AM Frequency of the Week: 960

[TomásEstefan]

DXer flashback: early 60's from Ohio 960 was clear on Monday morning after 2 AM and I got a dose of KABL with its distinctive cable car ring and very well crafted liners and imaging. McLendon meets Mantovanni.

This may seem bizarre but I used to have an Aunt who lived in San Francisco (Knob Hill to be exact), who when it came to television refused to watch anything on ch 2 (KTVU) because "they're in Oakland" but her absolutely favourite radio station was KABL. When I pointed out that KABL was in Oakland just like ch 2 she simply ignored me and walked away, go figure...

 

[cyberdad]

When WYNR gave up their music format they actually ran tapes of KABL for a few weeks before they became WNUS in 1964. Both owned by Gordon Mclendon.

Not to be confused with the stunt McLendon ran during Labor Day weekend 1962. Which involved playing "Mopety-Mope" by the Boss-Tones continuously before changing the calls from WGES to WYNR. Each play preceded by a jock introducing a title from the then-current top 40.

 

[radioman148]

Not to be confused with the stunt McLendon ran during Labor Day weekend 1962. Which involved playing "Mopety-Mope" by the Boss-Tones continuously before changing the calls from WGES to WYNR. Each play preceded by a jock introducing a title from the then-current top 40.

I believe that jock was Dick Kemp. Were you able to get a decent signal from WYNR where you were? They weren't all that strong at my location in the near north suburbs at night which was a big part of the reason they couldn't compete with WLS.

 

[cyberdad]

I believe that jock was Dick Kemp. Were you able to get a decent signal from WYNR where you were? They weren't all that strong at my location in the near north suburbs at night which was a big part of the reason they couldn't compete with WLS.

I remember Dick Kemp, "The Wild Child". I always thought he was Gordon McLendon's idea of an answer to Dick Biondi. I don't know where he came from or where he went after WYNR w vai as blown up. My memory of the stunting when the station was that the various jocks that were hired were working their regular shifts. But repeating the same song, I could br wrong, but I remember multiple jocks. Also, IIRC Floyd Brown, before his WGN days was one of them. As was his brother Bruce, along with a few guys who evventually wound up at WVON. Yvonne Daniels also came on board early, but I'm not sure if she was there at the very beginning.

But, of course, 5kw directional at 1390 was no match for WLS. When WYNR was launched, I was starting my freshman year at Wauconda High School. The signal in Wauconda (11 miles east of where I live now) was fair at best, but usually listenable 24/7. On the one mile drive from the high school to my home there were 2 or 3 dead spots. Still, WYNR did manage to attract a following.

 

[radioman148]

I remember Dick Kemp, "The Wild Child". I always thought he was Gordon McLendon's idea of an answer to Dick Biondi. I don't know where he came from or where he went after WYNR w vai as blown up. My memory of the stunting when the station was that the various jocks that were hired were working their regular shifts. But repeating the same song, I could br wrong, but I remember multiple jocks. Also, IIRC Floyd Brown, before his WGN days was one of them. As was his brother Bruce, along with a few guys who evventually wound up at WVON. Yvonne Daniels also came on board early, but I'm not sure if she was there at the very beginning.

But, of course, 5kw directional at 1390 was no match for WLS. When WYNR was launched, I was starting my freshman year at Wauconda High School. The signal in Wauconda (11 miles east of where I live now) was fair at best, but usually listenable 24/7. On the one mile drive from the high school to my home there were 2 or 3 dead spots. Still, WYNR did manage to attract a following.

Yes Kemp was kind of like Biondi. I believe he came from Texas and then in the late 60s ended up in Cleveland for a few years.
I remember Bruce & Floyd Brown. Also, Yvonne, Lucky Cordell and John Evans. There was an aircheck in existence of Kemp playing "Mopety-Mope" which is probably why I associate him with the record. I remember listening to the station on Labor Day Weekend when they officially changed from WGES to WYNR. At my location not too far from where I am now the signal was OK during the day, but had some convergence at night.

 

[radioman148]

Yes Kemp was kinda of like Biondi. I believe he came from Texas and then in the late 60s ended up in Cleveland for a few years.
I remember Bruce & Floyd Brown. Also, Yvonne, Lucky Cordell and John Evans. There was an aircheck in existence of Kemp playing "Mopety-Mope" which is probably why I associate him with the record. I remember listening to the station on Labor Day Weekend when they officially changed from WGES to WYNR. At my location not too far from where I am now the signal was OK during the day, but had some convergence at night.

 

[bob_international]

From Yuma Ariz

Day: Nothing.
Night: KKNT "The Patriot" Phoenix

 

[ksradiogeek]

Central Kansas:
A blank frequency, as it’s typically hash from adjacent channel KJRG/Newton, though KMA/Shenandoah will show up from time to time, mostly during the winter.

North Iowa:
Fairly decent reception from KMA.