Oldies music on 1620

[originalzzmfmjock]

While tuning the radio around sunset the past few weeks I've been hearing a station on 1620 playing 50's, 60's, 70's oldies. The signal fades in and out, so it is not a local signal. Been hearing it at both of my residences in Grand Rapids and Newaygo. There are no liners, voices, jingles, etc. just music. Lots of songs you won't hear on conventional oldies radio. There is also about 4 seconds of dead air between each song. I can't seem to find a match for it on radio locator. Anybody have any ideas/clues to what I've been hearing?

[Ben Zonia]

I guess it could be a pirate.

I used to hear images of oscillator harmonics from shortwave on some older AM radios around that frequency.

The most likely before it signed off was WDND 1620 South Bend. It's been off three years from what I read.

[Turkeytop]

While tuning the radio around sunset the past few weeks I've been hearing a station on 1620 playing 50's, 60's, 70's oldies. The signal fades in and out, so it is not a local signal. Been hearing it at both of my residences in Grand Rapids and Newaygo. There are no liners, voices, jingles, etc. just music. Lots of songs you won't hear on conventional oldies radio. There is also about 4 seconds of dead air between each song. I can't seem to find a match for it on radio locator. Anybody have any ideas/clues to what I've been hearing?

I'm guessing pirate. Are you getting it during the day, or at night?

[Ben Zonia]

Old 160 meter ham equipment is often used for this, as it goes from 1800-2000 kHz and can be tuned to 1710 kHz. And a short antenna is fairly efficient. Not saying it's hams though.

[Turkeytop]

I wonder if it could be someone living nearby running a low power AM transmitter fo their own use.

I have a low power FM Xmtr I use to transmit the audio from my SXM all over the property on 90.1 MHZ. In reality, the signal has a range of about a half block.

[Ben Zonia]

I wonder if it could be someone living nearby running a low power AM transmitter fo their own use.

Except that he's hearing it fade in and out in Grand Rapids and Newaygo.

Shortwave oscillator harmonic images tune very sharp due to the harmonics being on a much higher frequency. You would only be aware of that on an analog tuned radio though.

WTWW has such a format, but it's on 5085 kHz.

[Turkeytop]

I wonder if it could be someone living nearby running a low power AM transmitter fo their own use.

Except that he's hearing it fade in and out in Grand Rapids and Newaygo.

Shortwave oscillator harmonic images tune very sharp due to the harmonics being on a much higher frequency. You would only be aware of that on an analog tuned radio though.

WTWW has such a format, but it's on 5085 kHz.

I'm familliar with WTWW. You may be right.

[Ben Zonia]

If there was a signal on 2530 kHz, and if it were strong enough, the image would be heard on 1620. That's just one example. That used to be near the Marine Band.

I have asked people that if they are close to the WWV transmitter, they hear an image on 1590. The 2500 kHz image would be on 1590.

[originalzzmfmjock]

I only hear it around the sun set hours between around 8:30 and 10 PM. Definitely a signal that is being received via sky wave, It is not a local signal at all.

[Deleted User 15840]

Could be someone with an old “talking house” transmitter nearby playing oldies music. Anyone remember the talking house real estate sign in front of a house for sale, Tune your radio to AM 1620 for information on this house. Those were the days.

[Turkeytop]

Could be someone with an old “talking house” transmitter nearby playing oldies music. Anyone remember the talking house real estate sign in front of a house for sale, Tune your radio to AM 1620 for information on this house. Those were the days.

I remember those. You may be onto something.

[k8jd]

There was a 1620 in N.NJ near NYC , not sure if it's still on...

[Radio Chili]

Could be someone with an old “talking house” transmitter nearby playing oldies music. Anyone remember the talking house real estate sign in front of a house for sale, Tune your radio to AM 1620 for information on this house. Those were the days.

Are you serious??! Once again, he states that it fades in and out. And his homes are 35 miles apart. That completely rules out the possibility of it being any "Talking House" xmitter.

[Colonel Flagg]

I may have heard this on I-80, near the Quad Cities, the weekend before last.