More low power radio, but...

[raccoonradio]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-mike-doyle/fcc-community-radio_b_2211280.html

Rep. Mike Doyle of PA: "(the FCC) will accept applications and license new LPFM stations sometime next year. These new stations will have to be at least two clicks away from full-power radio stations (as far as 88.5FM is from 88.9FM, for example) and must not cause any interference with them. "

But: how many of these will wind up in Boston or New England?

And...where will the pirates broadcast? (Hint--maybe you should get on these new
stations allegedly about to start up...instead of being a pirate). Heavens, where will Big City 101.3 or Touch 106.1 go if the FCC were to license a legit station on those freqs?
As I've said before if, say, the FCC were to do an expanded band AM, or perhaps FM (like there's
a spot available?) station allotment for Boston or whatever, and a community group were to get it,
then this could be a solution for the pirates out there who want to run R&B/dance, ethnic,
religious, political, offbeat music, whatever. Do your shows on a LEGAL station. Psst: in some cases you do have college or small stations that can do this already--put you on with
ethnic music, religion, politics, whatever.

Now would we get any MORE LPFMs squeezed into our area...? (Maybe Rutland VT, Bridgton ME,
Putnam CT, Greenfield MA...but ....Boston..?)

 

[TheBigA]

Heavens, where will Big City 101.3 or Touch 106.1 go if the FCC were to license a legit station on those freqs?

A bigger question: How does the FCC decide which group to give an available frequency assuming there would be thousands of competing applications? By the way, I think it's very very unlikely that there are frequencies available in Boston even for LP. I'm sure Scott Fybush knows for sure.

As I've said before if, say, the FCC were to do an expanded band AM, or perhaps FM (like there's
a spot available?) station allotment for Boston or whatever, and a community group were to get it,
then this could be a solution for the pirates out there who want to run R&B/dance, ethnic,
religious, political, offbeat music, whatever.

The concept of an expanded FM or AM band is completely impractical. It would require the entire US population to replace their radios, and would require the Consumer Electronics Industry and car manufacturers to support it with devices. Neither is going to happen.

As for pirates going the legel route, one reason they're operating as pirates is they can't afford all the legal paperwork and obligations that come with a licensed station. So even if frequencies were available, and they're not, they would still have the financial and legel problems to contend with. LP is non-commercial, and so they'd depend on donations to pay for all the requirements. Today I read that one of the loopholes Congress is considering to eliminate is the tax deduction for charitable contributions. If passed, that would really hurt non-commercial radio.

 

[raccoonradio]

I would also think there are prob no freqs available--unless one can make an argument that
101.3 or 106.1 MIGHT work (currently occupied by pirates). Thousands who want licenses...
but only so many frequencies where this will work.

But hey, somebody in Boston wants to get on and they'll go to 93.5 and who cares if
Entercom's 93.7 happens to be next door. The airwaves belong to the public don't they?
So they do their pirate...

>>It would require the entire US population to replace their radios,

No I mean the ex band on AM of 1610-1700 currently home of TIS stations, some legit ones
(not around here unless you mean Logan Parking Lot radio), and...pirates. I didn't mean something like expanding beyond 1700 or before 530, or the same with FM (esp. since above 108 MHz
is aircraft, right?) Yes it has been suggested to bring FM down to 76 MHz or so. Indeed that would be problematic given the current range of radios. But I mean expanded band AM.
There could be someone in Lynn on 1690...OK so have the FCC make that a legit allotment,
grant a license to someone to do it legally. That's what I meant.

>>they would still have the financial and legel problems to contend with.

Then they should forget about getting on legally or line up with investors, etc

>>> LP is non-commercial, and so they'd depend on donations to pay for all the requirements. Today I read that one of the loopholes Congress is considering to eliminate is the tax deduction for charitable contributions. If passed, that would really hurt non-commercial radio.

Very true

 

[TheBigA]

Yes it has been suggested to bring FM down to 76 MHz or so. Indeed that would be problematic given the current range of radios. But I mean expanded band AM.

Right now QUALITY owners are exiting AM like rats on a sinking ship. There is no need to expand AM. The problems that are causing owners to leave remain regardless of the size of the band. The quote in your OP was about LPFM, which is on the FM band.

 

[Signpost]

I got a $99 "Tune Link" at Staples - goes into the cigarette lighter socket of your car. Automatically connects to your iPhone or Droid via Bluetooth - plays the audio beautifully via a very strong FM signal or an audio jack. Suddenly my 10 year old car effortlessly plays radio via my iPhone. Online stations are as easy to dial into as any preset FM station.

Turns out Radio BDC is doing unexpectedly well, with a cume of more than half of what WFNX had terrestrially. Was listening in my car yesterday, it's live real-time radio. Now, when a local station gets staticky, i just switch to the stream. WFNX continues to compete with its former staff - online listening wars raging like they used to on the air.

As it gets easier to incorporate online radio with terrestrial radio, the question of available frequencies becomes irrelevant.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

More low power stations - not the answer. At least, not here in the Greater Boston area.
With nearby markets like Providence, Worcester, Manchester, NH, there is a lot of overlap,
and there is simply no room for additional stations to exist. Throw in NIMBY for towers
and no additional advertising revenues - it is a loser as an idea. It may
be politically correct, in some circles, but is not economically viable.
In short, NOT GONNA HAPPEN...

 

[raccoonradio]

>>Right now QUALITY owners are exiting AM like rats on a sinking ship. There is no need to expand AM.

Good point; maybe someday if enough leave then there could be a few legit stations and the rest could be open season for pirates--i.e. if owners shut off stations (move to FM if possible) and turn in licenses. (like what happened yrs ago when WHEB 750 in Portsmouth went dark) Then pirates ahoy all over the AM dial.

>>More low power stations - not the answer.
>> It may
be politically correct, in some circles, but is not economically viable.
In short, NOT GONNA HAPPEN...

Tell that to the "we want more diversity, community interest on the radio" people. Know what you mean.
Now if the feds could only crack down on the lawbreakers on FM I mentioned above..

>>there is simply no room for additional stations to exist.

And the dial is crowded so much with pirates and translators etc...there's hardly any freqs
for you to rebroadcast your mp3 player or XM/Sirius radio to your own car. (Some devices
out there will do that but only on some freqs like 88.1, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9, 106.7, 106.9...there's
one I saw at Rite Aid for $15 or so. Most of those freqs already being used here!)

 

[Signpost]

And the dial is crowded so much with pirates and translators etc...there's hardly any freqs
for you to rebroadcast your mp3 player or XM/Sirius radio to your own car.

I'm betting the Tunelink FM violates FCC rules. No mp3 FM xmtr I've used has ever worked, but this one is static free at its default frequency of 88.5 all over Boston. Drove out to Western Mass and got some static around Northampton and Amherst- it was WFCR.

I fear for terrestrial radio's viability when it's SO easy to expand your listening options to any station you want anywhere in the world - instantly and static free.

 

[mgpt6]

How many more years do AM stations have left if they dont have a FM translator or FM HD subchannel attached? What part of the prime 24-55 still listens to AM radio? Can aggressive web streaming help?

 

[CTListener]

And the dial is crowded so much with pirates and translators etc...there's hardly any freqs
for you to rebroadcast your mp3 player or XM/Sirius radio to your own car.

I'm betting the Tunelink FM violates FCC rules. No mp3 FM xmtr I've used has ever worked, but this one is static free at its default frequency of 88.5 all over Boston. Drove out to Western Mass and got some static around Northampton and Amherst- it was WFCR.

Sirius and XM bamboozled the FCC by submitting underpowered FM modulators for testing, then selling stronger ones once they got approval. It took a few years, but the feds eventually got wise and told them to stop selling the full-power units and "neuter" future models so the signal would be so weak that it wouldn't even reach a rear-deck-mounted antenna. They complied, but there are still plenty of "contraband" units out there that can be heard across a good-sized parking lot, or from the other side of the road on an Interstate highway. I have one, and it runs on 88.3 both here in Connecticut and up in Massachusetts, completely blanketing any broadcast stations on the frequency.

 

[Uncle Kaimbridge]

...I mean the ex band on AM of 1610-1700 currently home of TIS stations, some legit ones (not around here unless you mean Logan Parking Lot radio)

Which has been off for the last several weeks.

 

[raccoonradio]

I have Tune In on my basic smart phone from Virgin M, and could use a mini FM transmitter to beam it to my radio (because you're not s'posed to be listening via your ear buds when driving, folks!)
I have a Maxell one at work, 88.1-88.7, kinda banged up a bit...was thinking of getting the one I mentioned above at Rite Aid (the Maxell one is out there too)

Maxell http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21DPHn4pAfL.jpg
Belkin http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z5565YE9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Belkin has made a couple of them--one good for frequencies at the low end of the FM dial,
and one that could do any FM frequency (the one in that second link). I used to have one of both, and the latter one stunk.

---
One review of the Belkin one pictured above via amazon:
"This thing has a range of about a foot, with really poor quality sound. It may be as good or better than other transmitters that are available, but it's still pretty lousy. Not really as good as standard FM, probably halfway between AM and FM, and interrupted by the occasional static."

--
Anyway such devices can enable you to play your mp3 player over an open freq, if you can find one!--for your own selection of music, audiobooks, etc.

 

[TheBigA]

Anyway such devices can enable you to play your mp3 player over an open freq, if you can find one!--for your own selection of music, audiobooks, etc.

These devices are really for a very small percentage of people. I mean even smaller than the percentage who bought FM converters in the 70s. I know they're easy and they're cheap, but most people don't want to take the time or effort.

 

[KeithE4]

Anyway such devices can enable you to play your mp3 player over an open freq, if you can find one!--for your own selection of music, audiobooks, etc.

These devices are really for a very small percentage of people. I mean even smaller than the percentage who bought FM converters in the 70s. I know they're easy and they're cheap, but most people don't want to take the time or effort.

Time and effort? It's done in five easy steps that take about a minute or two the first time it's set up:

1. Plug one end into your phone/MP3 player.
2. Plug the other end into your cigarette lighter accessory socket (or insert batteries, if not powered by 12 volts).
3. Find an unused frequency on your FM dial. In many cases, a 1st-adjacent will work. Save it to a preset, if desired.
4. Set the transmitter to that frequency.
5. Enjoy your music/audio book/internet radio station/whatever.

It also puts your smartphone in hands-free mode, so you can use your phone safely. I've been using one for a couple of years with few issues, although mine does run extremely low power and I have to position the thing properly in order to get a clean signal. The biggest problem on my unit is low volume - even lower in stereo than mono.

 

[TheBigA]

Time and effort? It's done in five easy steps that take about a minute or two the first time it's set up:

Alls I'm saying is that the vast majority of people don't do it. You can invent your own reason why, but the fact remains.

 

[Signpost]

This holiday season I'm seeing a lot of "Bluetooth Enabled" radios, players, headphones, etc. Most cars have bluetooth, the "Tune Link" i got effortlessly gets bluetooth into my 10 year old car. (I can't recommend it enough)

Bluetooth automatically recognizes and connects with iPhones, music automatically starts playing. You don't have to do anything. When it does, you're not likely to turn it off to put on FM radio unless you're looking to hear something specific. It's getting so ubiquitous and easy to use that I expect increasing adoption, even from technophobes.

As use of this technology increases, need for FM slots decreases.

And it looks like Radio BDC will remain viable without being on FM or AM radio. The game is changing.

 

[TheBigA]

Bluetooth automatically recognizes and connects with iPhones, music automatically starts playing. You don't have to do anything. When it does, you're not likely to turn it off to put on FM radio unless you're looking to hear something specific. It's getting so ubiquitous and easy to use that I expect increasing adoption, even from technophobes.

And yet, even with all of that, the statistics on Bluetooth usage for things like that is in single digits.

You can lead a horse to water. You can even put his face in it. But you can't make him drink.

 

[John MacCormack]

One review of the Belkin one pictured above via amazon:
"This thing has a range of about a foot, with really poor quality sound. It may be as good or better than other transmitters that are available, but it's still pretty lousy. Not really as good as standard FM, probably halfway between AM and FM, and interrupted by the occasional static."

He's right, the Belkin one does have really bad sound quality and it's reception is a joke, I had one but I sold it at my yard sale during the summer, didn't have much use for it. But their are better iPod or MP3 FM Transmitters out there. I think they sell better Belkin FM Transmitters at the Apple Store or Walmart or Online (Amazon, ETC).

 

[Signpost]

Never, ever buy anything with the name "Belkin" on it. Their products are the shoddiest quality. Griffin is better. Logitech so so. My experience anyway.

 

[NHRadio]

And yet, even with all of that, the statistics on Bluetooth usage for things like that is in single digits.

Right now you're correct, but it will grow just as FM and UHF TV did. I bought a JVC car deck with bluetooth for under $200 installed.
A few years ago only us geeks even knew what the word meant. The lines between broadcast and online radio will continue to blur.