Visiting LA

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

So, later this month I'll be traveling from Phoenix to visit Los Angeles for a few days! It's been a little while -- in fact, last time I visited, I was a middle school, classic rock music fan -- not a college student, radio geek (especially oldies/classic hits programming).

Most of my stay will be in the Venice, Marina Del Rey area. Are there any cool radio-related sightseeing stuff in the area? Like we have here in Scottsdale/Phoenix ("House of Broadcasting Museum"), are there any Los Angeles radio broadcasting museums? I can only imagine... with KHJ, KRLA history, for starters.

Though I will be with family (non-radio geeks) the entire time, I'm sure there are a few things I can spin to get their interest. Regardless, I'm looking forward to Los Angeles radio (especially Shotgun Tom Kelly on K-Earth 101!) and being a poster here for at least a few days where I CAN not completely be an outsider anymore.

If there are any ideas, they're greatly appreciated...

Lauren
PhoenixAirchecks.com

 

[OC Radio Geek]

There is the Museum of Television and Radio! ;D

 

[ChannelFlipper]

There is the Museum of Television and Radio! ;D

Yep, that was my suggestion too.

For the really geeky trip, head up to Mt. Wilson. With the help of Scott Fybush's site, you can give yourself a nice, self-guided tour of all of the radio and television transmitters. Plus a great view of the LA basin and Pacific ocean, and in the summer time you can check out the observatory as well.

 

[OC Radio Geek]

for sure man....Mt. Wilson is a great trip for radio enthusiasts!

 

[davideduardo]

for sure man....Mt. Wilson is a great trip for radio enthusiasts!

Keep in mind that Wilson is not a little drive like South Mountain in Phoenix is. It consists of going up Anglels Crest Highway from La Cañada - Flintridge to the top of Wilson, about 5000 feet AMSL and the road is good, but very windy and for those who don't like heights or windy roads.

I'm a pretty experienced mountain driver (I had a site at nearly 14,000 feet years ago) but am cautious with Angels Crest. For a while, I was Chief Operator of one of the FMs there, and had to go often to make it seem I knew what I was doing (I was filling in as the only person with any credentials till a new CE arrived) and did not enjoy the drive, particularly if it rained...

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

for sure man....Mt. Wilson is a great trip for radio enthusiasts!

I'm a pretty experienced mountain driver (I had a site at nearly 14,000 feet years ago) but am cautious with Angels Crest. For a while, I was Chief Operator of one of the FMs there, and had to go often to make it seem I knew what I was doing (I was filling in as the only person with any credentials till a new CE arrived) and did not enjoy the drive, particularly if it rained...

David, what was the elevation of the community the stations are serving. It has to be somewhere in Latin America as I do not believe there are any transmitting sites at that elevation here in the US. That's almost as high as Mt. Whitney or Mt. Shasta!

Mexico City?

 

[davideduardo]

David, what was the elevation of the community the stations are serving. It has to be somewhere in Latin America as I do not believe there are any transmitting sites at that elevation here in the US. That's almost as high as Mt. Whitney or Mt. Shasta!

Mexico City?

The station was my HCTM1 in Quito, Ecuador. The city itself is between 9600 feet and 10500 feet AMSL, and the site was on the side of the Pichincha mountain which forms the western limit of the city. The site was adjacent to that of HCJB-TV. No other operations were on the mountain when I built the FM site.

As a sidebar, HCTM was the first FM in Ecuador and, in fact, in any Grancolombian nation or Panamá... so it was the only one for about 1000 miles in any direction at the time. It was profitable in its second year of operation, 1967.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

There is the Museum of Television and Radio! ;D

Yep, that was my suggestion too.

For the really geeky trip, head up to Mt. Wilson. With the help of Scott Fybush's site, you can give yourself a nice, self-guided tour of all of the radio and television transmitters. Plus a great view of the LA basin and Pacific ocean, and in the summer time you can check out the observatory as well.

Also, if you and the family are into the classic rock thing, there is the classic Laserium, which just opened up in Hollywood. Laser light shows choreographed to the music of Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Led Zep (your choice). This is very similar to the shows they used to have at Griffith Park Observatory back in the day, but with updated technology. I haven't been yet but plan to take Mrs. Flipper there some day soon. Recommend you check out the website and purchase tickets online if you plan to go - basically it allows you seating priority over those that buy at the box office, but in the details it's a little more involved than that. Definitely read the website to understand how the ticketing works.

http://www.laserium.com/index2.html

 

[OC Radio Geek]

There is the Museum of Television and Radio! ;D

Yep, that was my suggestion too.

For the really geeky trip, head up to Mt. Wilson. With the help of Scott Fybush's site, you can give yourself a nice, self-guided tour of all of the radio and television transmitters. Plus a great view of the LA basin and Pacific ocean, and in the summer time you can check out the observatory as well.

Also, if you and the family are into the classic rock thing, there is the classic Laserium, which just opened up in Hollywood. Laser light shows choreographed to the music of Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Led Zep (your choice). This is very similar to the shows they used to have at Griffith Park Observatory back in the day, but with updated technology. I haven't been yet but plan to take Mrs. Flipper there some day soon. Recommend you check out the website and purchase tickets online if you plan to go - basically it allows you seating priority over those that buy at the box office, but in the details it's a little more involved than that. Definitely read the website to understand how the ticketing works.

http://www.laserium.com/index2.html

That's cool! I almost forgot about Laserium. I vividly remember going to the Doors Laserium at the Observatory. What an experience!!!

 

[Doctah]

The Museum of TV and Radio is now known as the Paley Center; it's open on most afternoons in its Beverly Hills location. Nice building; there's always some sort of event or exhibition going on. Plus, you can stroll around Beverly Hills.

 

[Robnoxious]

Welcome to California, Lauren.
Now go home.

Seriously though, the Paley Center is cool.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

Mt. Wilson sounds like quite the exciting adventure to add to my list -- for another day. ;D The Laserium also sounds like something I'd do myself. The museum, however, may be a go for this trip...

Thanks very much for suggestions here, via email (and thoughtful offers!). It's quite obvious I need to come back myself later this year.

 

[AM FM listener]

Lauren,

How did KRTH compare to KOOL in your opinion? What other LA stations did you listen to a lot?

 

[oaktree]

Knowing Lauren, I have a feeling she thinks K-Earth leaves KOOL in a cloud of smoke.

Hope she got had a nice time in LA and got to see a few of the sites. And hope she got through Blythe without problems ... or bugs.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

Knowing Lauren, I have a feeling she thinks K-Earth leaves KOOL in a cloud of smoke.

You better believe it! But that's not fair-- you know me too well. You are absolutely right.

Lauren,

How did KRTH compare to KOOL in your opinion? What other LA stations did you listen to a lot?

Hi AM FM listener,
K-Earth does circles around KOOL! Didn't used to be that way-- the KOOL I knew and loved (throughout high school) was one I could argue to be the BEST. It's a sad case for KOOL these days... the number of outstanding talent who have gotten the ax in only a year is a real tragedy. (I have a tribute to them here: http://www.phoenixairchecks.com/KOOL_2008 if interested)

I hadn't realized Gary Bryan did the morning show until coming into town and being stuck in that traffic. I thought it was GREAT hearing him NOT in one of his syndicated shows. Some people sound best during their syndicated shows, but not in his case... I enjoyed hearing him be more real, entertaining, and local. Jim Carson, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Christina Kelley were all so enjoyable. You guys are lucky. FUN radio does still exist!

Second most listened to station on the vacation was 93.1 Jack-FM-- not by my choice, but I listened. Music wasn't bad... actually not a bad sounding station at all, but I personally want PEOPLE and personality, too, to give me information. Obviously not what Jack formats are about. Was 93.1 not Jack three years ago? I thought 93.1 was what I listened to back then, but I don't remember listening to a "Jack-FM".

Most of the time, I was enjoying K-Earth too much to listen around to other stations very much. Relaxing on the beach listening to Shotgun Tom Kelly is the greatest! Tried KLOS a few times, but kept choosing unlucky times most of the time and caught their commercial breaks. KSWD played some "oh wow" songs, but I can now see why they are having difficulties. I'll have to add in to the discussion on this board later.

 

[rickradio]

Hey Lauren,

Did you ask to see the 93/KHJ transmitter when you were at K-Earth 101? K-Earth 101 used to be KHJ-FM, and is at KHJ-AM's transmitter site. I'm sure you noticed the two self-supporting towers. Kinda ironic, dontcha think? Venice and Fairfax...

 

[oldiesfan6479]

K-Earth 101 used to be KHJ-FM, and is at KHJ-AM's transmitter site. I'm sure you noticed the two self-supporting towers. Kinda ironic, dontcha think? Venice and Fairfax...

The KRTH studios are now at the 5670 Wilshire Blvd. location. KROQ and KCBS-FM
are currently at 5901 Venice.

But it's still a shrine, nonetheless, as would be 5515 Melrose.

 

[AM FM listener]

Hi AM FM listener,
K-Earth does circles around KOOL! Didn't used to be that way-- the KOOL I knew and loved (throughout high school) was one I could argue to be the BEST. It's a sad case for KOOL these days... the number of outstanding talent who have gotten the ax in only a year is a real tragedy. (I have a tribute to them here: http://www.phoenixairchecks.com/KOOL_2008 if interested)

Second most listened to station on the vacation was 93.1 Jack-FM-- not by my choice, but I listened. Music wasn't bad... actually not a bad sounding station at all, but I personally want PEOPLE and personality, too, to give me information. Obviously not what Jack formats are about. Was 93.1 not Jack three years ago? I thought 93.1 was what I listened to back then, but I don't remember listening to a "Jack-FM".

I am listening to your tribute as I surf Radio-Info this evening. It sounds great! Thanks for the link.

KCBS-FM/LA switched from Classic Rock ("Arrow 93") to its current "Jack-FM" in March 2005.

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to LA and LA radio, especially E-Earth. Feel free to contribute to the LA board any time you want.