Airwaves: October 31, 2008
Reaction to Barr
Perhaps signaling that her reach isn’t quite what one might expect, my
mention last week of Roseanne Barr’s talk show on the Inland Empire’s KCAA (1050
AM) generated but one e-mail ... And it wasn’t at all flattering. From
a reader in the 9-0-9:
“I listen to talk radio every day. I usually listen to conservative
hosts but I am open minded and enjoy hearing opposing views. Most KCAA hosts
lean to the left which is fine but Roseanne's opinions are unbearable.
“Roseanne spews contempt and hatred towards Republican politicians
and Republican voters. She is very clear about what she thinks of
them. She believes that Senator McCain will not live for more then two years
if he is elected; she also hates Governor Palin and often says hateful
things about her.
Her comments are mean spirited and have no place on KCAA. It is fine to disagree
with the opposing party but there is no need to be hateful. I'm sure that
this is why she has to pay for air time. I cannot see and reputable radio station
paying her to host a show.” -- David C. Van Buren
LD-HD
I’ve been playing with my newest toy, a Sony XDRF1HD AM/FM HD tuner that
I picked up for less than $50 with a rebate (now expired). It is quite a tuner,
considered by some to be one of the best available at almost any price.
What I’ve found is that it is an amazing tuner for nighttime sky wave
long distance AM listening. I am picking up stations from numerous states.
But what has me excited is that I am receiving KCBS Newsradio from San
Francisco (740 AM) ... in HD!
OK, not all the time. Every few minutes it locks on to the digital HD stream
and the sound totally opens up. Then a few minutes later it all goes back to
narrowband analog. But the fact that it works at that distance is quite a feat,
considering that the power level of HD radio is but a small fraction (1/100)
of the analog power.
But the performance and the price are so impressive, I may have to pick up
another. Start a collection ...
Kinder and Gentler
My colleague, Kim Gray, and her son Kerry, are big fans of KABC’s (790
AM) Larry Elder. So much so that they convinced me to tear myself away
from KFI’s (640 AM) John and Ken when it comes to afternoon
talk.
This led to my rediscovery of a kinder and gentler form of talk radio. Still
issues-oriented, but generally much calmer. And it isn’t just Elder on
afternoon drive who is this way. The Doug McIntyre morning show is a
wonderful way to be informed on the way to work without being startled into
the day. I’m liking them both.
Possessed
The stereo in my truck seems to tire of talk radio. Far more often than once,
if I happen to be listening to AM talk radio in the morning when I park at
Torrance Beach, when I start the car to get to work I find the radio switched
over -- by itself, I guarantee you -- to an FM music station. It’s eerie.
I haven’t determined it it does this for both KABC and KFI, or just KFI
...
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Copyright © 2008 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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