Digital AM: FCC takes a closer look
Many thanks to an SWLing Post reader who writes:
Thought you and the SWLing bunch would be interested to learn about this. The promoters make it sound so go, but fail to mention all the problems and pitfalls. Hopefully, it will go nowhere, which is the best course possible!
(Source: Inside Radio)
The prospect of a digital-only AM station may still be far on the horizon, but if it one day becomes reality the first step to securing regulatory approval has just occurred. The Federal Communications Commission has put up a proposal submitted by Texas broadcaster Bryan Broadcasting last month for public comment. It's not a formal rulemaking, but the process could lay the groundwork for a FCC decision allowing digital-only AMs in the future.
In a petition filed last month, Bryan Broadcasting VP and general Ben Downs said giving stations the option of dropping their analog signal would provide struggling AM owns an "innovative tool" with which to compete. Broadcasters will have until May 13 to chime in on what's been docketed as RM-11836.
Downs says he's pleasantly surprised to see the FCC moving so quickly on his petition. The proposal drew some attention among engineers at last week's NAB Show, although agency staffers were less committal. That made it all the more encouraging when Downs returned from the Las Vegas convention to learn the Media Bureau opened it up to comments.
"It was clear from the discussion panels that unless there's interest shown in this 30-day comment period, we will not have this approved as a licensed option," Downs said. "I don't think anyone questions the all-digital MA-3 option from a technical feasibility position anymore, separate from the hybrid mode that is authorized. So I would hope the Commission would recognize that this is the next logical step in the AM Revitalization effort."["]