[CW] FCC MM Rule Making 13-249 AM Broadcast

[Steve WD8DAS via CW]

 DR wrote:


I hate to see AM go away.

I know what you mean, David.  Here in my town there are only two AM stations with enough listeners to even show in the ratings: my outfit's flagship WHA and the town heritage news/talk station WIBA.  WHA is hybrid HD and WIBA used to be but quit.  The rest of the AM stations have very cheap satellite network programming and little or no local content.  A new expanded band station tried for nearly a decade to make a go of local news/talk but it never took off - too many people don't even know there is an "AM" band any more.  They quit in favor of satellite sports.

Too many people don't even know AM exists, and/or don't know how to switch bands on their radio.   The growing radio noise problem hurts AM particular hard, too.  The band is dying and if we don't do anything it will ultimately go away and we will lose that great resource for highly efficient communications.  

The NPRM you found is an effort to save AM.  One of the FCC Commissioners had made one of his goals to "save" AM because he sees it as an important asset for local communities, particularly in emergency situations.  They are seeking all kinds of ideas, not just regarding digital modes.

The bleak future projected for AM is why I support the option for broadcasters to try all-digital.  Not a requirement to convert, just the option.  I would like to see us go to not just some hybrid analog-digital stations, but in fact a "hybrid band".  Some analog stations, some digital, together on the broadcast band.  Separate digital and analog stations can coexist in the band perfectly well. That way there are still stations to be heard with the millions of radios already deployed, but stations that want to try all digital can do so and be heard by HD radios (which have good analog reception as well).  Hopefully someone trying that new approach will likely also invest in some interesting programming.

I just realized this discussion is pretty far off-topic for this mailing list - my apologies if it bothered anyone.


 

Steve WD8DAS

sbjohnston at aol.com
http://www.wd8das.net/
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