Reception Question Regarding San Diego FMs

[ScottBurns]

Having just driven much of the California coast, I noticed the powerful signals of many of San Diego's FM stations. We all know that water certainly helps these stations. Several stations, such as Magic 92.5 and Channel 93-3, blasted into northern Los Angeles County. In addition, Magic's signal does better in much of Santa Barbara County than many of the Santa Barbara and Ventura County stations. Is this normal? Or did I just catch these stations when the water/atmospheric conditions were good? In addition, how far north do most of these San Diego-area signals typically reach?

Thanks!

 

[radio124]

The reverse may also be true. I picked up a pretty decent signal from Santa Barbara's 97.5 and 103.3 near the San Onofre checkpoint this afternoon.

 

[SDRadio]

I can get KEYT from Santa Barbara from my rabbit ear antenna most of the time. Also, a channel 12 from that region too. I believe it is fox, however I can get XETV and Fox 11 better.

 

[Lopaka]

I grew up in La Jolla where Mt. Soledad blocked signals from 6, 8, and 10, but we got all the LA channels fine, and I was a regular little kid viewer of Frank Webb's cartooning show on KEYT. KMUZ (I think it might have new call letters) was always a regular as was KDB-FM. I think Soledad being fairly high plus basically sticking out into the ocean does help SD signals carry up and down the coast, its noticeable past LA.

 

[OHIODEAL]

When I used to live in Orange County,I used to drive around the Carlsbad area often and picked up another Santa Barbara station,101.7.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

Take look at a map of California: from San Diego and Tijuana it's a straight shot across water to the LA and Santa Barbara coasts. If you're in Malibu you've got a bunch of mountains rising up to the east to block LA signals, but Jammin' Z90 comes in just fine from TJ.

 

[ScottBurns]

It is amazing that in much of Santa Barbara, particularly right around Stearns Wharf, the San Diego signals are far better than the L.A. ones. In Santa Barbara last week, the only L.A. station that I could really pick up was K-Earth, and I think that was mostly on the strength of its regular signal.

 

[Garrett]

On the other hand, many San Diegans can't get most of their own radio stations because of the Topography. I always noticed that depending where I lived, I either only got station from Soledad or only got stations from East County (such as everything on Mt. Miguel). And forget about watching TV without cable, because unlike San Francisco, there is no Sutro Tower monster on the horizon to help with that.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

On the other hand, many San Diegans can't get most of their own radio stations because of the Topography. I always noticed that depending where I lived, I either only got station from Soledad or only got stations from East County (such as everything on Mt. Miguel). And forget about watching TV without cable, because unlike San Francisco, there is no Sutro Tower monster on the horizon to help with that.

Here in the North County you listen to San Diego FM stations when you're driving on the south side of the hill, LA stations on the north side and AM when you're in the valleys.

 

[SDRadio]

Here in the North County you listen to San Diego FM stations when you're driving on the south side of the hill, LA stations on the north side and AM when you're in the valleys.

The 76 highway is a good example.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

Here in the North County you listen to San Diego FM stations when you're driving on the south side of the hill, LA stations on the north side and AM when you're in the valleys.

The 76 highway is a good example.

I forgot to mention that when you're on the mesas you listen to TJ stations interferring with LA stations. Listening to FM radio when driving around north San Diego County is frustrating because no one has signal you can listen for long (well maybe KPRI, but then i keep dozing at the wheel eveytime an announcer starts talking).

 

[John McNary]

Of all things, KPRI is one of the five strongest FM signals here at Zuma Beach.

But tune to 88.1, 88.3 or 88.5 along the Malibu coast ... you get dozens of iPod, XM or Sirius signals driving by every hour.

FM is dead.

 

[SDRadio]

Of all things, KPRI is one of the five strongest FM signals here at Zuma Beach.

But tune to 88.1, 88.3 or 88.5 along the Malibu coast ... you get dozens of iPod, XM or Sirius signals driving by every hour.

FM is dead.

Malibu? Wow!

I have seen bumper stickers saying "Tune to 88.1" or the like ....

If FM is dead, then AM is .....

 

[Bob_Hudson]

If FM is dead, then AM is .....

Well, I hear the next big thing is Pulse Modulation with BlueRay HD radio in quadraphonic.

 

[SDRadio]

Well, I hear the next big thing is Pulse Modulation with BlueRay HD radio in quadraphonic.

It's time to repost your hi-fi wireless receiver, Bob.

 

[John McNary]

Of all things, KPRI is one of the five strongest FM signals here at Zuma Beach.

Malibu? Wow!

Malibu radio is always weird.

Walk into the Ventura County fire station 56 up at Point Mugu and they usually listen to KGB.

It's always a kick hearing the Calexico East border crossing reports on KPBS - 5 hours drive from here.

Jack FM comes in going up the Point Dume hill, country KHAY comes in going down the hill.

Listening to All Things Considered on the way to work means punching from San Diego to Riverside to Thousand Oaks to Santa Monica to Pasadena within 5 miles on Kanan-Dume Road.

One of the funniest experiences I've ever tuned on the radio was hearing KTYD Santa Barbara and KOLA Riverside while washing a car in my driveway, battling it out every half second to lock in the car radio as both played Dylan "Like A Rolling Stone" about 10 seconds out of synch.

 

[mj]

I believe KPBS simulcasts on a station in Calexico that they also own which is why you hear them there.

 

[John McNary]

got it.