The A's have a new radio station

by Gerard on Jan 5, 2009 11:15 AM PST Comment 36 comments

It's been an arduos process keeping up with the A's radio stations over the past several years but they just reached an agreement and can be found at 860 on the am dial.

Here's the link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=34165#comments

The question is how much will this change our listening habits given a potentially stronger signal throughout most of the bay area. I think a special reward should go out to anyone on AN who can list the A's stations going back to...KNBR in the 70's (yes, THAT KNBR which we've grown to despise).

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KNBR?

Forget the 70s, I can’t even get back to 560 KSFO from the ’89 ’90 days.

by Eggman on Jan 5, 2009 11:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Before KNBR

It was KEEN, then KNBR, KNEW, KALX,KTIM,KDIA, then KSFO egad we never knew where they would turn up from year to year. KTIM was the strangest, they were out of San Rafael, and would have to drop their wattage after 8PM. You could barely pick it up in Oakland. I would have to take a transistor radio up ti the top of a hill to get it. During the games the KTIM DJ’s would interject some humor like tarzan yells and other sound effects. In 1979 sometimes it was better than the games.

Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969

by billyball1981 on Jan 5, 2009 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the post Gerard

What I’m dying to see is for the A’s to BUY a radio station with a good strong signal, and start pimping their team every day. I’m sure those stations are for sale for much less this year than they have been in the past, just like everything else.

They're called RUNS for a reason.

by connie mack on Jan 5, 2009 12:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

There have been rumors to this extent...

…floating for the past 3 years but nothing too tangible. Part of this is probably dependent upon the first shovel of dirt being dug for the new stadium. As it stands our team remains in purgatory to some degree and we won’t see any decisive moves by the owner until they sense financial stability. A radio station is an investment that I can see them doing along the lines of tying up Earthquake soccer, perhaps Stanford athletics and “our” own team. But they won’t commit until then.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 5, 2009 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Based on the link posted at the A's website

The omission of Marty Lurie’s “Right Off the Bat” show in the pregame festivities kinda sucks.

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Jan 5, 2009 12:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It

better reach Sacramento and sound great. i can’t go another year without them on the radio.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 5, 2009 12:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not quite

The red line in the map marks the practical edge of coverage. Out to the purple line it varies depending on your radio, terrain, car vs. indoors.

The map shows “Daytime Coverage” but it’s the same for night.

It would be great if other readers could chime in with their opinions on reception after tuning in 860.

by vertig0 on Jan 5, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is exactly the type of information...

I was hoping someone would bring forth…At least the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, might have some coverage…on a good night…Heck, who needs 50,000 watts!

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 5, 2009 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Man, that's sweet.

If I’m in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, at least I know I can catch the A’s game on local radio.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 5, 2009 1:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it seems like they have the dish pointing the wrong direction.

by mikev on Jan 5, 2009 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The A's have ALWAYS had a strong following in...

Hawaii! Just ask Kurt.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 5, 2009 2:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2012 Rapa Nui Athletics

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 5, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I Prefer the Cook Island Athletics

aka the Cook-Key A’s

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 5, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's more a matter of the mountain range in the way of the other direction

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jan 5, 2009 7:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How do you figure KNBR gets past that?

by mikev on Jan 6, 2009 8:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, hell, Barbieri and Radnich carry that far on their own without amplification

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 6, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That brings up a more important question:

How does the signal get past Barbeiri?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 6, 2009 7:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tally another "PRO" for that floating stadium deal

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Jan 5, 2009 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know where the Pacific Dead Zone is, but I know where the A's are

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 5, 2009 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

so

you can get the games in the middle of the freakin ocean, but can’t get them in the Capital City? what the crap?

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 5, 2009 2:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see a separate station deal for Sacramento, ideally KTHK.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 5, 2009 7:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds good, but

I am not sure that KHTK would give the A’s much air time. The A’s would have to play behind the Kings, Monarchs and any one of there talking heads. Delayed broadcasts would probably be the norm.

I agree we sure do need a decent A’s radio station here in Sacramento, but I am not convinced it will come about any time soon.

by cowman on Jan 5, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes. 3rd fiddle doesn't sound good at all. I'm still hoping for a Sacramento or Central Valley deal though.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 5, 2009 10:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not KHTK

KHTK was an official A’s broadcast affiliate up until the 2008 season. Guess how many games they broadcast? Very few. Grant Napear’s evening drive time show ALWAYS got aired instead. A’s games certainly never pre-empted Kings games, which are always aired on KHTK. I think a much better choice would be ESPN1320, which took over for the soft muzak KCTC used to play. It is already sports, it is located in Sacramento, and as far as I know, they don’t broadcast anything local.

by thczv on Jan 7, 2009 8:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN1320

FYI, here is what the assistant program director at ESPN1320 in Sacramento had to say about it:

We appreciate you taking the time to write in. We’ve resisted adding complete broadcast schedules for local teams, specifically baseball, because they require a huge commitment in terms of air time that extends far beyond the games. We have a larger audience that prefers coverage of all teams, and varied broadcasts, at this time.

However, we are also eager to hear from area sports fans eager to share their opinions, as it helps us shape what we do in the future. We will keep your idea/request in mind, and call upon it when making decisions moving forward.

Sounds like a blow off to me. Let me say again that I can’t believe how little support A’s fan in Sacramento get from the organization.

by thczv on Jan 7, 2009 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

but they'll play freakin

Sharks games. KHTK sucks butt.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 8, 2009 7:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yay, the South Bay gets to follow the A's again!

Always had problems last year, even with the FM side of things (106.9). I always hated how KFRC cut off the second of Extra Innings. I wonder if the A’s will continue with them after 2009. Anyway, 860 AM is coming in clear here in Palo Alto. Crazy pundit on the air right now.

In a related note, KFRC true oldies is back. Tune your dial to 1550 AM for the musical stylings of the 50’s through the 80’s.

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack

by GoA's on Jan 5, 2009 1:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yay, I got shafted! (In Richmond)

It’s horrible indoors (although that could be an antenna issue), while outside in my car, I can hear them talk, but in the background there is a consistent soft static buzz and that little tone from AM stations is louder than most…

I can only hope this is because the wattage isn’t turned all the way up and the grey skies are interfering…

Time to invest in some SiriusXM stock to keep the company afloat so I can continue to listen on my XM… think 2000 shares is good? That’s like, about $200 right now…

by Kaiser99 on Jan 5, 2009 2:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

My question about SiriusXM

is how far in advance to pay. My original 4-year subscription is expiring in a few weeks. If you pay in advance for a 2-year subscription you get the equivalent of 5 free months. I love the service and I hope the company survives but the question is, will they still be in business 19 months from now for those 5 free months to pay off? I’m more than a little doubtful; they seem well on their way down the path of Webvan and Pets.com.

by Soaker on Jan 5, 2009 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I may be paying a little more right now (3 months plan), but I don’t have to worry about lost money if the thing blows up if I opted for a 1 year or longer plan. If their existance wasn’t in question, I would be considering that “lifetime” plan that they have…

Of course, knowing my luck, the moment I sign up for that service, my 3-year old radio would spontaneously implode while it’s not even plugged in.

by Kaiser99 on Jan 5, 2009 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs