They have issued a new AM Radio Revitalization Order.
Full document here- http://www.radioworld.com/Portals/0/AM%20Revitalization%20Order%20FCC-15-142A1.pdf
A quote I took from here though in which I want you all to read. Located on the third page at the paragraph numbered "5".
"Specifically, CRA and others believe that the medium wave AM band is too beset by environmental noise and other forms of interference to remain a viable communications medium, and instead advocate that we open up the 76-88 MHz band (VHF television Channels 5 and 6) to relocate current AM stations to that band to operate as FM broadcasters.6 Despite the calls for this solution, we cannot consider it at this time."
I think we have been discussing ad nausium on here about the idea of beginning to utulize the 76-88 frequency range for something, whether it be LPFM and P.15, OR, as the FCC has at least thought of, to use it for giving MW stations an FM frequency since they are reconginizing the fact that QRM (man-made noise such as chargers or bad wires) are heavily impacting AM signals. Naturally they do not want to talk about it right now, but at least we know that the idea has been brought to their attention. How do we feel about AM stations taking advantage of the 76-88mHZ band?
Atrain, thank you sir for linking this news development from the FCC.
You asked: "How do we feel about AM stations taking advantage of the 76-88mHZ band?"
I say this. Back in the 1950s and 1960s AM stations had their chance to obtain an (at that time) easy to get FM license. Some AM stations established FM outlets to simulcast their AM programming, but ended up selling or abandoning their FM facilities because they saw no future in it.
Other AM stations at the time didn't bother at all with FM and didn't think it was important.
They had their chance.
AM stations are "losers by legacy" with regard to their FM situation.
AM stations do not deserve any special treatment now for stupid mistakes made 40-years ago. They took their risk and lost out.
Setting the AM stations aside, I do believe the 77-88 MHz range should become part of an expanded FM band available to new applicants, to serve the greater needs of the public for a variety of radio program choices.
AM stations would be eligible to file for new FM licenses on an equal status with anyone else.
Most of the stupid mistakes were by the FCC.
They had their chance 40 years ago?
40 years ago no AM station manager or owner would ever have anticipated the noise floor mess created by today's electronic gizmos.
The managers and owners of 40 years ago are now mostly dead or at best retired. New owners would not have been able to anticipate these needs 40 years before they were in charge.
Your vote really is to hell with AM stations that exist today, as they missed the boat?
Expanding FM to 77-88 is going to make a heck of a lot of radios obsolete.
You think for a SECOND that we'll get a variety of radio program choices? No, we'll get Clear Channel, Cumulus, and large regional group owners all of whom have money, building more automated, satellite fed cookie cutter stations.
If nothing else it shoujld be required that applying for any new frequencies require NO corporate or group owners, and about 75% of broadcast content originating locally. THAT won't happen.
TIB
Now is the time to open 87.7 and 87.9 Mhz for part 15 users and maybe two other frequencies especially for Low Power Unlicensed Hobby Broadcasting at a great strength than 250 uV/m @ 3 meters. Maybe at 230 meters you have 250 uV/m. This would get you around 900 feet plus to a portable Radio and that would be plenty of range for a few blocks. 904 feet before it starts to fade and to a car Radio over ½ mile. Again plenty and reasonable. Spread the licensed stations two adjacent channels above and below the part 15 channel and that way everything is fair. The extended part 15 transmitter would be able to operate at the higher power at 87.9 and 87.7 frequencies.
For the rest of the licensed stations I agree that AM stations should have dibs on the rest of the 76-87.3 mand. Remembering that 87.7 and 87.9 would be reserved for part 15. Now is the chance to comment and get involved. Maybe we have a chance now for the FM initiative.
Hate all you want, this is going to help a ton of Class D AM Stations.
The footprint for a translator in many cases will be smaller that the actual AM footprint. Moving AM stations to FM? Then why bother having an AM signal at all? Fix AM by allowing more power to overcome noise and put something on people might actually want to hear. AM stations in small markets used to air high school football games and do live remotes. In Tampa a certain 11 KW AM station has a FM translator in the middle of thier AM coverage area!! Go figure.
What the FCC should also consider is moving the aviation band up to UHF frequencies and expanding the FM broadcast band up into the current aviation band.
This will also help eliminate the interference issues with the air-craft band.
Over the air television can share that band as well, because the repack is going to place a lot of stations on top of each other.
No matter what, in time, something is going to have to give and new receivers are going to have to be manufactured whether the industry likes it or not.
Bruce.
Where i live AM is not vood for much. You would be better off GIVING aM to hobby Radio at 1 Watt. Still doubt you would get listeners.
The AM station I work for carries over 140 high school sports events a year. Football, Hockey, Baseball, Basketball, Women's Vollyball, etc...
As do over a dozen stations in my region that I can think of off hand. many of the area FM stations do to, including our sister station, a 100,000 watt FM that carries sports for teams outside of our AM coverage area. I can promise you that thousands of high school sports events are on the air across the nation every week.
This week, we have an afternoon announcer broadcasting from the local Chrysler dealership for four hours a day for four days.
There are GOBS of small market AM's doing exactly what you are missing, apparently, in your area.
There IS a lot of independent local AM broadcasting going on in this country. If you're in a big city you won't be aware of it, but we're out here.
TIB
Tim in Bovey said: "You think for a SECOND that we'll get a variety of radio program choices? No, we'll get Clear Channel, Cumulus, and large regional group owners all of whom have money, building more automated, satellite fed cookie cutter stations."
That is the way it would be.
However, those Clear Channel, Cumulus, and large regional group owners control the same AM stations that would move to FM translators.
John Druid Hills said it best: "Put something on people actually want to hear."
Glad you guys have been talking about this.
I say this. Allow the lower powered AM stations to have dibs on 76-80. 80-86 for LPFM 250 watts or less. 86.5-87.9 for part 15 ONLY.
Now that will really work. And allow 1 watt or a little less as well. this will allow for some neighborhood Radio stations. Maybe we should really bring this up. Now is our chance to speak up and get this done.
Places like Hazard,Ky which is the main hub or city of Perry County (6 miles from my location)
has very few stations and for good reason too.
A lot of business has moved to greener pastures, the county is struggling to bring the economy out of a slump that has been a problem for years.
One side of town closest to me is dying faster than the rest. So many business's have either left, moved to the other side of town or just went belly up.
Coal mining is dying out as well, thanks to the current administration which is ashame since it was a major boon for this counties economy. Some of the bigger coal mines have been sold off to companies over seas while the miners look for work elsewhere.
Some folks have even moved across the state or even out of state just to find jobs.
So is there room for another radio station? Maybe.. but with very little interest in buying air time on a 100,000 watt FM with a hellava reach into three states whats the point of building another commercial station when no one can afford to advertise?
I agree, expanding the band to alleviate the woes of overcoming the increasing noise floor on the AM Band is a good move. But only for larger cities. For area's like mine and there are more across Kentucky, it will be a waste of spectrum. No one is building new stations here except for a few poorly maintained LPFM's.
I took screenshots from Radio-Locator, the list of vacant fm channels is for my area 41723.
I actually live in Willard ,Ky. (locals call it Big Willard) Busy,Ky is several miles from here and just happens to be our mailing address. I don't know why either.
The second picture is a list of currently licensed stations using the Hazard,Ky zip code of 41701. Downtown Hazard is 8 miles from my location.
To view a larger image, right click and select "view image" or the photobucket interface offers a magnifying glass option.
Hey I'm glad you like that idea. I think it makes the most sense.