Portland observations

[bobdavcav]

So, I've been down here about a month, and here are a few observations:
1. Lots of new imaging voices throughout the market, KGON, KWJJ, KXL, KRSK, and KFBW, as well as an addition to KXJM.
2. Could you even call KINK AAA anymore? I can hear some elements of the format there, but to me it sounds like Modern AC with a couple 80s tracks an hour thrown in and maybe an acoustic performance thrown in here and there. Don't even get me started on their imaging.

 

[semoochie]

So, I've been down here about a month, and here are a few observations:
1. Lots of new imaging voices throughout the market, KGON, KWJJ, KXL, KRSK, and KFBW, as well as an addition to KXJM.
2. Could you even call KINK AAA anymore? I can hear some elements of the format there, but to me it sounds like Modern AC with a couple 80s tracks an hour thrown in and maybe an acoustic performance thrown in here and there. Don't even get me started on their imaging.

Thanks, I'll have to listen!

 

[semoochie]

So, I've been down here about a month, and here are a few observations:
1. Lots of new imaging voices throughout the market, KGON, KWJJ, KXL, KRSK, and KFBW, as well as an addition to KXJM.
2. Could you even call KINK AAA anymore? I can hear some elements of the format there, but to me it sounds like Modern AC with a couple 80s tracks an hour thrown in and maybe an acoustic performance thrown in here and there. Don't even get me started on their imaging.

I checked the playlist for the last two days and have to agree. AAA has a Classic Rock core. KINK no longer has one. I also noticed that there are no songs from the 1960s and few from the 70s. This is a change. They've probably lost some older listeners. I hope it works out for them.

 

[TheBigA]

They've probably lost some older listeners.

I thought the exact same thing when I looked through their list. The last time I checked, I was shocked at what they were playing. I may have even said that their audience must average around 60 or 65. That's usually where AAA is. This brings it into the 50s.

 

[semoochie]

I thought the exact same thing when I looked through their list. The last time I checked, I was shocked at what they were playing. I may have even said that their audience must average around 60 or 65. That's usually where AAA is. This brings it into the 50s.

KINK evolved to AAA from Progressive, around 1976 but actually invented the NAC format in 1974, as an offshoot of their "Lights Out" program! I hope this will be successful for them but don't know if there are enough younger people still sampling the station, to have an impact.

 

[bobdavcav]

I would think with the Modern AC base, they'd attract quite a few younger listeners. The problem I have with the station is the imaging, which is either really bland or way too long without much substance. When I first heard the station, the first sweeper I got was a long, sort of droning music bed then simply 101-9. I think AAA as a format has changed, given that a few other stations I listen to have a similar base.

 

[bobdavcav]

One more thing, does anyone know what KKCW is doing with its HD? I know they were running Smooth Jazz on HD2 and Air1 on HD3, but Air1 has moved to KLVP-HD2 and apparently the Smooth Jazz is gone.

 

[oldradiotapes]

KINK stopped being an AAA after Alpha took it over. Now it's just effete, boring and tasteless. Like the rest of the FM/MW dial around here (and what passes as a "music scene" in Potland...but I'm not going there, even though I just did).

There's a reason why they dropped their "true to the music" imaging... 'cos it ain't. KINK-FM 1-0~Two of yore was like a char-broiled T-bone, medium-rare, garlic-and-pepper rubbed, with steamed veggie mix, french fries and a fine red wine, and strawberry cheesecake or Dutch apple pie for dessert. The post-2009 "KINK-dot-FM" is like a plate of plain mashed potatoes with a glass of water, and a sugar cookie.

One more thing, does anyone know what KKCW is doing with its HD?

Nothing. I checked it a moment ago and it's gone. They only appear to have the primary channel up currently, no -2 or -3.

 

[Delete My Account]

Now it's just effete, boring and tasteless. Like the rest of the FM/MW dial around here (and what passes as a "music scene" in Potland...but I'm not going there, even though I just did).

Jazz on KMHD, variety on Freeform Portland, KBOO and an incredible range on KXRY. Just because it isn't your "taste" doesn't mean there's not unique radio on FM in Portland.

 

[davideduardo]

There's a reason why they dropped their "true to the music" imaging... 'cos it ain't. KINK-FM 1-0~Two of yore was like a char-broiled T-bone, medium-rare, garlic-and-pepper rubbed, with steamed veggie mix, french fries and a fine red wine, and strawberry cheesecake or Dutch apple pie for dessert.

It was also approaching being pure 55+ in appeal, which has very limited advertiser appeal. Demographics forced the change.

 

[TheBigA]

The post-2009 "KINK-dot-FM" is like a plate of plain mashed potatoes with a glass of water, and a sugar cookie.

Sort of suits the diet and dental work of the boomers who listen.

 

[crainbebo]

KINK stopped being an AAA after Alpha took it over. Now it's just effete, boring and tasteless. Like the rest of the FM/MW dial around here (and what passes as a "music scene" in Potland...but I'm not going there, even though I just did).

There's a reason why they dropped their "true to the music" imaging... 'cos it ain't. KINK-FM 1-0~Two of yore was like a char-broiled T-bone, medium-rare, garlic-and-pepper rubbed, with steamed veggie mix, french fries and a fine red wine, and strawberry cheesecake or Dutch apple pie for dessert. The post-2009 "KINK-dot-FM" is like a plate of plain mashed potatoes with a glass of water, and a sugar cookie.



Nothing. I checked it a moment ago and it's gone. They only appear to have the primary channel up currently, no -2 or -3.

Too bad it's a rimshot, but I love that Portland has a semi-usable MeTVFM signal on 104.5, KXXP White Salmon. Excellent playlist spanning 60s to early 80s, lots of oh wow's you never hear anymore.

 

[bobdavcav]

Actually here it's more than semi-usable, I've had it on quite a bit lately. If only they could permanently fix the issue that causes audio to drop out randomly.

 

[semoochie]

Actually here it's more than semi-usable, I've had it on quite a bit lately. If only they could permanently fix the issue that causes audio to drop out randomly.

The 60dbu contour extends to the middle of Gresham. It doesn't really have a "good" signal anywhere in the metropolitan area!

 

[oldradiotapes]

It's receivable in SE Vancouver and Orchards. It's pick-out-of-the-static usable in Orchards (I think there's kind of a mountain range in the way) but it's there. Obviously it's much clearer at my mom's place in Cascade Park (in the southeast heights) than at mine. But it's not hard to pull an AAC stream off the Internetz these days is it?

Why did they pick the central gorge? One would think they'd be on one of the main sticks in Portland, then feed translators in the present location, Hood River and/or The Dalles. Make clever use of RDS and capable radios could automatically switch more-or-less seamlessly between them going down the highways. (Hey, it worked for Europe for so many years...) Was it lack of money or them just using it as a token broadcast outlet for the benefit of the stream?

 

[semoochie]

It's receivable in SE Vancouver and Orchards. It's pick-out-of-the-static usable in Orchards (I think there's kind of a mountain range in the way) but it's there. Obviously it's much clearer at my mom's place in Cascade Park (in the southeast heights) than at mine. But it's not hard to pull an AAC stream off the Internetz these days is it?

Why did they pick the central gorge? One would think they'd be on one of the main sticks in Portland, then feed translators in the present location, Hood River and/or The Dalles. Make clever use of RDS and capable radios could automatically switch more-or-less seamlessly between them going down the highways. (Hey, it worked for Europe for so many years...) Was it lack of money or them just using it as a token broadcast outlet for the benefit of the stream?

The 60dbu contour of a translator or booster(providing that it's owned by the main station)must be completely encompassed by the main station's 60dbu contour. Also, 104.5 is short spaced to 104.1 and 105.1. It could also very well be short spaced to Seattle and Eugene(Florence).

 

[crainbebo]

Maybe because they wanted to emulate the old KMCQ signal in the Gorge? Before they moved into Seattle, became oldies and eventually K-LOVE.

 

[bobdavcav]

That's why I didn't think they'd target it at Portland, because if I remember right, KMCQ was never targeted at Portland. Then again, any idea where that signal came from? Is the site the current 104.5 is using the same one that KMCQ used? Northwest Vancouver must be up high enough for the signal to get in, as it just barely gets a stereo signal on the G8. It's a little more difficult to pull in on the kitchen radio since that one doesn't have as good of a filter and gets significant overload from the big local sticks, but I've done it pretty successfully before.

 

[semoochie]

That's why I didn't think they'd target it at Portland, because if I remember right, KMCQ was never targeted at Portland. Then again, any idea where that signal came from? Is the site the current 104.5 is using the same one that KMCQ used? Northwest Vancouver must be up high enough for the signal to get in, as it just barely gets a stereo signal on the G8. It's a little more difficult to pull in on the kitchen radio since that one doesn't have as good of a filter and gets significant overload from the big local sticks, but I've done it pretty successfully before.

KMCQ(and KCIV before it)operated from a mountaintop overlooking The Dalles from the Washington side. The current 104.5 is much closer and can usually be heard all over the Portland area, just for the most part, not very well.

 

[crainbebo]

That 'mountain' was likely Stacker Butte where KACI 93.5 and KYYT 102.3 are located. There's about a 2mi pipeline on I-82 just below the Manastash Ridge heading south where they come in well.