Religious Broadcaster on Roku

2014 was a year of many changes for my family. I have accepted a pastorate in Anthony, New Mexico and am learning to lead and pastor a church again. Your prayers are gratefully requested and received. My relationship to streaming of Radio has also been altered a little too. In Houston, my previous town, we had Infinity cable and a pretty good net speed for streaming. In Anthony, we could not get Infinity's relative Time Warner cable due to the fact we live on a more non residential street. We also had Century link available in the community. They had a good price, but they do “cap” or limit the amount of data you can use monthly. If you go over the limit, they charge a bit more. Finally my son found a provider called Megaweb that allowed for a flat fee all you can get net service. The speed is not that great, but fine for radio streaming. Video streaming can be a little rough at times. This system consist of a small antenna that communicates with an internet node on a local water tower. This is a set up used in a lot of rural situations. We have managed to use a small Belkin router to supply this signal to a Roku, home computer, several phones, tablet, and two church computers. With this in mind I have managed to put up a few Of Faith and Radio blogs this year.

Lately I have come to believe a ROKU is still a great option for streaming radio and video. In the early days of streaming radio and video you had to have a computer handy. My computer is a great place to work but its not to great to watch movies and that puts speakers in a fixed place to listen to radio. Later, internet radios arrived. I could at least listen to a fairly large amount of stations in the comfort of the bed room or where ever I wanted to set it up. This is when I started writing this blog mainly in regards faith and radio streaming. You can still pick up a good amount of teaching and music stations on an internet radio. If you look at previous blog post I have given you many stations to listen to. I also have found some stations have moved into streaming, others have changed the way they stream and some may have simply gone dark. (Old radio phrase for going off the air.) Stand alone internet radios are still available. Most are portable. All must use a wifi signal.

A good while ago I purchased my one and only Roku and discovered a cheap streamer for Radio and some good video. A person of faith needs to understand that one has pretty good access to a variety of programming with this small box. This is the kinda of device that you can watch movies from subscription services like Netflix or see movies with ads for free. The box can access adult material but you can control what channels you put on the box. I think its safe for family use, should be monitored with teens and a little to much for kids. The Roku is a favorite of “cord cutters” who chose not to use satellite or cable tv. A lot of these folks just have internet and broadcast television.

I have become a fan of this little box. (Most are 60 dollars or cheaper if you get the stick version) As a believer I have access to several free music services like Pandora. I can program some of those stations to play non stop Christian music. I am listening to my Petra station on Pandora as I write this. Many Christian radio stations have there own Roku channels. Klove, KLTY, AirOne and few others come to mind. A huge amount of videos make there broadcast and podcast available too. Some also use the device to stream services live to shut ins or displaced members. Also the Roku has several good internet broadcasting channels that allow a consumer to listen to a numerous amount of Christian teaching and music. Tune In and IheartRadio come to mind, but there are plenty more. Like any internet connected device, the gate keeper needs to be responsible for watch channels they have on there system.

In the history of streaming the first adopters have been faith based. Faith based groups are less profit driven and willing to use new media to reach audiences. Lately I have been looking at various religious television broadcasters on the Roku scene. I have shied away from some religious Television broadcaster in the past because in the old days most Television broadcaster where highly Charismatic and “Seed based” guys like Oral Roberts. Now there where exceptions like Billy Graham or local churches who have fine local broadcast. Graham does have a small Roku channel. As I explored the the system I found the most impressive religious Roku channel is run by CBN, They offer news, a lot of talk and the CBN show with Pat Robertson. They also offer several music channels and a lot of material in a on demand setting. TBN also stream all of their stations. When multi-casting came to broadcast TV the TBN folks responded by creating a host of channels in addition to the TBN channel. They have channels in Arabic, Spanish, Russian and a few other channels. They also have a pretty good youth channel called JUCE. They also offer a pretty huge section of on demand stuff from their website. GOD TV also has a channel. It has their various live streams available. This religious broadcaster took off in Europe and is quite charismatic, but is a great place to view the growth of charismatics around the world. Day Star also has a channel and has its feed available. I have also found two fairly conservative stations. One is the His Channel. While most of the others I have listed have a terrestrial television network behind them, His Channel does not. They are into end times prophecy a lot. They also play great ministries from the Calvary Chapel spectrum, and other conservative bible teachers. They simply try to get their signal on lots of devices. They do on demand programming and a live feed like a television station. The station that I think is most appealing to me as a Southern Baptist and all that entails is the NRB channel. This station started on Directv many years ago, apparently has some affiliates on broadcast television and a Roku channel. If you have a favorite ministry that uses television you can probably find it on the web or on a Roku. With this Roku you can sit comfortably and allow the Lord to speak to you.

Good Things from Billy Graham

I have been a Billy Graham fan all my life. I was saved at Lieghton Ford Crusade. He was a Graham associate. I attended several Billy Graham events and worked at a counselor in a few. What some do not realize is that Billy and his namesake the Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization are still quite active and alive. Recently I found 106.9 FM The Light WMIT of the Blue Ridge Broadcasting. On their website they acknowledge they are a Billy Graham ministry. They also seem to quietly be helping a station in the Middle East that is a satellite station. This station' stream can be found at http://www.brb.org They are an HD station. They are supposed to have a youth oriented station called “the edge.” I have yet to find a stream or a website for it. The Light is a good mix of top contemporary music and ministry. They give you several ways to listen on the net with a windows player, apple or other ways.

Also this time of year Billy's group releases a video special. His “My Hope America” special the “Cross” recorded 100,000 decisions. It played on some broadcasting outlets and released as low cost DVD that folks can play for neighbors or give away. That year folks wondered out loud if that was going to be Billy's last message. Its a powerful video that presents the Gospel in a beautiful way. On www.myhopeamerica.org or https://myhopewithbillygraham.org/ you can get one free video of this year's DVD “Heaven.” The church I pastor, will show “Heaven” around Billy's birthday on November 7^th. I hope people will want to use it in other ways too. I hope I will use it to share the Gospel of Christ.

El Paso Anthony and Las Cruces Christian Stations

Well I have been away from the blog for awhile. I have moved and have gone back to active church work. I am now the pastor of FBC Anthony, New Mexico. My email of scotttalbert1963@gmail is still the same. With a new move, I wanted to make my first blog a band scan of Christian Stations in the area of El Paso, Texas, Anthony, New Mexico and Las Cruces, New Mexico. One main thing hit me pretty quickly is that as you move around this West Texas, South New Mexico area is that your radio choices will change drastically as you move about. A few factors really contribute to this. Most Christians stations here are satellite stations and low wattage. They get there programming totally from places very far from here. There programming originates in San Francisco, Florida and other distant places. These organizations can easily get station permits for low power stations and fill the major population areas up with there brand of programming. This is ok if you live in down town El Paso or Las Cruces. I will discuss one major exception to this situation later. As always, I am a huge proponent of internet radio with the web, a roku or other streaming instrument or an internet radio. (See earlier post about this or write me.) This allows me to listen to most of these stations even if my regular radio or car radio can not get them. As usual a car radio is your best choice for hearing a lot of these stations as you move about the area.

El Paso Christian Radio

88.1fm – KNMA – Christian Satellite Network, This station actually comes out of Tularosa,NM but can be heard in Anthony, NM with Static. The station originates in Twin Falls, ID and owns other frequencies in the area. They are fairly conservative in there teaching and music. They have a fine website at www.csnradio.com

89.1fm -K206C – KYCC - “Family Radio, Your Christian Companion” These folks are out of Stockton, California broadcasting locally with 10 watts, I can hear them with static in Anthony. They play a mix of music and teaching. WWW.kycc.org is their website. I did check the signal in North West El Paso and they came in fine.

89.3fm – KELP- This is the Las Cruces version of our local religious broadcaster in the are. It come is well with a little static here in Anthony. Lots of teaching and some praise music. 3000 solid watts. It also has a slightly different schedule than its sister stations in El Paso. They broadcast this station from a small town called Mesquite, New Mexico. WWW.kelpradio.com

89.5fm -KKLY – KLOVE – This is the El Paso outlet of the worlds biggest satellite driven Contemporary Christian station out of California. This is a quality station that has 3.500 watts of power for the El Paso listeners. WWW.klove.com Sadly this signal does not work too well in Anthony, but they use a low power outlet here at 102.7fm that works fine. I just have two buttons on the car radio.

90.3fm – K212EO – Christian Satellite Network- This is the same station that appears on 88.1fm from Twin Falls ID. At a raging 5 watts we can not hear it in Anthony. I did listen to this station in North West El Paso

95.1fm – KELP – Records show that KELP owns this frequency but has yet to use it.

91.7fm – K219BX - KEAR “Family Radio” this is another low watt station that originates from San Francisco, California. Looks like teaching. Website is www.familyradio.org I can not hear it in Anthony.

95.9fm – KELP – This is our local El Paso for KELP's am outlet 1590am. It has different programming than its Las Cruses outlet. They mainly have a strong lineup of good teaching shows and Christian radio standards. WWW. kelpradio.com. This is a great signal in El Paso as they have quite a bit of wattage. They seem to have a minor interferance problem as I headed North to New Mexico.

102.7 FM – KKLY- translator for KLOVE. Anthony's only real radio stations. It has a massive 53 watts. It covers the space between El Paso and Las Cruses. WWW.klove.com The station has a steady but noisy signal in town.

91.1Fm – KVER – “Radio Manantial” The best I can tell or research this is the only Spanish FM Christian station in El Paso. I finally heard this station in El Paso proper. I have heard the Las Cruses outlet. WWW.kver.org I believe this is music and teaching. Neither reach me in El Paso.

Las Cruces Christian Radio – I have only heard a handfull of these station by car, but I will verify them later as I go about the area.

88.1fm – Static Radio – Great Christian rock station that has transmitters all over New Mexico. They have a great website for music at www.mystaticradio.com. I really like the sound of this station. They have 250 watts in Las Cruses and should get out all over south Las Cruses. Very good Christian rock and personalities.

88.9fm – KRUC- KVER. “Radio Manantial 500 watts this outlet of KVER sounds better and I have heard it. Once again I believe this is the only Hispanic Christian FM station in the region. WWW.kver.org

89.3fm – KELP for Las Cruces – Once again our only local Christian broadcaster. Lots of teaching and a slightly different lineup than the El Paso outlet. 3000 watts. I can hear it fine in Anthony. WWW.kelpradio.com

89.7fm – Moody Radio – Only in Las Cruces. Satellite station from Chicago, ILL. Great Christian teaching station sponsored by Moody College. 500 watts. WWW.kmbn.org

90.1fm – K211EN Another 6 watt Christian Satellite Network station. They also have a permit for 90.3fm www.csnradio.com

91.9fm - K220gf – WPCS – Pensacola Christian College. A 6 watts its gets out well in Las Cruses. This is a very old fashion Christian radio station with teaching and a noon prayer time. They also have a lot of coral music and Southern Gospel music. WWW.rejoice.org

I present this list to give brothers and sisters in Christ a place to go to be encouraged and built up in the Lord. I will try to listen to all these stations and verify them if possible, in the future. If you know more info on these broadcasters please feel free to contact me at Scotttalbert1963@gmail.com

To find an initial list of any radio stations in any area I like to use http://radio-locator.com/ This site will let you enter a zip and a state. It will give you call signs, website (where you can listen to station most of the time.) and the ability to look up a coverage area and wattage.

A Good Encylopedia of Christian Music and a Great Classic Christian Music Site

My (Scott Talbert's)

Review of Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music 

by Mark Allan Powell

I looked a long time for a complete catalog of Christian Music. I have been a fan of the music since my early teens. It was good to find such a large volume. Honestly I had never heard of the work. I have found other works not comprehensive enough. I think CCM music grew too fast for those involved to write a good work in the earlier years. This volume has some overwhelming positives and a few negatives.

First and foremost, its huge. It has a ton of artist entries. If a person sung or had anything to do with Christian music, you can find it in this book. I am a pretty varied fan of the genre and I found obscure bands and individuals for every taste.

I did find the intro to this book very funny. “Hey I took a years paid sabbatical to listen to music.”

He does give each entry a fairly good history,discography and basic biographical workup. That can be a huge task for some bands in the genre, who change members with every tour or don't exactly publish much information about themselves. His spade and information gathering is to be congratulated.

A few negatives persist. He is very opinionated about certain theological issues in the music. The one I bumped into, was his dislike of songs that mention military themes and victory. He also goes a long way in breaking down lyrics and discussing certain bands to the point of sheer board om. I found some entries more lyrical criticism than just a discussion of a band place in the world of CCM. The more minor the band was the more these discussions could be a waste of time. The last issue I have with the book is one that the writer can not control. With a 2002 publishing date this thing is dated. So much has happened in CCM since 2002. I hope somebody takes this franchise, shortens the editorials a little and makes it even more comprehensive.

Last and minor note. My CD got cracked either by me or on delivery. I did notice that it may be tough to run it on a modern machine. I would like to have tried it.

Lately I have been listening to a internet station at www.ChristianClassicRock.net They play classic Christian Rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s. This was the Christian hard rock that I grew up. Listening to the station is like a walk down memory lane for me. Thankfully growing up in Houston, we had good Christian rock radio, mainly on Saturday nights and some very good concerts like Petra, Resurrection Band, Steve Taylor and others. They play quite a lot of straight metal that’s pretty loud too. Take a listen, Christian rock has a 40 plus year heritage and this station seems to play them all. Also the station has places where you can listen to their other stations with power praise, hard rock, and Christian rock. As you switch to these other streams on the net you will get a website that has more about that stream. You can download their app to your android or i-phone. You can get the station on the Tune In app. You also have a choice of using almost any media player or just getting the mp3 stream to listen to. They really have a good site. This all belongs to a mother site called www.ChristianRock.net They are a non profit based in Springfield, Mo.

A Good Study of the the Growth of Pop Radio -- Amazon review

This is a review of Ben Fong-Torres book The Hits Just Keep on Coming I wrote and published on Amazon. If you are a history of radio fan like me you may find this is worth picking up. I am honest about what works and does not work in this book. 

I want to really like this book. I am a huge radio fan. I write a blog http://offaithandradio.blogspot.com/ on radio and faith issues. I have a job where I can listen to radio of my choosing for 8 hours or more a day. I have read several radio and TV history books. This review is part of trying to publish in this area. I am a fan. As much as I am a fan of radio, I wanted to be a fan of this book.

There are lots of reasons this book is a good reference book on a little written about topic. Fong-Torres gives his personal connection to top 40 radio. Like Fong-Torres, if you like radio you have played DJ with a hairbrush. I have. He then goes on to trace the early rise of DJ s. Pr-recorded music took awhile to get to radio. Records meant firing the orchestras many station used. Eventually DJ s playing popular records grew into what we call the Top 40 format.

Fong-Torres then takes you through the early days of Rock and and Roll. Alan Freed gets good mention. How a Top 40 was developed from record sales gets mentioned. The writer includes Top 40 charts from from 1947-1997. Ben Fong-Torres goes on to exhaustively list everyone of notoriety in this format. I was surprised how many I knew. Fong-Torres later takes up the subject of the transition to Fm from Am. You can barely hear music on Am anymore. HD radio could change that. He even touches on MTV. The book is too old to cover what I believes is the demise of Rock videos and the rise of the internet.

Fong-Torres even includes a cd of DJ samples. He has many of the masters on this CD with the magic of the “patter.” A DJ a good song and great audience could be an awesome thing to hear. Sadly, today we rarely hear more than song title announcement.

Still my big question. Why can't I love this book? It's a great study of a time and age of radio that still speaks to us today. It suffers from two problems. I feel Fong-Torres does not define Top 40 radio. Maybe you know it, when you hear it. He should have given it a try. Second this book is boring. By page 240 plus he has run out great stories. He does a lot of endless telling of where guys were and call sign. “He went from KILT in Houston to KXX in Nevada.” Wake me up when the listings stop. Maybe he could have discussed the rise of the format over and against its demise, but 1997 may have been early for this. As a reference this book gets an A, as interesting book it gets a C Plus.

Its Fall, Get a Real Radio and Have Fun

I know this blog is about internet radio listening. I hope you have tried to listen to a station that has informed you, built your faith or just had good music. But in my bones I feel fall coming on. Its time to drag out a real radio. Yes a radio that picks up real broadcast and have some fun tuning in some stations that may be pretty distant. To be honest, this is best done late at night with a sensitive receiver like a car radio. Cars are really great places for radios when done right. Manufactures tend to make car radios pretty sensitive. Last night in Houston, Texas I picked up a news station in Atlanta, Georgia. I have only heard the station on standard radio from Texas once in my life.

The internet can play a role in this. If you really want some radio fun you go out to a car on top of a hill and start tuning through the dial. You will be surprised how many stations you will get from how far. As you hear call signs (example wwl, koa, kprc or wbbm) and dial locations (610am or 89.3fm) you can use the internet to get all kinds of info on the station. If you like a station you can all ways listen to it on the net when the atmosphere does not allow you to.

If the car on a hill does not work for you try a transistor radio with a bar antenna. You will know it has one because when you move around it will seem to change channels even though you have not moved the tuner. The bar antenna is very directional. I have pulled stations in Chicago, St Louis and Tennessee with an old Sony walkman that had a cassette and fairly good digital tuner in it.

Now for those who want to go deep in this. This is where I temp you to buy a short wave radio and have at it. Ok, I am an old Radio Shack guy. This type of radio is not dead yet. Many good religious broadcasters still use shortwave to get there message out to the world and parts of the world where shortwave is still the radio of choice over long distances and very little local radio. My only advice is to start off cheap. Small shortwave radios can give you a taste of what is on. Once again the internet is a radio's best friend. You can use this to buy a good radio or identify what you are are listening to. Also some good books and magazines are available on the subject. Spoiler alert. If what you are listening to is any good, usually you can get it on the net clearer and easier to hear or where you can dictate the time you listen to it. If you have strong urge to consider shortwave listening, drop me an email at scotttalbert1963@outlook.com

Also I have found that scanning also gets a little better with the coming of fall. This is a radio that tunes police, fire, and other things. I have been listening to a near by school districts bus drivers chatter. They think they are alone. Once again the net is a great short cut on scanning. You can Google or use Tune In to listen to public servants around the country.

 Last of all, why care. As you know I come to the hobby of listening to broadcast as a Christian. Christians broadcasters tend to use all the media above, save scanning, (You can pray over what you hear on a scanner) to get their messages out. By playing with a radio you might hear an uplifting song or preacher or idea that God uses to change your life, that would be a great fall blessing. Yours in Jesus.

Ramadan Radio Update and our Prayer Burden

This time of the year is very holy to our Muslim friends. They are celebrating Ramadan. As a Christian I am praying they will come to know the freedom and the purity only  Christ can give them. When I see my Muslim friends in traditional dress I am prompted to pray for them. I urge you to do the same. While watching CNN, I saw a long form commercial for QFradio FM 91.7 add. This is a local radio station in the country of Qatar. They have an excellent streaming site at http://qfradio.com/player They play very contemporary Muslim oriented music. This should be a call to all Christians to pray for our Muslim friends to have visions of Christ and form relationships with caring Christians in foreign lands and right here at home. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus says “I am the road, also the truth, also the life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my father as well... “ (The Message) The complete spiritual journey for our Muslim friends will start and finish with Christ as their Lord. In this special month let us pray for our Muslim friends, make Muslim friends and pray that many Muslims come to know Jesus as the way to God.