You're stuck in 405 traffic. The sun is setting over the Sepulveda Pass, and the brake lights in front of you look like a never-ending string of red Christmas lights. You realize the first pitch at Chavez Ravine is only ten minutes away. You reach for the dial. If you're a real fan, you know that missing the start of a game isn't an option. Finding the LA Dodgers radio station isn't just about catching the score; it’s about that specific, crackly comfort that only baseball on the radio provides.
AM 570 LA Sports is the home base. It’s been that way since 2012, when the station (formerly KLAC) grabbed the rights and never looked back. But honestly, it’s a bit more complicated than just hitting a preset button these days. Depending on where you are—maybe you're out in the Inland Empire or down in Orange County—that signal can get a little fuzzy once the sun goes down and the ionosphere starts acting up.
The AM 570 Era and Why it Matters
AM 570 LA Sports (KLAC) is the flagship. It’s the pulse of the team. When you think of the Dodgers on the air, you’re thinking of the voices that fill that specific frequency. For years, Vin Scully was the gold standard, a man who could describe a grasshopper on the infield dirt and make it sound like Shakespeare. Now, we have Charley Steiner and Rick Monday handling the heavy lifting.
Monday is a legend for more than just his broadcasting; the man literally saved the American flag from being burned on the field in 1976. That kind of history breeds a certain type of loyalty. When you listen to him break down a hanging slider, you aren't just getting color commentary. You're getting decades of big-league intuition.
But here is the thing: AM radio is fickle.
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If you are driving through a tunnel or sitting under high-voltage power lines, AM 570 might turn into a wall of static. That’s why the Dodgers and iHeartMedia have pushed so hard into the digital space. You aren't tethered to a physical antenna anymore. Most people just stream it through the iHeartRadio app now, provided they are within the geographic "blackout" zone. If you’re in LA, it’s free. If you’re in New York trying to catch a late-night West Coast game, you’ll likely hit a wall unless you have a specific subscription like MLB Audio.
The Spanish Broadcast: KTNQ 1020 AM
We can’t talk about the Dodgers without talking about the Spanish-language broadcast. It’s iconic. KTNQ 1020 AM is where you find Jaime Jarrín’s legacy continuing through Pepe Yñiguez and Jose Mota.
The energy is different here. It’s faster. It’s more rhythmic. Even if your Spanish is shaky, listening to a walk-off home run call on 1020 AM is an experience. It’s part of the fabric of Los Angeles. The Dodgers were one of the first teams to really lean into Spanish-language broadcasting decades ago, and they’ve maintained that standard of excellence ever since.
Beyond the Dial: Digital and Satellite Options
Maybe your car doesn't even have an AM tuner. A lot of new EVs are actually stripping them out because the electric motors interfere with the signal. It’s a mess.
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- The iHeartRadio App: This is the primary digital home for the LA Dodgers radio station. It’s convenient, but there is a lag. If you are watching the game on TV with the sound muted and trying to listen to the radio, the radio will be about 30 to 45 seconds behind. It’s frustrating. You’ll hear the roar of the crowd on your TV before the radio announcer even says "the 2-2 pitch."
- SiriusXM: If you’re a long-haul trucker or just someone who hates losing a signal while crossing state lines, SiriusXM is the play. They have a dedicated MLB stream for every team. The Dodgers feed is usually on channel 853 (digital) or shifted around on the physical satellite channels depending on the day's schedule.
- MLB At Bat: For about $30 a year (the price changes, so check the app), you get every single radio broadcast for every single team with no blackouts. This is the "cleanest" way to listen if you travel a lot.
Why Radio Still Wins Over TV
People ask why anyone bothers with a radio station in 2026. Look, Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser are fantastic on the SportsNet LA telecast. They are arguably the best duo in the business right now. But radio requires a different kind of mastery.
On TV, the picture does the work. On the radio, the announcer has to be your eyes. They have to tell you where the shortstop is shaded, how the shadows are creeping across the mound, and exactly how hard the wind is blowing out toward left-center field. It’s a more intimate way to consume the game. It’s the sound of summer.
Technical Hurdles and Signal Strengths
KLAC broadcasts at 50,000 watts. That is a lot of power. In theory, you should be able to hear it from San Diego to Santa Barbara. In reality, the "noise floor" in a city like Los Angeles is incredibly high. All the electronics, the buildings, and the interference from other stations make it tough.
If you are struggling to get a clear signal on the LA Dodgers radio station, try these quick fixes:
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- The "HD" Toggle: If your car radio has an HD Radio setting, make sure it's on. AM 570 often broadcasts a digital HD signal that is much clearer than the standard analog one.
- External Antennas: Most people won't do this, but if you're listening at home on a vintage receiver, a simple copper wire run outside can transform the experience.
- Switch to FM: Sometimes, the Dodgers broadcast is simulcast or picked up by affiliate stations on the FM band in outlying areas. Check 97.3 The Fan if you are down in San Diego or various local stations in the high desert.
The Future of Dodgers Radio
The landscape is shifting. With the rise of the "connected car," the traditional radio dial is becoming an app icon on a dashboard. The Dodgers know this. They’ve invested heavily in "Dodger Talk," the post-game show hosted by David Vassegh.
Vassegh has become a bit of a polarizing figure for some, but the guy is everywhere. He’s in the clubhouse, he’s on the field, and he’s the one getting the first quotes after a tough loss. Whether you love the "Vassegh Slide" memes or just want the stats, his presence on the radio station after the final out is a staple of the LA night.
Honestly, the radio is often better for the post-game anyway. You get the raw emotion of the fans calling in. You get the deep-dive analysis that TV networks often cut short to move on to the next scheduled program.
Actionable Steps for the Best Listening Experience
If you want to make sure you never miss a pitch, you need a multi-layered plan. Don't rely on just one source.
- Program your presets: Set AM 570 and AM 1020 as your first two buttons.
- Download the iHeartRadio App: Create an account and "favorite" AM 570 LA Sports. This bypasses the need to search for it every time you open the app.
- Check the Schedule: Day games (especially those "getaway day" Wednesday afternoon starts) are often the hardest to catch. If you’re at work, the MLB.com web player is usually the most stable way to listen through a browser.
- Invest in a pocket radio: It sounds old-school, but if you are actually at Dodger Stadium, the delay on the apps is unbearable. A cheap analog pocket radio will let you hear the call in real-time while you watch the play happen in front of you. There is nothing quite like hearing the crack of the bat through your headphones at the exact millisecond you see it happen.
The Dodgers are more than a baseball team in Southern California; they are a constant. And the radio station is the heartbeat of that constancy. Whether it's a blowout win in July or a tense playoff game in October, that voice coming through your speakers is the thread that connects generations of fans. Turn it up.
Stay tuned to the local listings as frequencies can occasionally shift during the postseason due to national broadcasting contracts, but for the regular season, 570 is your home. If you're outside the immediate LA basin, look for the "Dodger Radio Network" affiliates in cities like Bakersfield, Fresno, and Palm Springs to stay connected to the Blue Crew.