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Post by CAwasinNJ on Sept 1, 2016 3:44:56 GMT -6
Frankly, pretty much nothing jumps out at me as being particularly noteworthy. The only comment I have is that Cumulus' KKAT 860 is about to fall off the map after not registering for the last 3 months.
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Post by David on Sept 1, 2016 11:08:43 GMT -6
Frankly, pretty much nothing jumps out at me as being particularly noteworthy. The only comment I have is that Cumulus' KKAT 860 is about to fall off the map after not registering for the last 3 months. Suggestion: KKAT-AM should change its slogan from "Utah's Big Talker" to "Utah's Big Flopper" (as in the station is a big flop). At least they finally removed the spots boasting that the station is "Utah's home for Phil Hendrie". Seriously, they need to ditch the third rate talk and choose a new format for 860. At this point they could probably go with brokered programming and nobody would notice. |
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Terry
Silver Level Member
Posts: 488
Usual Listening Area: east Murray
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Post by Terry on Sept 1, 2016 22:24:26 GMT -6
I actually listen to 860 a little. My problem is bad signal, especially at night. I'm thinking that all the new digital devices are causing noise on the weaker AM stations. So, I listen less than I would. If 860 (or 1430) were on FM I would definitely listen more. Of course, KLO tried that and then gave up. I enjoyed it while it lasted. I can get their programming (860 & 1430) on the Internet but that's too much trouble for me. I just spend more time listening to stations with clear signals instead.
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Post by David on Sept 1, 2016 23:37:19 GMT -6
Not only are the new digital devices causing noise and interference on AM, many of the new LED and CFL light bulbs generate RFI. I still use mostly incandescent bulbs in my home, but when my stock runs dry I'll probably switch to halogen bulbs. They don't seem to generate near as much RFI as the LED and CFL bulbs do.
I also listen to KKAT-AM occasionally, usually late at night when Red Eye Radio is on and I can't get a clear signal from 770 KKOB. 860 is difficult to pick up at night because they only run about 200 watts after sundown, and there's co-channel interference from XEMO in San Diego and KTRB in San Francisco. I've found that I can usually null out the interference listening on a Sangean PR-D5, which is one of the best radios for AM reception I've ever used. In fact, I think it's better than the GE Superadios, and it's definitely more compact!
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Terry
Silver Level Member
Posts: 488
Usual Listening Area: east Murray
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Post by Terry on Sept 2, 2016 10:08:41 GMT -6
I may be drifting off-topic here, but I wanted to respond. I agree, the Sangean PR-D5 has the best reception for a reasonably priced radio. I own 5 of them, plus 20 or so other various radios. Only the GE Superadio comes close, as far as reception goes.
To change the subject yet again, I've been wondering why digital radio (so-called HD radio) has been a failure in the US, while at the same time DAB (digital audio broadcasting?) is still growing in Europe. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that the Europeans have more government owned broadcasters pumping tax money into DAB. Digital radio would solve the AM interference problem, but I fear it will never be widespread here.
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Post by David on Sept 2, 2016 17:28:45 GMT -6
I think the main reason digital radio hasn't been successful in the US is because of the cost of digital broadcasting equipment. A station like KSL has the $$ to spend for new equipment, but most AM stations are barely paying the bills and can't afford to upgrade. I grew up with AM radio and I hope it never goes away, but every year the audience for AM stations seems to get smaller, so I don't foresee stations like KLO and KKAT switching to digital broadcasting when they're lucky to show up with a 0.1 or 0.2 in the ratings book. Different approaches such as AM stereo and digital broadcasting have been tried over the years to help "save" AM radio, and I don't see the FM translators helping much unless the FCC requires the AM stations to be kept on the air. The fact that most radios manufactured in the past 20 years have lousy AM tuners doesn't help attract more listeners either.
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Post by CAwasinNJ on Sept 3, 2016 2:33:41 GMT -6
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