Best FM stations in your area
- Thread starter mr clean
- Start date
jbailey930
AK Member
Public WPFW 89.3 especially weekends, WETA 90.9 classical, WAMU 88.5. Local news radio has a HD channel that I can get ota 104.1 The Gamut like it's name and eclectic.
Here in Fairbanks, AK, all of our local non-translator ones are good, but here's a few that really stand out to me:
KXLR/95.9, excellent mainstream/active rock. Totally local. All local commercials, etc.
KTDZ/103.9 is a rather interesting automated/on autopilot classic hits, but not quite normal adult hits in that it focuses mostly on the '70s/'80s.
KKED/104.7 is an interesting alt-rock, albeit owned by iHeartRadio with mostly non-local commercials, etc. Fun fact: In Fairbanks, 104.7 was Fairbanks' first FM signal, first air date 1962, as KUAC, Alaska's second-ever FM station, and first non-commercial/public radio station. In '98 they moved to 89.9.
KXLR/95.9, excellent mainstream/active rock. Totally local. All local commercials, etc.
KTDZ/103.9 is a rather interesting automated/on autopilot classic hits, but not quite normal adult hits in that it focuses mostly on the '70s/'80s.
KKED/104.7 is an interesting alt-rock, albeit owned by iHeartRadio with mostly non-local commercials, etc. Fun fact: In Fairbanks, 104.7 was Fairbanks' first FM signal, first air date 1962, as KUAC, Alaska's second-ever FM station, and first non-commercial/public radio station. In '98 they moved to 89.9.
malden
Addicted Member
WNUR out of Northwestern University is pretty awesome. One of my favorite DJ's, Lou Kovitz ususally spins obscure, extended tracks.
https://www.wnur.org/recent-playlists/
https://www.wnur.org/recent-playlists/
Heres some good ones!
https://www.evansville.edu/wuev/
http://www.wjpsradio.com
http://myweb.iecc.edu/wvjc/
http://wabx.net
https://www.evansville.edu/wuev/
http://www.wjpsradio.com
http://myweb.iecc.edu/wvjc/
http://wabx.net
My favorites in the Boston area:
88.1 WMBR (MIT)
90.3 WZBC (Boston College)
91.9 WUMB (UMass Boston)
95.3 WHRB (Harvard)
99.5 WCRB (WGBH classical affiliate)
and....
89.7 WGBH on weekends, for the disappointingly rare music programs, when they turn on the multiplex signal
Yes, these are all college and public radio stations.
88.1 WMBR (MIT)
90.3 WZBC (Boston College)
91.9 WUMB (UMass Boston)
95.3 WHRB (Harvard)
99.5 WCRB (WGBH classical affiliate)
and....
89.7 WGBH on weekends, for the disappointingly rare music programs, when they turn on the multiplex signal
Yes, these are all college and public radio stations.
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Classic rock, with real DJs ...
Fun facts: Aris Hampers was a founding member of the band Phlegethon before moving on to play DJ at LAV back in the '70's. Spun his last disk there in 2011 ...
But wait ... there's more!
He was instrumental in bringing a band called ... uh ... what was it again ... oh, yeah ... Genesis to the states. First station to play their music here in the states, and it just kinda sorta spread. To show their appreciation, they played his alma mater in Allendale, Michigan (Allendale freakin' Michigan??) as part of their Lamb Lies Down tour.
I know ... I was there!
I started listening to LAV as an 11 year old in 1971. Aris had a big impact on my taste in music.
In Chicago I mainly listen to WDCB 90.9 which is jazz & blues. Great stuff, streaming online too if you're not in the area. Loyola University's station at 88.7 is a great source as well, but the signal is a bit weak. In terms of the big boys, 93.1 WXRT has remained a pretty good station for something of its size.
grundigger
Well-Known Member
It's my go to station for my Kenwood KT-7300. It is definitely the best FM station in Austin. KMFA is weird, though. While the musical content can sound very good, the announcers' mikes at night sound muffled for some reason, like they overdamped the studio. It can be jarring to hear.
BTW, I really went to town on my tuner three years ago. The KT-7300 is nothing especiale, but it can perform well. It was worth the trouble to me. Let me indulge myself:
It took about five hours from start to finish, with much of the work concentrated on the area near the flywheel. Lots of tiny audio electrolytics had to be replaced, and it was tough to differentiate where they were located on the soldered side of the PCB. Eyeballing back and forth for their precise solder pad locations was a challenge.
Isolated the power transformer mechanically and electrically.
Replaced old school diodes with fast recovery Schottky diodes.
Loosened, cleaned and retightened screws that held down main and power boards so as to improve ground conduction.
Drilled and "nibbled" a new rectangular hole for an IEC detachable power cord.
Drilled two holes for new RCA jacks, wiring them directly to the standoffs serving up audio, bypassing a switch and a volume knob.
Most importantly: bypassed lots of unnecessary PCB traces, which reduced RF and AF noise. Shortened the signal path by inches and inches.
Replaced big power caps with bigger power caps.
Replaced lots and lots of tiny audio electrolytics with better quality caps of ~25%+ higher voltage ratings.
Installed new incandescent bulbs.
It sounds real good. Retains its outstanding bass, and now has a better midrange/highs, in addition to a better/deeper soundstage. The bass sounds even more impressive now, since it blends more naturally with the rest of the sound, and has a more tactile, organic feel. Overall there is a less of a solid state lightweight presentation--it's now mellow and bold yet also crystalline where it should be. A/Bing it with my then-recently acquired Onkyo tuner was the clincher. Before there wasn't much of a difference. There was a huge difference afterwards.
My only wish now is that I had a wooden case for it.
Teddy White
Active Member
Since I didn't see anyone from my area (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC) chime in during this thread's original run last year...
WKNC 88.1 NC State. Mostly indie rock or hip-hop.
WXDU 88.7 Duke. Ditto, although I haven't heard them in years.
WSHA 88.9 Shaw. Jazz & community programming.
WXYC 89.3 UNC Chapel Hill. Rigorously eclectic.
WCPE 89.7 Classical.
WNCU 90.7 NCCU. Mostly jazz.
WUNC 91.5 NPR behemoth.
Sadly, I live on the eastern outskirts of the area & can pick up only 4 of the 7 on my tuner; of those, only WCPE comes in with at full strength.
WKNC 88.1 NC State. Mostly indie rock or hip-hop.
WXDU 88.7 Duke. Ditto, although I haven't heard them in years.
WSHA 88.9 Shaw. Jazz & community programming.
WXYC 89.3 UNC Chapel Hill. Rigorously eclectic.
WCPE 89.7 Classical.
WNCU 90.7 NCCU. Mostly jazz.
WUNC 91.5 NPR behemoth.
Sadly, I live on the eastern outskirts of the area & can pick up only 4 of the 7 on my tuner; of those, only WCPE comes in with at full strength.
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swamppirate
Lunatic Member
97.5 WWWV, iconic rock........
swamppirate
Lunatic Member
It's my go to station for my Kenwood KT-7300. It is definitely the best FM station in Austin. KMFA is weird, though. While the musical content can sound very good, the announcers' mikes at night sound muffled for some reason, like they overdamped the studio. It can be jarring to hear.
BTW, I really went to town on my tuner three years ago. The KT-7300 is nothing especiale, but it can perform well. It was worth the trouble to me. Let me indulge myself:
It took about five hours from start to finish, with much of the work concentrated on the area near the flywheel. Lots of tiny audio electrolytics had to be replaced, and it was tough to differentiate where they were located on the soldered side of the PCB. Eyeballing back and forth for their precise solder pad locations was a challenge.
Isolated the power transformer mechanically and electrically.
Replaced old school diodes with fast recovery Schottky diodes.
Loosened, cleaned and retightened screws that held down main and power boards so as to improve ground conduction.
Drilled and "nibbled" a new rectangular hole for an IEC detachable power cord.
Drilled two holes for new RCA jacks, wiring them directly to the standoffs serving up audio, bypassing a switch and a volume knob.
Most importantly: bypassed lots of unnecessary PCB traces, which reduced RF and AF noise. Shortened the signal path by inches and inches.
Replaced big power caps with bigger power caps.
Replaced lots and lots of tiny audio electrolytics with better quality caps of ~25%+ higher voltage ratings.
Installed new incandescent bulbs.
It sounds real good. Retains its outstanding bass, and now has a better midrange/highs, in addition to a better/deeper soundstage. The bass sounds even more impressive now, since it blends more naturally with the rest of the sound, and has a more tactile, organic feel. Overall there is a less of a solid state lightweight presentation--it's now mellow and bold yet also crystalline where it should be. A/Bing it with my then-recently acquired Onkyo tuner was the clincher. Before there wasn't much of a difference. There was a huge difference afterwards.
My only wish now is that I had a wooden case for it.
I've got the 7500, it sounds quite good as well.
8xlaxx
Have you ever seen a spleen that large?
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Collegedale, Tennessee, WSMC 90.5 (the best classical station in the South)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, WUTC 88.1 (News, Blues, Jazz, and more)
Clinton, Tennessee, WDVX 89.9 (Bluegrass, Americana, and classic country)
Clinton, Tennessee WYSH 1380 (Classic Country, locally programmed)
Clinton, Tennessee WMYL 96.7 (Country station, locally programmed) Both under common ownership. (Ron Meredith)
Knoxville, Tennessee, WUOT 91.9 (Classical and Jazz, NPR news and PRI programming)
LaFollette, Tennessee, WQLA 104.9 (superb oldies station locally programmed)
Knoxville, Tennessee, WNOX 93.1 (superb classic rock)
Lenoir City, Tennessee WLIL 730 (Superb Classic Country)
Maryville, Tennessee WGAP 1400 (Superb Classic Country)
Knoxville, Tennessee WKVL 850 (Superb Classic Country) all 3 above locally programmed, the last two owned by Jim Sexton, a great local owner.
Athens, Tennessee WLAR 1450 AM (Classic Rock, also on sister translator on 95.1)
Etowah, Tennessee WCPH 1220 AM Homegrown Radio (superb locally programmed oldies)
Sweetwater, Tennessee, WMTY 98.3 (superb locally programmed oldies save for Sunday religion, few commercials during the week)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, WUTC 88.1 (News, Blues, Jazz, and more)
Clinton, Tennessee, WDVX 89.9 (Bluegrass, Americana, and classic country)
Clinton, Tennessee WYSH 1380 (Classic Country, locally programmed)
Clinton, Tennessee WMYL 96.7 (Country station, locally programmed) Both under common ownership. (Ron Meredith)
Knoxville, Tennessee, WUOT 91.9 (Classical and Jazz, NPR news and PRI programming)
LaFollette, Tennessee, WQLA 104.9 (superb oldies station locally programmed)
Knoxville, Tennessee, WNOX 93.1 (superb classic rock)
Lenoir City, Tennessee WLIL 730 (Superb Classic Country)
Maryville, Tennessee WGAP 1400 (Superb Classic Country)
Knoxville, Tennessee WKVL 850 (Superb Classic Country) all 3 above locally programmed, the last two owned by Jim Sexton, a great local owner.
Athens, Tennessee WLAR 1450 AM (Classic Rock, also on sister translator on 95.1)
Etowah, Tennessee WCPH 1220 AM Homegrown Radio (superb locally programmed oldies)
Sweetwater, Tennessee, WMTY 98.3 (superb locally programmed oldies save for Sunday religion, few commercials during the week)
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New Orleans radio:
90.7 WWOZ <WWW.WWOZ.ORG> community radio for the Crescent City : jazz, blues, Brazilian, Latin, classic r'and b' spun by serious vinyl collectors, cajun, and all varieties of New Orleans music (except not much Bounce) and plenty of live broadcasts both in the studio and from local festivals. Recently increased their signal to cover the whole region.
102.3 WHIV-supporting public health and world peace. Progressive local and national news and speciality music programs. A new, low powered station with a lot of potential. Unfortunately, their sound could use some improvement.
WWNO-89.9 is the local NPR station--now mostly talk with a bit of classical, opera, and jazz. They have just added an all classical station
90.7 WWOZ <WWW.WWOZ.ORG> community radio for the Crescent City : jazz, blues, Brazilian, Latin, classic r'and b' spun by serious vinyl collectors, cajun, and all varieties of New Orleans music (except not much Bounce) and plenty of live broadcasts both in the studio and from local festivals. Recently increased their signal to cover the whole region.
102.3 WHIV-supporting public health and world peace. Progressive local and national news and speciality music programs. A new, low powered station with a lot of potential. Unfortunately, their sound could use some improvement.
WWNO-89.9 is the local NPR station--now mostly talk with a bit of classical, opera, and jazz. They have just added an all classical station
DirtFarmer
Well-Known Member
WVMO - Nothing but great Americana music
WORT - A great community radio station
WORT - A great community radio station
Somehow the Internet address has an "extra" %3E that doesn't belong. Remove it and the link works.
