, but some others are extremely interesting (like Montreal's Tootall and Ted Bird). I agree with Michael, I like listening to local radio because they give me some kind of immersion into the area I'm driving in.
In terms of rock, 105.5 is good for northern NJ but cuts off by NYC. 95.9 covers the shore and central NJ (up through Middlesex Co, roughly). 103.7 is good for far northern NJ (warren and sussex). Then you have 102.3 on Long Island, 95.1 and 95.9 in CT, and 101.5 in the Hudson Valley. Basically, everywhere around the city has rock radio except for the five boroughs themselves.
I prefer local radio too for the same reason others cite-it gives me some way to feel connected with the area I am driving in. I'm also not in the habit of changing stations during commercials, so once I find a station with the format I like-I just turn to the station and keep it until it fades out.
Quote from: huskeroadgeek on August 15, 2011, 12:31:25 AM
I prefer local radio too for the same reason others cite-it gives me some way to feel connected with the area I am driving in. I'm also not in the habit of changing stations during commercials, so once I find a station with the format I like-I just turn to the station and keep it until it fades out.
On the way back from Florida a couple of years ago I listened to 97.1 out of Atlanta from south of Macon to the Cartersville area.
Quote from: huskeroadgeek on August 15, 2011, 12:31:25 AM
[...]I'm also not in the habit of changing stations during commercials, so once I find a station with the format I like-I just turn to the station and keep it until it fades out.
Pretty much what I do too; the ads are also a way to connect with the area. :p (I must admit that I just endure them where I live)
I like my classic rock stations. Milwaukee has maybe one but northeast Wisconsin has at least 6 or 7.
Quote from: Chicagosuburban on August 16, 2011, 02:50:38 AM
I like my classic rock stations. Milwaukee has maybe one but northeast Wisconsin has at least 6 or 7.
105.7 (WAPL) has a huge signal.
Philadelphia's down from four rock stations to three: WYSP switched yesterday to simulcasting AM sports talk station WIP. Which leaves WMMR 93.3, WMGK 102.9 and "Radio 104.5." :-(
WMMR and Radio 104.5 are good stations. I think my favorite radio station of all time has to be DC101 based in Washington, D.C.
104.5's my default position in the car these days. I'm an 'MMR fan in theory. But 'YSP was with us for a long time. It's sad to see it go.
Quote from: Michael in Philly on September 03, 2011, 07:31:15 PM
But 'YSP was with us for a long time. It's sad to see it go.
Agreed.
I'd rather listen to radio, especially when on the road. However, I constantly flip the dial. Just something fun about it.
I usually leave the radio on and seek when stations begin to fade, but that all Country piece of the Turnpike between Bedford and Carlisle used to get to me. It was one reason I got XM, but since cancelling, I just play MP3s from my phone through my car's stereo system.
I spend most of my time in Jersey listening to WCBS-FM (101.1) in New York, I enjoy the diverse music choices compared to what I get on NJ 101.5 on weekends. (I listen to the latter on weekdays for the talk shows)
Quote from: PAHighways on September 05, 2011, 02:57:25 PM
I usually leave the radio on and seek when stations begin to fade, but that all Country piece of the Turnpike between Bedford and Carlisle used to get to me. It was one reason I got XM, but since cancelling, I just play MP3s from my phone through my car's stereo system.
I once picked up something in French on that stretch, on 93.5 (where I was expecting WTPA in Harrisburg). And years ago, driving across I-80 somewhere west of Williamsport, there was a stretch where I was alternating between NPR stations in Buffalo and Baltimore.
Sadly, there are almost no stations that play the sort of music I like to have on during a drive (sometimes you'll find a college station playing a small block of industrial, but that's about it.)
So, I either have the MP3 player on, or I've got talk radio going.
Quote from: Michael in Philly on September 05, 2011, 04:43:57 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on September 05, 2011, 02:57:25 PM
I usually leave the radio on and seek when stations begin to fade, but that all Country piece of the Turnpike between Bedford and Carlisle used to get to me. It was one reason I got XM, but since cancelling, I just play MP3s from my phone through my car's stereo system.
I once picked up something in French on that stretch, on 93.5 (where I was expecting WTPA in Harrisburg). And years ago, driving across I-80 somewhere west of Williamsport, there was a stretch where I was alternating between NPR stations in Buffalo and Baltimore.
Sounds like you caught some E-skip in those trips.
Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 14, 2011, 04:24:50 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on August 14, 2011, 04:10:23 PM
I haven't listened to the radio with any regularity since high school.
Because I've realized something: if I just put on my own music, I can listen to whatever I want, unedited, and without commercials or annoying chatty DJs.
To each his own. Radio stations are one of the things that give me a sense of place when I'm tooling around. And in cities with multiple stations you like (or in-between areas where you can get stations from more than one place), commercials and chatty DJs are largely avoidable. Commercial comes on, switch the channel.
most radio stations are run by big corporations and every city has the same stations but at different spots on the dial.
LEARN HOW TO FUCKING QUOTE
Quote from: PAHighways on September 06, 2011, 11:56:52 PM
Quote from: Michael in Philly on September 05, 2011, 04:43:57 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on September 05, 2011, 02:57:25 PM
I usually leave the radio on and seek when stations begin to fade, but that all Country piece of the Turnpike between Bedford and Carlisle used to get to me. It was one reason I got XM, but since cancelling, I just play MP3s from my phone through my car's stereo system.
I once picked up something in French on that stretch, on 93.5 (where I was expecting WTPA in Harrisburg). And years ago, driving across I-80 somewhere west of Williamsport, there was a stretch where I was alternating between NPR stations in Buffalo and Baltimore.
Sounds like you caught some E-skip in those trips.
Whazzat?
Quote from: Michael in Philly on September 08, 2011, 01:13:17 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on September 06, 2011, 11:56:52 PM
Quote from: Michael in Philly on September 05, 2011, 04:43:57 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on September 05, 2011, 02:57:25 PM
I usually leave the radio on and seek when stations begin to fade, but that all Country piece of the Turnpike between Bedford and Carlisle used to get to me. It was one reason I got XM, but since cancelling, I just play MP3s from my phone through my car's stereo system.
I once picked up something in French on that stretch, on 93.5 (where I was expecting WTPA in Harrisburg). And years ago, driving across I-80 somewhere west of Williamsport, there was a stretch where I was alternating between NPR stations in Buffalo and Baltimore.
Sounds like you caught some E-skip in those trips.
Whazzat?
http://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/2010/05/e-skip-tropospheric-ducting-and-other-vhf-propagation-phenomena/
Tropospheric ducting = short distance, E-skip = long distance
States/provinces I've received via tropo: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ontario, South Dakota, Wisconsin
States/provinces I've received via E-skip: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Brunswick, New Mexico, Nova Scotia, Oklahoma, Quebec, Texas, Wyoming
Before the FCC ruined broadcast television, I could occasionally get stations from as far north as Providence and as far south as Florence, S.C. Once picked up stations from Kansas City and some place in Nebraska, and on one occasion stations in Montreal and Baton Rouge were fighting it out to come in on channel 2 (which was really bizarre, given that I was living 20 miles from New York, where channel 2 was occupied).... Haven't had that sort of experience with FM much. WHYY 90.9 in Philadelphia apparently had transmitter trouble during Car Talk a few months ago... I heard faint classical music through the static and said to myself "that's WETA!" (in Washington). Listened to the static long enough to hear WETA's station i.d.
About 20 years ago, I had a small TV that was great for picking up E-Skip TV signals. I picked up stations as far away as WFMY Channel 2 in Greensboro, NC and WJXT Channel 4 in Jacksonville, FL. I also picked up a station that I'm thinking must have been in Quebec, because it was in French. I would have been able to pick up more if I didn't have a nearby station in Omaha on Channel 3. I haven't had as much luck with E-Skip FM reception, although I do remember one time getting a station from Winter Park, FL.
^^Radio-Canada, the French-language counterpart of the CBC, has stations across Canada because it's federally supported. If you're in Nebraska and were picking up something in French on channel 3, it could have been Radio-Canada in Winnipeg.
http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/tvn/winnipeg_radio-canada.shtml
That could have been it-even though it was hard to get much E-Skip on Channel 3 because of KMTV in Omaha, they went of the air at about 1:00 AM at that time, so there was always a period in which I could get other stations on Channel 3 if I was up late enough.
Winnipeg and its outskirts have some francophone communities. Notably, Saint-Boniface, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, etc.
105.9 in Washington has switched from Classic Rock to simulcasting talk/sports WMAL.
93.5 in Harrisburg has moved to 92.1 (haven't been in the area enough yet to say if it comes in as well), while 93.5 has become "today's hottest hits" or something of the sort.
An ethnic station in the Philadelphia area - WNWR 1540 AM (this, I need to know about for work) is now all-Chinese programming, and popular ethnic programs have moved to WWDB 860. (That's according to an article in a trade publication we got today.)
Am I imagining it, or is there more format churn than usual right now?
Quote from: Chicagosuburban on August 16, 2011, 02:50:38 AM
I like my classic rock stations. Milwaukee has maybe one but northeast Wisconsin has at least 6 or 7.
There used to be five rock stations in my area. WGFG (then WWBD and on 95.7), WDRR (93.9), WBHC (92.1), and WWBD (then 105.1) either all flipped formats or moved out of the CSRA. WGFG has gone to country. WDRR and WBHC are now 'variety' stations. And WWBD is now in the Charleston/North Charleston/Goose Creek/Summerville DMA.
The only rock station in my area is WEKL-FM. It used to be on 102.3 and had a weak signal. Then, in 2007, it switched dial numbers. It is now on 105.7 and it has 100,000 smoking watts of energy:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radio-locator.com%2Fpats%2FWEKL_FM_LU.gif&hash=71feb36949cf018bc84de0d6c961395d3ad744fe)
Quote from: Chicagosuburban on August 16, 2011, 02:50:38 AM
I like my classic rock stations. Milwaukee has maybe one but northeast Wisconsin has at least 6 or 7.
Around here, we have only one classic rock station, WCSX 94.7:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fradio-locator.com%2Fpats%2FWCSX_FM_LU.gif&hash=6fe7ddcb0e694feb3b450cdb94da07588bc7c930)
Ratin
Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 13, 2011, 04:02:34 PM
I know there's some discussion of FM radio on the AM thread, but no one's posted there since January. Hence, a new thread.
Just drove to the 'rents in north(ish) Jersey today and discovered 101.9 in New York's gone all-news. Why can't the largest city in the country sustain more than one rock station? Or is there one - beside 104.3, which I find a bit hard-rock for my tastes - I don't know about?
Any discussion of FM (or tangents) is welcome here, of course....
Ratings is why. Classic Rock is on the way out! In Orlando Q96 stopped playing rock all together. They now have an AM station simulcasting on it with Talk Radio from AM.
It all started in the 90's when Rock was separated once more. All those before 1990 went to be reclassified as "Classic Rock" while new rock after got its own stations that play only that. www.radiostationfinder.com to see what is left.
I know its frustrating as I remember when WPLJ stopped playing rock in 1983 when I left the area to go to FL for vacation. When I went back to the NYC area and tuned in 95.5 on my car radio, I was totally confused when I heard songs that PLJ would never play before. I first thought the signals got crossed, but it was the end of an era I found out instead. Many were outraged by this as WPLJ was the best rock station EVER, but 28 years later they are still with this format. Maybe it took a while to come up with a slogan for them as they did experiment with many before sticking with POWER 95, but the ratings indeed show that more people want this than classic rock.
I have a 160GB iPod nearly filled to capacity and an aftermarket head unit that interfaces directly with it. I don't listen to the radio anymore unless the iPod isn't in the car. I usually just leave it in the car but sometimes I take it out to use it around the apartment.
Quote from: PAHighways on September 05, 2011, 02:57:25 PM
I usually leave the radio on and seek when stations begin to fade, but that all Country piece of the Turnpike between Bedford and Carlisle used to get to me. It was one reason I got XM, but since cancelling, I just play MP3s from my phone through my car's stereo system.
Quote from: US-43|72 on November 12, 2011, 10:55:34 PM
I have a 160GB iPod nearly filled to capacity and an aftermarket head unit that interfaces directly with it. I don't listen to the radio anymore unless the iPod isn't in the car. I usually just leave it in the car but sometimes I take it out to use it around the apartment.
Both comments are why I hardly listen to FM when I'm in North America. I don't know what it is for for some reason radio stations over there tend to have a very small reception area. As most of my travelling is long distance I find the signal starts breaking up not long after tuning in to something. This is why when renting cars the first thing I do when getting into the car is check to see if Sirius XM works. A lot of rental cars have expired subscriptions so if this is the case I move to the next car. Because of the distance I travel I find it incredibly boring not to listen to the tunes I like. With FM it's either commercials or constantly retuning when the signal fades.
My own car has USB built in. I listen to that more than I do the radio. As for the CD I've never used it. It wouldn't surprise me if manufacturers stop selling cars with CD players soon. The only thing I wish for is to see Sirius XM come to Europe.