Am Radio Power Tie In, Stock 1964 CJ5

Interesting ... I knew that there were "clear channel" stations (class A) that broadcaast at 50kW all the time. KFI in LA, for example. And there was/is a graveyard band that's typically full of closely-spaced low power stations.

"Many AM stations have to cut down their signal power when it gets dark because of "skywave propagation"—in the late hours the AM frequency can hit the ionosphere and travel hundreds of miles beyond its designated local service area, causing interference. At night the station must shut down—unless the FCC has designated the signal as a "clear channel" licensee, allowed to broadcast long distances in the small hours, or permits it to operate on "flea power" by greatly reducing its signal." Does AM radio need a tenfold wattage boost to survive?

 

From what I have read , he worked for 3 different "Boarder Blasters" aka Mexican radio stations at different times. XERF, XERB & EXG............some of which were just recorded broadcasts while the XERF station in Ciudida , Mexico , across the river from Del Rio , Texas and was live and might have been the most famous as from that location he was transmitting at 5-times the USA limit or 250,000 watts at night and is said to been heard as far away as the USSR. I remember the live shows which were wild and not edited especially the call in requests where just about any subject was on the table.........but the advertising & selling products was by far the biggest motivation bringing him near 200k a week in commissions......and then later in that era he did record some broadcasts in LA and send them over to Rosasita Beach in Baja for transmitting............Wild times!

 

Cool stuff. I know it was a movie but, the one character in the movie who is chasing down the blonde in the white T Bird, goes to the radio station and talks to wolf man. But wolf man was in Mexico?

I know a lot more about AM radio and radio in general now, thanks to you gents. Thank you.

 

Yep , Hollywood has its way of changing things....the film was shot in and around Petaluma and Modesto , Ca. The radio station they used was in Berkeley............Enough of that......Hopefully Greevesman got all his answers on his AM radio and then some along with other interesting AM history............and if he lives in Napa, and been there for a while he wasn't too far away from all the action...

 

I love this site, for this very conversation. Old Jeeps, historical stuff, interesting stories, technical help, etc.

 

Years ago my wife and I were having dinner at an Indian resteraunt at Girardelli Square in San Francisco. Wolfman Jack was eating there and he was so big he had to sit on two chairs. I should have ask for autograph. Had several good looking woman with him.