In January FCC moved to allow AM stations to acquire and geographically locate FM translator repeater stations a little further away from their main AM transmitter than previously permitted—within either 25 miles of their station, or within their daytime broadcast area, whichever is larger. Before this ruling those translators were limited to being located within […]
Tag Archives | AM revitalization
Podcast #83 – How AM Revitalization Pressures LPFM
Advice for LPFM stations and podcasters this week. A recent rule change at the FCC allows more AM stations to get repeaters on the FM dial, but may put unnecessary pressure on existing low-power FM stations. Paul and Eric discuss this situation and what LPFM stations may need to do in response, along with the […]
FCC Weighing the End of Clear Channel AM Stations
As the first round of AM stations get a shot at having translator repeaters on the FM dial, the FCC’s AM revitalization proceeding is still not completely resolved. There are still several questions that the Commission is accepting comments on, until March 21. Broadcast attorney David Oxenford presents a very thorough rundown of these issues […]
Podcast #22 – We’re All Moving to the FM Dial Now
Why will we hear more Rush and Hannity on the FM Dial? Prof. John Anderson of Brooklyn College explains the FCC’s AM Revitalization Order, why it happened, and what will result. Then we discuss why Cumulus Media, the nation’s 2nd largest commercial radio owner, is in trouble, with its stock tanking big time.. Jennifer Waits […]
FCC’s AM Revitalization = Move AM Stations to FM
For those who have been waiting with baited breath since 2013 to find out how the FCC plans to revitalize the FM dial: your wait is over. The Commission released its First Report and Order on Revitalization of the AM Radio Service late on Friday after its October open meeting. The order covers a few […]
Clear Channel: let AM stations go all digital on a voluntary basis
Clear Channel Communications has posted its response to the Federal Communications Commission’s proceeding on AM radio revitalization. The radio giant has many recommendations, among them the suggestion that the FCC should permit all digital AM operations “on a voluntary basis.” “As more HD receivers are installed in vehicles and more consumer digital receivers are purchased, […]
Want to revitalize AM radio? Start with better receivers
Comments continue to slowly flow into the Federal Communications Commissions’ proceeding on revitalizing AM radio. The latest emphasize the importance of improving the quality of AM radio receivers. “It has come to my attention that the vast majority of AM receivers on the market are designed with ‘Good Enough’ mentality and quite frankly make anything […]
UK digital radio transition effort holds lessons for AM revitalization
To say that public comments on the FCC’s AM revitalization proposals are barely trickling in could be charitably called an understatement. As of yesterday there were a total of three comments filed. Two of these are from amateur radio operator Nickolaus Leggett, which Matthew reviewed last week. In the absence of more commentary on the […]
The consequences of all-digital AM: an amateur operator’s view
As of this writing, almost no comments have landed in the Federal Communications Commission’s docket on AM reform, save the interesting ones of amateur radio operator Nickolaus E. Leggett. Some of his remarks focus on the consequences, as Leggett sees them, of converting the whole AM system to a digital operation. There is “a specific […]
Counterpoint: all-digital HD Radio on AM still on the table at FCC
My friend John Anderson wrote his dissertation on the complex policy machinations behind HD Radio becoming the digital radio standard, and now he has a book coming out telling the story. He knows more about the topic than just about anyone else. So when he says that the all-digital option for AM revitalization is very […]