The AM band in Canada

[JakeLongwell]

Being from the states, I have long been curious as to the apparent trend up north to all but eliminate the AM broadcast band.
Every week, it seems I read about several stations applying to move to FM, and completely abandon their AM frequencies.
My question, why is this trend taking place? Is it because of the fact that in most younger demos, AM is seen as "old" and "obsolete"? Is it because most broadcasters feel that it is more cost effective to operate lower power FM transmitters instead of older higher power AM transmitters?
And, when the AM frequency is abandoned, does it then become available to new stations wanting to enter the market in question? I know this has happened in larger cities like Toronto and Montreal, but what about in smaller communities?
Finally, does anyone think that eventually the CRTC, or the industry as a whole, will mandate that all AM broadcasting be switched off permanantly in favour of HD FM broadcasting? And if that happens, what will become of AM stations in Toronto, Montreal, and other large cities where there are no more FM frequencies available for stations to move to. My guess is that companies who own AM and FM stations in these markets will be encouraged to put their AM programming on the new HD subchannels of their existing FMs. But what about small standalone AMs in those cities?
Any insight and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Jake/upstate New York

 

[Yeziknoradio]

When an AMer chooses to go FM in Canada, there's deep thought poured into it. Perhaps even deeper than that of an American AMer.

FM in Canada is no longer required to play 49% non hits (and hasn't for a little while now)

This was the kick start for more AMers wishing to be FM.

However, there's still several restrictions that prevent 95-99% of Canada from moving an AM to FM, depending on the format.

For example, if an AM oldies station wants to go FM, the playlist will have to be adjusted to fit current CRTC FM regs. (I believe there's still a pre 81' issue)

Also, it's still illegal for 95-99% of AM News/talk/sports stations to go FM.

It'll be a while before AM goes away in Canada, if ever.

Plus, don't forget there was a recent time when Canada did not view HD radio as being the viable option. (That may still be the case...?)

Instead, there was an effort to try and convince Canadains that "The future of radio is DAB" (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

DAB was intended to be the best option for putting AM and FM on par, providing equal sound quality for both, however,
no one wanted to invest the money in a new reciever.

Will DAB ever resurface in Canada?
I doubt it.
The UK seems to be making good use of it though.

(More info: Also, scroll down to "Canada" in the "Regional implementations of DAB" section near the bottom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_broadcasting )

 

[Saladressing]

Are the CAN-CON rules still in effect? (I assume they are).

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Are the CAN-CON rules still in effect? (I assume they are).

Yes. 35-40% Can Con is strictly enforced.
Very Ironic coming from the very same CRTC that wanted to protect AM radio when the 49% non hit rule was in place for FM years ago.

I believe if they still want to help AM radio, they should drop the can con rule to 25% or so, and leave the fm side the way it is at 35-40%

 

[mjlarochelle]

On AM, I'd drop the CanCon rules even lower, to 15%. One can only stand so much Edward Bear before kicking the radio out the window.

 

[Lopaka]

I was informed that, being closer to the North Pole, Canada is subject to more static interference on the AM band from the same physics that produce the Northern Lights. FM is not subject to that sort of interference, thus the move to FM. Is this true? For a country with vast open spaces like Canada, it would seem that the carrying capacity of AM would be a big advantage, but if the AM band is compromised by static dumping AM in favor of FM would make sense. By the way, what a beautiful country you have!

 

[Yeziknoradio]

I was informed that, being closer to the North Pole, Canada is subject to more static interference on the AM band from the same physics that produce the Northern Lights. FM is not subject to that sort of interference, thus the move to FM. Is this true? For a country with vast open spaces like Canada, it would seem that the carrying capacity of AM would be a big advantage, but if the AM band is compromised by static dumping AM in favor of FM would make sense. By the way, what a beautiful country you have!

Thanks for the compliment.
All I know is, if someone in another room turns on a light switch (or plays with that light switch) there is instant interference on AM.

Also, if someone is vacuming, or certain other electrical appliances are plugged in, and in use, there is indeed intereference that is eliminated with the use of FM instead of AM.

 

[4dude]

For example, if an AM oldies station wants to go FM, the playlist will have to be adjusted to fit current CRTC FM regs.

Unreal!!!!!!

They play oldies,who cares what kind!

 

[KTN Corp]

I think it's time that the United States dumps the AM band and finds a better purpose for it other than broadcasting right-wing talk. It could be for non-broadcasting use. The best moment was lost when the FCC mandated that FM stations have to be programmed differently than the AM station (the end of FM simulcasting). Once FM-capable receivers saturated the market, the AM band should have been shut down and studied for another useful purpose outside broadcasting. The mandate sacrificed the transition to keep both bands for more broadcast capacity. The FM station would keep the same schedule that the AM station kept and the listening audience wouldn't notice a change except for cleaner reception and a different frequency on a different band.

 

[w9wi]

My question, why is this trend taking place? Is it because of the fact that in most younger demos, AM is seen as "old" and "obsolete"? Is it because most broadcasters feel that it is more cost effective to operate lower power FM transmitters instead of older higher power AM transmitters?

I might suggest that in most cases, it's happening because it can...

Frequencies have been available. They're now disappearing fast, but some are still available, occasionally even in larger cities. 106.3 is still open in Winnipeg. (this for a full 100kw station, and in the city, not a rimshot) Three frequencies are open in Saskatoon. 105.9 is still available in Halifax.

It's been decades since there was a full-coverage FM frequency available in a large U.S. city.

Finally, does anyone think that eventually the CRTC, or the industry as a whole, will mandate that all AM broadcasting be switched off permanantly in favour of HD FM broadcasting? And if that happens, what will become of AM stations in Toronto, Montreal, and other large cities where there are no more FM frequencies available for stations to move to. My guess is that companies who own AM and FM stations in these markets will be encouraged to put their AM programming on the new HD subchannels of their existing FMs. But what about small standalone AMs in those cities?

Right now there is no HD Radio in Canada. Canada went with a technically superior system known as DAB, or Eureka 147. Unfortunately, because the USA insisted on IBOC there has been even less interest in DAB north of the border than there is in IBOC south of the border. (difficult as that may seem (grin))

Canada is now considering authorizing HD Radio. IMHO it is by no means a done deal. The government is far more concerned about interference than their U.S. counterparts. They are especially leery of HD AM. (even though most of the interference that would be caused by HD AM in Canada would affect U.S. stations, which from an official standpoint cannot be received in Canada...)

There aren't many small standalone AMs in Canadian cities. In Vancouver and Ottawa, no AM station runs less than 10kw at night. (actually there's a 5kw AM in Ottawa but it's already got a permit to move to 104.7 FM) There are only four AMs left in Winnipeg and the smallest is 10kw. Toronto and Montreal do have a few but nowhere near as many as you'd find in a U.S. city of similar size. Many of them are in the expanded band. Not counting X-band stations, only one station in each of these cities runs less than 10kw at night. (I'm counting CIAO-530 as an X-band station) There is only one daytimer left in Canada, though someone has filed for a new 5.8kw daytimer in Montreal.

 

[Leesmith1]

Interesting about Winnipeg and 106.3 being available for assignment. When I was preparing an application for my stand-alone FM, that freq was not available because of navcom interference problems according to our consulting engineer and Industry Canada. I'll be following CJOB's application to simulcast their AM signal on FM fairly closely to see what has changed to make the freq no longer conflict with the aviation band.. what a waste of spectrum to put a talker on FM here.


73 de
Lee
VE4ANC

 

[chuckydoll]

AM-to-FM moves in Canada

For example, if an AM oldies station wants to go FM, the playlist will have to be adjusted to fit current CRTC FM regs.

CFFX-960 in Kingston, Ontario, has applied to move to FM and keep its oldies format.

Also, it's still illegal for 95-99% of AM News/talk/sports stations to go FM.

CJOB-680 has applied for an FM simulcast on 106.3 to solve signal problems in Winnipeg proper, especially at night.

In Halifax, Moncton and Saint John the only place to hear N/T is on FM. Montreal also has a N/T FM if I'm not mistaken.

And yes, CanCon is the law of the land.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Re: AM-to-FM moves in Canada

For example, if an AM oldies station wants to go FM, the playlist will have to be adjusted to fit current CRTC FM regs.

CFFX-960 in Kingston, Ontario, has applied to move to FM and keep its oldies format.

Also, it's still illegal for 95-99% of AM News/talk/sports stations to go FM.

CJOB-680 has applied for an FM simulcast on 106.3 to solve signal problems in Winnipeg proper, especially at night.

In Halifax, Moncton and Saint John the only place to hear N/T is on FM. Montreal also has a N/T FM if I'm not mistaken.

And yes, CanCon is the law of the land.

This would still be no more than roughly 5% Canadian AM radio that is allowed to broadcast on FM instead of AM, and it's with strict justified reason for doing so.
(add in the repeaters, and it's still a low percentage)

The right for just anyone to go FM, from AM and keep the oldies or news/talk format is still a complicated situation.

Anyone can request, but that doesn't mean the CRTC will grant the go ahead.

I believe, if CFFX does go FM, it'll still end up sounding alot like Jack FM in Smith falls. They will not be allowed to go with the oldies format on FM. (unless they were to keep the am and run an FM repeater for justified reason, but that's not what's happening here...)

 

[w9wi]

Re: AM-to-FM moves in Canada

This would still be no more than roughly 5% Canadian AM radio that is allowed to broadcast on FM instead of AM, and it's with strict justified reason for doing so.

I presume you mean "...roughly 5% Canadian talk-format AM radio..." as a quick survey suggests roughly 15% of Canadian AMs (of all formats) have moved to FM in the last few years.

(another 15% seem to have been deleted, and I suspect many of those are also FM moves where they changed callsigns when they moved)

 

[cyberdad]

I hope CFFX gets the go ahead to put oldies on fm. Their audio on am is terrible.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

I hope CFFX gets the go ahead to put oldies on fm. Their audio on am is terrible.

If there is such a high demand for oldies on fm in Kingston Ontario, why is the country station not doing oldies stateside?
( ??? I may be mixing up stations here...)

When 96.3 eliminated country a few years back, an American station picked it up. Wouldn't that same American station be doing oldies right now to serve Kingston if the demand were there?...or am I mixing stations up...

Sorry, I seem to be getting rusty with what's actually available to listen to in Kingston now.

 

[jimbo]

Will the vacant AM frequencies in Canada have any bearing for the US? With 630 and 580 now dark in Winnipeg could an American station take advantage of the vacancy and increase their reach?

 

[w9wi]

Will the vacant AM frequencies in Canada have any bearing for the US? With 630 and 580 now dark in Winnipeg could an American station take advantage of the vacancy and increase their reach?

The two stations are still "notified" through international agreements - as far as the FCC is concerned they still exist and no US station would be authorized that would interfere with them.

 

[mimo]

I wonder if any of the stations that did go FM regret the move? I also wonder how many would simulcast if they could. ¿Any one know if AM/FM simulcasting on full powered frequencies (outside of what the CBC is doing in 4 cities) is legal in Canada? I do know people who complain about the CBC's signal problems in downtown Ottawa since the move to FM.

 

[w9wi]

I wonder if any of the stations that did go FM regret the move? I also wonder how many would simulcast if they could. ¿Any one know if AM/FM simulcasting on full powered frequencies (outside of what the CBC is doing in 4 cities) is legal in Canada? I do know people who complain about the CBC's signal problems in downtown Ottawa since the move to FM.

CFRY in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba is simulcasting on AM 920 and FM 93.1. I think CKOT in Tillsonburg, Ont. has a permit for a FM simulcast transmitter, though I don't see it in the database right now. They're a special case though; they're the only AM daytimer left in Canada. CJOB's application to simulcast in Winnipeg was denied. (Lee: best I recall it was because the CRTC felt a simulcast was not the best use of a Class C assignment, not because of any technical shortcomings of the 106.3 channel. I don't know why they told you 106.3 wasn't suitable - maybe CJOB proposed a different transmitter site?)

I highly doubt that, in total, the CBC would have been better off staying on AM in Ottawa. I'd imagine any multipath problems they have in the central city would be cured by a low-power relay somewhere downtown. (like what they did with 104.7 in Montreal)