A couple of days ago, FCC Chairman Wheeler made a statement that there will not be a special filing window for AM stations to get an FM translator. That's despite the fact that last fall, they more or less said there would be one sometime in 2015. I'm surprised there hasn't been a lot of discussion about it. AM is in trouble and a lot of small AM stations could benefit from a FM translator. It's true, it wouldn't do anything to fix the RF sewer that the AM band has become, but it would help preserve the businesses that occupy that part of the spectrum. Since I own two AM stations, it was not the news I wanted to hear.
Assuming there will eventually be a translator filing window, this means that small broadcasters will have to compete with groups like EMF and American Family to get a small piece of the pie. It may mean an auction situation for competing applicants. That is likely to price the entire exercise out of reach for many small broadcasters. As it is now, existing translators have become a commodity and are traded like pork belly futures. Some of the prices are nothing short of obscene, and well beyond the reach of a small broadcaster.
Considering what happened in the last translator filing window I hope the FCC will be proactive in leveling the playing field. I won't hold my breath about it though. Most of the problems have been inflicted by the FCC, including the RF pollution of the AM band. They have been busy shaking people down for Quarterly Issues Reports, EEO filings, EAS violations, inadequate Political Files and other paper related infractions, while ignoring the bigger picture of responsible spectrum management and enforcing Part 15 rules as they apply to unintentional radiators like fluorescent lights, computers, HD side-bands and other RF polluters. They are the ones who have screwed this up. I think it is incumbent on them to fix it.
Assuming there will eventually be a translator filing window, this means that small broadcasters will have to compete with groups like EMF and American Family to get a small piece of the pie. It may mean an auction situation for competing applicants. That is likely to price the entire exercise out of reach for many small broadcasters. As it is now, existing translators have become a commodity and are traded like pork belly futures. Some of the prices are nothing short of obscene, and well beyond the reach of a small broadcaster.
Considering what happened in the last translator filing window I hope the FCC will be proactive in leveling the playing field. I won't hold my breath about it though. Most of the problems have been inflicted by the FCC, including the RF pollution of the AM band. They have been busy shaking people down for Quarterly Issues Reports, EEO filings, EAS violations, inadequate Political Files and other paper related infractions, while ignoring the bigger picture of responsible spectrum management and enforcing Part 15 rules as they apply to unintentional radiators like fluorescent lights, computers, HD side-bands and other RF polluters. They are the ones who have screwed this up. I think it is incumbent on them to fix it.