WLS AUDIO PROCESSING IN THE 1980'S

[Steve Eberhart]

I am curious if anyone with knowledge of the technical side of WLS AM in the 1980's can tell me what the audio chain was at that time.
They were broadcasting in AM stereo. I had a car with the Delco AM stereo and it sounded awesome in stereo and also on a regular AM mono receiver.
I'm assuming it was an AM Optimod but if any engineering type from those days knows, post it please.

 

[jhacker]

Whatever it was, I wish WLS-FM would apply something like it. That would sound really awesome!

 

[radioman148]

Whatever it was, I wish WLS-FM would apply something like it. That would sound really awesome!

It definitely would.

 

[Dr Wayne]

Is it just me but does AM Radio sound distorted. I have listened to tapes of the Big 89 and Big 10 and the sound was clear. What gives?

 

[Ai4i]

Is it just me but does AM Radio sound distorted.

AM Radios for the last third of a century have been optimized for voice with a big peaks in the midrange, around 1 KHz.
The more you boost the highs and/or lows on the sending side or with your bass and treble controls, the more the radios will fight back...in negative ways.

 

[oldhack1965]

Steve, WLS-AM STILL broadcasts in AM Stereo. I discovered this after purchasing my "new" 2003 Ford Escape with the factory-installed stereo. I punched into 890AM and noticed the audio changed and all of a sudden I heard a spot in STEREO! I checked the radio and sure enough, the stereo light was illuminated and WLS-AM was broadcasting in (what sounds like) C-Quam. At first I thought it was a fluke but sure enough I checked online and found out they are still using their stereo signal. Awesome. I love listening to the bumper music and spots in stereo on AM. Call me sentimental.