FM Dx - 100.3 WCTH Thunder Country

FM Dx: 03/25/12 15:49 EDT
Listening OVER THE AIR on FM
Station: WCTH, Thunder Country 100.3
City: Plantation Key, FL (half way between Miami and Key West, FL)
Distance: 202 miles from my home
Tuner: Onkyo T-4711
Antenna: AntennaCraft FM6
Antenna Height: 17 ft.
Signal: Fades in/out signal. 0-15 dB.

Dr. Hook - Sylvia's Mother

Artist: Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show
Song Title: Sylvia's Mother
Heard On: Rhapsody

I came across a station on 88.5 - WRAS Atlanta while researching FM Dx - and this song came up on their playlist this morning.

I had not heard this song in probably thirty or more years. I remember it fondly as it seemed to be a big hit at the time. I looked it up on Rhapsody and got an instant flashback to my childhood. Another good country-rock tune, a genre that dominated the mid to late 70's.

Artist: Various Artists - Music Brokers
Song Title: If We Are to Survive
Heard On: My i-Tunes
Album: Buddha Sounds Vol.3

XM Sirius Merger - change

I have been a faithful XM customer for over five years now. Waking up a couple weeks ago to the changes mostly to the music channels to the new SiriusXM lineup seemed sudden and unannounced, although I don't think I object as much as a number of listeners based on some blogs I read a few days after the switch.

I am most upset by the changes at XMU. It was a perfect station. Gone is Toby and the Afterschool Special. SiriusXM U as they call it now seems to be the Sirius station of similar format. As far as the actual music, I have not noticed a tremendous change, but my listening is probably limited to less than three hours a week to that station, so I might not notice as much as some die-hard listeners.

One aspect I like is NPR Now being part of my lineup now. Otherwise, I didn't experience what some other listeners did, where their stations are just gone. (X country was a real loser being replaced by Outlaw Country I guess.) Lucy became Lithium, and Fred became 1st Wave - big deal - but my sense is that XM was a superior service (my general feeling all along, that is why I chose and stuck with XM, and I think Howard Stern is a not worth 10 cents (adolescent crude humor I outgrew when I got out of my adolescence, that is the way it is supposed to happen, but not for millions of his fans I guess.)

I miss the XM monikers and jingles though. But, I am a realist. Two satellite radio companies losing tons of money cannot go on forever. One stronger company that might be able to turn a profit, might mean they will continue to exist. I just wish they had favored the XM music instead of favoring the Sirius music when they merged the sound. XMU and Chill were perfect. Chill will be fine, but I am not sure with XMU.

But, if Sirius/XM can stay in business, it still beats commercial FM radio hands down.
MY Radio: XM Sky Fi 2. (without ferrite beads)
My Presets (A). (I don't know my B or C presets)
# Station PCT recent listening Time in ave week (my guess)
1. XMU 43 (12%)
2. Chill 84 (18%)
3. C Span (7%)
4. XM Public Radio (5%)
5. America Left (2%)
6. Classic Vinyl (Was top tracks) (1%)
7. Lucy (Lithium) (3%)
8. BPM (yes, BPM and it is still BPM) (7%)
9. Talk Radio 165 (original title!) (20%)
10. WLW (5%)

FM Radio - NPR (20%)

The Execution Of All Things

Artist: Rilo Kiley -
Song Title: The Execution Of All Things
Heard On: woxy.com

Silver Screen Shower Scene Felix Da Housecat

Silver Screen Shower Scene
Felix Da Housecat
Heard on: Pandora Electronica

Pandora

Somehow I stumbled upon Pandora yesterday and signed up for one of their stations - Electronica - and comparing it to all other Electronica stations I know or at least listen to regularly - which comprises of basically three - 1. XM The System, 2. MusicChoice -Electronica and now 3. Pandora - Electronica - this is definitely the best one. XM, The System is just too much - too heavy electronica - not sure of the term - Music Choice is great with long blocks and good variety - and now Pandora, which varies enough to make it interesting.

I am no expert on Electronica formats - but I like XM Chill Channel 84 - a downtempo, smooth Electronica that really appeals to me. But, occasionally, I want a little more drive/excitement to my music - but hardcore, hard driving XM System style isn't my bag.

http://www.pandora.com/

Daft Punk - Digital Love (Boris Dlugosh Remix)

Artist: Daft Punk
Song Title: Digital Love (Boris Dlugosh Remix)
Heard On: Pandora

Stairway To Heaven: The Greatest Song of All Time?

Stairway To Heaven: The Greatest Song of All Time?

XM Chill - Channel 84

I just discovered a few days ago that XM has granted my request to add a Chill format channel to their lineup. Found under the "dance" category on channel 84. I had emailed them on more than one occasion asking for this. In the past, they had a Chill program called Exhale onBPM (strictly dance otherwise) on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Good going XM.