AM Radio

I saw a news report recently that spoke of AM radio disappearing.  It seems that many AM stations are shutting down.  This is thanks to our modern world of streaming, and no one but old timers, like me, paying any attention to AM radio.  I understand that many new car manufacturers are not even including AM on car radios, as interference from the car's electronics make it difficult to listen too.   This is just sad.....

Margarit and I recently bought an old radio at a thrift store, a made in Canada Marconi.  The speaker and all of the old vacuum tubes are missing, and it is a little banged up.  It seems unlikely this thing will ever work again.  But we bought it as a decor item to display in our cottage.  I put it up on top of the kitchen cupboard in our main cottage.  When I had a closer look I saw that someone put presets on the radio for CJCA, CFRN and CFCN.  

Whoever owned this radio originally, must have been based somewhere in Edmonton or central Alberta.  CJCA and CFRN were Edmonton stations.  CFCN broadcast out of Calgary.

CJCA was Alberta's first radio station and began broadcasting in 1922.  It operated at 930 on the AM band.  Back in the 1960's it was one of two Pop and Rock Stations in Edmonton, the other being 630 CHED.  They stopped broadcasting in 1993.

CFRN broadcast at 1260 on the AM dial.  They were affiliated with CTV, through Sunwapta Broadcasting Television in Edmonton.  They went through multiple format changes over the years, eventually switching to all sports talk radio towards then end.  Their license was revoked and they ceased operation in the spring of 2024.

CFCN broadcast at 1060 on the AM dial and operated out of Calgary.  They shut down in 2023.

I still remember as a kid, having a transistor radio, and listening to music in my bedroom.  At night, when many of the other stations went off the air, we could pick up stations from very far afield.  Not everything about technology is good.......