[BC] Decluttering AM (was: Listening t ests... how valid?)

[Phil Alexander]

On 22 Oct 2005 at 22:57, Kevin Tekel wrote:

> IMO, the first priority in moving AM stations to FM should be given to
> Class C "graveyard channel" stations, since they are the most horrendously
> overcrowded and weren't given any chance to move to the AM Expanded Band.
> Then the next priority would go to Class D stations, especially those
> occupying the "clear channels" on AM.

The problem with that is giving the Class D's something for nothing.
They don't have a full service allocation now, yet you would give them
one. 

Secondly, many of those Class C's are very well established, long standing
outlets that are very happy where they are and have good coverage of their
markets. If they don't want to move, who will compensate them?
> 
> As those stations leave the AM band, Class B stations can be given the
> opportunity to either relocate to a vacated Class C channel, move to FM,
> or stay put on their existing frequency.  

You are talking generations of proceedings at the FCC with this one.
It could take 40 years of opening and closing windows to get this job
done. The B's are the DA's, by and large.

How many Class B's would it take to fill the present Class C frequencies
assuming optimum utilization, do you think?

> Finally, Class A stations can stay put where they are, with the 
> opportunity to upgrade to 100 kW.

How many would have overlap problems with an adjacent Class B if that
were permitted?

> The basic idea is to move the small local stations off the band, and then
> the remaining regional and clear-channel stations can be reconfigured to
> take advantage of a "decluttered" AM band.

Kevin, "decluttering" the AM band is a noble idea but getting agreement 
about how to do it gets into the same problem set that brought us IBOC.
That is the political reality.

AM allocation is far more complex than you seem to realize, and the fact
is the expense of this juggling act would be enormous and take decades
to complete.

It might make more sense to create a "clear channel" (not to be confused
with Clear Channel <g>) band below the Standard Band and populate it with
megawatt stations. There is room for about 30, and each would be capable
of serving at least half the country.

Equally, much of the AM problem could be solved by rolling the Class C's
back to 250 W Unl. and forcing power utilities underground inside limits
of cities and towns with populations above 5 or 10 thousand.

Class C's are LOCAL stations intended for service within a short distance,
generally within ten miles or less at night and no more than about 20-25
miles during the day. Without external interference even 100 watts would
do the job very satisfactorily for them.


Phil Alexander, CSRE, AMD
Broadcast Engineering Services and Technology 
(a Div. of Advanced Parts Corporation) 
Ph. (317) 335-2065   FAX (317) 335-9037





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