Car owners manual radio station listings, anyone?

[DStroyerNEPA]

13 years ago, I had a 1981 Oldsmobile Omega (think Chevy Citation), and in the car's owners manual, I *think* it had all the FM radio stations in the U.S. listed. Anybody here ever see anything like that in their owner's manuals, or am I just dreaming that I saw this?

I guess it was more of a late 70's/early 80's thing, when they were trying to get you to try out this new-fangled "FM" thingamabob. "Slide your radio's band selector over to FM (for 'Frequency Modulation') and enjoy crystal clear stereo sound like you've never heard before!"

My Oldsmobile also had an 8-track tape player. It was 1992, and I was listening to "Chicago Live At Carnegie Hall" (aka Chicago IV) because I COULD! <P ID="signature">______________
D. Stroyer, True Radio Pro
PD/GM - 92.5 D-FM
The 0.000001-Watt Flamethrower
"D. Stroyer's accomplishments in key leadership roles makes him a natural choice for this position."</P>

 

[miamimadman]

No, you must have been dreaming, never saw this in any Car?. What you probably are thinking about is the list of Chevy Dealers for fine factory service throughout the United States!


> 13 years ago, I had a 1981 Oldsmobile Omega (think Chevy
> Citation), and in the car's owners manual, I *think* it had
> all the FM radio stations in the U.S. listed. Anybody here
> ever see anything like that in their owner's manuals, or am
> I just dreaming that I saw this?
>
> I guess it was more of a late 70's/early 80's thing, when
> they were trying to get you to try out this new-fangled "FM"
> thingamabob. "Slide your radio's band selector over to FM
> (for 'Frequency Modulation') and enjoy crystal clear stereo
> sound like you've never heard before!"

 

[rwells2265]

> No, you must have been dreaming, never saw this in any Car?.
> What you probably are thinking about is the list of Chevy
> Dealers for fine factory service throughout the United
> States!

Y'know, I believe I do recall seeing a directory of radio stations in an old GM manual from the '80s. For a time, GM also offered a little tri-fold directory of FM stations, often co-branded with a local station -- I have one that WEGR in Memphis gave out back in '87. Very small print, and contains the dire warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ WHILE DRIVING!

Of course, with the luck I had with a couple of GM cars way back when, that wasn't too much of a problem - but at least I had some nifty reading matter while waiting for AAA! ;-)

I think it was GM's way of promoting the $500 FM upgrade option for its Delco radios (AM-only receivers were still default in most American models well into the '80s, I seem to remember).

-RW

 

[nocece]

> For a time, GM
> also offered a little tri-fold directory of FM stations,
> often co-branded with a local station -- I have one that
> WEGR in Memphis gave out back in '87. Very small print, and
> contains the dire warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ WHILE
> DRIVING!

You might be thinking of Art Vuolo's RadioGuide. I have one from '87 that was locally sponsored by WEBN Cincinnati.

 

[miamimadman]

I met Art at KIIS FM Video airchecking the staff. On a national basis, no radio Stations came printed in an owners manual. However some dealers do insert aftermarket advertising in your paperwork.

> You might be thinking of Art Vuolo's RadioGuide. I have one
> from '87 that was locally sponsored by WEBN Cincinnati.
>

 

[peppertree]

Not that car makers had a choice. Congress mandated FM in all car radio in 1974. It was probably effective in 1976.


> 13 years ago, I had a 1981 Oldsmobile Omega (think Chevy
> Citation), and in the car's owners manual, I *think* it had
> all the FM radio stations in the U.S. listed. Anybody here
> ever see anything like that in their owner's manuals, or am
> I just dreaming that I saw this?
>
> I guess it was more of a late 70's/early 80's thing, when
> they were trying to get you to try out this new-fangled "FM"
> thingamabob. "Slide your radio's band selector over to FM
> (for 'Frequency Modulation') and enjoy crystal clear stereo
> sound like you've never heard before!"
>
> My Oldsmobile also had an 8-track tape player. It was 1992,
> and I was listening to "Chicago Live At Carnegie Hall" (aka
> Chicago IV) because I COULD!
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>

 

[peppertree]

That is correct. I have a few of them from different cities. My first is probably his first from 1973. It was put out by WMYQ Miami.

Later, Art put out long thin cards for many different cities with the stations along a mock radio dial.


> > For a time, GM
> > also offered a little tri-fold directory of FM stations,
> > often co-branded with a local station -- I have one that
> > WEGR in Memphis gave out back in '87. Very small print,
> and
> > contains the dire warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ WHILE
> > DRIVING!
>
> You might be thinking of Art Vuolo's RadioGuide. I have one
> from '87 that was locally sponsored by WEBN Cincinnati.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>

 

[nocece]

> Not that car makers had a choice. Congress mandated FM in
> all car radio in 1974. It was probably effective in 1976.

We had a car that was an '83, I think, that only had AM radio.

 

[954]

Vane Jones -- White's -- WRTH

> I met Art at KIIS FM Video airchecking the staff. On a
> national basis, no radio Stations came printed in an owners
> manual. However some dealers do insert aftermarket
> advertising in your paperwork.
>
> > You might be thinking of Art Vuolo's RadioGuide. I have
> one
> > from '87 that was locally sponsored by WEBN Cincinnati.

Remember Vane Jones' North American Radio TV Station Guide?

Now that was a great book. One of the few non-Radio Shack
items you could buy at Radio Shack. Remember when Radio
Shack had good merchandise?

Remember Olson stores? Lafayette stores? The former
Lafayette store in Hollywood (FL) has been a car audio
place since ... the 70s? (Shee-it!)

Remember White's Radio Log? Electronics Illustrated?

Fortunately, the World Radio TV Handbook 2006

is still in print. Comes out next month.

73s from 954, feeling ancient!<P ID="signature">______________
<center><font color=green size="+1">South Florida Radio Pages -- November Radio News</font></center></P>

 

[miamimadman]

Re: Vane Jones -- White's -- WRTH

I do remember "White's Radio Log". I know Vane Jones was considered a great reference guide too. About the stores, those I don't remember, but I remember in California Earl Madman Muntz, father of the 4 Track and or 8 Track cart, along with the Broadcast Cart (or a version thereof) He teamed up with the Lear Jet owner right at Roscoe & the 405. There was a Minnie Pearl's Fried Chicken right next to it. She had the worst food in America! Hey good to see you back here!
> Remember Vane Jones' North American Radio TV Station Guide?
>
> Now that was a great book. One of the few non-Radio Shack
> items you could buy at Radio Shack. Remember when Radio
> Shack had good merchandise?
>
> Remember Olson stores? Lafayette stores? The former
> Lafayette store in Hollywood (FL) has been a car audio
> place since ... the 70s? (Shee-it!)
>
> Remember White's Radio Log? Electronics Illustrated?
>
> Fortunately, the World Radio TV Handbook 2006 is still in
> print. Comes out next month.
>
> 73s from 954, feeling ancient!
>

 

[rwells2265]

>> Not that car makers had a choice. Congress mandated FM in
>> all car radio in 1974. It was probably effective in 1976.

It must've been killed, or committee'd to death, becuase I've seen cars as late as 1987 with AM-only radios. My grandfather's '85 Dodge Ram had just an AM (and a digital tuner at that; great reception, too, just like the old days).

 

[SgtPepper9876]

> >> Not that car makers had a choice. Congress mandated FM
> in
> >> all car radio in 1974. It was probably effective in
> 1976.
>
> It must've been killed, or committee'd to death, becuase
> I've seen cars as late as 1987 with AM-only radios. My
> grandfather's '85 Dodge Ram had just an AM (and a digital
> tuner at that; great reception, too, just like the old
> days).


I can remember seeing an ad in a magazine for a Dodge Diplomat, perhaps as late as '87, touting its "standard AM radio." I would imagine it was a digital tuner as well.

My first car was a '77 Dodge Aspen with AM radio. We also had a 1980 Dodge Omni as the family car with AM radio.

 

[trusty]

Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

> 13 years ago, I had a 1981 Oldsmobile Omega (think Chevy
> Citation), and in the car's owners manual, I *think* it had
> all the FM radio stations in the U.S. listed. Anybody here
> ever see anything like that in their owner's manuals, or am
> I just dreaming that I saw this?
>
> I guess it was more of a late 70's/early 80's thing, when
> they were trying to get you to try out this new-fangled "FM"
> thingamabob. "Slide your radio's band selector over to FM
> (for 'Frequency Modulation') and enjoy crystal clear stereo
> sound like you've never heard before!"
>
> My Oldsmobile also had an 8-track tape player. It was 1992,
> and I was listening to "Chicago Live At Carnegie Hall" (aka
> Chicago IV) because I COULD!
>

Haven't seen it in owner's manuals, but I've seen AM & FM stations listed on old state maps that were located in the car next to the owner's mamual.

 

[rwells2265]

Re: Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

> Haven't seen it in owner's manuals, but I've seen AM & FM
> stations listed on old state maps that were located in the
> car next to the owner's mamual.

Rand McNally maps in the '60s and early '70s used to have radio stations listed in a small inset box. Nothing more than call letters, frequency, city and a one-letter indication for network (or, as they called it, "chain") - N, C, A, M.

It wasn't every station in the state, just the 'major' ones in the largest cities.

I've got a number of old road maps (somebody's gotta collect 'em!) with station listings, so if there's significant interest or requests, I could dig through and either scan or post them as time permits.

Oh, and I forgot about a ca-1933 Conoco road map of Arkansas I have with a list of major radio stations "for the convenience of drivers with radio-equipped vehicles"
Those are fun to look at, as they all predate the 1941 channel realignment.

 

[oldiesfan]

Re: Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

Aviation "sectional" maps used to depict some
AM tower sites (not sure if they still do, and
does Fybush know about this?) around metro areas,
although this was done more for their use as a
landmark for VFR pilots.

In addition to a height obstruction symbol with
the elevation noted, there is a remark such as:

BS
KFI
640

Which I suppose, in KFI's case, didn't do a
bit of good last year.

BTW, "BS" means "broadcast station"...not what
you were probably thinking ;-)

And to get back to road maps, the SoCal AAA maps
often show the legend "radio tower(s)" with a
triangle symbol, however they don't identify
the station...which may be a good thing what
with rampant format and/or call letter flips,
hi-JACK-ings, etc.

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

Re: Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

> Aviation "sectional" maps used to depict some
> AM tower sites (not sure if they still do, and
> does Fybush know about this?) around metro areas,
> although this was done more for their use as a
> landmark for VFR pilots.
>
> In addition to a height obstruction symbol with
> the elevation noted, there is a remark such as:
>
> BS
> KFI
> 640

USGS topographic maps list tarnsmitter locations, though in my experience the ones at libraries are horribly outdated, even if "revised" (using the 1963 base map, and reprinting it with minor correction as the 1998 "photorevised").

Also, we have in Cleveland what's called the "red book" maps of the counties. These are detailed street and road maps (forgive me, I cannot think of the publisher now, but it's a local outfit). They also include transmitter sites on their maps, and similarly are outdated (for example, they still include WZZP just off York Road--calls which haven't existed for 23 years, and a location that hasn't been a tx site in more than 10-15).

On the list of mapal revisions, it appears the medium in all cars is forgotten.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Johnny Morgan on 11/22/05 03:52 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[bpatrick]

Re: Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

> > Haven't seen it in owner's manuals, but I've seen AM & FM
> > stations listed on old state maps that were located in the
>
> > car next to the owner's mamual.
>
> Rand McNally maps in the '60s and early '70s used to have
> radio stations listed in a small inset box. Nothing more
> than call letters, frequency, city and a one-letter
> indication for network (or, as they called it, "chain") - N,
> C, A, M.
>
> It wasn't every station in the state, just the 'major' ones
> in the largest cities.
>
> I've got a number of old road maps (somebody's gotta collect
> 'em!) with station listings, so if there's significant
> interest or requests, I could dig through and either scan
> or post them as time permits.
>
> Oh, and I forgot about a ca-1933 Conoco road map of Arkansas
> I have with a list of major radio stations "for the
> convenience of drivers with radio-equipped vehicles"
> Those are fun to look at, as they all predate the 1941
> channel realignment.
>
I have a Gulf Oil road map of the Hampton Roads area from
1966 that lists all the AM stations, frequencies, and
network affiliations in that market. WTAR/790 was CBS,
WAVY/1350 was NBC, and WVEC/1490 was ABC; I believe Mutual
was WVAB/1550 in Virginia Beach. (Note that this is before
ABC split its radio service into mutiple networks, in 1968.)

I also recall:

WBCI/740 Williamsburg
WRAP/850 Norfolk
WNOR/1230 Norfolk
WGH/1310 Newport News

And I think there was one around 1400 but I can't
remember what it was, and I don't have the map handy.

In 1968, Chesapeake got an AM station, WCPK/1600.

 

[trusty]

Re: Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

> I've got a number of old road maps (somebody's gotta collect
> 'em!) with station listings, so if there's significant
> interest or requests, I could dig through and either scan
> or post them as time permits.

I would love to see them. (If you post at different times, maybe you could title them "Road Map: (year & location)" (like "Retro:" in classic TV).)

Thanx in advance.

 

[rwells2265]

Road Map radio logs

> I would love to see them. (If you post at different times,
> maybe you could title them "Road Map: (year & location)"
> (like "Retro:" in classic TV).)
>
> Thanx in advance.

And you're welcome in the present.

First is the CONOCO Arkansas road map, circa mid-ish '30s (H.M. Gousha). It was on the back part of the folded portion:

RADIO STATIONS
For the convenience of motor travelers driving radio-equipped cars

ARKANSAS
CITY CALL CHAIN DIAL
Blytheville KLCN 1290
El Dorado KELD 1370
Fayetteville KUOA 1260
Fort Smith KFPW 1210
Hot Springs KTHS NBC 1040 ** would move to LR and become KAAY
Jonesboro KBTM 1200
Little Rock KARK NBC 890
Little Rock KGHI 1200
Little Rock KLRA CBS 1390
Pine Bluff KOTN 1500
Texarkana KCMC 1420

YOU MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO HEAR
Dallas, Tex. WFAA NBC 800
Memphis, Tenn. WMC NBC 780
Memphis, Tenn. WREC CBS 600
Shreveport, La. KWKH CBS 850
St. Louis, Mo. KMOX CBS 1090
Tulsa, Okla. KVOO NBC 1140

[seems WREC was one of the few stations to be unaffected by the '41 realignment; they're still on 600 today]

*********

And now to the station list as shown in the 1962 SINCLAIR Florida road map (Rand McNally):

PRINCIPAL RADIO STATIONS
Cypress Gardens, Fla. WGTO 540
Daytona Beach, Fla. WMFJ 1450
Gainesville, Fla. WRUF N 850
Jacksonville, Fla. WJAX N 930
Jacksonville, Fla. WZOK A 1320
Jacksonville, Fla. WMBR C 1460
Jacksonville, Fla. WPDQ 600
Lakeland, Fla. WLAK N 1430
Leesburg, Fla. WBIL A 1410
Leesburg, Fla. WLBE M 790
Miami, Fla. WGBS 710
Miami, Fla. WCKR N 610
Miami, Fla. WKAT C 1360
Miami, Fla. WQAM 560
Mobile, Ala. WALA N 1410
Mobile, Ala. WKRG C 710
Ocala, Fla. WTMC 1290
Orlando, Fla. WDBO C 580
Orlando, Fla. WHOO 990
Orlando, Fla. WLOF 950
Orlando, Fla. WKIS N 740
Panama City, Fla. WDLP M 590
Pensacola, Fla. WCOA N 1370
St. Petersburg, Fla. WSUN A 620
St. Petersburg, Fla. WLCY 1380
Tallahassee, Fla. WTAL M 1270
Tampa, Fla. WDAE C 1250
Tampa, Fla. WFLA N 970
Tampa, Fla. WTMP 1150
Valdosta, Ga. WGOV M 950
West Palm Beach, Fla. WIRK 1290

Chain Affiliation: A - American, C - Columbia, M - Mutual, N - National

 

[Oldbones]

Re: Radio Stations Listed on Road Maps

> Rand McNally maps in the '60s and early '70s used to have
> radio stations listed in a small inset box. Nothing more
> than call letters, frequency, city and a one-letter
> indication for network (or, as they called it, "chain") - N,
> C, A, M.
>
> It wasn't every station in the state, just the 'major' ones
> in the largest cities.
>

I had one of those around '74/75. It only listed a handful of stations in each state. Format descriptions were kind of vague too..."popular", "general", etc.