Very interesting commentary by a couple fellas from Kintronic Labs about saving AM radio.
http://www.radioworld.com/article/let’s-save-a-vital-national-media-resource-am-radio/272946
My off the cuff gut reactions are: People here will immediatly complain that saving it technically won't fix the programming/format issues. Moot. FCC does not control format/content. They're not gonna tell you to play jazz if you want to play hip hop. Formats take care of themselves. if no one listens formats will change. If people listen, 'nuff said.
The cost to power companies to meet actual noise enforcement would be huge, especially rural electric coops that cover many miles and few people. Rates will go up to meet the rules.
Better enforced receiver specs will raise prices of radios, people will avoid them and it won't help the millions upon millions of radios already out here. It may not actually cost a lot more to build better spec'ed radios, but you can bet makers will offer them as new high end models at increased prices.
All in all though, I think every idea presented is good, just not realistic.
Discuss.
Tim in Bovey
Overall Tim is on target with his views (seen above), but there is one small and senseless way in which the FCC does meddle in content and that is the banned words issue.
I was just thinking about that this morning, when I heard someone use the S___ word in a very well worded sentence, and I have decided to mount a small act of civil disobedience by allowing the S___ word if it strengthens a comment.
RE: My off the cuff gut reactions are: People here will immediatly complain that saving it technically won't fix the programming/format issues.
Probably few (if any) would want to listen to a noise-free program source very long just because it was noise free.
OTOH, probably most people will tolerate a significant amount of noise/intererence in the program audio as long as the program content can be followed/understood, as long as that program interests them.
The article linked by Tim is important.
Of many recent articles on the subject of salvaging AM, this one in my opinion goes into the most technical detail and offers useful historic perspective on precedents, note the history of UHF TV.
Main point, AM radio is a national resource for the reasons given in the article.
From the technical FCC standpoint programming is a moot point, as Tim says, but not from the perspective of the NAB nor corporate owners of AM property.
I would like to imagine that the NAB actually has an interest in promoting the success of AM, in which case programming might be worth some thought.
The corporations naturally want to milk the cash and clamp the expense, no time for prima donna air talents with the native ability to build audience, but at a price.
The closest thing to radio personalities are sports hosts, who have the impossible task of tuff talk by the hour without being vulgar or drinking, at cross purposes with the very spirit of sports.
So many religious licenses recite the same children's fables while mining for handouts from ignorant listeners who part with precious cash to reserve their place in the hereafter.
AM radio takes place in the herenow and as a member of the ALPB I believe Part 15 paves the way toward a succesful future.
Amen and Awomen.
Again, Carl, as I mentioned in another recent rather lenthry rant here -- I can literally rattle off a list of a couple dozen or more AM stations throughout my region, Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, etc that are locally owned, locally operated, and staffed with local announcers and other staff. I happen to work for one. There are hundreds of locally run AM's in this country. Most of your corporate stations are FM. Not all mind you, but most. If anyone will be against saving AM, it's going to be Corporate Radio and it's FM stations.
Incidentally, the NAB doesn't OWN stations, and MOST of the small, locally owned and operated stations ALSO belong to the NAB. Although we look at them as evil, the NAB is a good resource for all member stations, big and small. The NAB coesn't care if you're a 100,000 watt FM in New York or a 250 watt daytimer AM in Spitoon, Utah. Yes, they go to great lengths to protect their own, but their own includes every commercially licensed station who wishes to join, not just the big guys.
Tim in Bovey
Comments about the inclusivity of NAB membership, serving even smaller locally owned members, is a fair viewpoint from Tim in Bovey, counter-weighing my perhaps too critical remarks about the organization.
Tim, you've indicated that NAB membership is open to licensed stations, but is that a hard-and-fast rule? Since part 15 stations are legal according to the FCC guidelines, maybe part 15 stations might be eligible to join NAB.
for me. Maybe it just doesn't like me.
Neil
The link up above may not have been fully highlighted.
This might do it...
http://www.radioworld.com/article/let%E2%80%99s-save-a-vital-national-media-resource-am-radio/272946
http://www.radioworld.com/article/let’s-save-a-vital-national-media-resource-am-radio/272946
Still doesn't seem to be a full legth live link -- yer gonna hafta copy and paste!