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Am I all alone?

A

AKLes

Guest
I once proposed establishment of a board for Alaska and it was said there was no interest.Now, by magic, there IS an Alaska board...though it's proven impossible for me to set a new password for my original username, "Les". I'm in Wasilla these days after a long time with KNOM over in Nome.So the question...Am I the only person in Alaska participating???
 
No, you're not alone. I'm in Fairbanks.I tend toward AM, and I also enjoy listening to the Long Wave aviation Non-Directional Beacons (NDBs) around here. Short Wave is a little hit-or miss here, though. -- Jason
 
Great to know it's not as lonesome a board as it seemed. OK, two participants ain't great but sure better than a sharp stick in the eye. I used to DX but living in Nome broke that habit. Unless you drive 'way out of town there's nothing to hear, even at night (other than local stations). There are magnetic anomalies in that area that screw up compasses and wreak havoc with AM reception. As to FM???? WHAT FM?
 
Hi Les.. I was up at KICY for a year, just leaving in Sept 2005. I think we BRIEFLY met once a few months back after the KICY fire.My parents worked at KICY back in the 70s, returning to Nome to live in the early 80s. I was excited to come back to where I lived during my childhood.I work in Seattle now though.......I'd love to get back up to Alaska, I did some blogging during the '06 Iditarod that got some good coverage, and hope to continue next year as a freelance journalist.
 
Perhaps at the studio when I stopped in to see Dennis.....Definitely going back there in June for a couple of weeks. Tower crew is now officially signed on for the painting, plumb/true, etc. Also major studio rebuilds being contemplated. I think perhaps biting off more than can be chewed in a short time but worth thinking about. Now if there were any money to be made in radio in Nome I'd wish you well but we both know better.....
 
Nope I am here... shoudl try to get the word out, with over 30 signals serving the Anchorage/Valley area alone, there should be some good chat and posts here- I hope!! Anyone like Bob 92.1? How about talking about KZND moving up to 94.7 on the dial? Feedback ???
 
Is KZND changing frequency by their choice, or was it the FCC's decision? I find their "radio with pictures" concept intriguing.(For anyone who stumbles across this post, KZND is officially a *Television* station on Channel 6 in Anchorage, Alaska. Because Channel 6 is adjacent to the FM radio band and due to initial financial troubles, KZND started broadcasting music with live Disc Jockeys like an FM radio station while broadcasting the minimum video content required by the FCC. It is literally "radio with pictures.") A couple of years ago I talked with their GM about setting up a VHF Channel 6 translator here in Fairbanks (it's open here). -- Jason
 
KZND, which is owned by the same company as KNIK fm, chose to move to 94.7 (the old KADX fm location), since it was being given up by Chester Coleman. KZND simply could not sell enough ads located so far down the dial at 87.7, and continued to fight with the FCC over its broadcasts. Now, they have become legal and are taking on a signal with 50KW instead of 980 watts.
 
Hey, an Alaska board...Les. Remember KNOM the first time around?I understand Mr. VanNort still alive and well in Fbks.Whatever happened to Mr. Vicious?I've currently got a couple of AMs that I am running, one with some well known calls.
 
Your post probably means you were in Nome at the time I first was there, 1972 or perhaps you arrived in 1973?Pete (Capital V, Little A, Little N, Capital N, little O, little R, little T) is, indeed in Fairbanks, having given up management to do a morning show. He used "Pete" in Nome because Jim Tighe and Jim Poole were already one too many!Mr. V....He was in Boston for a time but that way 'way back. I heard something about him being in ill health or possibly having moved on to another life but I can't say that with any certainty. I do know someone who may have more immediate knowledge; former GM, now living in Anchorage. I expect to see him next week sometime and will ask. Meanwhile, if you want to renew acquaintance, please e-mail me directly: [email protected]. That's a "safe" address for temporary use....
 
Hi Alaska, I am glad that you are enjoying this board. My son started Radio-Info and loved your state and as a family we have some connections to Nome. My great grandmother and great grandfather lived in Nome in about 1885. Nana lived for 98 years and told great stories about her experiences in Alaska. She loved radio, Roosevelt and his fireside chats...... I think that the folks on some of the other boards should come over here and say hello.
 
Thanks for saying hi, its great to see the connection to Alaska!! No place like Nome!! Radio is huge in Alaska, as it offers a virtual lifeline to the rest of the world at times. In a market like Anchorage, very few in the Lower 48 would suspect such a robust and competitive market with over 30 signals.The Anchorage market also includes the rapidly growing Matsu Valley- giving us nearly 400,000 people.
 
Cool, glad to see an Alaska board set up. Whoo-hoo, now my fiancee gets to find one more reason to get upset with me for not spending enough time with her ;D.Anywhos, I work in radio for about another week here in Fairbanks, then move down to Anchorage, took an out of industry job, hope to do some part time work in Anchorage eventually. How does everyone feel about all of the recent changes on the Anchorage dial? Fox going back to Classic Rock is an interesting move, KRPM only got a 3.6 in the last book, compared to KWHL's 7.1, you'd think they would have gone new rock. Speaking of that KZND is on their new signal, which is honestly pretty ratty sounding, what kind of effect do you think it will have?I'm interested to hear all of your perspectives, I've been lurking, you all seem pretty knowledgeable, this should be good.
 
Back in the 80s the Fox became a great classic rock station, but fell away from it in the 90s as it ventured to the harder current rock edged scene. I am glad they are returning to their roots, but I am not sure Anchorage can or will support two classic rockers that we now have. What format is missing in Anchorage? A good Urban A/C station would be nice, a jammin' oldies, a chill channel, FM hot talk, and others....what do you think?
 
Yeah, I agree KBFX was a killer classic rocker, it's sad they drifted away from that scene. There's definitely something lacking in this incarnation of the format. I believe KRPM is a far better imaged station, the music is better, but ya can't beat Crash. I love that guy, he's funny and his voice is very unique.It'll be interesting to see who wins that classic rock battle. I'd be curious how a properly promoted hot talker would do in that market. 94.7 KADX had great programming (sans Stern) but they never promoted it, and that signal blows.Meh, Jammin' Oldies would be a lost cause I believe, KEAG is way too strong to take on in any way, shape, or form. Someone's going to fall victim to format changes here before not long in that market, the KBFX-KRPM battle will result in one of the two flipping formats, same goes for KDBZ-KMXS, Buzz changed its music again to be less alternative sounding and more Hot AC sounding, which without jocks I think is a lost cause. I'd hate to see that station flip, but 102.1 has never had good luck keeping a long term format. I WISH I WISH 102.1 would go straight ahead New Rock Alternative and blow the End/JJ Michaels out of the water. They've got a good signal in and around Anchorage, while End sounds like crap on both signals, hopefully KZND has a good book so someone else realizes their's potential in the alt format. It'd be too easy to put 94.7 FM down, but I just don't think the powers that be care to fight a rock battle in that town.And finally speaking of rock battles, anyone listen to KWHL anymore? I LOVE bob and mark, they rock, but the rest of it, pretty blah. Any thoughts on all this?
 
94.7, which has officially been issued KZND-FM (not be confused with KZND-LP 87.7), continues to be owned by American Radio Brokers, which is the firm which Chester Coleman owned at the time of his death. There is a new application on file with the FCC which transfers the ownership of KZND FM and KAXX AM to an executor of Mr. Coleman's estate. At this point, KZND LP and KNIK are probably locked in an LMA with ARB to use the facilities of 94.7 until either it is purchased by KZND/KNIK or someone else.By the way...when it's on the air, AM 1020 KAXX is simulcasting KLEF FM, Anchorage's commercial classical station. Seems of late that they have had off the air, perhaps due to engineer problems.Anybody know the story on KLEF...I'm fascinated by the fact there is a commercial classical station in a market as small as Anchorage.Mr. Coleman, b-t-w, had applications in front of the FCC for a new AM at 840 (?). There was no action at the time of his death.There is a construction permit issued to Jet Fuel Broadcasting, based in New York State, for a new 50kw Day/10kw Night AM at 1540.And for who wonder about 102.1 the Buzz...it is one of the top 4 18-34 stations in town, heavy female lean.
 
KLEF 98.1 has been on the air with the same classical music format for almost 20 years, and does well in the ratings usually. I think because Anchorage is more upscale and has a higher education level than many other cities, that this format does so well. With a market population of just under 400,000, this is a smaller area for classical music, but seems to do ok. KLEF used to also own KUDO 1080,but that has since passed ownership to a union, who use it to promote Air America as their mouthpiece, along with other liberal talk shows. Odd to have KAXX simlecasting KLEF.....wonder if they will bring in their own programming anytime soon?
 
AKLes said:
So the question...Am I the only person in Alaska participating???
I have just gotten back online after months without a computer! It looks like a few people are here and I will try to be better about visiting.
 
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