Can The AM Band Be Saved?

[radiophiler]

But here's the question:

Given the already crowded nature of FM in the U.S., would it be possible for a migration, a la Canada or Mexico, of AMs to FMs? Even a 75% migration, or 50%? Seems as though the FM band is too crowded already.

Possible or not?

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Given the already crowded nature of FM in the U.S., would it be possible for a migration, a la Canada or Mexico, of AMs to FMs? Even a 75% migration, or 50%? Seems as though the FM band is too crowded already.

Has the FCC or any industry group done a computer modeling of this question? 

My "off the top of my head" guess is that the people who could afford to staff or fund such a study have no interest in finding a solution that is equitable to "small potatoes" operators and communties.  The financially stable organizations simply hire a consulting firm to find themselves the best possible moves and changes.  Everyone else can do their own thing.

When I travel across country to visit my ancestral home or visit my children in another state,  I observe a number of stations and markets that have a hard time just staying alive...  much less have the time, energy and funding to play "high-tech what-if".  The easy answer is:  Darwin at work.  If they are to small, too weak, too dumb to find their own improvement in the spectrum,  they deserve to become extinct. 

The more profound observation is:  I'm not worried about the loser who owns the station with the unpainted building with the gravel parking lot.  I am concerned that the regulatory system look after the people, the listeners that live in that geography.  If their station owner won't do, can't do the right thing....  the SYSTEM should do the right thing."

 

[secondchoice]

But here's the question:

Given the already crowded nature of FM in the U.S., would it be possible for a migration, a la Canada or Mexico, of AMs to FMs? Even a 75% migration, or 50%? Seems as though the FM band is too crowded already.

Possible or not?

With the current 88 to 108 MZ band, in a lot of big cities: no. There are some 250 watt "translator" opportunities for some AM's to get a FM but a lot are being gobble up by big existing FM's for HD.  In some rural low populated areas there could be a migration.  I am not current on the "protections" (distant and frequency) the existing classes of FM get, but with the various "move in's" over the years the chances of a "B" (C2) 50 KW @ 500 ft or better signal in a top market are very slim.  Some of the old analog TV channels would work but there is no receiver base.

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I am not current on the "protections" (distant and frequency) the existing classes of FM get, but with the various "move in's" over the years the chances of a "B" (C2) 50 KW @ 500 ft or better signal in a top market are very slim.

To do something as "radical" or "disruptive" as the Canadian plan,  and do it with any resemblance of even-handedness,  there would need to be some even-handedness exercised by Congress and the FCC.  Spread the misery!  That could mean something like changing the maximum power from 50KW to 30Kw  (from 100KW to 60KW in the Western states) to make room.

If it is essential to tell the guy running the 3rd generation family ownership of an AM station in a thriving rural market that he has to shut down if he can't find an FM channel,  then it is also essential to tell the owners of 50KW FMs in Cleveland or NYC or Boston they are going to have to throttle back to make room for others.

What's the old joke I heard in Oklahoma years ago?  Local industry?  Yup.  In our town we make the front end of horses.  (at this point there is a pause by the story teller as you wrap your brain around what was just said.)  Then we ship them to Washington for final assembly.

They got some horse's rear ends in Washington,  but I'm not sure they are extreme enough, tough enough,  to ever tackle the broadcast spectrum allocation with integrity.

[semoochie]

With the advent of the Class C0, I don't suppose there's really any need for a full C anymore.

[w9wi]

One reason the Canadian "plan" works is that Canada didn't authorize the massive number of non-signal-viable AM stations the U.S. did.  In 1970 there were nine AM stations and seven FMs, and about 350,000 people, in Omaha.  In Calgary, there were five AMs, one FM, and about 400,000 people. 

ALL of the Calgary AMs ran at least 10,000 watts at night.  Only one of the Omaha stations (KFAB) did.  Four of the Omaha AMs were daytimers, and two more Class IV operations. 

Under Canadian technical standards, chances are KFAB, KOIL, and WOW would have been the only AM stations in Omaha.

It's a LOT easier to find FM homes for everyone when you only have five stations to find homes for. 

[K6JHU]

My wife an I were in an antique store today. She noticed some low prices on old radios (all AM). She asked me why I didn't buy one at such a bargain. I waited until we were a little ways out of town in the car. Then I hit FM scan and got a half dozen plus FM with full limiting and stereo. Then I hit AM scan and got only one listenable station (a 50kW blowtorch) carrying Rush. The rest were not above the noise level or were being intefered with by other stations. Can the AM band be saved. Not as it exists now.

[ddsparxx]

About 4 years ago I was in an antique store near Culpeper, VA, and the radio at that store was tuned to Culpeper's WCVA AM 1490, an adult standards station, and I didn't hear any noise from the station.

[K6JHU]

I can list the exceptions (e.g. 1220 in Stillwater, Minn.) but I can also list AM stations that can't even cover their city of license with a listenable signal at night. BTW, while I like adult standards. MOYL just grates on my nerves. I seem to remember a company that will sell a Part 15 AM transmitter and music package specifically designed for antique stores 

[KeithE4]

I seem to remember a company that will sell a Part 15 AM transmitter and music package specifically designed for antique stores 

That would redefine the term "covering your market," but that's exactly what an in-store Part 15 station would be doing.