San Fran stations in Sacremento?

[BMR]

I've done a search for this, but can't find anything. Do any of the SF stations make it into Sacremento, or are they very much separate markets?

(forgive all these silly questions- your radio system developed very differently from ours and this stuff facinates the sad anorak in me )

 

[fybush]

They are very separate markets, about 90 miles center-to-center, though the I-80 corridor connecting them has become built up enough in both directions that there's plenty of exurbia in the middle that can hear both markets, especially in and around the Fairfield-Suisun-Vallejo area.

The big SF AM signals boom into Sacramento just fine (560, 610, 680, 740, and to some extent 810), but the FM dial has become congested enough that the San Francisco FMs don't really make the trip very effectively. (There's also a fair amount of terrain in the way.) The NPR outlet in San Francisco, KQED 88.5, bought an FM station in Sacramento to simulcast (KQEI 89.3 North Highlands).

 

[BMR]

They are very separate markets, about 90 miles center-to-center,

Thanks Scott. I didn't realise it was quite as far as that.

 

[DJBigOne]

I've done a search for this, but can't find anything. Do any of the SF stations make it into Sacremento, or are they very much separate markets?

(forgive all these silly questions- your radio system developed very differently from ours and this stuff facinates the sad anorak in me )

I listen to 98.1 the bay area's old school station. It comes in great in the Foothills, unless you're down in a hole (Meadow Vista, Foresthill, etc.).

 

[calguy]

I used to live in South Sacramento and could pick up what was KCBS FM as KMEL, but that was a long time ago. Last time I was in Sacramento it was almost impossible to get SF FM's. I suppose with the right antenna it's still feasible.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Re: San Francisco stations in Sacramento?

It's spotty to get any Sac's FM and for Sac to get SF FM's
102.5 dukes it out between KDON and KSFM, I think also an Oldies Station in the Napa area.
106.1 is KMEL in SF and a Spanish station in the Sac area.

But to answer the question of this thread (sorry, I HAVE to do it)
NO, the San Francisco stations are IN San Francisco
The Sacramento stations are IN Sacramento.

 

[BMR]

Sorry! I should have titled the thread "Receiving San Fran stations in Sacremento"

My bad, as you say over there.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Re:Receiving San Francisco stations in SacrAmento?

;D

 

[Aviator]

I use an old yagi-style TV antenna for radio listening. Under normal conditions I can usually only pick up KQED 88.5, KKIQ 101.7, and KCBS 106.9.
However; when there is tropo (sometimes during the summer in the evenings usually) and conditions are really good (this happened a couple weeks ago) I was able to get a full HD-lock of KMEL 106.1 for a little while, despite the fact that there is a station in Sacramento on 106.1, I was also able to pick up KITS 105.3 despite there being a strong local adjacent, KNCI, on 105.1. I was able pick up KYLD, KLLC, KDFC, KVHS, KMVQ, KYLD, an oldies station (96.5 or 98.1) and a few others as well.
Of course I am always able to get the 50000 watt Bay Area AM stations (680, 740, 810).
Once I was I able to get a TV station out the bay area.

 

[1069_KIFR]

When I lived above Sacramento- The Yuba City area, in the winter on a foggy night I could get KRON, KTVU, KBHK and barely KPIX.

 

[DJBigOne]

I use an old yagi-style TV antenna for radio listening. Under normal conditions I can usually only pick up KQED 88.5, KKIQ 101.7, and KCBS 106.9.
However; when there is tropo (sometimes during the summer in the evenings usually) and conditions are really good (this happened a couple weeks ago) I was able to get a full HD-lock of KMEL 106.1 for a little while<<

There's nothing wrong with trying to receive distant stations. There are hobbyists that enjoy doing so. Isn't it called DXing?

I pick up SF stations quite well at my house. I live at 4000', with an inexpensive Wineguard FM antenna 60' up a tree. I get several SF stations well travelling for work. When I travel long distance, I enjoy listening to other market's stations.

Last month, during travel for work, I looked forward to listening to stations where I once worked. I did mornings on one station, and helped build another. Both stations are programmed like crap. I didn't take pleasure in that. It's a shame...almost a crime...when a station is programmed badly.

 

[1069_KIFR]

I use an old yagi-style TV antenna for radio listening. Under normal conditions I can usually only pick up KQED 88.5, KKIQ 101.7, and KCBS 106.9.
However; when there is tropo (sometimes during the summer in the evenings usually) and conditions are really good (this happened a couple weeks ago) I was able to get a full HD-lock of KMEL 106.1 for a little while, despite the fact that there is a station in Sacramento on 106.1, I was also able to pick up KITS 105.3 despite there being a strong local adjacent, KNCI, on 105.1. I was able pick up KYLD, KLLC, KDFC, KVHS, KMVQ, KYLD, an oldies station (96.5 or 98.1) and a few others as well.
Of course I am always able to get the 50000 watt Bay Area AM stations (680, 740, 810).
Once I was I able to get a TV station out the bay area.

Was it Old School Oldies? Then that was 98.1 Kiss (KISQ)

 

[stewie]

I use an old yagi-style TV antenna for radio listening. Under normal conditions I can usually only pick up KQED 88.5, KKIQ 101.7, and KCBS 106.9.
However; when there is tropo (sometimes during the summer in the evenings usually) and conditions are really good (this happened a couple weeks ago) I was able to get a full HD-lock of KMEL 106.1 for a little while, despite the fact that there is a station in Sacramento on 106.1, I was also able to pick up KITS 105.3 despite there being a strong local adjacent, KNCI, on 105.1. I was able pick up KYLD, KLLC, KDFC, KVHS, KMVQ, KYLD, an oldies station (96.5 or 98.1) and a few others as well.
Of course I am always able to get the 50000 watt Bay Area AM stations (680, 740, 810).
Once I was I able to get a TV station out the bay area.

I do a fair among of FM DX'ing and I often pickup KLLC, KDFC, KMVQ, KOIT and KISQ without issue. I live in Rocklin right when the elevation starts to rise so that helps. Depends greatly on the time of year and thermal ducting.

Depending on conditions, I've received SF FM's like they were local but that's only a few times a year. The introduction of HD on the FM band has created increased noise on adjacent channels which makes it harder nowadays.

 

[recto101]

KSTE can hit parts of the Bay Area like Solano county and the eastern half of Contra Costa.

But I do know 740 and 810 hits Sacramento very well.

 

[stewie]

KSTE can hit parts of the Bay Area like Solano county and the eastern half of Contra Costa.

But I do know 740 and 810 hits Sacramento very well.

Most of the AM's from SF do well into Sacramento include KGO, KCBS, KSFO. KKSF is hit and miss. Once the sun sets, most stations continue to do well. KKSF goes away, KGO remains strong while KCBS drops off a bit.

AM IBOC has created a ton of noise on the AM band and made it harder to DX.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Also, don't many AM Stations have to reduce their transmitter output at sunset?

 

[all_ears]

860 and 1050 can also be heard in the Sacramento area during daylight hours...

Then, there are stations in between that cover parts of both markets... 107.3 in Stockton and 990 from Pittsburgh come to mind.

Actually, it seems like 107.3 (EMF-K-Love) may have one of the best signals in the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto-East Bay Area.

But, what's it matter anymore. I've got this new Apple TV box that includes webstreams... I get a much better sounding than AM signal from KCBS, right in my family room... As well as stations around the country and world.

I do miss the nostalgia of late-night listening of AM radio and pulling in a distant signal.

 

[DJBigOne]

Also, don't many AM Stations have to reduce their transmitter output at sunset?

Yes. Many AM stations have to reduce power, or switch to directional antenna arrays. Check out radio-locator. It will tell you what their power is at sunset, and their direction of broadcast.

 

[BayDay415]

I find it really funny when I'm east of the East Bay Area hills, I get two stations branded as "Now". SF's Rhythmic CHR on 99.7 and Sac's white-washed Adult CHR on 100.5 so close on the dial.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Then V101.1 and Star 101.3 must really throw you in to a dizzy headspin, since they are so close together on the dial.

I believe NOW 100.5 even has 997's former morning guy, Baltazar!