dcrtv.com - Mailbag - April 1 to April 30, 1999

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DCRTV Mailbag - April 1 to April 30, 1999

Latest messages listed first.....
\/ April 30 Messages \/

Dave, Thanks for the great Radio site! Rick, VOA/ WBQB-FM Weekend Warrior (April 30, 1999)

Hey Dave- here's one for the wish list- how about if 94.7 and 106.7 swap calls and format. As to 94.3- sounds like a station that needs a real program director to fix the music- this afternoon I heard a 70's tune and two 80's tunes in-a-row. And they need to fix the xmitter, the signal was very weak along US1 in Prince William county. (April 30, 1999)

A couple years ago, my kids would listen to the Kid's Channel. It was out of Baltimore and had another station in Manassas. When did this station go off the air? is there anything around that broadcasts children's music? Thanks, Debbie (April 30, 1999)

Dave's response: Three stations in the DC/Baltimore area - WKDL 1050 AM, WKDV 1460 AM and WKDB 1570 AM - had kids programming formats up until late 1997 when the stations were sold. WKDL and WKDV soon flipped to Spanish formats and WKDB became a sports talk station. If you're looking for kids programming on the radio, try New York City's WQEW 1560 AM at night with its Radio Disney format. So far there are no Radio Disney stations in the DC or Baltimore areas.

Hi, My name is Marc and I've been an avid student of Washington TV and radio for about two decades now. I'm very impressed by your web page with the vast amount of TV and radio information you have posted. I've been a closet fan of your web site for a year now. I was wondering if you had thought about creating a posting board for your site where fans like you and me could talk about the state of DC radio and TV. I have a rather simple one for one my pages you might want to think about. Just a thought. I love your page and I appreciate all the hard work and love that's obviously been poured into it. Keep up the great work! P.S. Wow - I didn't know Media General Cable got bought out. Maybe Cox will give us functional boxes and digital cable (well, you can always hope). (April 30, 1999)

Now of course everyone has theories on how WUSA was slain in the mid '90s. And how until lately it had a difficult time figuring out what is newsworthy. But now they have new management. Will that help Channel 9. Or will they be killed by News 7 with Maureen Bunyan. And whatever happened to Kate Sullivan. And BTW, I like Beverly Burke as an anchor. (April 30, 1999)

Dave's response: Kate's contract wasn't renewed, I'm told. I like Beverly too. But it just seems that she has a awful lot of airtime (sometimes too much?). Oh, I saw Channel 9 debut their new "weather terrace" yesterday. You can't have accurate weather coverage (or as Channel 4 puts it, "storm coverage") without a decent terrace. At least Channel 9 didn't fall for 4's shameless hype ("Storm Center 4") and call their terrace the "storm terrace."

Dave: This is my first time writing to you. I check this site religiously, and it definitely brings back memories. I live in Frederick, MD, and grew up in the DC area, but at night, back in the '60's, always listened to the DX stations (hey, for me, anything farther away than WINX was DX!). 'ABC , with Cousin Bruce and Scott Muni was numero uno, but also listened to: Juicy Brucie Bradley and Dick Summer (WBZ); Joey Reynolds (WKBW); Jerry G. [Bishop] (KYW in Cleveland); Tom Shannon (CKLW); and on rare occasion, Murray the K, The Mad Daddy, Zacherly, and the Wolfman on WINS-1010. A few questions for you. You state that Bob Raleigh, the midnight to 5 man on WBZ, is retiring. I've heard him a few times and couldn't help but wonder: back in the '60's and early '70's, there was a Bob Raleigh in DC on WWDC-AM and at some point on 'PGC as well. Is this the same guy, or is "Bob Raleigh" sort of a generic DJ name? Also, whatever happened to Barry Richards, the "Boss with the Hot S! ! auce"? Seems like after WHMC got shut down, he sort of disappeared off the face of the earth, at least in the DC area. For the uninitiated, he was sort of a Howard Stern/Grease prototype. His legendary comment about the Supremes (sexual, not racial) got him banned from most of the DC area stations. Last but not least, I understand Doug Tracht is still looking for work. Perhaps he could be interested in an overnight slot at a certain 50-KW clear channel in Beantown in the near future. Think of the possibilities....Anyway, Dave, thanks for indulging me, and keep up the good work! Keep it interesting for all the mothers, truckers and little ladies of the night (sorry, Cerphe). Best regards (or 73, if you prefer) - Mike (April 29, 1999)

So despite initial reports in the Washington Post that the WGAY station letters would be retired, they live on through 1260 AM. Perhaps Chancellor had second thoughts after they saw the latest ratings?...consider that WGAY/99.5 finished 7th in our area...and that similar formats along the I-95 corridor put WLIF/101.9/Baltimore at 6th and WLTW/106.7/New York at First for the Big Apple. Chancellor's hope that WGAY listeners will all find a new home at WASH/97.1 won't be reflected in the next ratings period. Nor will FM listeners tolerate the reception problems/variability from the new WGAY-AM. Prediction: former WGAY listeners will migrate beyond the DC Beltway to WPLC/94.3/Warrenton and WLIF/Baltimore. Former WGAY listeners would appreciate if Dave could provide us with a list of similar, alternative stations in the suburbs/exurbs that former WGAY listeners might sample. - Timothy (April 29, 1999)

Dave's response: If you live in the western suburbs of DC or Baltimore try WWMD at 104.7 FM in Hagerstown.

(Regarding Dave's Waves quote: "While WTOP's numbers have been fairly stable, Bonneville has faced some audience erosion at classical WGMS and contemporary Z-104":) Stable ? Dave, we had our best book since 1991. You want me to show you any numbers ? - Jim Farley WTOP (April 29, 1999)

I've been listening to the new "modern" contemporary sound of 94.3 in Warrenton and despite having that "canned" feel of a satellite feed, the playlist is refreshing. Kind of makes the "modern" rock sound of HFS sound oh sooooo stale. It is just sooooo sad to see what the "suits" at Infinity/CBS have done to poor old 99.1. I actually think the old progressive, free-form HFS at 102.3 in the late 1970s got better ratings than the latest incarnation does. - DCRTV Dave (April 29, 1999)

How about this? Dave, You suggest that 570 and 1260 be paired and both run 1260's nostalgia. Fine idea, EXCEPT their primary service areas overlap too much. Solution??? Move the 1260 transmitter site south of DC. 570 is weak down there, and 1260 has a number of listeners there. A problem would be 1240 in Cambridge and especially 1250 in Warrenton. At least two towers would be required. While not co-owned, diplexing on some of WPGC's towers might work. Even a move to the 980 site would reduce the ovelap and improve the night signal south of DC. Remember that 1260 used to be across the street from 980 in Green Meadows until post WW2 when 1260 went directional from the present site. Their old transmitter house still exists in Green Meadows. - Bob C. (April 29, 1999)

Dave's response: Sounds good to me.

Hey Kids, This had to be the most professional show I've ever done. The ingredients: two disgruntled WHFS DJs and two amatures (Chuck and Myself). There is nothing better than having two DJs from DC's home of Alternative gripe about the mounds of bullsh*t they are required to play. And for that reason they started a web-based radio site called www.zero24-7.com. In fact I do a show on there called Rebel Radio. So in between pluging the zero24-7 site we talked about the state of progressive radio today. It was fun and groovy. So, this weekend is our big 1 year anniversary show at Phantasmagoria with the Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag and Kid Dynamite. What a f***ing line up. If your not at the show, you'll hear about it next week. And by the way, I apologize for this e-mail being so late. I've just had to focus on Lickity Split stuff and our label. So that's it for now. Keep the faith. - Chris, Chuck, King Billups, Rex McHail (did i spell this right this time), Tendercock, Zoey, Andy Peeples (Transmission - the Capitol Radio Zine) and Sam the Intern. WJFK's Capitol Radio (April 29, 1999)

Dave's response: www.zero24-7.org also works. And watch the four-letter words; we have kids reading these pages, too.

I've been desperately trying to find out what Washington, DC. radio station(s) is/are or will be playing John William's new score "Duel of Fates" for the new Star Wars movie. Can you PLEASE help me. (While I'm typing this message I'm doing it on my knees.) So please contact me as soon as possible. I would greatly appreciate it. Ed C. (April 29, 1999)

In regards to the new "modern" a/c Pulse 94.3 - this is a surprise to have a satellite feed programming a station this close to DC. Isn't this the same network that Froggy 99.3 used to have directly after dumping hot a/c for modern hits ? I kind of like the music variety though - MIX 107.3 ain't ever gonna play that '80s song "One Night in Bangkok" and the Backstreet Boys in the same hour. At first I thought it was a copy of other a/c stations in the area - especially WINC/WBQB - but I urge anyone that likes newer a/c music to give it a try. The automation sounds choppy though - while a local break was taken the automation kicked back into the network feed with about 30 seconds left in the song. Plus, the satellite went out a couple of times late this evening. Too bad the owners of the new Pulse 94.3 will do next to nothing to promote it - or MIX 107.3 could really be affected. Pulse 94.3 is the last station not owned by a conglomerate here in Northern Virginia. Still predicting the day Mega buys it out and we get the first Spanish FM. How dumb are the people at Chancellor? Take out the urban-formatted stations and WGAY was ranked # 3. It was listened to in nearly every professional office and in many restaurants in the background. A/C Sister station WASH isn't even in the top ten - with a "brighter" sound it blends in with other a/c stations in the market. Taken away by previous owners, and then brought back with the legendary call letters under new owners, people eventually came back and listened to WGAY despite the confusion. The WGAY sales staff had no problem selling and it was consistently one of the top billing in the market. I hope the bigwigs at Chancellor now realized they made a serious mistake in this. This was a dumb move Chancellor. Really, really dumb. In the office, we decided to enter the contest naming the new WGAY - WALG - for "AL GREEN 99.5" - due to the seemingly endless rotation of his songs. Nonstop Al Green. All Al Green, all the time. The New Al Green 99.5. Somehow I don't think Chancellor will give us the $25,000. MLB4 (April 29, 1999)

Hi Dave, I wanted to let you know I am shooting the pilot of "Manly Men Making Manly Meals" Friday (4/30/99). I'm still doing freelance production and weekends at WQSR. I'll let you know what stations pick up "Manly Men". - Big Don (April 29, 1999)

Dave's response: We assume Big Don is Big Don O'Brien, famous DC area DJ.

WGN & WABC now broadcast on the internet--(no speaker symbols on your night-time AM listening list. No doubt an oversight!). (April 28, 1999)

Dear Dave, Although I slightly miss the old WGAY - it could be relaxing on the drive home - what I really miss is the Sunday Showtunes program that used to be on from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays. The Washington Post mentioned that it will find a home on another DC Chancellor station. Do you know what station and when this will happen? Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. I need a showtunes fix!!! Thanks, Jan (April 28, 1999)

Dave's response: Perhaps the showtunes will turn up on Chancellor's DC101. Just kidding. Anybody know more?

Dear DCRTV, I am currently planning a trip to DC, and I have searched and searched for a list of the radio stations in the area. Finally, I came across your site! THANKS!!! I appreciate all of your hard work. Thanks for making my trip a little more pleasant. Thanks again! Kim (April 28, 1999)

Since the Arbitrons are done with a fairly small sample, is the likely error interval ever stated? Would it be something like 0.5? If the uncertainty is really that large, the exact station rankings are a lot less meaningful. The order could easily be wrong by a few places since so many stations come in around 3.5. Can someone speak to this? (April 28, 1999)

(Regarding WUPP 94.3 FM:) As of sometime after the morning show yesterday, they switched to playing a random mix of music from different formats interspersed with announcements about something new and different coming Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. The old website went away between yesterday and today as well. The legal ID is still WUPP. Does anyone know if they have upgraded their facilities yet to the taller tower? ...Sam (April 27, 1999)

Just came across your DC RADIO & TV web site and wondered if you know what became of traffic reporter Walt Starling. I first listened to his flying traffic reports on WASH, I believe, in 70's. He changed stations several times, including WPGC, WLTT. I followed his traffic reports across different stations for years, then lost track of where he flew. Can you update? Thanks. Liisa (April 27, 1999)

Dave's response: Anyone know where Walt is these days?

(Regarding DCRTV's cable TV pages:) Dear Mr. Hughes, I was just reading your web page and I found it to be very interesting. You really think you know what you are talking about don't you. You really do not have a clue do you? I work for a cable company which is not Jones Communications and I would say they are probably one of the best around. But that is not important. Do you know any thing at all about Miss Utility or Byers Eng.? Just wondering. I can tell by reading you "web page" you don't have a clue about either one of these companies. Maybe you should check into Byers Eng. If you look back into their present and past history you would know they are famous for not marking the utilities properly or not marking them at all. The will NC a Miss Utility ticket which means no utilities exist in a certain location. This was the problem with the fire which happened last year. The power locates were eight feet off plus earlier that day Virginia Power was out in that same location replacing a fuse. The technician did not do any trouble shooting when he replaced the fuse which was bad. All of this type of activities contributes to cable outages. Many companies do not even wait for tickets to clear before they start digging. They just dig with no marks which also contributes to cable outages..... Back to Byers and Miss Utility. It does take almost two weeks to get a drop buried it has to do with the weather and when Byers decides to get on the ball and do locates so the drops can be buried. To programming. Reston has one of the best line ups. Their line up is not full of channels which have no meaning or the same channel repeated on 12 different channels. Which are nothing but advertising anyway. Also, do you know that there are contracts which the cable companies sign with the channels which are provided they have to keep a channel as long as the contract is valid. I bet you did not know that did you. As far a providing TV Land, Turner Classic movies, etc. the reason they have not got these channels yet is because they are not willing to negotiate a reasonable price for Jones Communications. If they get these channels they would have to raise the rates and we know people hate it when the rates are raised. There is also no additional charge for additional outlets you can not get this with a dish. Let me see you post this on your little message board. I bet it will never happen because your message board is so one sided. You asked does anyone like Jones I do. So place that on your little message board. - "Silly Pilly" (April 27, 1999)

Re; WGAY: It is sad to hear that 350 songs only gives you 42 hours of spread time between songs. How many times can we hear these same songs? EXPAND THE PLAYLIST. I was under the impression that Stevie Wonder had more than 2 songs !! SO SAD. Hopefully the tweaking will occur soon before 99.5 becomes a 'scan-by-only' station instead of one you listen to all the time. (April 27, 1999)

Dave's response: Everytime I tune in 99.5 these days I either get a commercial or an old disco tune a la "Boogie Oogie Oogie." It seems that Chancellor might just want to cut back the ad load for a few weeks to groom a new audience. No such luck, I'm afraid.

Hi, Dave! I just discovered your site(s)! Hey, I heard that Montgomery County Cable was just bought out. Do you know by what entity and who the big honcho is? - Cynthia (April 27, 1999)

Dave's response: Comcast is set to take over the cable systems serving both Montgomery and Arlington counties later this year. Comcast will take over the DC area Jones Communications systems (Prince Georges, Prince William, Alexandria, Reston, etc.) any day now.

I must say your website is a real treasure trove for this fan of DC radio. One question for you - are you familiar with the "Area Disc Jockeys Pick Top Ten Records" charts that appeared in the Washington Star? They appeared in the Saturday Weekender from around '63 through '74 and before that in the Friday paper starting around 1958. They were mostly top 40 and soul, but also had a few gems (Felix Grant's jazz on WMAL, Barry Richards "progressive" listings on WHMC and Jack Alix' "Wing Ding" on WDCA TV) - a great document of the local radio call letters and popular DJs. I've got all of them from '62 on up (from microfilm) and I still have to work on getting the late 50s charts but I know they have more of the country listings. If I see anything to add to your listing I'll let you know. Regards, Jack, Falls Church (April 27, 1999)

Hey, I notice you come down a little hard on Rupert Murdoch. I really think we should thank him for all the ways he "touches" our lives here in the DC area - Channel 5, the "fine programming" of the Fox Network like America's Most Dangerous Police Chases and Fox News Sunday, the Fox News Channel ("the most powerful name in news"), the FX cable channel, the FOX Family Channel, TV Guide, the TV Guide Channel, 20th Century Fox films like Independence Day and Titanic, the FOX Sports Net (seen on HTS), Fox Sports World (seen on channel 56), several magazines and book publishers and much more (the LA Dodgers, etc). I hear he's also getting into radio, too. What? Me worry? (April 26, 1999)

Dave, I guess I should have added that while I am a conservative, I do not listen to Rush either. He can be hard on the nerves, so as you have said before to others the best policy is do not tune him in. - Tom (April 26, 1999)

Any word on if and when WTEM is going to give up and get rid of Jim Rome? I realize the show is aimed at twenty-somethings in pickup trucks, but it's just unlistenable. What DOES WTEM think when they sign this kind of garbage up? (April 26, 1999)

Do you have, or know where to get, the E-mail addresses for the DC area radio and tv stations? - Harry (April 25, 1999)

Dave's response: Check out DCRTV's station Addresses & Phone Numbers page. I have not updated the page in a while so some of the info may be out of date.

(Regarding the planned format change at WUPP:) Finally, one station in the DC area is moving in the right direction. Modern AC can be good, if there is little, or no repetition, and they don't stick to closely to core artists.(Eg. Too much Hootie and The Blowfish will blow it) Three years, and too little too late, but it will be the closest thing that the DC area has to a AAA station, and they can actually be heard in the DC area. (WRNR, which is on the more progressive side of the AAA spectrum, does not wish to move in.) Hopefully, the pulse will stay strong and never get too fast,or have blockage, or cardiac arrest. - Norm (April 25, 1999)

Dave's response: Hmmm... It kind of shows you how conservative (programming-wise) the DC radio scene is when the big bold news this spring is that a station (WGAY) has switched from laid-back soft rock to playing 20-year-old disco tunes. Now if WUPP would start relaying WRNR - that would be something to get excited about. 94.3 as modern AC: ho hum. I presume it will be in stereo; with 94.3 you never know.

WGAY is a major disappointment. How could such a wonderful station become so iritating overnight?????? (April 25, 1999)

FM SCA's? Ugh! What a terrible thing to do with the bottom 10% of your modulation!!! Two of my previous employers used them (one was mono and we had two SCA's running simultaneously (67 KHz & 92 KHz, where receivers are more common. Also, if you were mono, the FCC used to let you run three SCA's, with the third at 38 KHz, if memory serves me correctly), and it was kinda wierd watching the mod monitor bounce while you had dead air! - John (April 25, 1999)

Just a couple of thoughts on what I feel is wrong with area radio stations. I like to spend my time between 99.1, 101, 98.7, 93.7 and 106.7(D&M and sports) and even mix 107 for their 80's show at night. Yes it seems to be a funny mix. It seems that 99.1 and 101 try to match each others move to a tee. From trying to match up the same sort of dj to face off each other to, playing the same songs at the same time. Both stations should have longer play lists to choose from not to have this happen. It seems that there are times 98.7 cannot play more then one song in a row without a commercial or a dj break for anouncements. Also, they can expand their playlist a bit as well. I have recently discovered a Baltimore country station that plays 25 songs in a row, wpoc, only problem is picking it up west of the beltway towards western Fairfax, Manassas, it does come in good around Alexandria however. 98.7 could take a few hints from that station to improve..... For those people that dislike Rush so much, he is but one slightly conservative media person in a city that is otherwise awash (pun intended) in a sea of liberals. From wtem to npr it is possible to hear some very liberal points of view. Not to mention local tv news talking heads. Balance and diversity of opinion is a good thing. As for amazon.com, they sponser just about every type of internet site there is. From the very far left liberal to the very right conservative, they are in the business of selling books, no matter who might be the customer...... One last item, how about a station doing an all 80's format? Mix 107 does a half hour show m-f, yet at one point in time did nothing but 80's after 8pm during the week. I think with the staleness of some formats that this one might work, it can't hurt to try. The 80's had a very wide selection of musical styles that just does not seem to be heard in todays "top 40." - Tom, Manassas (April 25, 1999)

Dave's response: Tom, thanks for your comments. What gets me about Rush is not his conservative political views; it's his style. I hear, on a daily basis, lots of other conservatives on radio and TV and I actually enjoy listening to their views even if I disagree with them. What bothers me about Rush is the never ending rant that ALL Democrats / liberals / environmentalists / feminists / etc. are somehow evil, how he hates EVERYTHING Clinton does, the making fun of people's names he doesn't like particularly those of an ethnic variety ("Queeeasy Imfume," "Mario Cuuuuumo"), silently cutting callers off (particularly those he disagrees with) so he can always get in the last word, how he frequently attacks people based on a quote taken out of context, and how he lets carefully screened (!) callers make really low-blow comments that even he distances himself from (a clever little trick to get something really vile on the air). That's not to say that a number of Democratic / liberal commentators and other radio personalities don't utilize the same gimmicks, too. I don't respect them either.

WGAY can jam to the oldies or even more likely, 'GAY listeners can follow the calls to WWDC-am and drink of the standards there... (April 25, 1999)

I'm shocked at who sponsors (Rush Limbaugh's) show. Even Amazon.com. I won't order from them anytime soon. And for computer repair, who needs Comp USA. I hava (local) store that will help me with my computer problems. - Bob (April 23, 1999)

Dave, Looks like the Spanish Pirates on 87.9 FM had a cool operation... until the FCC busted 'em. Here's the story I pulled off of R&R. "Commission Busts DC-Area Pirate. Compliance officials joined three armed U.S. Marshals and Montgomery County, MD police April 15 to raid the home of an alleged pirate operating less than 20 miles from FCC headquarters. R&R TODAY witnessed FCC technicians remove about 30 pieces of broadcasting equipment from the home and cut the cable of a 50-foot tower found behind the house. Unlike most pirate stations operating from makeshift studios, this home included a spacious studio with a three-mike set-up, separated from the transmission room by glass. Operating at 87.9 MHz with 50 watts, the alleged pirate was detected last summer when a listener called the FCC looking to identify the station. The FCC subsequently sent several warning letters and was in contact with the broadcaster's lawyer." I know they were heard as far as Wisonsin & Western. Dat's all folks!! ...Really! -- Lee (April 23, 1999)

Your April 23 Mailbag post was wrong concerning SCA. Each subcarrier provider can establish their own fee structure. WACA (97.1 FM) just tells listeners to buy their SCA radios at Venus Stereo (several outlets) or through the station. There's no monthly fee. Reading services esentially give away their product, you will often find them on cable FM services (where available). However, the FCC does not permit receiver manufacturers to include an SCA "button" on their stereos. Lafayette tried that in the 70s and was told to stop. In DC-Balt the SCA list includes Spanish, Arabic, Farsi (inverted speech), Vietnamese, Russian, two reading services, data, STL telemetry, and lots of Korean. When 1580 was carrying business there was even a Business Radio news on the 95.5 subcarrier. The audio quality of SCA (< 5kHz) makes it practical for only talk-oriented services. Bienvenidos Alfa Quince Veinte!! (welcome back 1520). (April 23, 1999)

Dave's response: I checked 1520 at noon on 4/23 and it was gone again!

Dave, The ALLACCESS web site reports that Christina Kelly is doing voice tracks for Jammin' 99.5. She does middays for KXMG (MEGA 100)/Los Angeles. (April 23, 1999)

Dave, Regarding the net congestion on Zero24-7 that you have been experiencing, Broadcast.com has had us on a back up sever for the last couple of weeks while they were repairing our main server. The main one is back on line and sounds great. You should not be experiencing the drop outs any more and the G-2 encoded Real Audio sound quality is excellent. As for how Internet radio is affecting broadcast radio its first inroads are being made in offices and work places especially in the mid-day daypart. Regards, Weasel (April 23, 1999)

From what I've heard of "Fast Eddie" on 99.5 in the morning, I think he's really "there" given all the time and caller drop ins he does. The other dayparts - almost certainly voicetracked. The afternoon traffic reporter should be familiar to many - Shari Elliker! Someday I'll rant a bit more about their processing chain - what a travesty. Why not ditch the fancy stuff and dig up an old Orban Optimod that would reproduce the classic loud sound we grew up with? I'd lock down the radio on 99.5 if they did that! - Dave (April 23, 1999)

Dave, I haven't heard the 87.9 MHz pirate for at least a week. I presume they got a listener report or visit from the FCC...... FM stations aren't allowed to "broadcast" on a subcarrier. The content is required to be directed to subscribers. The subcarrier radios sold in ethnic communities to receive foreign language subcarrier programs carry a subscription to the service to get around the rule. Listening to a subcarrier with adapters sold through the magazines is "illegal". To me, the restriction against "broad"casting on a subcarrier is a big mistake. I'd be happy to find WGAY-AM [WWDC-AM] on WWDC-FM's subcarrier. Other poor-coverage AMs could similarly benefit. (April 23, 1999)

As I understand it none of the Jammin' Oldies 99.5 jocks are permanent and none are actually here. The station is voicetracked. Anyone notice that the djs do not interact with traffic announcers and they never give the weather? That's a sure sign of voicetracking or automation. It would be nice to hear Christina Kelly back on here in DC. We've had WGAY on in the office now for a week - predominantly African-American workforce - and we are getting bored with it. Rick James' Superfreak was played at least twice today and god only knows how many times we heard Al Green. If the morons at CBS don't switch WARW to soft a/c, I think we might see Washington Arbitron history as CBS' WLIF in Baltimore actually beats out Washington stations. (As it is now in Baltimore there are some Washington stations that beat Baltimore stations in their own market.) My prediction: if WARW doesn't switch to soft a/c soon - look for Bonneville or ABC to make a surprise move by Fall. Could dentist's offices soon be tuning in to "Lite 107.7" or "Soft 105.9?" Great nights for picking up out of town stations - high atop condo canyon here in Alexandria - 92.1/Richmond, 94.5/Richmond, 96.1/Norfolk, 96.5/Richmond, 96.9/Bowling Green, 97.5/Martinsburg, 98.1/Richmond, 99.3/Gloucester(?!), 100.7/Harrisonburg, 102.1/Richmond, 104.7/Richmond, 105.5/Tappahannock. Is it just me or even though some of these stations are really small or on a satellite feed - it seems like a lot more variety of their formats are played than their DC counterparts. Even stations owned by the same company - Example 104.7 from Richmond is owned by Radio One now and I heard a lot of great mainstream '80s on their Richmond station (New Edition, Cameo, older Whitney Houston, etc.) but WMMJ shys away from most of them. Rock 96.9 - from Bowling Green, VA may be automated most of the time and their liners sound direct from a Broadcasting 101 college course - but their playlist diversity puts WARW to shame. Have the corporate big wigs really made Washington radio this dull ? - MLB4 (April 23, 1999)

Hi Dave- *Excellent* web site you maintain for DCRTV . . . I'm a former native of NJ and worked in a single O & O for over ten years before moving into the DC area where I now work for a "well known" government international broadcaster . . . The reason for the message . . . I did not see in your "bookstore" a line item about a recently published book that may be of interest to Washingtonians (even though its Big Apple) . . . and I have a brief description on my web site at: patriot.net/croft/airwaves. 73 es GOOD WORK! John Croft, Jr., SBE Cert Radio & TV (April 23, 1999)

Dave, What's it all about? I just read the mailbag, talking about a Decoder Kit of some kind, saying 92.3 was WERQ and opera? I'm lost as to how these extra signals are heard, and where are they residing? - Chris (April 23, 1999)

Dave's response: All FM signals have subcarriers, which allow additional audio feeds, that are not available to the general listening public. The subcarriers are usually leased for services like background music in stores, reading services for the blind, narrowcasting or even data transmissions. While subcarrier receivers are not available in retail stores, you can obtain them via many radio DXing/engineering hobby periodicals.

Dave: Concerning the WJMD calls. They are currently being used by a station in Hazard, KY at 104.7 according the Audio Services of the FCC. Now that Jim London is once again without a gig, perhaps Chancellor in it's ultimate wisdom, will put him back where he belongs on WMZQ. Finding another Mary Ball might be hard to do, but 98.7 would once again kick butt in AM drive. - Big John (April 22, 1999)

Dave, How do you see the internet effecting the cost of radio stations within the next 5 years?? and any other thoughts you might have on internet and radio -- thanks, sj Lust (April 22, 1999)

Dave's response: I don't see the Internet affecting broadcast radio in any way during the next five years or so. Beyond that, who knows. Right now it is a royal pain to listen to radio on the Internet. I have tried to listen to progressive rocker "Zero 24-7" and while the programming is great, the signal continuously cuts off due to "net congestion." Until we all have "net congestion" free, ultra fast Internet connections, and until we can receive Internet radio stations in our cars (via satellite or whatever), I see no threat to the broadcasting of radio signals the old fashioned way.

Dave, just went through airwaves.com and looked up some possible call letters for 99.5- WDBT, WJDC, and WDCJ are all available presently according to airwaves.com. - Stephen (April 21, 1999)

Dave's response: My fav for 99.5 is WJMD ("Jammin' DC"), the old call for 94.7. Is anyone using that call these days?

Dave, Had to drive to DC yesterday, so I spent most of the drive time with 99.5 and 1260, so here's my take: 99.5 - Yow! Turn down the clipping! This is not Z-104! Sample listening on Monday evening was horrible, with even the bass lines getting distorted. Tuesday afternoon listening sounded a little better, though. Live jocks have appeared also, with "Big Ron" (O'Brian?) handling the afternoon. The music mix sounds OK for now, but I can foresee format boredom in the near future...... 1260 - All the sweepers say WGAY, but the legal ID is still WWDC. They have finally added compression to the audio chain so the station should sound louder and interference will be less noticeable. However, there's no overcoming weak signal strength and heavy interference during critical hours south of Waldorf and along Indian Head Highway (BTW: WWRC is loud and clear at that time in that area). - Dave (April 21, 1999)

I don't understand why the local news were on live feed from Colorado last night instead of reporting the local news here. Local news is local news and the last time I checked Colorado is west of the Mississippi River. Are the local news directors being overcome by delusions of grandeur? Don't get me wrong--this is certainly an important national news event and should be reported accordingly, but this event neither directly affects the local area nor is there anything local area people can do about it. (April 21, 1999)

Dave's response: I do think it was important to blanket cover the Denver story Tuesday night even if it was 2000 miles away. I tuned to ABC network news at 6:30 pm on Channel 7 and switched to another channel when their coverage ended after 8 minutes or so..... By the way, the days of the OJ fiasco weren't so long ago and I seem to remember that the local TV newscasts ran it wall-to-wall for months and months.

Somewhat interesting but largely irrelevant tidbit: I don't know exactly the legal aspects of how TV stations pick up other station's feeds: This afternoon, in covering the Denver school shooting, Channels 4 (our NBC affiliate) picked up KUSA (the Denver NBC affiliate) and Channel 9 (Gannet-owned WUSA) also picked up KUSA (Gannett's Denver station.) Because of this, both stations were carrying the exact same news coverage for much of the afternoon. (That coverage was far superior to the feed Channel 7 picked up, which appeared to be a Denver station with a worse news division than our Channel 7.) -Dan in Rockville (April 21, 1999)

Dave's response: One thing I noticed about the coverage of the Denver high school shootings on ALL channels was the bothersome clutter of on-screen graphics. Obviously, all local channels as well as national cable networks took their coverage off of the three main network stations in Denver (KCNC, KMGH and KUSA). The Denver stations obviously added their graphics which often included the time and temperature. Then the DC stations and national cable networks added their graphics right on top creating a real visual mess. And then to confuse the matter even more was the term "LIVE" which was often still among the graphics jumble even when stations were showing taped coverage.

I visited your pages of info of AM and FM Washington DC/Baltimore radio stations, and was really impressed. The historical info on AM stations of Baltimore in the 50's and 60's brought back memories. I wanted to tell you of an SCA Decoder Kit I put together recently. I'm a retired electrical engineer and like to fool around with such things. Besides, I like to be able to have the ability to tune in to broadcasts essentially "hidden" to the general public. This kit sells for $27.95 from Tech America. The case & additional hardware was $14.95. The hardest thing about getting this to work is finding an FM receiver that has an SCA adapter jack... at the ratio detector, discriminator or quad detector. I finally modified my old stereo receiver by probing around till I found the right point. If you want more technical info, please let me know... but for now, below is what I found on the FM stations in my listening area (Pikesville, MD). 88.1 WJHU 2 channels of elevator music, what used to be called Muzak..... 91.5 WBJC reading service... newspapers, book reviews (same as on SAP broadcast of WMPB and a Russian language channel..... 92.3 WERQ Opera!!!..... 102.7 WXYV unrecognizable foreign language service..... 95.1 WRBS & 101.9 WLIF sounds like digital signals to me..... I understand that for each subsidiary channel, the FM station loses about 1 dB signal strength to the main channel. - M. "Yogi" (April 21, 1999)

BREAKING RADIO INDUSTRY NEWS!!!! Tony B., formerly known as Miss Tony, a staple of the 92Q morning show since 1995 when Russ Allen added the popular Baltimore-Club star as a popularity draw, has been fired or dismissed for creative differences from the "Q-Morning Crew" with newly aquired Baltimore- native Brian Carter. The Q Morning Crew, offically began as a complete show March First, since the temporary morning show with Konan and Tony B had been filling the void that Frank Ski created when he moved to Atlanta's V103 (CBS Radio). To recap today's top story... Tony B won't B Q'd up tp play the Jams as he is let go from Baltimore's 92Q. - James (April 20, 1999)

You have a really great site there with the radio pages. I live in Cleveland, Ohio and it's interesting to read about the am radio stations that I can get via 'skip' overnight. Any plans to do a Cleveland or Detroit TV and Radio page? Keep up the good work. Thanks. (April 20, 1999)

Dave's response: No. But check out our DCRTV Broadcasting Links page and you'll find lots of other cool radio & TV listings sites.

Geez. Been listening to Limbaugh lately on WMAL. Can't stand him! He really makes me mad when he starts defending the whole Serbian thing. Yesterday, for example, he actually questioned whether all those horror stories about Kosovo are really true. - Ken (April 20, 1999)

Dave's response: Don't like Limbaugh? Don't listen. Or listen, get real mad and do something - like boycott his sponsors. It's the American thing to do. Take a lesson from all those anti-Howard Stern groups. It won't get Limbaugh off the air but you might feel better.

This sucks. I listened to 99.5 because of Jim London and the lite music it provided when I wake up in the morning. There is no other Washington area station that has this easy listening format. WASH is just not the same. I guess I'll have to find a Baltimore station. Also, I will miss the Sunday Show Tunes show with Liz Webber and Richard Stone. If they are to be found on another station in the future, I sure would like to know. (April 19, 1999)

Jim London (ex-WGAY morning personality) is once again, looking.... (April 19, 1999)

(Regarding 99.5 going "Jammin' Oldies":) The best thing since V103 signed off in Baltimore! What a station. I just see the cume surging as I write this. Talk about a station with the ability to change the top three seated stations in DC within the next 3 months. EVERYBODY who plays urban caters to the oldschool audience at least once during the programming day (old school lunch, etc), but 99-5 fills that hole 24-7. And that's just rotating music. If they happened to find a pair of turntables and put together a mix (like Magic 102's Saturday Night 80's party - which is the BOMB!), then we're talking an all out battle. When was the last time you saw adult-formatted radio stations fight it out (105- Q107)... gotta run and do a newscast (WEAA 88.9), but I'll be back with my two cents (and a name for 99-5!!!). - James (April 19, 1999)

(Regarding the previous message about which station carries the president's radio address:) The President's Radio Address airs Saturday at 10:06am and the GOP Response airs Saturday at 11:06am. About a year ago, we had dropped it bdcause Preasident Clinton was going very, very loooooooong. The White House called WTOP and asked what they could do to get it back on. We told them it needed to be shorter: less than 5 minutes. They agreed, we put it back on, and it has been under 5 minutes ever since. Before he left the White House, Press Secretary Mike Mccurry thanked WTOP. "You were right," he said. "The President sounds better when we keep it shorter." - Jim Farley, Vice President, News & Programming, WTOP Radio (April 19, 1999)

Z104, DC gave away 1,000,600,8 all to one lady from Mechanicsville MD. This breaks the Guinness Book record previously held by Rick Dees at KIIS, LA The promotion resumes for another Million dollar prize this week... - Elvis and Dana (April 19, 1999)

WGAY has changed the graphics and text on their website WGAY.com to reflect the Jammin Oldies 99.5 identity...but someone there needs to learn about coding the title of their page, which still says "99.5 WGAY -- Washington's LITE FM". The page includes the "help us name the station" contest, and this text at the bottom: "If you're a former WGAY listener, we thank you for supporting our station. To continue hearing your soft favorites, tune in to WASH 97.1 FM." (April 19, 1999)

(Regarding a previous message:) Dave, Kate Sullivan's contract was not renewed by WUSA-TV, Channel-9. She used to work over at America's Most Wanted and may be back there parttime. - Neal S. (April 18, 1999)

(Regarding a previous message:) "John" complained about QRN (noise interference) from power lines in Virginia. Here in DC and Marylend, PEPCO has one of the best QRN-finders in the country, Mike Martin. He even advertizes in the local ham newsletter: Office/Fax 301-967-5230 mcmartin@pepco.com . BTW, he does consulting for other power companies as well. (April 18, 1999)

I caught Jammin' 99.5 on their first day and am impressed. Very impressed, indeed! I think they'll fill a heretofore underserved niche and shake up this market a bit: First, WGMS and WETA-FM will win listeners. The people who liked the old WGAY will flock over and drive the respective cume's higher. Also, they tend to be a richer audience -bigger spenders on big-ticket items... Or, in WETA's case, bigger contributors! Face it, in its most recent incarnation, WGAY was schizo in their playlist, and seemed desparately in search of an audience. Let's hope Chancellor can repeat some of the good things they've done at WBIG. Second, I hope Chancellor uses this as an opportunity to expand WBIG's playlist a bit. This region produced a lot of good rock & roll in the fifties and sixties. How about playing some of it? And, not just "I'm a Girl Watcher" by the O'Kaysons! Or, how about adding some California-style surf music? If I ever hear WBIG play "Run, Baby Run" by The Newbeats or "Let's Go Trippin'" by Dick Dale and The Deltones, then I'd say that WBIG is going in the right direction! Will there be any losers with Jammin 99.5? Yes, WMMJ. WMMJ is run by fine folks. But there are Ham Radio Operators around here who probably get better VHF coverage than WMMJ does. That 50KW signal up on the WDCA candleabra is tough to beat. Dave, you lamented the fact that AM is underserved by formats such as jazz, big band, etc. While you are partially correct in commenting that the directional patterns of many AM's are responsible for poor coverage, there are other factors to consider in the decline of AM popularity: First, most people listen to the radio in their car(s). While it is indeed true that the quality of the AM section of the average car radio has declined over the past quarter-century, the listening environment has also gone downhill. Take a ride down Rt. 7 (Leesburg Pike) from Reston to Tysons Corner one day and try listening to either WMAL or WTOP-AM. The electrical RFI is apalling. Between Towlston Road and Tyco Road, the QRM is even with WTOP. Then, add in the pleathora of electrical and electronic devices which couple their trash back into the power network. Complain to the power company? Good luck in getting touch with a live person, at least with Virginia Power! Time was, you could call VEPCO, ask for "Operations" (the folks who take of the distribution system) and talk with a live person. One several occasions I did this and noticed that the problem was corrected within a week to ten days. Now, when you call VEPCO, you hit an automated call server which lacks options for a non-standard call. One last thing, and this relates to my comments about regional oldies and WGTB-FM. How many people (besides myself) remember Alan Lee's Sunday morning oldies show on WGTB-FM? His program was the reason why I was a contributor to the old WGTB. And, it was an example of why WGTB was so embarassingly successful: They celebrated diversity to a point where it created unity. You could have two WGTB listeners, one who liked hearing WGTB air "Gee" by The Crows and another liking "Fish Cheer" by Country Joe and The Fish, with each detesting the music of the other. But, with both defending the station which would play both: WGTB. - John (April 18, 1999)

i think jammin oldies will suceed wmmj has a weak signal and they dont play continous great songs like jammin oldies does the disc jockeys on jammin are lively and its fun to listen they have a old 60's top 40 presentation i cant wait till they get local djs. - Steve (April 18, 1999)

a couple of things: --very sorry to hear about charles ogg. 31 is far too young. and, on top of that, at the top of his career. what a shame. --jammin' oldies could have been done on at least two other FMs in this market and no one would have complained. instead, chancellor tubes a station projected to bill double-digit millions with its best numbers since entering the format. WGAY was on in virtually every business i've been in since christmas. it was an oasis in the middle of the desert. everyone thinks they have all the answers. if it ain't broke... /sean (April 18, 1999)

Dave: If I can wager in on this with WGAY-FM. Chancellor is taking a big risk with the station switching formats after finishing in the top ten. If this works and boosts the ratings, so be it. But if not, Chancellor will end up with egg oin their face (as if they haven't done so in times past). Given how (NYC's) Big 105 with its tepid AC format went nowhere and in an instant Jammin, as WTJM, shot from 20th to 12th. Can the same happen in DC? I don't think so. Besides, don't they have a similar station in WMMJ? Just to let you know. (April 17, 1999)

(Regarding a previous message:) The Flagship Channel is run out of the University of Maryland and appears on Cable TV Montgomery on channel 59/12. It is also carried on other cable television systems throughout the state. - Mark (April 17, 1999)

Zero24-7 is coming along very well. We have been getting hits from all over the world. So far Moscow is the strangest. Somebody has posted us on a German Web site so we have been getting about a 100 hits over the past week from .de domains. Our counter also shows about 40 hits referred from your Web site...... By the way, Mark and I will be guests tonight on Capital Radio on WJFK. We will be on starting at 11:00pm. Chris does an hour long version of the show renamed "Rebel Radio" on Zero24-7 Fridays at 5:00pm and of course it is repeated on the loop. I guess "Jammin Oldies" is keeping you and the site very busy. I tuned in last night and it sounded like they had the jocks in New York cut voice tracks to be fed into the hard drive system. Oh, whatb you can do with a hard drive system and ISDN. Jacor-Clear Channel runs an entire oldies network that way. - Weasel (April 17, 1999)

Thanks for your great and informative TV Station page. However, I must be missing info. I'm trying to track down a station that calls itself "Maryland's Flagship Channel". They say they are a public TV station, and I was taped for a show called "ENG" - doing a feature on Glen Echo Park. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank for any help you can provide. - Lurene (April 17, 1999)

Dave's response: The only public TV organization in Maryland is the Maryland Public TV (MPT) network which operates about a half dozen UHF stations across the state including channel 22 in Annapolis and channel 67 near Baltimore. I've never heard them refer to themselves as "Maryland's Flagship Channel" though.

Good call Dave about the WGAY 1260 move. Back in the eighties I had the unfortunate task of being on the air when we changed WPGC 95.5 to WCLY "Classy 95". They kept AM 1580 WPGC so they could always go back which they did!! - Rob (April 17, 1999)

I heard about the birth of Jammin Oldies in DC. If they find a niche and not imitate WBIG, or WMMJ, then it will add some badly needed variety to DC's three of everything FM radio. Boston has a watered down version of Jammin oldies called star- 93.7, Entercom owns that station so it prempted any Jammin Oldies from arriving here...... I skimmed Kenny Burn's K-Factor site. He says that Baltimore has very few signals compared to DC. While I agree, and I may add that far more signals from DC cover Baltimore than the reverse, The Baltimore market has traditionally still been more diverse as far as formats go. Remember WKTK 105.7 in the seventies? WRNR now? WIYY is no clone of DC101 anymore. So you can say that listening to the radio was, and is far more interesting in Baltimore than DC. - Norm (April 17, 1999)

The first thing that Chancellor needs to fix with 1260 is the loose connection in the antenna system. On windy days the signal strength jumps all over the place, especially here on the back side of the pattern in Rockville. It is very annoying. The engineer said he knew about the problem when I called before Chancellor took the stations over. As far as program content - 1260 already tends more to early light rock than I appreciate. (April 17, 1999)

What is the new DJ lineup at Jammin Oldies 99.5? Does anyone know where Seth Werner is now after being let go by WMZQ? - Greg (April 17, 1999)

Dave, I just heard the legal ID on WWDC (14:00 Friday): "Soon to be WGAY-AM 1260, this is WWDC Washington." Let's hope some of the local programming, people and resources that were WGAY 99.5 will be put into it. It would also be good if someone gave the equipment a good "once-over." Years ago, WWDC seemed to have a good daytime signal in most places, and acceptable nighttime coverage inside the Capital Beltway. In recent years, it is weaker than WHVR 1280 (Hanover, PA), even as close as Laurel. With Chancellor's vast resources, and current laws which allow AM's to buy "interference rights" or even to buy and shut down interfering stations, they could make it cover all of Washington-Baltimore effectively for far less than the price of another FM station. - Sam (April 16, 1999)

Dave's response: Also, renaming 1260 WGAY could be seen as Chancellor's way to preserve the legendary calls should they be needed again at 99.5. Remember the short-lived WEBR calls at 99.5 a few years back?

Dave, A cautionary tale for Comcast @Home subscribers..... Ran into this story and thought you might be interested.... members.home.net/maycomp/cablemodem.htm. - Dave (April 16, 1999)

Dave, I don't think that WOCT will be changing formats. They recently just hired a new Program Director, and he has done some great work tinkering with the format. Now WOCT is playing a lot of 80's and early 90's hard rock by bands like "The Scorpions" and "Judas Priest", mixed in with the heavier stuff by the standard Classic Rock bands like "Bad Company" and "Led Zeppelin". They aren't the boring old "Freebird" rock station like WARW anymore. We'll see if it hurts WIYY in the next book..... (April 16, 1999)

To all those cruising this site who once listened to Scott Ferrell,. DC's "Sports Junkies", Jason Bishop, Eric Bickle, John Paul Flaim, and John Auville will be rockin' the sports world on stations like WFAN, WEAE Pittsburgh, and WRNL Richmond. SO LISTEN. (April 16, 1999)

I heard the (Jammin Oldies 99.5) launch at 3 PM 4/15. Big Ron is holding down the afternoon shift. I think he used to be on New Jersey 101.5, spinning the oldies on the weekends. (Talk weekdays, oldies weekends.) - Chris (April 16, 1999)

Read your article regarding the birth of "Jammin" Oldies in DC. The last time WGAY changed format to "Bright" 99.5, WGMS 103.5, Washington's Classical Station, garnered cume. We've already begun to garner revenue from advertisers whose target is more affluent adults 35-64. Listeners who enjoy more sophisticated entertainment on the radio will find us. I enjoy your updates in this world of fast-breaking industry news. - Loretta (April 16, 1999)

If the Sports Junkies on WJFK get syndicated and move to Scott Ferrals old spot at 10pm-2am, then WJFK should pick up Tom Leykis to replace them at their old spot at 7pm to 10 pm, the only time I heard his show was on the weekends at the old WWRC and he would fit in well with the lineup on that station. - Joshua (April 16, 1999)

Can anyone tell me what happened to Kate Sullivan from channel 9 WUSA news? I noticed she appeared on America's Most Wanted last week as a correspondent. Is that her permanent job now or is she on another news station? - Andy (April 16, 1999)

Dave's response: I thought she was on maternity leave, but if she's showing up on another program then maybe she's gone from 9. Anybody know more?

Dear Marie (or whoever you really are!) Thank you for the entirely inaccurate update on the goings on at WYII. Let me introduce myself. I'm Don Brake, program director of Country 95.9, WYII. If Rich Daniels really did tell you all of this stuff, he must have been delusional that day. The lineup at Country 95.9, WYII is: Rich Daniels 5 AM - 10 AM; Casey Brooks 10 AM - 2 PM; Don Brake 2 PM - 7 PM; Chris Diamond 7 PM - MID and Tanner overnights! Jay Young is and will continue to be the program director at WEPM, Sports Radio 1340 and Yogi Yoder is the GM of WKMZ, WYII and WEPM. Quite frankly I don't believe your name is really Marie. I would encourage you or anyone with concerns about WYII to email me at WYIIPD@AOL.com. I will be more than happy to respond. I certainly hope this is not some childish gesture by either someone at the competition or someone from within Prettyman Broadcasting itself to try and stir up trouble. I plan to ignore your comments all together and maybe Dave would even be so kind as to supply me with the email address that this note was sent from! Now, you may place your head back in the sand. Thank you, Don Brake. Program Director, WYII. (April 16, 1999)

(Regarding the future of WUST:) WUST AM 1120 (New World Radio) WILL survive with the "big boys" of Mega buying so many stations in the market and going Spanish. WUST is not a Spanish Language station. As of April, WUST broadcast 18 different languages, including English, French, Filipino, Greek, Amharic, Khmer, Spanish, and many more, at different times during the week. WUST is not concerned with targeting a single audience. The other fact is that WUST's 20,000 watt signal gives it outstanding coverage, one of the best of any AM station in the market. - Brian (April 15, 1999)

If you didn't listen to the show last night, there is big news brewing with the (WJFK) Sports Junkies! They are FINALLY getting their shot at syndication and will be auditioning for FOB's slot Thursday, April 15 and Friday, April 16 from 10:00pm-1:00am. These two shows will be heard nationally in DC, New York City, LA, Atlanta, and a bunch of other markets... 40 in all! So tune in to those shows and PARTICIPATE just like the regular shows. Let's show the rest of the country that DC's own Sports Junkies are the best radio show out there! They deserve syndication and let's all help make it happen! The Junkies will be airing 'best-of' shows in their regular timeslot from 7-10 Thursday and Friday. These shows will largely be comprised of bits requested by listeners and should be a riot. Try and listen to those shows as well to support the guys in this effort. Call it a Sports Junkies Marathon and host a party or something... 6 hours of the Junks! I don't currently have a list of the stations that will be airing the Junkies, but if I receive that I will send it out ASAP. However, given the fact that the Junks are auditioning to fill FOB's slot, it seems logical to assume they will be on the stations that carried that show previously. Please support the guys in this HUGE STEP in their career! The rest of the country deserves the Junkies! More updates hopefully forthcoming on this! - Colton (April 15, 1999)

(Regarding Dave's Waves:) I don't know if "Geezer 570/1260" would work dave, but it is interesting to note that am 570 used to relay the fm from WGMS. I know because my mom bought a volvo station wagon in 1977 with only an AM RADIO!! I never could figure out how they could set their alarm to 99.5 and wake up to all that instrumental music. Oh well I guess the folks at WGAY can sell the butterfly costume.--Rob (April 15, 1999)

Dave's response: Hey with all those "prostate problem" and, yes, cremation service (!) ads on WMAL, I thought that station should be nicknamed "Geezer 630." By the way, I'm 41 and I love big band music. I also love punk rock of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Go figure. Also.... back when 570 was WGMS-AM it had its transmitter in southern Montgomery County and didn't put in nearly as good a signal to the western suburbs as it does now with its transmitter in Germantown.

STACY DRAKE IS COMING BACK TO WYII IN WILLIAMSPORT,MD. I was chatting with their new Program Director Rich Daniels at one of their live broadcasts in Hagerstown not too long along. He told me that Stacy will do mornings and he, afternoons. The midday airshift is open and the rest of WYII's broadcast day will feature a classic country format from the Jones radio Network. Rich said "Stacy will be a big plus for WYII as the ratings took a 70 percent drop since being moved to Martinsburg." He blames that on the former general manager and program director by not giving a damn about WYII. Stacy Drake by the way ( according to Rich ) is possible GM Material at WYII and that the two will do a show together on their sister station AM-WEPM 1340. I think he said they will do some wrestling show in the afternoon. By the way Rich told me he will be handling the programming duties at WEPM as well.....Oh by the way WYII fans, SCRUFFY DUCK IS BACK, Rich said they had a lot of people requesting the return of Mr. Scruffy and that it was his idea to bring back this Hagerstown legend. It will be so good to hear the smooth voice of Stacy Drake back on the radio again. - Marie (April 15, 1999)

Chancellor Media has really blown it with the format change on WGAY. In my former, very diverse town of New York City WLTW 106.7 FM ("Lite FM") has been in the Top 10 for that market since their debut back in 1983. If the format can make those numbers in the New York City and Baltimore areas the why can't the format be offered in our DC area? Thankfully I live and work in the northern and western suburbs of DC, so I can hear WLIF 101.9 FM out of Baltimore...Chancellor did not give the station format enough time. Don't know how I'll start the day without Jim London in the morning. Chancellor has trashed a superb product. - Tim (April 14, 1999)

At WTEM, Tony Kornheiser is openly telling people that his show will be returning to the 10-1 shift, live off the ESPN Network and on WTEM, within a month or two. Presumably, this will be after John Thompson's done with his turn at the mike. Don't know what they're planning for the rest of the day, presumably Koken and Walker will stick around, but it sure sounds like Jim Rome's not long for this market. Could those commercials BE more embarrassing? "Sure, my show sounds TERRIBLE the first thirty or forty times you listen . . ." That station's management persists in trying to drive national programming down this market's throat, and it keeps not working, and they keep trying. Amazing. (April 14, 1999)

I first discovered WGAY when my radio alarm was put there by accident and I heard Jim London, who disappeared from the WBIG where I loved to listen to him. Because I liked Jim so much I decided to listen to the station a while to see if I liked it and I quickly fell in love with it...especially for all the concentrated hours I spend working on my computer. WBIG and others would throw in some loud irritating rockin' songs so that I could not feel relaxed and concentrate on my work but WGAY was perfect for work! This morning when I came in and turned on the radio I heard that horrible Jammin' Oldies music and I thought some young hip-hop had been messing around in my office changing stations. I love Mo' Town but not some of the irritating distracting music JO plays! What a terrible loss of a great station!!! I could depend on it not to rock me out of my chair by surprise. Please please bring it back!!!! - Lynn (April 14, 1999)

I am not shedding any tears for the old WGAY--its music was tired and much of it was duplicated on other spots on the dial. Frankly, it is nice to hear something different on the radio dial and I will now listen to 99.5 more than I ever have in the past. Obviously, Chancellor felt that someone was going to enter the market doing JO to compete against WBIG. If someone is going to compete with WBIG, they figured that it might as well be them. As for fad formats, the same thing was said about smooth jazz, rythmic CHR, and Hot AC when they first appeared...and they are all still prospering today. - Kevin (April 14, 1999)

(Regarding Lee's comments on WGAY, below:) I take it Lee is a big fan !!!! ANYTHING NEW in this town is almost always refreshing. It is GREAT to hear somebody trying something different. The format is so new, it will be tweaked. Almost all are. Study groups, market research, etc. You are listening to a New York Station !! RELAX. It doesn't mean that everything that they are doing is going to happen hear. For SOME of us in this town, it is good to hear something on the air that folks of my age might have missed growing up just on the cusp of hearing this stuff on the air when it was originally programmed. It is a breath of fresh air in this town just as Z104 was when it first hit the air. They have found their niche and their listening audience, just as 'JO' will do when it hits its stride. Sit back and enjoy the ride....(and send a new car / home stereo catalog to Lee !! ) - JT in DC (April 14, 1999)

(Regarding WGAY:) i have been listening since 2 th is afternoon i for one am happy with the change if the washington sound is like the station out of ny then it will be great does anyone know who will be on the airstaff on friday - Steve (April 14, 1999)

A couple of notes about the Jammin' Oldies format. The processing that 105.1 uses is really obnoxious. Its way too smashed. The processing works more for the newer music on the high end (say mid 70's on up) but doesn't work for the older music from the 60's (it just doesn't brighten it up enough). But the brightness is really grating and is going to turn off a lot of listeners and they won't know why. Which brings me to the next point that mixing these two eras, the 60's and the disco 70's, also doesn't work. Barry White, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Kool and the Gang sounded good when I was wearing my Nehru jacket... but they now seem too dated and out of place... especially as compared to the classic oldies like Smokey and the Temps. And who do you know who lives the Jamin' Oldies lifestyle???? In Washington, DC... I give em... 8 months. - Lee (April 14, 1999)

The suggestion of Juke Box Saturday Night resurfacing on WWMD is an interesting one. From listening to the station, I'm sure that John Staub, the chief honcho, would personally like the program. He runs the Don Kennedy "Big Band Jump" at 5 to 7 each Sunday early evening, for example, and on WJEJ-AM as well. But it's an awfully long drive for Rich.... 4 to 5 on Sundays sees a locally-produce "serious" old popular music show on WWMD/WJEJ. WWMD is certainly heard over a large area, but I'd guess it would be hard to sell commercial time at the fringe of their coverage. Salisbury eats into their coverage somewhat east of DC. I've been surprised to discover WCTR playing a (new to me) five-a-week 2-hour version of Don Kennedy's show at 10 am to noon. Add WCEI 1460, Easton, MD, to the escape list for ex-WGAY listeners. WCEI-AM plays the same Music of Your Life service as WWDC-AM (and WSAI Cincy), and can be heard all along the western shore of the Bay, as well as the Eastern Shore. BTW, WSAI is religious late evenings and overnight. (April 14, 1999)

(Regarding Daniel's e-mail, below, on info about minority stations in the DC area:) Check out www.radiodiary.com and click on WOL. - Lorenzo (April 14, 1999)

Dave, on my frequent trips to DCRTV, I often ponder how to make it more like 'the virtual 'Radio Guide', I say it is. But how to make it more like what TV Guide's predecessor really (probably) was--a guide to radio programs?--and less the compilation of tech and format info that I see when I look the site over? My interest is more in talk than music programming (The London Times daily radio suggestions are talk oriented, but then they have the drama etc of the BBC!). I haven't even thought about how this would work for music. One thought would be a weekly program that you highlight. For example, how many people know that each Sunday's The Big Broadcast with Ed Walker on WAMU is now posted at WAMU's website? Here's the April 18 rundown: "On Sunday, April 18, Ed Walker brings you another edition of The Big Broadcast. Listen from 7 until 10 for all the fun and these great programs: 7 -- Philco Radio Time, starring Bing Crosby and guest Al Jolson. Ed says this is a good show from March 5, 1947. 7:30 -- Lum and Abner. Lum is still trying to be a piano tuner. 8 -- Gunsmoke. "The Big Con," an early show from May 1953. 8:30 -- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes from October 10, 1945. The story is "Trouble at Thor Bridge." 9 -- Dragnet with Jack Webb and Ben Alexander. "The Big Slug" from the late 50s. 9:30 -- The Shadow, featuring Bret Morrison as Lamont Cranston. Date unknown. The title is "Reflections of Death.'" A little more write up about the program and Ed Walker (yeah, it's all posted at WAMU, but give me a sprur (and a link) to go over and read it), maybe even inviting Ed to write a bit (I didn't know Ed co-founded WAMU, and I keep forgetting that he's blind)! Features like this mght prompt more programing (as opposted to tech and format) chatter in the Mailbag, and might even get program producers and hosts fighting to be featured. Having a separate column for this might help us catch important anniversary shows too (The Big broadcast had its big 35th anniversary show in Feb., and I missed it, though I come to your site 3-5 times a week: no one posted it! I'll visit WAMU's website once a month or so, so of course, I missed it there! And posting it in the mailbag often means that when the big show comes up, it's buried because of the avalanche of mail that came after that post. Anyway, I've started to write this many times, but stopped. The idea still needs to be fleshed out, but it's something. ( I know you're already pressed for time). Chet (April 14, 1999)

Dave's response: Chet, thanks for your comments and I'd love to do it all. But you have to realize that DCRTV is now five websites operated by one person (me) who does it in his free time (usually 5 am to 7 am) with no significant revenue. If some nice monied organization out there would like to take DCRTV under its wing financially and allow me to work on DCRTV fulltime without having to earn a living elsewhere (freelance writing work mainly) I would be able to do everything you'd want.... and more.

I've noticed how the new 99.5 is being linked with 105.1 out of New York. They break for spots when 105.1 does, play that outer space promo (telling us of what to come), and they run spots. What I find interesting is the fact that when 99.5 comes out of spots, they re-join 105.1 mid-way (maybe closer to the end) through the song. This leads me to believe that 99.5 is running more spots than 105.1. I'M AMAZED. I don't think the promo into and out of spots amounts to half of a song. - Chris (April 13, 1999)

I've given the new format of WGAY a listen and I am not impressed. The only thing I like about the NYC relay is that top of the hour music intro - it's the same one WAVA used here years ago. The format jammin' oldies is a fad. It is the latest format boom in what someone in some corporate office believes will eventually phase out the gold oldies (50's and '60s) stations. Hot A/C back in the late '80s and '90s took over numerous CHRs (example: Q107 to MIX 107.3), then came the "HOT" country phase, then the alternative boom with every other station calling itself "X" something or another (anyone remember 100.7 THE X from Baltimore?). Somewhere in between came the birth of modern a/c (hot a/c without Celine Dion) and a multitude of stations calling themselves "Point" something or another. And lets not forget the "Arrow" crap - on 94.7 - " All Rock And Roll Oldies." Now it's jammin' oldies on the legendary WGAY. Sounds like a worn-out K-Tel record purchased off of a 1-800 commercial on late night TV to me. I can't believe Chancellor wants former WGAY listeners to switch to WASH or WWDC-AM. WASH can't make up its mind whether or not it wants to be hot a/c, a/c, or soft a/c - and the repition is extremely painful to listen to. And I'd like to ask anyone at Chancellor just who in the hell can even hear WWDC 1260 ? Do you have to be right next to the damned transmitter to hear it ? I mean honestly, I can pick up a station from Pennsylvania on 1240 here in Northern Virgina clearer than I can WWDC 1260. I listen to just about every format there is - and when I feel like listening to soft a/c music I guess I'll switch to WWMD in Hagerstown or WMJS in Prince Frederick, when I'm not already hearing WMJS broadcast the Orioles. Now for some predictions on what domino effect the format change of WGAY will have on DC radio? Let's get the rumor mill running first with WARW switching back to W-Lite and becoming a clone of WLIF in Baltimore. If the management at WARW can't get their heads out of the bushes and realize how well they could capture on the old audience of WGAY - well then they deserve to be in the ratings basement. Get Jim London back on in the morning - Paula Casey doing the love show thing at night - be a mainstream a/c but softer, older-skewing and more focused than WASH. To the heads of WARW and at CBS: do it soon! Clear the air now that the stink of the Greaseman is gone. Laugh at Chancellor when the new Jammin' Oldies 99.5 shows up below WAVA in the arbitrons. There are a lot of older, higher income professionals, particularly in Montgomery, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties that are now not going to be served by a soft a/c station. Second, shouldn't the owner of WUPP 94.3 consider a format change to some sort of automated/satellite-fed adult contemporary? That is, if Mega doesn't gobble up WUPP too and make 94.3 the first spanish-formatted FM station in the area. That's a real possibilty and a whole other debate. - MLB4 (April 13, 1999)

The Jukebox Saturday Night programme (formerly on WGAY) has already attracted a significant following. Perhaps its producer could approach some other stations. Perhaps WLIF (101.9), one of the public stations or outlying WWMD or WMJS would be interested. While FM would clearly be best, an AM combo of WWLG and WWDC might work. While neither covers very much at night, combining them would allow roughly 50% of the region's poplulation to hear it. Those mourning the loss of WGAY should try the following: WWMD 104.7 from Hagerstown covers primarily suburbs to the North and West of DC/Balt. To the south or east, WMJS from Prince Frederick is generally receivable. On AM: WWDC at 1260 covers Silver Spring well and most points inside the Capital beltway adequately. WWLG at 1360 covers most of MD and DC in the daytime, but is primarily restricted to points inside the Baltimore beltway at night. WCTR 1530 from Chestertowne covers the upper eastern shore and parts of Anne Arundel county in the daytime. At night, 1530 from Cincinati is often receivable from most listening locations. On the Web: If you can listen to radio on your computer, try the websites for WJBR in Wilmington at www.am1290.com, or CKWW in Windsor, ON (suburban Detroit) at www.580ckww.com. - Sam (April 13, 1999)

I have emailed anything left at WGAY and told them how sad a day this is for them...in hopes that Chancellor will wake up and realize what they had going could have been a good thing! (April 13, 1999)

I never thought it would happen in DC. But, given WGAY's top ten finish in the last books, this may be a risk. If it works, fine, if not, well, it might be too late to save what was once, from what I have been hearing about WGAY, a DC radio institution. I guess pop standards can now join easy listening as a format dinosaur on the verge of extinction. Aren't that many left in the country. To those at what I will call Jammin' 99.5, good luck, you'll need it against WMMJ-FM. - Bob (April 13, 1999)

WGAY as a "Jammin' Oldies" station. The best thing about that will be listening to stations like WTJM. However does anybody remember WEBR, "Bright 99.5". Al santos will be having a few more listeners to thank come today. WGAY probably won't see 6th place again for about 2 years doing this. "Jammin' O)ldies" is a fad like "70's oldies" on the old Xtra 104 or the Rock/AC format of about 10 years ago (actually I think they call it modern AC now, unlike the AAA stations). WJZW will probably be 5th in the spring book, the old WGAY-12th. (April 13, 1999)

Dave, Do you think WUST1120am can survive with the big boys of Mega, Inc. buying some many stations in DC and turning them into all Spanish programming? Wouldn't it be nice to see WUST1120AM turned into a "Real Jazz" station. I know I like see a jazz on the am dial!!! - Tony (April 13, 1999)

Could you please tell me what radio station does President Clinton give his radio address on? I have been unable to locate it on the radio. -Sherri (April 13, 1999)

Dave's response: I believe it's carried on WTOP, 1500 AM and 107.7 FM.

(Regarding the WGAY format flip:) My friend Jack always says to watch out when the ratings get higher. They always screw things up! Chancellor is rather stupid because first of all, the ratings jumped dramatically. Secondly, they haven't given the station a chance since it's ratings jumped. I think Chancellor is a good company, but they're too greedy and have to change formats way too fast sometimes! (April 13, 1999)

Dave's response: It is true. The preliminary Arbitrend ratings for the winter showed WGAY in 6th place, its best numbers in years.

Hey, how about bringing back the old WJMD (once at 94.7 FM) calls for the new Jammin' Oldies WGAY. "JM" for "jammin" and the "D" for "DC." They could replace one legendary set of calls with another. - Dave (April 13, 1999)

(Regarding the WGAY format flip:) Wait a minute! That wasn't supposed to happen! (April 13, 1999)

This just got sent to me (TaterStud) from RICKWGAY..... Dear Listener: I apologize for sending this impersonal form letter, but I had to write to all of you who sent EMails. I have some sad news. This past Saturday night was the last "Juke Box Saturday Night" on WGAY. I was informed today (Monday) that the station's format will change effective tomorrow afternoon. The new programming will be called "Jammin' Oldies," and will feature rock and roll hits from the 60's to the 70's that are more dance-oriented than what is normally heard on "oldies" rock and roll stations. I must add that the decision to change the format was not that of the local station management, but of the corporate management (Chancellor Media Corp.). Bob Moke and I had a terrific time delivering the tunes and trivia from an era of wonderful, clever, swinging, and romantic music. There was never a period of time that produced such wonderful songs. I hope we were able to trigger some memories for you, and for the younger listeners who did not live during that era, I hope we developed enough of an interest in the music that you will keep it alive for generations to come! It was a fun 13 weeks spending Saturday nights with you! In the future, if something develops for us on the radio, I will communicate it to you via EMail. Again, thanks so much for your support, and I do hope that someday we will be able to share some good times with you on the radio! Sincerely, Rick Colom, Host/Co-Producer, Juke Box Saturday Night, WGAY 99.5 FM (April 13, 1999)

Dave, you have a great site! It has been a pleasure scanning it over the past year. In a very crazy, hectic, constantly changing media city like Washington DC, I don't know how I would keep up without it. After about the last nine years trying to cut it here in DC as an on-air radio person, I am leaving to enjoy the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale and work for Capstar's Star Systems, they are great folks, who dont seem to fire people for no reason, in fact they actually "Value Talent", unlike the mega corporate owners here in DC, who tend to cut good, talented people loose to maintain they're status quo of boring, cookie cutter radio, where everyone is expendable. Take care, and best of luck to the finest on-air radio community in the nation! Jim Curtis (formerly) WRQX, WEBR, WGAY, WASH, and (whew!) WGAY again. (April 13, 1999)

Someone needs to tell Joan the Jenny Lynn fan that she needs to get the facts straight. WYII is licensed to Williamsport, MD. Although it is housed now in Martinsburg with WKMZ it is not a Martinsburg station. WYII's strength is in Hagerstown/ Washington County, MD. Although, I believe even with just 3K, WYII is going to eat away at Q102's Berkeley County numbers. Watch and see! (April 13, 1999)

Great idea for Mega to buy WMAL, but the price tag for the transmitter site might be huge in today's real estate market. Even 15 or 20 years ago I'd wondered whether the transmitter site was worth more than the WMAL license. Let's see, 40 acres at half a million [or much more] per acre.... (April 13, 1999)

Hey Dave, Great Site!!! I go to Penn State University... Telecom Junior. I'm currently in a Broadcasting/Cable managment course which requires my group and I to research a specific DMA and create a new media service for that area. We decided to choose the Washington/Baltimore DMAs. Do have any tips for us on where to find some juicy information (besides this site)???. We are focused on minority issues... targeting black audiences. Thanks a bunch... Daniel (April 13, 1999)

Dave's response: Anyone out there got any tips for Daniel?

Wouldn't it be great if Mega Broadcasting bought WMAL! Heck, they've practically bought out the entire DC area AM radio band! Now that would be great - to see Mega replace the nauseating Rush Limbaugh (who belongs in the "Used To Be Funny Museum" with David Letterman and Jackie Mason), Dr. Laura, Paul Harvey, and all those "impotence clinic" and "get rich quick" ads, with some non-stop Caribbean dance music. - Joan (April 12, 1999)

Thank you for taking the time to provide so much info on your website. It has been most informative for me. Sincerely, Leatrice (April 12, 1999)

When was it stated...WJFK was been fined $4,000? I hadn't heard anything about it, that is why I asked. - Mike (April 11, 1999)

Dave's response: The item was contained in the FCC's Daily Digest on April 2, 1999. It involves a sexually explicit joke that aired during the Don & Mike Show. No word on what was said..... "INFINITY BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON, DC. Issued Notice of Apparent Liability for a Forfeiture to Infinity Broadcasting Corporation of Washington, DC, licensee of WJFK-FM, Manassas, VA, in the amount of $4,000 for willfully violating Section 73.1206 of the Commission's rules on January 29, 1998. Action by Chief, Mass Media Bureau. Adopted: April 1, 1999. by Letter. (DA No. 99-636). MMB"

Hey Dave, My name is Cliff, I work afternoons at 97.5 WKMZ in Martinsburg. One of the jocks I work with told me about your page, and I have found it pretty interesting. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to give folks background on what's going on out here in the sticks. I haven't been in radio long enough to know about people in this area. So it helps me out. I moved out here in 1992 from Chicago, IL. and got into radio by accident, so all the historic stuff is a good read for me. Like I said I don't know much when it comes to radio in these parts. Now I do know that if I have any questions on things that are happening I'll just cruise over to your page and find some answers... Thanks again. (April 11, 1999)

I will be moving to the area soon and this info will be a big help. Great site. Thanks. - Ralph (April 11, 1999)

1. WJLA: I am glad to see Maureen back, but was unhappy to now miss Kathleen and Paul at 11:00 since they are on at 5. Do you think they are trying to dump them? 2. Channel 5 - What happened to Morris Jones? I like the new guy, Mike(??). Do you think they de-moted Morris due to his bad choice in ties? And what happened to Will Thomas. 3. How is Maureen doing in the ratings? Or is it too early to tell? (April 10, 1999)

Dave responds: 1. I hope not. I like Paul and Kathleen. Although I think her husband (CNBC's Chris Matthews) is a joke, at least his "Hardball" show is. And why does he shout so much?..... 2. Morris now primarily does weekend anchor chores and some weekdays (Fridays). I don't know if you'd call it a demotion. Five's anchors are fine; I just hate the way they overly sensationalize the news. We got a line of rather typical thunderstorms on Friday but if you watched 5's news you'd think the end of the world was near. The Channel 5 news promo department ought to lay off the Surge cola. Come on! Don't know about Will..... 3. I believe 7's ratings are up at 11 now that Maureen is back.

Dave, Effective Monday 4/12/99 I will be the Director of Operations and Programming for Shadow Broadcast Services in Washington. They are great people who put out the best traffic and information product in the city. I'm still rockin on the weekends on Classic Rock 94.7.I enjoy your site! - Dave Brown (YDB) (April 10, 1999)

I like AP Network News. It isn't the overhyped, overjolly, overfluffed stuff that WTOP descends to at times. I hear old familiar ex-TOP voices on AP. I thought WTOP reached the bottom of the barrel this morning when they presented as "news" an interview with a couple who were trying to conceive the first kid to be born in 2000 as part of co-owned Z-104's contest. The motel was named and all. Tasteless co-owned station promos as NEWS ????? (April 9, 1999)

I work at WUSQ in Winchester, I was just cruising around and found your page. Very cool. You said that WFTR was owned by Capstar, that deal fell through a little while ago. The FCC decided that if two companies owned 80% of all the radio stations in the area, that meant Capstar had a monopoly. Now stop laughing. I couldn't make this stuff up. So for the time being, at least as far as I know, FTR is still owned by their previous owners and they are still located in Front Royal. Figured you'd want to know. My name is Dan, I do the 7 to Mid shift on Q, check us out sometime. Thanks, Dan (April 9, 1999)

Hey Dave, I just wanted to announce to you that I have my broadcasting history site up. Here is the address: members.xoom.com/tvradioland. I am currently getting more and more contacts together as I go along. I hope that you enjoy it. Sincerely, P. Kenny Burns (April 9, 1999)

I think the only way we're ever going to see any kind of progressive rock station in this area is if one of the area universities establishes a student-run college radio station. The biggest reason why none of today's big radio station owners are willing to try a progressive radio station is because they have no idea how to do it, or how to keep it alive financially. Their concerns: "How do you find the right DJs? What kinds of people would listen, and how many? What kind of music do you include? How do you program such a station (if at all)? What **is** progressive rock, anyway?" Honestly, we're not going to see any commercial radio station owners opt for a format that they can't define or justify, since it's already so hard to keep a station afloat as it is. Our last remaining hope is college radio, so I hope that one of the schools in our area sees the wisdom in purchasing one of the many dying/dead AM stations in the area and letting the students prove that there really is room for a bit of creativity on the radio dial somewhere. (April 8, 1999)

Volkswagen TV commercial with a couple driving in the car (through the streets of New Orleans?) while outside, things are happening to the beat of the music playing from the car's CD player... What's the song title and the artist and even the title of the CD??? Anyone out there have a clue?? - Smooth Jazz Santos! (April 8, 1999)

Dave, Just wanted to let you know that your memory wasn't far off ...WMOD became WMZQ on June 22, 1977. - Dave (April 8, 1999)

I noticed last night that business-formatted WBZS 730 Alexandria was being simulcasted on WZHF 1390 in Arlington. This morning however WBZS was silent. So I guess the Personal Achievement Radio format has been dumped for a simulcast in their final days, or Mega is getting 730 ready. Neither station last night was using any sort of legal id's. WZHF this morning, going solo, was still not using a legal id...... I have a question for the new owners of 1520/WTRI. Why does anyone feel we need yet another Spanish-formatted station in this area? Honestly, isn't there any AM owner out there willing to try something different now than ethnic or religious programming ? Unless a major signal pattern is changed - tiny communities such as Brunswick, Harpers Ferry, and all of those little towns in Northern Loudoun County are really going to be underserved by a local station. I don't really think there are enough Hispanic people in those areas to justify the format. It makes me wonder how this station thinks it is going to survive. I have often though wondered how AM 700 has survived this long with its ethnic programming in Frederick / N. Montgomery County...... Anyone else noticed how sloppy the broadcast of the syndicated All Night Cafe on WWZZ/WWVZ has become ? There has been a lot of dead air lately. What is it with Bonneville not wanting to use a live jock overnight in this large of a market, or at least a board op? I still can't believe that WTOP is using the AP News feed after midnight. Do Philly or N.Y.C.'s news stations flip on a satellite for their overnight newscasts? MLB4 (April 8, 1999)

Dave's response: I just checked WBZS and WZHF at noon on 4/8 and both were off the air. I guess Douglas Broadcasting has decided to pull the plug before the Mega takeover. As for so many Spanish stations on AM, I wonder why someone hasn't decided to give us a progressive rock format, a decent-signalled nostalgia format, or even a "real" jazz format on AM. It seems there would be an audience for each of the above. As for dead air and stupid automation screw-ups, have you tried listening to Art Bell overnights on Chancellor's WWRC?

The only reason WJFK is successful in DC-It has G.Gordon Liddy, the #1 rated afternoon drive show of Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara, and the #1 rated night show, the Sports Junkies: Jason "Lerch" Bishop, John Paul Flaim, Eric Bickle, and Johnny "Cakes" Auville. Two number ones and Stern is rated third in his time slot. Go Figure!!!! (April 8, 1999)

great site, I live in philadelphia but in the early 70's when stationed in the dc area in the army I remembered a station wmod using the term classic rock and roll, guys like murphy in the morning and mike fitzgerald, who I can remember. I think the station was automated from 10pm until 6am. wmod was the greatest oldies station for its time, the music was off the wall and alot of unfamiliar songs, you never knew what was coming on next which kept you in suspense. I know I am not dreaming am I correct it lasted a few years I think and then went country in 74 I think. - randy (April 8, 1999)

Dave's response: I am pretty sure WMOD became country WMZQ in the spring of either 1977 or 1978. I was home from college on summer break when it happened. Back then I really liked WMOD and was sorry to see it go.

Ed Rodriguez has left his evening drive position at WPOC Baltimore to take over the evening drive shift at WMZQ. You may remember Ed from his days at WASH-FM in the late 70's, when the on-air lineup included Eddie Gallaher, Jerry Clark, Bob Duckman, the late John Bodnar, and John Dowling............... Ed replaced Seth Warner, who was recently let go by WMZQ, in what has to be one of the more insane decisions ever made by Washington radio management. Radio is known for its lack of job security, but Seth was about the last person I would expect to lose his job...not only is he a very solid air personality who got good ratings, he's also one of those people who are truly a pleasure to know and work with. (April 7, 1999)

Regarding Channel 5 on distant cable systems: I believe the FCC came down with a ruling that said that cable systems must carry all stations which serve the cable system area. Example- If a cable system serves a community that is in the DC TV market, it must carry all stations which are active in that market area. Cable systems cannot pick which stations they want unless they already carry all local signals. An extreme example of this comes from North Central PA where my grandmother lives. The cable system carried Fox from NY and Philly (via microwave) over local Fox stations. When the must carry rule came out, the switched to local Fox affiliates. Hope this helps. - Mike (April 6, 1999)

Hi Dave, great "detective work" on 1520. I enjoy visiting your site and will keep you posted when 1520 returns to the air. Regards, Al Hammond, President Capital Broadcasting Corp. (April 5, 1999)

I noticed that you have the musical chairs for the Channel 7 news on your DCRTV site. Since Paul Berry's contract is up in June do you think that WJLA is trying to do to him what Channel 9 did to Maureen Bunyan a few years ago? It's not surprising that Melissa McDermott is left without an anchor spot--she's been lousy since day 1. - Greg (April 5, 1999)

Just thought I'd pass on that the 630 WMAL and 1340 WYCB hyperlinks don't operate from the page that has FM, AM and television station listings. Thanks for all the good info, Lynn (April 5, 1999)

Thanks for the photo of the WTOP transmitter building and towers last month. I was the PR/community relations guy for WTOP-TV (then CBS o&o) when we put up the installation. One day a person who lived across the street called to say he (or she) was receiving our audio in his/her head, and would we please stop it. Turned out the filling in her/his teeth caused the problem. As I recall we put some sort of filter in the signal. At least the person wasn't getting the pictures in his/her mouth! - Cody (April 4, 1999)

Dave's response: I heard the same problem happened to WEAM (now WZHF 1390 AM) when it had a top forty format back in the 1960s. Their transmitter was located in Falls Church, just across the Arlington County line, near a nursing home. And a number of the elderly folks were complaining of strange noises in their heads. It turned out that their hearing aids were receiving the WEAM signal. I've also heard a story about the 50,000 watt WTOP (1500 AM) transmitter site in Wheaton when, at one time, neighbors were hearing the signal coming from metal elements (pipes, etc.) in the walls of their houses. Strange, huh!

Dave, I must be in the minority cause I like your web site's design. Completely straightforward, no frames, no blinking dodads, no advertising, no java, no split screens, no extraneous graphics for graphics sake. The viewers should be able to change the colors and fonts in their browsers if necessary. The only minor problem is your opening paragraph(s) are getting a little long. - Bill (April 4, 1999)

Hey Dave, How u doin man? Great site as usual, thank u in advance for doing such a great job with all of your valuable information on the industry here in DC, MD, VA and abroad. Thumbs up to u man!..... Been watching NEWS 4 lately and been wondering what the heck is up with that emergency door sounding alarm we keep hearing during their broadcasts?!? It's so loud u can actually hear it during their newscast!! Sometimes u'll even see the anchors looking at each other like, "what the heck is that?!" or "there it goes again!" During the week, in the mornings sometimes during the evening broadcasts and especially on sat mornings. Any idea? thanks! (April 4, 1999)

[From Scott Fybush' e-mailed April 2 North East Radio Watch: Finally this week, we get ready to say farewell to one of the best-known names in radio, as well as some of the best-known voices in radio news. On April 17, Westwood One will offer the last newscast to bear the "Mutual" name, some 65 years after the network first went on the air. "Mutual" newscasts have been a pale shell of their old selves since last September, when the Westwood One newsroom in Virginia was practically shuttered and news operations for "Mutual" and "NBC Radio" moved to the CBS newsroom in New York. While the disappearance of "Mutual News" is all but a formality, we're more concerned about late word that impending budget cuts at CBS Radio News will end the CBS careers of well-respected newspeople like Claudia Marshall, Bill Lynch, Paul James, David Jackson, Lisa Meyer, and Ed Crane. NERW has been watching with some concern as CBS has downsized its radio news division over the last few years (including the inexcusable closing of the Radio Stations News Service in Washington a few years back), and our sympathies go out to the hard-working, talented CBS Radio newspeople losing their jobs, as well as to the equally talented folks who'll have to work that much harder to fill the gap. We don't usually have a lot of nice things to say about the Mouse, but we have to hand it to them this time -- they've left ABC's sterling radio news division largely intact over the last few years. Still, we're hard pressed to see why anyone would get into the radio news business right now, with each week bringing news of another merger or cutback. If only a few of them were April Fools jokes...but the only joke right now seems to be the one being played on newsroom after newsroom -- and on the listeners who will eventually stop thinking of commercial radio for substantial news coverage of any sort. It doesn't have to be that way, though we admit the counter-examples are becoming harder to find. = Scott Fybush - NorthEast Radio Watch ] - Reflecting on Scott Fybush' article on CBS News' decline, you know, I have often found myself deciding at the top of the hour whether to listen to DC's ABC (WMAL) news feed or CBS' (WTOP AM-FM), and electing ABC. I recall that when WTOP was being 'recharged' by new owner Bonneville several years ago, that they flirted with dropping their longtime affiliation with CBS and signing with CNN, because they were unhappy with the quality of CBS' offerings. CBS was quite upset at the time [there had been talk at the time that CBS might start an FM all news operation here]. I, for one, am always upset when I hear CBS use venerable monikers like, "You are listening to the World Tonight" for regular 5 min. newscasts--at least as carried by WTOP here. - Chet (April 3, 1999)

Anyone know what's up with WHUT, channel 32? There have been lots of lines in their picture on my cable system. I was gonna blame the cable company until I checked their reception with an antenna and found their picture still had a lot of lines in it even though the signal is quite strong where I live. Really horrible engineering, I'd guess. Anyone know why 32 always looks so bad..... (April 3, 1999)

Hi my name is Kyle Davis and I am in the early planning stages of creating a website about the history of the radio stations in the Winchester, Virginia and the Martinsburg, West Virginia radio market. I am hoping to have the site up and running by mid summer. Part of my site will feature airchecks from stations in that market I am looking for airchecks from stations in Winchester & Martinsburg prior to 1981. ( The oldest tapes I have is of WKMZ in the summer of 1981 and of WINC's coverage of the "tire fire" from 10/31/83 ). If anyone out there has airchecks , I would love to feature them on my web site. I am also looking for a videotape of the old "Wonderama" show that starred Bob McAllister that aired on WTTG channel 5 back in the 70s. You can reach me at Kyle_virginia71@hotmail.com. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Kyle, Winchester, Virginia (April 2, 1999)

I recently downloaded the FCC's AM database and was surprised to find that 1520 in Brunswick is applying to rotate their directional pattern by about 90 degrees. It now points sorta SW. The proposed new pattern is SE, toward Montgomery County. This still involves three towers, but farther apart and realigned with the new direction. Is this a serious application, or is it cheaper to fight the application for years instead of operating the station? (April 1, 1999)

Some info on AM 1520.....They are owned by "Capital Broadcasting Corp." and do plan to program the station with latino programming. The station will call itself "Alpha 1520" and should be on with a 10kw directional signal aimed at DC soon (with a pendi ng application to go up in power). No word if it will be local or satellite fed programming as of yet. (April 1, 1999)

(Regarding a previous message:) Comcast of Baltimore County hasn't carried WTTG for awhile. Comcast of Harford County does carry it, though. I never thought that made sense since Harford County is further from DC than Baltimore County. Plus it is quite redundant to WBFF. I thinks some changes are on the way. I work at The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville, and our channel is being moved from channel 20 to channel 72 in the near future. So I would expect some other moves as well. So if anyone knows any other changes, please post. Richard (April 1, 1999)

Dave, I'm a frequent visitor to DCRTV who has sent a few tips and comments. I agree completely with the reader who wrote that your site is difficult to see. The white on black background is harder to read than a simple black on white background. In addition, your front page is way too cluttered (how about using bullet points). In terms of content, you have great news and reader comments but how solid are the rumors you publish? Are you trying to be the Drudge of DC broadcasting? - Dan (April 1, 1999)

Dave's response: Hey, despite the ugly design (which I am starting to take a perverse pride in) you can't argue with the fact that you get your money's worth at DCRTV. As for being the "Drudge of DC broadcasting," if Mr. Murdoch gives me a half-hour a week on the Fox News Channel I'd gladly take it.

DCRTV is an excellent and intelligently written site that is chock full of updated radio information. Your site is a treasure for the DC Metro community. But, someone needs to say that the current web design is ugly and unprofessional. Multi-colored text crammed on a black background is stressful for most eyes. Check out some of the designs being used by traditional newspapers/magazines for inspiration. - BJO (April 1, 1999)

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