The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has invited comments on whether it should allow AM radio broadcast stations to abandon their analog signals in favor of an all-digital signal format. Preliminary tests have shown that all-digital signals provide improved audio quality and immunity from interference. While the FCC does not propose to require any AM station … Continue Reading
Attention all you AM radio nostalgia buffs and others interested in the future of AM radio, who hopefully read our post of October 10 about the FCC’s proposals to allow higher power operation by smaller AM stations by reducing nighttime signal protection for 50 kW Class A AM stations. The FCC’s proposals have been published … Continue Reading
Late on Friday, October 5, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in a five-year ongoing effort to “revitalize” the AM radio broadcast service. The new proposals continue a trend toward allowing higher power operation by smaller stations, by reducing nighttime signal protection for some 60 Class A AM … Continue Reading
On Oct. 24, 2017, the FCC issued a Report and Order eliminating the Commission’s rule requiring each AM, FM, and television broadcast station to maintain a main studio located in or near its community of license (i.e. the Main Studio Rule). In the same Order, the FCC eliminated existing requirements that are associated with the … Continue Reading
As part of the FCC’s initiative to revitalize AM stations, Puerto Rico station owner Wilfredo Blanco-Pi petitioned the FCC to allow AM stations to employ synchronous boosters, not just on a temporary basis, but permanently. Now, the FCC is seeking comment on the proposal to amend Part 73 of its rules. Comments must be submitted … Continue Reading
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has asked for comments on a win-win proposal it might have been able to adopt without more comments. Good for them.… Continue Reading
If you're planning to build or modify a tower, a new FCC tool makes it easier to comply with the new rules for protecting nearby AM stations.… Continue Reading
The FCC has adopted new comprehensive standards for determining both the adverse effects of construction on nearby AM signals and who should be liable for correcting those effects.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau is facilitating a cost-saving opportunity for AM broadcasters that could their reduce power consumption (and thus, presumably, their power bills) by 20%-40%.… Continue Reading
The Commission has launched a rulemaking to explore possible changes in the Travelers Information Service (TIS), the AM-based low-power service that provides a constant diet of (you guessed it) travelers information along highways and near various travel-based locations.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has rejected -- quickly and in no uncertain terms -- a proposal for a tenfold across-the-board power increase for all AM stations.… Continue Reading
Another proposal to help AM stations overcome ambient interference: this one would allow all AM stations to increase their daytime power tenfold (10 dB)!… Continue Reading
The Commission has invited comments on a proposal that would permit the early commencement of Presunrise Service (PSR) by Class D and Class B AM Channels on Regional Channels.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has issued a Public Notice clarifying a number of questions that have arisen about who gets to use the moment modeling method (for AM directional proofs) and under what circumstances. If you plan to use that method, you should check the Notice out first.… Continue Reading
Update on the AM-on-FM-translator front: the Commission has issued a follow-up notice alerting the public to OMB approval of Section 74.1284 and revised Forms 303-S and 345, all of which will become effective on October 1.… Continue Reading
A proposal to eliminate the "ratchet rule" -- 73.182(q), footnote 1, relating to AM applications -- has been submitted to the FCC. The petition is not for the AM neophyte, but if you happen to have an interest in AM allocation standards, you might want to take a look.… Continue Reading
At long last, the Commission's Report and Order amending its FM translator rules to permit carriage of AM stations has been published in the Federal Register. That means that those rules now have an effective date.… Continue Reading
The Commission has changed its rules to permit AM stations to rebroadcast their signals on FM translators under certain conditions. The long-awaited Report and Order - whose release was anticipated last Fall - opens the door for considerable, but not universal, "cross-service translation".… Continue Reading
