Most of us are probably AM operators, but if you use FM or if you hope the FCC might someday authorize a useful LPFM service (like they have in New Zealand, where you can operate with 1/2 watt!), then you want to be sure to file comments against the proposal to raise the power of digital FM sidebands by a factor of 10. Comments are due this coming Friday, November 28, 2008. Studies have shown that this will create additional interference to licensed stations, but it will also squeeze out low power FM operators who often are forced to use the 2nd or 3rd adjacent channels where this additional power will end up. It is rather difficult to find the public notice related to this proceeding, but here is the link: http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2008/db1023/DA-08-2340A1.pdf
Please read the notice carefully. Do not bother sending in e-mail comments or brief text comments; the Commission will ignore them. Either use the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or send comments by mail. Instructions on how to submit comments may be found here: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ and you can look at previously filed comments here: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov//prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi. You need to enter “99-325” in the “Proceeding” box. As I write, there are about 1145 comments dating back several years. The newest ones are displayed first.
IBOC, also known as “In Band On Channel” and “High Definition” radio, is neither. Many of us who have been associated with radio for more than a few years believe that IBOC is based on junk science, and was approved on the basis of political considerations rather than technical ones.
If you comment, please be professional, spell-check your document, and please be sure to have read the referenced documents in the Public Notice. Don’t just write “this is an idiotic idea” or you will be ignored. I won’t tell you what to write, but please be professional and respectful, and base your comments on technical or economic arguments.
WEAK-AM
And AM IBOC
Also the AM dial is polluted by the buzz-saws of HD radio. There are organized efforts in opposition to it because of the interference it causes, and it’s actually hopeful to read reports that HD isn’t catching on with consumers. They don’t understand why they’d buy a radio to hear radio they already hear.
Another and related concern is the fear that analog AM might someday be discontinued. There’s no cut off date as of now, but there is a trend away from analog broadcasting. The entire appeal of AM radio exists in its analog performance. Part 15ers unite!