11-20-2012
Fewer issues excite the rank-and-file more than what to do, and what should happen, to the AM dial. How many stations out there are being used to run block programs you know nobody listens to? Perhaps you mix and match barter programs, to avoid having to pay a warm body, that you know drive listeners crazy? How about those P.I's? See any big checks lately? Monday's story about Bud Walters' FCC filing ignited another firestorm of comments from those who love their AM properties and those who say the writing is on the wall and AM radio is like a cancer patient who cannot be saved.
Consultant Walter Sabo says "The FCC could save the AM Band the same way it established the FM Band in the 1960's. Stop the simulcast." Harry Kozlowski writes, "How long does the corpse have to rot before you admit it's dead?" And John Devecka adds, "Producing actual quality local content (really being a part of your community) would go a lot further towards strengthening AM radio."
What will happen to the AM dial over the next ten years? There are many opinions. And the issue is being studied by the NAB, although they've given no indication when that study will be completed or made available.
Below, read the three pages of comments posted by readers about what to do with the AM Dial.
11-19-2012
Cromwell Group CEO Bud Walters has filed an application seeking to make it easier for AM stations to move an existing FM translator a greater distance than now allowed to a location where it can re-broadcast the AM station. The application says this one regulatory change would bring relief to a number of AM stations. "This change is staring the FCC in the face as a change it can make today -- with results occurring today - to revitalize AM stations. Walters is asking Commissioner Pai to support the waiver request for the FM translator for WTCJ(AM), Tell City, Indiana, which will allow it and other AM broadcasters to move an FM translator a greater distance than the FCC?s rules now allow.
The the application filed by Bud Walter HERE
Add your comments to the debate below.
(11/20/2012 7:51:57 AM)
Big AMs still lead in places like San Francisco and prairie states, where the ground conductivity is high. But AM has other problems: 1) receivers suck, even in cars, where now it's the fashion to minimize the antenna; 2) interference among too many stations; 3) rising digital noise; 4) demographic creep; 5) rise in listening elsewhere. (In the last book, WAMU's stream beat many AMs in D.C.) Hey, the band is 90 years old. It's gradually dying a natural death. No rush, but still...
(11/20/2012 7:14:26 AM)
Kevin: Your point is well taken. New Jersey has a 127 mile coastline. WIBG serves the Atlantic City-Cape May region. We were fortunate enough to maintain power and backups. However with IBOC and all the other gimmicks, nothing delivers information like AM radio. Big problem is people look to radio for information when the balloon goes up. Otherwise many consider it just for entertainment.Very little in the way of an informed public at so many levels.
(11/20/2012 6:25:03 AM)
I'm sure WIBG did a great job. But, how 'bout the guy interviewed on Fox News who said, "We don't even know who the President is? We're not getting any information here!" Obviously, he has never heard of WIBG...or the AM Radio Band.
(11/20/2012 6:21:21 AM)
Bill. While micros add noise, if AM broadcasters wanted a quieter local signal, they should call their local electric utilities. Most of these companies have terribly noisy transformers and lines. Tell them of specific areas of noise, and alot of the local noise issues vanish. Problem is, most power companies have stopped maintaining their infrastructure, adding MUCH more noise to the AM band. Call them on it!
(11/20/2012 6:14:27 AM)
Hashtag baby.. AM radio is alive and well. It goes back to live and local programming. WIBG1020 The Talk of South Jersey lead all AM's with its full coverage of Hurricane Sandy. Tens of thousands of South Jersey residents depended on WIBG1020 to be that lighthouse of information during this killer storm. Solid live/local broadcasters with a commitment to the community.. not to themselves provide our listeners with solid local information! Its still about live local content!
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