AM on FM Translators...

[edarmsttrong]

It could happen...from the NAB - 7/20/07:

LAWMAKERS URGE FCC SUPPORT
FOR AM USE OF FM TRANSLATORS​

WASHINGTON, DC -- A letter authored by House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC) and signed by an additional 14 members of Congress was sent this week to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, expressing support for a FCC rule change allowing AM radio operators to use FM translators.

In addition to Chairman Spratt, the letter was supported by Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ralph Hall (R-TX), David Davis (R-TN), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Bob Inglis (R-SC), Gresham Barrett (R-SC), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Henry Brown (R-SC), Wally Herger (R-CA), Sam Graves (R-MO), and Barbara Cubin (R-WY).

"Communities and consumers will benefit from improved AM service," the letter read. "Approval of this rule will mean that AM stations unable to broadcast local events that typically occur at night, like political debates and high school sports, will become able to deliver coverage."


Imagine...WGPA 24/7 on FM? Many more politicos are getting on board with this, and the FCC has issued STAs for 2 AM stations (not class D daytimers !) allowing this already. If any station deserves this, it's WGPA...

 

[mrwattson]

That would be great.

I was thinking yesterday that it is a shame that AM CRYSTAL CLEAR reception is lacking for ALL of our local AM stations throughout the ENTIRE Lehigh Valley. WAEB AM and WSAN are the strongest AM signals but even they are not crystal clear in the eastern part of the valley, and at night their reception is very bad. On many nights in the winter by turning the radio in different directions if you listen closely, I think that Ontario Canada comes in on the 790 frequency! A few months ago when I was in Pen Argyl, I don't know what station I was listening to, but it sure wasn't WSAN.

You would think that an area the size of the Lehigh Valley would have stronger AM signals to cover both ends of the Valley, wouldn't you? Like I said, night time is when it is really noticeable. I am being a little picky about daytime reception, but it truly is not crystal clear as you head towards Easton.

 

[humwing]

agreed! but would jolly joe run polka all night long on FM??? here's a chance for a real greatest hits format too. or if only WAEB-AM move oldies online to an FM translator.just thinking out loud.....WGPA-FM cool...

 

[Radiodeity]

From what I remember the FCC has allowed AM stations to use FM translators in Alaska (for various reasons) for quite some time. Now it may happen nationwide because broadcasters have been pressuring using Alaska as an argument in favor. I believe it wouldn't be such a good idea since the FM band would soon become just like the AM band - crowded to a point of being nearly un-listenable. Plus in the Valley where would there be an open channel that AM stations could use, all the frequencies are spoken for and I believe spacing would be a problem.

You would think that an area the size of the Lehigh Valley would have stronger AM signals to cover both ends of the Valley, wouldn't you?

At one time they did but greed got the best of the owners - the land the towers occupied became more valuable than what the stations were billing so stations were moved and signals downgraded so the acreage could be sold off for development and then shortly thereafter the stations were sold off to suckers er... I mean investors with even a lesser chance of turning a profit since the signals now covered about as much range as your typical cordless phone.

 

[amfmsw]

It should have been allowed for decades. Stations like WVCH and WPAZ could be rewarded for years of public service, instead of the same religion or university radio receivable at 4 places on the dial. Instead, we have gross abuses in the spirit of the rules. Lots of shoehorns and vasaline, but no programming.

Non-coms are that, and should not be allowed above 92Mc. I suggest, let the dial pigs swap their FM's for the AM's and allow the struggling daytimers on below 92Mc. Make Am for non-coms?

 

[Rockin Rob]

Great idea.....in theory! However, who's NOT to say that the AM "God Squad" crew wouldn't snap up the available frequencies for FM? Yep, cue more outcry.....

If regulated correctly, so that EVERY LOCAL STATION gets a fair shake, I'm all for it!

 

[edarmsttrong]

Palestine Herald-Press, September 8, 2008 -

Listeners who enjoy the talk show format of KNET 1450 AM, but are frustrated by the decrease in signal strength during the evening hours can now continue to enjoy that same format with just a flip of the dial.

http://www.palestineherald.com/local/local_story_251004706.html

[EDIT]


[EDIT-post truncated because originating material is copyrighted. Unauthorized use of copyrighted content is in violation of Radio-Info's TOS. Link courtesy of Radio-Info.]

 

[Band-Scanner]

I think we had this discussion on another board. (NJ?) The FCC has already allowed AM stations "Special Temporary Authority" to broadcast their signals on FM translators. WRNJ-AM in Hackettstown, NJ is running 2...on 104.7 & 92.7.WTBQ in Warwick NY is on a translator as well (think it's 99.1).It does fill in some dead spots but the power is pretty low..mainly around 25-35 watts. 104.7 in Budd Lake NJ is very susceptible to regular interference from K-104 in Poughkeepsie. There used to be a pirate in NYC but they were silenced..i believe. Other signals noted on 104.7 include Saliusbury, MD.,New London CT. Cape Cod, Mass. & even Tampa, Fla!

 

[amfmxm]

The commission is dragging their feet on making a definitive rulemaking on this mess and is instead issuing these STAs now allowing stations to use FM translators not just to repeat AM signals but also HD signals. See Cumulus/Harrisburg and Saga in both Ithaca & Asheville, NC. LPFM advocates have been screaming for more spectrum space, and rather than giving it to them, the FCC is allowing commercial operators to gobble up the channels with FM translators, instead. Kind of a passive-aggressive method of unregulation...

But if Cumulus, Saga... Clear Channel, Citadel, Emmis, Entercom, Nassau, et al are scooping up all these FM channels for translators across the country, it really won't take long until the FM dial is glutted with little signals in between every big signal--effectively chopping coverage and creating interference at every milepost.

Five years from now we'll look around and wonder what happened to FM.

Just think of this as industry-wide suicide by morons.