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Maintaining AM signals for FM translators

X

xm41

Since many AM stations are now nothing more than placeholders for their FM translators. What is the bare level of signal a station owner is responsible for maintaining to keep their AM license active?
 
That's kind of a depends question, but the minimum power the FCC will license an AM station is a nominal daytime power of 250 watts. There are some AM's with less than 250 watts, but that is usually because they built/moved to a taller tower than was originally licensed. They used to have to meet the minimum class field of 141mv/m. I not sure if the minimum has been reduced with "AM revitalization".
 
Be glad you don't have to maintain the facilities of this AM standalone w/FM translator: Denver's (Littleton CO) 1510 KCKK, aka 93.7 The Rock. While the FM hums away at 99 watts at 1500 to 2000 feet above the Denver metro, 1510 pounds away with 10 kW day, 25 kW night.

I'm guessing the only reason KCKK justifies continuing with the huge power bill on 1510 is that the resale value of the station would be damaged if it were to drop down to 250 watts. But Denver's a top 20 market. For the typical marketplace, dropping to 250 watts on AM would seem like the best move. Especially if a station doesn't get any calls if its AM was down for repairs for 24 hours.
 
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