Christmas Gift – KLPB Signs On!

Long Beach and surrounding communities received an early Christmas gift at 3 o.m. on December 18th, the day that Long Beach Public Radio signed on there air as KLBP (99.1 FM).

If you’re outside of (parts of) Long Beach, San Pedro and Wilmington, you probably won’t pick it up – KLBP is a low-powered FM station that competes with the Inland Empire’s flamethrower signal known as KGGI, which broadcasts on the same frequency. 

But I was surprised how clearly the station could be heard in South San Pedro as I traveled West on 25th Street and then North on Western; the signal was solid until I approached the Northern end of town when KGGI took over. Interestingly, KLBP was able to break through once more as I got higher in elevation, though this may have been due to the terrain blocking KGGI more than KLBP’s signal strength.

Currently the station is broadcasting a 36-hour loop of programming samples directly from its transmitter site inside the Port of Long Beach. The loop will be updated periodically but is needed as studios are still under construction. The loop was put on the air in order to meet an FCC requirement for the station to commence broadcasts by December 23rd or lose the license. The group beat the deadline by a week.

According to Long Beach Public Media Board (LBPM) member David Alpern, this is going to be a real community station, and the programming samples bare that out. “If you look at the website (klbp.org) you can see some of the current shows. From the American Songbook to local musicians, we hope to have it all,” he explained. LBPM is the umbrella organization holding the license to KLBP.

“When I first heard our broadcast coming through my car stereo, it was an emotional moment filled with immense gratitude,” said LBPM President Ashley Aguirre. “We faced so much uncertainty and have been running a race against the clock for so long that it feels like nothing short of magic to finally hear so many familiar voices carried across the air.”

Or on the net: you can hear the programming online as well at the website.

Interested in hosting a show? Go to the website and apply – then organization has lots of programming time to fill and knows that in a community station su h as this, turnover is common. In other words, they need to have programming ready not only now, but in the future as well.

This will be a fun station to watch grow.

Readers Respond

Lots of email regarding the retirement of longtime KABC (790 AM) personality Doug McIntyre, as well as a few other subjects.

“I was so sad to hear Doug’s retirement announcement last week,  I have been listening to him since he came on the air and he is truly an American treasure. His wit,  recall, candor and debate skills are as good as it gets!

“I think a great replacement for him would be Brian Suits (currently on KFI). Brian is an incredible source of information and especially all things military with great debate skills. Someone has to carry the torch of hypocrisy of our city, state and nation and Brian has the mindset and skills to do it! — Sal Guagenti,  Torrance

“Thank you so much for including Doug in your column today. He is brilliant at what he does and will be sorely missed. He always made us aware of what the politicians are up to and always had great, informed, guests.

“Who could possibly replace him???? I already told him I could settle for John Phillips or Bryan Suits” — Pst Dunlap

“I really enjoyed your article on “Doug” this morning. If there was ever a more knowledgeable host on AM radio on a wide variety of subjects, I have no idea of who that could be. With his incredible knowledge of music and history he stands alone from all other hosts combined. The guy is just damned brilliant, and I will miss him deeply. I learned a heck of a lot from him and I will forever be indebted.” — Chuck Collins, Yorba Linda

Numerous readers wrote in to recommend “Radio Waves, Life and Revolution on the FM Dial” by Jim Ladd, currently heard on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks but for many meany years one of LA’s most popular evening DJs as heard on KMET (now KTWV, 94.7 FM), KLOS (95.5 FM) and others. His current show is Jim uncut and unedited. Compelling radio still and his book, released a while ago, is an excellent choice for anyone who grew up with KMET. 

Here’s wishing you the best for the new year! Thank you for being a part of this column!

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