Airwaves: September 11, 2009
Where AM means All Music
The recent change of KGIL (1260 AM, 105.1 HD-3) from talk to MOR music
called Retro 1260 brought in a ton of fan mail; it seems people were
truly clambering for the variety of sounds played on Retro.
But one writer asked a question that is probably on the minds of many, especially
those young enough to not know of the world before computers, iPods, and even
color television: who cares? Why would anyone listen to music on AM radio,
assuming that they know what the AM button on the radio even does.
Its a valid question, especially coming from that perspective. Indeed,
one of the primary inventors of AM radio broadcasting, Edwin Armstrong, so
hated the sound of AM radio that he went out and invented an entirely different
type of broadcasting called FM. Unlike AM, which is subject to interference
both natural and man-made, FM is virtually static-free ... although truth be
told, it has its own reception problems as well.
But Armstongs version of AM was a hardly the AM we enjoy today. Certainly
there are still interference concerns, and todays world is filled with
things that can cause problems with AM reception, from computers to cable boxes
to fluorescent lights. Yet the technology has come a long way since the early
days of broadcasting, and believe it or not, AM has the potential to sound
every bit as good as FM, perhaps better.
From a strictly technical standpoint, FM stereo broadcasting is limited to
a frequency bandwidth of 20 to 15,000 hertz. AM, on the other hand, has no
upper limit, and until about 15 years ago, there were stations that broadcast
a signal that extended as far as 20,000 hertz, or more ... better than most
humans can hear.
Lately, for various reasons, many AM stations have reduced their high end to
as low as 5000 hertz -- about the same as a telephone -- but that doesnt
negate an important fact: AM sounds bad because of the current crop of radios,
not due to the limitations of the band itself. Hear KGIL on a Fisher tuner
of the 1960s, for example, and youll be amazed.
But I digress. I am a believer in AM radio, and I believe that a major reason
people left AM for FM was the lack of music and a glut of bad syndicated talk
shows, or worse. Need proof? The last really good ratings earned by KEZY (now
KXMX 1190 AM), KLAC (570 AM), KHJ (930 AM), the original KRLA (now
KDIS 1110 AM), The original KMPC (now KSPN 710 AM) the original KDAY (now
KBLA 1580 AM), and the old KIIS (now KTLK 1150 AM) were when these stations
played music. And not just any music, music that was well produced, well presented,
and generally not found anywhere else on the dial.
Thats where KGIL comes in. There is not one place on the dial, AM or
FM, that plays the mix of music found on Retro 1260. Is it good enough to catch
the attention of an under served audience? Too early to tell, but judging by
the emails and letters Ive already received in the stations first
week, Id say yes.
KGILs signal is its main limitation. It is most certainly a valley-oriented
station pretending to cover all of Los Angeles and Orange County. But if you
have a problem with the AM sound, owner Saul Levine simulcasts the station
on 105.1s digital HD-3 stream ... as long as you have an HD radio and
a clear shot of Mount Wilson, from where 105.1 (Go Country) broadcasts.
I think Retro 1260 has a real chance of success.
This Just In
Former San Diego mayor and former host on KOGO/San Diego (600 AM) Roger
Hedgecock is the new afternoon drive host (3-6 PM) on KFWB. His first
shift was Wednesday, following an 18-hour marathon shift from station star
Dr. Laura Schlessenger, heard noon to 3 PM.
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Copyright © 2009 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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