FM radio

[Michael in Philly]

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....

[ftballfan]

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/

[Michael in Philly]

^^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.

[Duke87]

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.

[Michael in Philly]

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.

[huskeroadgeek]

^^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.

[Dr Frankenstein]

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.

[Alps]

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.

[huskeroadgeek]

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.

[ftballfan]

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.

[Dr Frankenstein]

[...]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. (I must admit that I just endure them where I live)

[Chicagosuburban]

I like my classic rock stations. Milwaukee has maybe one but northeast Wisconsin has at least 6 or 7.

[ftballfan]

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.

[Michael in Philly]

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."     

[Ian]

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.

[Michael in Philly]

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.

[Ian]

But 'YSP was with us for a long time.  It's sad to see it go.

Agreed.

[golden eagle]

I'd rather listen to radio, especially when on the road. However, I constantly flip the dial. Just something fun about it.

[PAHighways]

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.

[Roadgeek Adam]

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)

[Michael in Philly]

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.

[Darkchylde]

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.

[PAHighways]

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.

[jwolfer]

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

[Michael in Philly]

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?