27
« on: May 14, 2018, 1958 UTC »
In my opinion, the way the FCC is handling AM "revitalization" is a complete joke, not to mention a failure. All it has accomplished is stuff 10 pounds of crap (AM on FM translators) into a 5 pound bag (the FM band). If I were there making some decisions, well I definitely wouldn't be making any friends with some broadcasters but here's how I would handle it: First round, make all clear channel frequencies back into an actual clear channel. If you're on a clear channel and aren't a class A, get off. Review the licenses of all those that were displaced from a clear channel frequency, then determine if they are fit to be relocated elsewhere or if it would be beneficial to all on the band and just make them go dark Especially pay attention to stations that have been running on STAs forever and basically can't get their act together. Second round, look at the remaining class B and D stations on non-clear channels and review those licenses, same deal, look at the history and determine whether or not to "clean house" and eliminate some licenses. I wouldn't do anything with class Cs since they are pretty much already limited as it is, just let them hammer it out as they are. Doing that should free up some of the band on AM and FM since some of those AM licenses anymore are just being used as a foot in the door to get on FM. In this area I have rarely heard an AM on FM translator brand themselves by the AM frequency, as soon as they get that translator license they abandon all mention of the AM and just act like FM is the only thing they have. I know of a case in this area where the AM has been running on an STA since 2014 for temporary facilities because they lost their transmitter site and just happened to put a translator on the air around the same time. Also have an LPFM around here that was built in a rather bad spot (well it would be a great spot if we didn't have hills, they're over height and have to cut power) and suffers from terrain blockage to some of their coverage area. Wasn't too bad until a week after they sign on one of those translators comes on on the same frequency and is in just the right spot to light up a great signal into the very spot the LPFM suffers in, when you can practically see the tower, but are just outside of the 60 dbu contour so FCC won't do anything (LPFM filed complaints against the translator but then was unable to actually prove they had legitimate listeners in the area that the interference occurs in, so FCC threw it out). It is getting to the point where there is not going to be much use in listening to either broadcast band if this garbage continues, and I haven't even touched on the FCC actually growing a pair and telling manufacturers to clean up their act when it comes to RFI, that's a pipe dream. Frankly, with the way that broadcasters are abandoning HF, that might actually be the refuge that some of these non-commercial/community broadcasters need to escape to, if the audience is willing to follow them there.
Show Posts