In the old days, if you wanted to listen to the radio, you had to have an actual radio. Over the years, radio designs have changed such that they have become smaller, sound better, and pick up more stations than those of the past.
Now, a radio isn’t even necessary for most stations. The growth of online streaming has brought about a revolution that has helped to keep radio relevant, while at the same time opening up more competition … competition from not just alternative music services, but other stations from around the globe, which at one time were the reason to own a shortwave radio.
While regular radios are still important and new models are still being developed, the trend is toward streaming. It doesn’t come without problems — being found within a crowd, so to speak — but as smart speakers and similar devices take over from the old traditional stereo systems of the past, radio remains relevant in a different way. Often, all you have to do is say “play K-Earth 101” and suddenly oldies start playing as if by magic.
I embrace streaming myself, due in large part to my exploration of radio stations outside of the area. I love listening to KHJ out of American Samoa, Rock 108 from Iowa, and WION out of Michigan, for example. Additionally, the local stations with reception problems also get a boost from streaming, such as The SoCal Sound (KCSN, 88.5 FM) and the low power community stations such as San Pedro’s KCLA (100.7 FM) and KLBP (99.1 FM) … all of which suffer from interference issues outside of the direct coverage area.
Being somewhat mechanically minded, my first love is regular traditional radios. But I am wondering: what about you? Are you an analog radio fan? Do you own an HD radio? Ever hear good AM stereo? Are you moving toward streaming yourself? Send me a note and let me know the various ways you listen to local and not-so-local radio, as well as what apps or smart speakers you use for streaming.
This should make for some interesting reading!
Speaking of Radios …
I happened to be lurking on one of the social media boards dedicated to radio, and mention was made of a brand I had never heard of: Qodosen.
At first, I figured it was a Chinese brand that I’d not heard of, but this one is different. The radio in question is model DX-286, and is apparently designed around one of the most sensitive tuning chips currently available: a TEF668, making it a software-defined portable radio. It’s available in two versions, one without a battery and another with two batteries, both rechargeable via a USB cable, and available for about $80 and $90, respectively.
It features AM, FM, long-wave and medium-wave bands, includes special digital signal processing to reduce interference and improve reception and fidelity, and supports external antennas for all bands. Reviews are almost universally positive, based primarily on what is described as stellar reception … one of the best you can buy.
I have not purchased one, but it is very tempting! I’ll let you know.
Pete’s Radio Place
For roughly 14 years, San Pedro High School teacher Pete Manghera (now retired) hosted a local news-interview show on Cox Cable called “Pete’s Place.” Guests included local athletes, politicians, business owners, and others with a story to tell … including a snarky radio reporter who shall remain nameless. The program ended in 2008 when Cox dropped its local access channels.
Now with San Pedro’s very own local radio station, “Pete’s Place” is back – airing Saturdays at 6 p.m. on KCLA and kcla.fm.
“I loved doing ‘Pete’s Place’ all those years; I’ve had a long rest and now I’m glad to be back on the air at KCLA, where I can bring exciting guests from the community to the people of San Pedro,” Manghera told me.
“I still believe that radio is an important part of communication. It’s kind of been long neglected because people have so many other choices with Bluetooth, satellite radio, podcasts, and more. I really believe it’s important to have a radio station based in San Pedro that can bring people together in our great community,” he concluded.
Manghera said that he plans to have new episodes available weekly.
Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email [email protected]
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