Things You May Not Know About Radio

Things You May Not Know About Radio

Radio, specifically broadcast radio, was invented by Italian Guglielmo Marconi in 1895 when he both sent and received a radio signal to himself. Contrary to popular belief, the first commercial took years to hit the airwaves. The first commercial radio station in the United States was Pittsburgh’s KDKA, which signed on in 1920, some quarter century later. KDKA’s call sign is in itself an anomaly as stations East of the Mississippi start with a “W” and those West of the Mississippi start with a “K”. Here are some other facts you may not know about radio.

Radio Comes in Two Basic Flavors

AM Radio (Amplitude Modulated) and FM (Frequency Modulated) radio are its two basic choices. While AM radios have been in cars since the 1930s, it took until the early 70s for FM radios to gain popularity in cars. FM offers a clearer signal, and originally was host to classical and “underground” rock stations in its early days.

Radio Stations are Required to Keep a “Public Inspection File”

This file should contain the station’s license info, information about how it is addressing the needs of the community, how it posts jobs and other information about citizen concerns. Stations are required to make this info available to those who request it.

Those Annoying EAS Tests are Required

A follow-up to the old Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), EAS tests are required for broadcast radio stations. The required tests are initiated by large regional stations and outlets, and “trickle down” to small local stations. This is why some tests occur in the middle of programming, or your favorite song as you were singing.

Your City’s Favorite Station May Not Be Licensed to Your Community

Since radio has few borders, what you think may be a radio station in your city may actually be licensed to a nearby community. Radio station’s, however, must include the city of license in what is known as a “Legal ID” near the top of each hour.

There’s a Good Chance Those DJs Aren’t “Live”

More radio stations are being voice tracked than ever. This means your mid-day DJ may also be doing mid-days in two or three other communities. Their voices are recorded ahead of time and “tracked” between songs. Generally, you can tell if the announcer is live if they give the precise time of day and temperature during a broadcast.

While listening to actual physical radios may be down, we still enjoy radio through smart devices and internet streaming. Radio remains popular, particularly in the morning when many are still too busy to pay attention to TV or alternative choices.

Commercial radio in the United States is celebrating over 100 years of broadcasting, and in spite of reports of its imminent demise, it is still going strong.

Protect What You Love

Leave a Comment





Non-Profits Need Protection Too! Safeguarding Your Good Works with Insurance

March 28, 2024

Beyond the Grave: Burial Insurance vs. Life Insurance Explained

March 27, 2024

Cracking the Code: Your Car’s VIN and What It Means to You

March 26, 2024

The Aftermath: Proving Your Possessions After a Disaster

March 25, 2024

Lost in Translation: Skills of the Past That Young People Might Miss Out On

March 22, 2024

Beyond the Box Truck: When Does Your Business Need Special Vehicle Insurance?

March 21, 2024

From Bronze Age to Boomers: How Life Expectancy Went From Meh to Magnificent

March 20, 2024

From Chauffeur to Cheerleader: The Teen Driver’s (and Parent’s!) Guide to Car-Buying Chaos

March 19, 2024

When Branches Become Brawls: Who Pays When a Tree Attacks Your House?

March 18, 2024

From Pet Rocks to Pokémania: A Funtastic Journey Through 50 Years of Fads

March 15, 2024

Don’t Be a Sitting Duck: Essential Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses

March 14, 2024

Beyond “My Beloved Spouse”: A Guide to Choosing Your Life Insurance Beneficiary

March 13, 2024

Rental Car Roulette: Should You Spin the Wheel on Extra Insurance?

March 12, 2024

Bundling Up Your Homeowners Insurance: A Money-Saving Masterclass (or Myth?)

March 11, 2024

Bringing Home Baby: A Guide to Navigating the Joyful Chaos

March 8, 2024

See It All, Secure It All: The Hidden Benefits of Video Surveillance for Your Business

March 7, 2024

Life on the Edge? How Your Hobbies Can Affect Your Life Insurance Rates

March 6, 2024

The Costly Consequences of a DUI: Beyond the Backlash

March 5, 2024

5 Hot Cities Millennials Are Flocking To (and Why They’re So Awesome)

March 1, 2024

From Ride-Sharing to Reality: 5 Billion-Dollar Ideas Born in the Last Decade

February 29, 2024

Unveiling the Different Players (and Why We’re Your Guide!)

February 28, 2024

Beyond the Beep Beep: Unveiling the World of Supercars

February 27, 2024

Home Sweet Home, Protected Home: Why Upgrades Need Insurance Check-Ups

February 26, 2024

Beyond Nicknames: The (Sometimes Bizarre) Tales of How American Cities Got Their Names

February 23, 2024

Small Biz Squad Unite! Why Independent Insurance Agents Are Your Secret Weapon

February 22, 2024

Cracking the Code: Cash Value, Loan Value, Surrender Value – It’s All in the Life Insurance Policy!

February 21, 2024

Buckle Up for Safety: Are Cars Getting Smarter Than Crashes?

February 20, 2024

Love Your Home, Love Your Coverage: Smart Tips for Homeowners

February 19, 2024

From Herbie to Christine: Cars That Stole the Spotlight (and Maybe Your Heart)

February 16, 2024

Decoding Your Business DNA: Why SIC Codes Matter (and How We Can Help!)

February 15, 2024

Beyond the Payout: 6 Unexpected Perks of Life Insurance You Might Not Know

February 14, 2024

AutoPay Your Car Insurance? Cruise Control or Speed Trap?

February 13, 2024

Don’t Gamble with Your Home: Decoding the Odds with Homeowners Insurance

February 12, 2024

Employee vs. Contractor: Sorting the Suit from the Solopreneur

February 8, 2024

Poppin’ Pills and Counting Coins: America’s Prescription Drug Dilemma

February 7, 2024

Car Crash Calamity

February 6, 2024

Simple Steps to Keep Your Home a Flame-Free Zone

February 5, 2024

Ditch the Dinosaurs, Embrace the Dill: Your Guide to Quirky Museums Across the USA

February 2, 2024

Home Biz Hero: Should You Suit Up with Business Insurance?

February 1, 2024

Ditch the Piggy Bank, Grab the Plan: Your Adulting Health Insurance Guide

January 31, 2024

Oh Deer! Crash Course on What to Do After Hitting an Animal

January 30, 2024

Unveiling the Origins of Everyday Expressions

January 26, 2024

New Year, New Armor: 6 Ways to Shield Your Business in 2024

January 25, 2024

Life Insurance: Who’s Who in the Zoo (of Coverage)?

January 24, 2024

Private Property Crash? Don’t Panic, Just Play CSI! (Well, Sort Of)

January 23, 2024

Big Game Halftime Shows We Can’t Forget

January 19, 2024

Professionally Awesome, Legally Untouchable

January 18, 2024

Don’t Fear the Four

January 17, 2024

Cruisin’ Through Time

January 16, 2024

Treasure Trove or Insurance Trouble?

January 15, 2024

Baby Name Game: From Mary to Olivia, 100 Years of Popular Picks

January 12, 2024

Ditch the Clichés, Cupid! Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas That Spark Joy, Not Debt

January 12, 2024

Oops! Employee Mishaps Got You Down? Insurance to the Rescue!

January 11, 2024

Cracking the Code: Why Your Health Insurance Bill Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

January 10, 2024

Beyond Driving the Basics: 15 Life Skills Young Drivers Need (Before They Need Them)

January 9, 2024

Homeowner’s Insurance Secrets Revealed: 7 Quirky Factors Affecting Your Rates

January 8, 2024

The Fab Four: Unveiling Surprises About the Beatles

January 5, 2024

Bricks and Mortar: Protecting Your Small Business with Comprehensive Insurance

January 4, 2024

New Year, New Resolutions: 5 Ways to Refresh Your Life Insurance

January 3, 2024

Roadway Chaos: Dangers and Responsibilities of Unsecured Loads

January 2, 2024

Contact Us

-CONTACT US

OUR LOCATION

Have A Question?

We have an answer. Call us at 408-709-1177

598 E Santa Clara St Ste 205 San Jose , California 95112

408-709-1177
CA License #0G64896

© Copyright 2024 StarOne Valley Insurance Agency  |   All Rights Reserved
Site by ICA Agency Alliance

598 E Santa Clara St Ste 205 San Jose , California 95112
408-709-1177
CA License #0G64896

© Copyright 2024 StarOne Valley Insurance Agency  |   All Rights Reserved
Site by ICA Agency Alliance