Saving AM Radio

[RadioFan2J3]

A very similar argument to broadcast. Ham's talk a good game about what an important role they could play in theory, but when the rubber meets the road, the only scrambling is to same themselves. Which is fine, because amateur radio is a hobby, not putting yourself or others in harm's way. My only statement to follow that would be: Then don't claim you support emergency services via ham radio when there's zero obligation to do so.

Perhaps it varies community to community?

I live in Clay County, FL, and there is a strong Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) support operation for events in the county. The county more or less funds a two-meter repeater (KI4UWC) which gives very good coverage county wide and county Emergency Operations Center has a radio room for ARES, both two-meter equipment and HF equipment. (I say more or less on the repeater because I don't know all the funding details.

The ARES group provides hurricane shelter communications support when the shelters are opened for hurricane evacuation purposes.

The ARES group also has close support with the National Weather Service and weather related event information is broadcast on the KI4UWC repeater.

From a more personal point of view, I also use ADS-B aircraft tracking and engage the NEXRAD weather display option. This way, I get a visual on weather conditions. There are other options for the NEXRAD weather displays.

 

[AMRadioGuy]

Ah, here we go. Thread hijack back to Mr. Peabody's Wayback machine to discuss long-discarded formats and technology. Had to happen eventually.

I was responding to someone's comment... Besides, it's certainly more related to AM radio than the long discussions about phone plans that have been going on through this thread.

 

[Kelly A]

I live in Clay County, FL, and there is a strong Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) support operation for events in the county. The county more or less funds a two-meter repeater (KI4UWC) which gives very good coverage county wide and county Emergency Operations Center has a radio room for ARES, both two-meter equipment and HF equipment. (I say more or less on the repeater because I don't know all the funding details.

Similar to what we have in the County where I live. All great ideas in theory, but as I mentioned, lack effectiveness when actually needed mainly because it's a volunteer group of a hobby. As mentioned, it's impractical to expect seniors to put forth the effort and commitment during actual manmade or natural events, but it makes for lively discussion at the Saturday morning IHop breakfast.

The ARES group provides hurricane shelter communications support when the shelters are opened for hurricane evacuation purposes.

In a day and age of cell phones and satellite Internet, how much is using amateur radio communications at shelters actually used? Again, theory versus practical need.

The ARES group also has close support with the National Weather Service and weather related event information is broadcast on the KI4UWC repeater.

Our local club had a similar discussion about adding NWS broadcasts to the local repeaters. My question was; to what end? Other than nets once a week, the eight repeaters in the club hardly have any traffic in any given week. Anyone who was interested in weather, probably already has an NWS receiver, so adding it to an unused 2M repeater would be needless work and complication for what?

From a more personal point of view, I also use ADS-B aircraft tracking and engage the NEXRAD weather display option. This way, I get a visual on weather conditions. There are other options for the NEXRAD weather displays.

And that's great. You assume responsibility for gathering your own weather information including warnings. The vast majority of the public relies on their smartphone for potentially critical information that may affect their lives. Other than those times, it's no concern.

 

[CTListener]

Similar to what we have in the County where I live. All great ideas in theory, but as I mentioned, lack effectiveness when actually needed mainly because it's a volunteer group of a hobby. As mentioned, it's impractical to expect seniors to put forth the effort and commitment during actual manmade or natural events, but it makes for lively discussion at the Saturday morning IHop breakfast.

Are you assuming that all hams or, specifically, the hams involved in ARES and other emergency response operations, are doddering senior citizens who'd prioritize sausage over service?

 

[Kelly A]

Are you assuming that all hams or, specifically, the hams involved in ARES and other emergency response operations, are doddering senior citizens who'd prioritize sausage over service?

I would never use the terms doddering or sausage.
What I'm claiming is there is a big practical difference between theory and actual.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Why they didn't choose something more modern like FM or something else, I don't know, but apparently they still see AM as a viable tool for notifying the public during emergencies, so in that context, removing AM from cars – one of the few places where radios are still common – would seem to be kind of stupid (how would anyone hear what the PD has to say on 1670 if nobody has a radio capable of receiving it?)

Simple answer: TIS (Travelers' Information Service) was first authorized by the FCC in 1977. By definition, it uses AM; there is no provision for licensing them on FM.* It initially was confined to two frequencies (530 & 1610) but when the AM band was expanded to 1700 in 1990, TIS was allowed to also choose frequencies in the expanded band, and most still operate on 530 (which remains available for TIS authorizations only) and between 1610 and 1700.

It was suggested in 1993 that all TIS stations be moved to 1710, but that went nowhere.

By definition, TIS programming is restricted to "noncommercial voice information pertaining to traffic and road conditions, traffic hazard and travel advisories, directions, availability of lodging, rest stops and service stations, and descriptions of local points of interest" although there is a provision for safety and emergency communications as needed.

* - Some LPFMs have been licensed in recent years to act as TIS stations, but they are not considered to be an official part of the service and the decision to broadcast TIS-type programming is at the licensee's discretion and not mandated by any conditions on the license, as is the case with TIS.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Similar to what we have in the County where I live. All great ideas in theory, but as I mentioned, lack effectiveness when actually needed mainly because it's a volunteer group of a hobby. As mentioned, it's impractical to expect seniors to put forth the effort and commitment during actual manmade or natural events, but it makes for lively discussion at the Saturday morning IHop breakfast.

I hereby award you the Radio Discussions "curmudgeon of the week" award, Kelly. It comes with a complimentary Saturday morning breakfast at IHOP, provided by your local ARRL chapter. 😜

 

[secondchoice]

Why they didn't choose something more modern like FM or something else,

FM is line of sight (plus one third depending on local circumstances). The AM transmitter would not have to be on a mountain top or tall building. Since commercial power would be out a lot of the man made interference would not be a factor. If you are dealing with the local people during an emergency the simpler the the better. KISS. That is why all radios (cell phones excluded) should have an analog AM function.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Radio didn't ''walk away.''

I know you like to say that, but observed outcomes indicate otherwise.

Something changed between 1980 and 2001.

...and then...

None of the money went to radio, or training radio people for responding to emergencies. It all went to local emergency officials, and they were told to spend it as they see fit. Radio was left out.

Gosh, I wonder why that was? Maybe because radio did walk away?

If you don't participate, don't expect to play the game.

 

[Mark Roberts]

The city I'm in (Lafayette, a suburb of SF located along Highway 24 just west of Walnut Creek) has one.

It's operated by the police department and operates on 1670 AM. Apparently it is relatively new, as the signs I see reading "In case of emergency, tune to 1670 AM" are fairly new, probably not much more than 4 or 5 years old).

That's interesting. I never realized it was there and I've been on Highway 24 innumerable times. I probably couldn't have been picking it up in Oakland where I lived, but if you can get it in Orinda and Moraga, it's probably something I should have picked up. I don't recall ever seeing the highway signs for it, either. Perhaps it's newer than we realize, since September of last year?

 

[TheBigA]

I know you like to say that, but observed outcomes indicate otherwise.

It depends on the station. Certainly the CBS News stations didn't "walk away." Neither did NPR. People use the term radio as though its all one thing, and it's not. If you live where there's a station that's committed to emergency information, you get it. Otherwise, it's dependent on EAS.

Gosh, I wonder why that was? Maybe because radio did walk away?

The government supports the government. That happens every day with the FCC. They're not in the business of helping commercial radio companies. DHS has its own internal media department, and they know they have access to radio via EAS when they need it. The Homeland Security Act changed the role for broadcasters. It's there in writing. That's what changed between 1980 and 2001. What didn't change was that broadcasters have to make their airwaves available to EAS.

Commercial broadcasters will always try to get away with doing the bare minimum. That's why the government passed the Public Broadcasting Act.

 

[DaveBayArea]

Since this conversation has gone down the EAS rabbit hole. I'm curious if any one who has responded to this thread actually have anything to do with maintaining an EAS unit at a licensed broadcast station.

Yup. Check it every Monday and file the piece of paper. I will also add that radio is still a very useful source of information in some mountainous areas where there is no cell coverage, and limited Internet access under normal circumstances. That amounts to about 1/2 of the coverage area for the place where I work, KVMR. I think most of the posters here are from an urban area (I used to live in the Bay Area - just kept my old screen name) but things are different here.

While they don't have EAS activation capability, the local OES immediately contacts us and the other station in town - KNCO - whenever there is an emergency. Usually a wildfire. People know that there will be updates at the top of the hour and they can go out into the driveway & turn on their radios. That's what we do. The network infrastructure here is hit-and-miss when the power goes out for more than about 6 hours. It's not economical for the carriers to provide generator backup everywhere to serve the small population, and radio remains relevant. We're a non-comm station relying on donations, and one of our premiums is a hand-crank radio. We've given out hundreds.

Not AM radio exactly (actually KNCO is) but I guess it's relevant based on where the topic has drifted.

Dave B.

 

[vchimpanzee]

WWL 870AM provided critical information to coastal communities in Louisiana and Mississippi during and after Katrina. A lot of evacuees sheltered in Houston would tune in for frequent updates.

WBT 1110 AM in Charlotte communicated to areas hit by Hugo in 1989, even though Charlotte was dealing with its own disaster.

 

[vchimpanzee]

And Beautiful Music... yes, it is an honest to goodness beautiful music station. They play instrumental renditions of pop songs from the 60s-80s. Nothing vocal. It's very relaxing to tune in to while driving around.

Where is this? My Facebook group would like to know.

 

[secondchoice]

Ah, here we go. Thread hijack back to Mr. Peabody's Wayback machine to discuss long-discarded formats and technology. Had to happen eventually.

If a thread goes too far "off the track" in your opinion, report it to moderators. I personally believe that wondering threads make this site interesting. There are some very different points of view on this site. Live and let live.

 

[Kelly A]

I hereby award you the Radio Discussions "curmudgeon of the week" award, Kelly. It comes with a complimentary Saturday morning breakfast at IHOP, provided by your local ARRL chapter. 😜

Oh trust me, I've been to my fair share of ARRL-related breakfasts at IHOP. Eventually all the bunion-pain, war stories, and surgery talk takes it's psychological toll, and I find myself spending my Saturday mornings sleeping in.

 

[Kelly A]

If a thread goes too far "off the track" in your opinion, report it to moderators.

Sometimes it's quicker and easier to provide a quick push back to the here and now, than it is once the topic veers off into a Geritol-fueled rabbit hole of revisionist history.
There are plenty of thirty plus year recollection threads already in progress about things like BM, SJ, and the wonders of 8-track.

 

[KeithE4]

That is why all radios (cell phones excluded) should have an analog AM function.

What would you use for an antenna? Loopsticks are too large to fit, and modern phones cannot use wired ear buds, which only worked on FM anyway. Ancient Modulation in a cellphone can't happen.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I bought a new clock radio. The only one picked up AM stations fine but only the clock works now. I don't know why but the new one doesn't pick up any AM stations. Not even the close ones.

 

[Kelly A]

I bought a new clock radio. The only one picked up AM stations fine but only the clock works now. I don't know why but the new one doesn't pick up any AM stations. Not even the close ones.

Is there an AM selection/button/switch on your new clock radio Chimp? That could be the problem right there.