Radio: October 15, 2021 By now — especially if you’ve read this column very long — you’ve probably heard of HD Radio, the broadcasting system authorized by the FCC where digital broadcasts are sent along with regular analog signals, giving supposed better sound quality (promised in last advertising as “like FM on AM, like CDs on FM”) and for now only on FM, extra channels. All of which available over the air only if you have an HD Radio tuner. But what are those extra channels, and is it worth upgrading to an HD Radio at home or in your car? Those are the big questions, and today I will try to answer them. First the extra channels you can hear broadcast along with your favorite FM station; the following is a list of the available extra HD stations in Los Angeles, and the format they run. (Key: 88.1-2 refers to the second audio channel for KKJZ, found at 88.1 FM; all -1 channels duplicate the regular analog station and are therefore omitted). 88.1-2 Jazz vocals 88.1-3 Cal State Long Beach student run station; various programs from oldies to hip-hop; the home of Mornings on the Beach, an award-winning morning program covering various lifestyle issues 88.5-2 Contemporary Jazz, local news, and entertainment from Saddleback College 88.5-3 The Latin Alternative: Alternative music, electronic dance music, indie pop, Sal Soul and classic rock … en espanol 89.3-2 The Current: Contemporary alternative music from Minnesota Public Radio 89.9-2 Eclectic 24: a continuous stream of eclectic music curated by KCRW’s own Chris Douridas 92.3-2 News/Information from the Black Information Network 93.1-2 Simulcast of K-Frog’s (KFRG/Riverside) country music programming 93.1-3 The Bet: Sports gambling information and CBS Sportsradio programming 93.9-2 Spanish adult contemporary music 94.7-2 Rhythmic contemporary music 94.7-3 Radio Hamrah: News, information and talk programming for the global Persian community 95.1-2 Owner Audacy lists KFRG-HD2 as Next Country, supposedly playing the next country hits before they are hits. But when I tuned in, the station was playing light rock in Spanish. 95.5-2 Southern California’s FM Talk Station… 24/7 repeats of KLOS (95.5 FM) morning show, Heidi and Frank. Other shows were/are promised, but for now that’s it. 95.5-3 News, information and talk in Armenian from SoCalArmenian.com 97.1-2 Channel Q: Electronic Dance Music and other programming designed to appeal to LA’s LGBTQ residents 97.1-3 Firelane: non-stop dance music 98.7-2 Simulcast of KLAC ’s (570 AM) sports programming 100.3-2 Air 1 Radio: contemporary Christian religious/worship music (essentially a simulcast of KYLA/Fountain Valley 92.7 FM and a handful of other stations in areas surrounding Los Angeles) 100.3-3 Radio Nueva Vida: Christian music and talk in Spanish 101.1-2 Simulcast of KNX (1070 AM) newsradio 101.9-2 Simulcast of KTNQ (1020 AM) Spanish-language news/talk 101.9-3 Armenian Music Radio 103.5-2 Simulcast of KFI (640 AM) talk radio 103.5-3 The Breeze: Soft Rock similar to what KOST (103.5 FM) itself used to play 103.9-2 El Sembrador: Spanish-language Catholic radio programming from El Sembrador Ministries’ ESNE Radio network. 103.9-3 Another simulcast of KTNQ 104.3-2 Pride Radio: “The Pulse of LGBTQ+ America” - iHeart’s version of Audacy’s Channel Q. Electronic Dance Music and a little top-40. 105.1-2 LA Oldies, as formerly heard on the old KSUR (now KMZT, 1260 AM). Oldies from the 1950s through the early 1980s with an emphasis on the late ‘60s and ’70 105.1-3 Unforgettable FM: all Frank Sinatra, all the time 105.1-4 Simulcast of K-Mozart (KMZT): classical music with a few related specialty programs 105.9-2 Simulcast of KDAY (93.5 FM) old school Hip-Hop 106.3-2 AAX Radio: Not really sure here. Supposedly Vietnamese programming, but when I tuned in I heard an english-language discussion on weddings and masks. 106.3-3 Simulcast of KYPA’s (1230 AM) Korean-language programming of music (including english-language oldies) and information. Int