Hey guys,
I am going to post a forwarded email that came to me this morning. I think this could be huge. Check it out.
I am going to post a forwarded email that came to me this morning. I think this could be huge. Check it out.
Dear Fellow AM Broadcaster:
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is at hand for AM broadcasters...large-market and small-town operators...daytimers and fulltimers alike. It's a chance to put your AM signal on an FM translator which may have an effective reach of up to 10-12 miles (even more depending on terrain) with which to fill-in any gaps in your coverage and better serve your audience.
What do you have to do to avail yourself of this opportunity? The first step is to simply tell the FCC you believe "AM on FM"; to be an idea whose time has come and to go ahead and implement its proposal to permit AM operators to own FM translators and use them to fill-in or enhance local AM service to communities.
So, why is it necessary that individual AM broadcasters log in with comments of support? The answer should come as no surprise. We must convince the FCC that allowing us to use the spectrum is best for the public. Although the FCC saw enough potential in the concept (first raised by the National Association of Broadcasters) to propose it in a rulemaking (Docket No. 07-172), there are other groups who think they can do better with FM spectrum than established radio operators. These groups are well-organized and will be strongly advocating other uses of these lower-powered channels.
If adopted by the Commission, AM stations will be permitted to rebroadcast their signals via an FM translator within their regular daytime contours and if the station is a daytimer, it may originate programming on the FM translator during hours the AM is not permitted to broadcast.
Even if it's just a paragraph or two, your personal comment to the FCC as to how you would use this opportunity to enhance your community service will go a long way to assure the Commission it was correct in proposing "AM on FM."
In my case, I work hard to serve a metropolitan area during the day, but only a handful can hear my efforts at night. This will be partially remedied with an FM translator.
If you're a daytimer, tell the FCC what type of locally-relevant programming you might or will be able to air with the use of an FM translator, such as high school sports, local political events and meetings, and other meaningful activities occurring at night. Include mention of any requests you've had from the public asking for this type of programming which heretofore you were unable to provide.
Other AM stations should tell the FCC about the kinds of local programming some in your audience have trouble hearing because of interference from power lines, mountains, buildings, computers and the like.
It's certainly OK to tell the Commission their proposal if adopted will permit you to more effectively compete against other AM and FM stations, satellite radio, Internet and any other emerging sources of information and entertainment.
The FCC's deadline for initial comment is Monday... this Monday, January 7th. Don't put it off. This may be our (yours and mine) last opportunity to get AM on FM. Please don't let other voices indicate more interest in this spectrum. No kidding...do not assume the FCC is going give us this kind of opportunity without the active endorsement of several hundred AM operators. No child growing up ever got more ice cream without first asking for a larger serving. Think about it.
To file comments, go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi and make sure to enter "07-172" in Box #1. Click on it now, even if all you say is, "I strongly support AM on FM...fantastic idea."; Obviously a slightly more amplified explanation will play even better.