Chicago AAR station WCPT 850AM needs to simulcast on FM

[xray s]

The parent company owns three Chicago FM station that are bundled and play the same exact thing (The Nine's).

It would be great if they took one of those station and simulcast AAR. That would give them wider coverage (850AM's signal isn't that strong, and it only has a sun up to sun down license)

Also, has anyone read anything about WCPT's ratings? I am getting more people to listen all the time.

[DrGonzoLives]

1. That would be nice

I get tired of the station getting blasted by the high-voltage lines I have drive under all the time.

[Paulie]

4. i294? Not so bad northbound in the AM

I wish they had a all night signal, drop Franken for Hartman, and then the rest of AAR feed. :)

Glad I have Morning Sedition in the morning though!!!

[dogman]

2. They have to make a profit too.

I would like to have seen this happen also but realize business is what it is. I was able to steer an advertiser their way and that will be the ultimate test. They will respond to revenue stream. They own other stations and are working to get 24 hour license on at least one from what I have read. The progressive community needs to support them and as they say in their recent promos, urging new listeners and supporting their advertisers will determine their success.

[Chicago Democrat]

3. Drobny meetup? anyone going?

[KharmaTrain]

5. When Is This?

I'd be curious about details.

Cheers...

[hwmnbn]

6. I listen every day.....

and yes the AM reception is crappy. They go off the air at 8:00 pm. So no Mike Malloy or Jeanine Garafolo.

If they could switch to FM that would be great. How can we get that to happen? Let's make someone an offer they can't refuse. :smoke:

I'm grateful to have it here at all, I'm just sayin'.

[mopinko]

10. they do have malloy on sunday

for a few hours. no jeanine, tho.
i hope they are making money. my sister in naperville has started listening. not that she is a koolaid drinker, but she could stand to listen to wls all this time. she is finding aar interesting, but likes springer the best, so....
if it is getting through to her, there is really hope.

[mikeysnot]

7. Listen every day

When I am in my car. I stream it on my computer at home...

[Nexus7]

8. Probably the worst reception around

AM 850 is the hardest station that I ever wanted to listen to. The signal gets overwhelmed by the electric doors of convenience stores and apartment buildings! Around 57th street on LSD, it gets overpowered by some nazi wingnut station. I can only listen to it in my car, because I only get static in my house, and this is on a shortwave that can pull in Canada. Some time ago, they had an announcement that said to adjust your antenna and check for appliances that interfere with the signal, but I think they realized that was essentially blaming the listener for what is their shortcoming, so they stopped doing it. I wonder why the Chicago broadcaster has to make such an half-ass attempt at this (although better than the first time around), when I'm sure they have better advertising receipts that some of the FM out there. The problem with FM is that however good a station is, there are 5 other stations in the same format, and Air America doesn't have this problem. So c'mon 850, bump up the power or find an FM home!

[pascal1947]

9. And how about those terrible hours?

Drive around tuned in to WCPT and without fail, it gets blotted out by static in certain neighborhoods. I don't know if its power lines or trees, but the signal is gone - kaput until I get out of that area.

Now and then, WCPT just DROPS their signal. The radio goes dead for several minutes. This typically happens at least once a day.

Finally, WCPT ends their broadcast day at a ridiculous 7:30pm. I guess Janeane Garafolo broadcasted on Air America at one time, but you couldn't prove it by me. Usually, they interrupt a discussion on Randi Rhodes, play the National Anthem and sign off.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi pascal1947!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[LTR]

16. They're a daytimer

FCC rules require them to sign off at sunset and sign back on at sunrise. AM signals are strange in that way, as their signals behave differently due to environmental condidtions.

Many other AM stations may power down their signal or switch to nighttime towers that may have slightly different coverage areas.

There are quite a few daytime-only stations not just in Chicago but all over. Unfortunately, 850 in Chicago is one of them.

[tofubo]

21. 1530 am out of cincinnati

you can get the signal after 6pm or so when all the daytimer stations drop their signals, you can get that signal to hear (mostly) the aar lineup

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

11. I only stream, can't pick it up any other way.

Lucky I work from home.

I feel like Chicago has consistently gotten the short end of the stick from AAR. I know the problems with the first deal, and the problems they had finding another station, but still...I feel like the East Coast is their first priority, then red locales, and last is outlying blue areas like Chicago and LA.

[Critters2]

13. Ed Schultz broadcast from Streator

There's supposedly a radio station in Streator that carries Ed Schultz. I live less than 15 miles from Streator and can't pick it up.

Come on, progressives--let's have some power, in more ways than one!

[global1]

14. They Need To Pick Up Randi's Show And Move Ed Shultz To...

Randi's current schedule. I would like to hear all of Malloy's program as well.

Ed's ok - but Randi is much better and more knowledgeable and passionate for the cause.

[mucifer]

15. Just wish Randi wasn't so rude to callers who agree with her.

I don't understand that.

[DrGonzoLives]

19. No, they really don't

I'd rather listen to something of substance rather than BUSH R NAZI and REPUBLICAN R EVIL for my hour-long commute home.

Just curious, how is Rhodes "more knowledgeable" and "passionate" anyway?

[DanCa]

17. I agree the more visibility the better.

[dogfacedboy]

18. Here's a kind of station Chicago needs.

An FM station with some AAR shows, as well as some music presented by djs that also do political commentary/talk/calls.

[adnelson60087]

20. Now, that would be an interesting format.

Do you know of any stations that do that?? As for Rhodes or Schultz, Give me Rhandi any day. Ed is ok, but he's too middle of the road for my tastes. Besides, when he talks about hunting, I just wanna turn the channel...