1-16-13
(by David Webster) As an advocate for the revitalization and advancement of the interests of AM broadcasters, I recently penned a letter to Matthew Berry, chief of staff for Ajit Pai, supporting WTCJ's request for FCC relaxation of FM translator moves by AM's. I have not heard back from the commission at this point and have asked Radio Ink editor Ed Ryan to share the letter WITH his readers to get additional feedback from broadcasters. Here is the letter I sent to Mr. Berry.
Mr. Berry,
Please let me extend my appreciation and gratitude to Commissioner Pai regarding his emphasis and attention towards revitalization of the AM broadcast band. To many broadcasters this was the "shot of adrenaline" they needed to renew hope and determination for the future of their broadcast livelihoods.
As most are aware, AM radio, especially smaller operators and "AM only" facilities, are more often struggling in today's environment. Levels of interference have increased dramatically, alternative entertainment choices have proliferated and audiences have become much more quality conscious in what is today a 24-hour media marketplace. AM broadcasters, faced with interference challenges, low-quality receivers, a crowded band and relegation to being mostly available during daylight hours has created a negative perception in listeners.
Commissioner Pai has proficiently made the case in investigating various new avenues to technically help those on America's first broadcast band improve their service to the public. AM power increases, going digital, AM on FM translators, creating a new service within the TV Channels 5 & 6 space or using DRM at 26 MHz (my favorite) along with new antenna designs are some of many great ideas that should seriously be considered.
These new ideas and others on the table all have merits to their advantage; however, they must be looked at and implemented from the perspective that they are "medium" to "long-term" solutions for relieving AM broadcasters current challenges.
In this regard, beyond perhaps "power increases" and "negotiated interference," the one idea that will immediately benefit AM broadcasters is their use of FM translators. FM is already compatible with current receivers in the marketplace and its propagation and technical characteristics are well known.
The steps taken by the Commission to allow AMs to broadcast on FM translators was a fantastic move and has allowed some AMs to better serve their market and quite possibly avoid going dark. FM also allows AMs to have full service at night, although many stations can and do run reduced power at night, the power levels are often so low that their signals only cover a fraction of their daytime service area. This reduced service is obviously a detriment to the operator, but I also believe it is a detriment to public service as many local stations are the last resource of information available in emergency situations. Severe storms over the last few years, including the recent SuperStorm Sandy, have revealed once again the critical role that these local broadcasters can play in times of emergency.
While the FCC steps to date in allowing AMs to rebroadcast their signals on FM translators have been a terrific boon to those broadcasters that can acquire them, there are still issues at hand. Many stations that can successfully acquire a translator often times will need to move the translator to within their primary contour, however the limitations on the distance those translators can be moved often render the move impossible. In response to the distance issue, and with the best intentions in the spirit of revitalizing the AM band, a request to the FCC Audio Division for changes has been made. As filed by Attorney John Garziglia and representing WTCJ(AM), FCC File No. BPFT-20121116ALE, provides mechanisms to relax current regulation and make the relocation of FM translators to an AM broadcasters coverage area more often possible. I fully support this filing, believe it to be in the public interest and appreciate in advance its consideration by the Commission.
Recently there has been a groundswell of interest and support in addressing the woes of AM broadcasters. AM radio has served our public well through wars, recessions, elections, tragedy and triumph. The suggestions that have been made recently show that interest in this subject has grown in interest and urgency. As commercial broadcasting is quickly approaching its "Centennial in America," it is clear that AM radio is ready for a reboot.
Again, my appreciation to Commissioner Pai and the Commission for the serious time, commitment and consideration that is being put forth on this issue; I look forward to working with all interested parties to help move this cause forward and thank you for your time.
Dave Webster
CEO
VSI|HD Media Services
Southington, CT
(1/16/2013 9:13:13 PM)
There is a great deal of affection for AM, our original form of broadcasting, but it's over. The technology is obsolete. The only AM stations with listeners are the ones that have remained relevant over the years. Once they bottom out they never come back. The only answer is an FM license be it a translator, an HD channel, or a spot on an expanded FM band. Even web streaming is preferable to AM. It's a dead horse.
(1/16/2013 2:43:15 PM)
Below is a portion of the letter I sent to the Commissioners...
I write to tell you of a minor miracle that WMRC has pulled off here in our small market of Milford, Massachusetts. WMRC is a stand-alone 1KW station under the Boston, Worcester, and Providence umbrella’s. Each day we face more and more competition from Satellite Radio, Internet Radio, and Digital Media throughout the market. If that’s not enough, our signal is increasingly under attack from new technologies which make it ever harder to serve our communities with the local news, weather, sports, and public affairs programming they’ve come to rely on.
In the face of all of these obstacles, WMRC has just been selected as the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Station of the Year for the fourth time!!! Our dedication to LOCALISM is what makes us great, but it’s getting tougher and tougher to keep up the fight.
I’m aware of the effort at the FCC to “Revitalize the AM Broadcast Stations of the County”, and this is welcome news to broadcasters like myself. I truly love what I do, and I’d like to keep doing it for the next 50 years, but without your help, that may not be the case.
There is presently a waiver request (the Tell City Waiver request) pending at the FCC (File No. BPFT-20121116ALE), which will most likely be acted upon the third week of January. The waiver requests the abolishment of decades old rules that unreasonably prohibit an AM broadcaster from moving an FM Translator significant distances to be located within the AM stations community and rebroadcast the programming of the AM station on the FM Tanslator station, which, when implemented, provides the community with the 24/7 quality programming service it has historically enjoyed.
I hope you will consider supporting the crucial Tell City Waiver Request. I believe it’s the only future for AM stations like WMRC-First Class Radio. Sadly, without this assistance I fear we’ll simply fade away and become a thing of the past.
(1/16/2013 1:02:43 PM)I am in support of a waiver request filed with the Federal Communications Commission, FCC File No. BPFT-20121116ALE, to move an existing FM translator in order for it to simulcast WTCJ, an AM radio station in Tell City, Indiana.
WTCJ, along with AM radio stations across the country, continue to be challenged with man-made interference that challenges their ability to retain and grow audiences.
The FCC has wisely granted the ability for AM radio stations to simulcast on FM translators when they're available.
This waiver request would allow the FM translator to be moved a distance, in order to help WTCJ provide local radio service to Tell City, Indiana and surrounding area.
As a licensee of 3 AM radio stations, all of which are simulcast on FM translators we've been blessed to acquire and use, I can personally attest to the importance of continuing to provide local radio service that's been heard for decades on my AM stations, by having the same programming simulcast on FM translators that are not as suspectible to man-made interference as the AM signal.
I hope that the Commission grants the waiver request of WTCJ so that it can continue to provide local radio service in Tell City, Indiana, on the FM dial as well as the AM dial, as well as give other AM owners the opportunity to continue to serve their local communities by simulcasting on FM translators.
Although I own an FM and no AM it's my belief AM's need immediate help to continue serving their communities. I fully support Bud Walter's waiver.
John Kennedy owner
WGEL FM
Greenville, Illinois
AM Radio has long been an important community resource in our small towns. Commissioner Pai's revitalization effort is a great step towards reinforcing broadcasting in the public interest.
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