[BC] IBUZ in the nulls (Solutions?)

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/31/2005 2:27:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
engineer at nycradio.com writes:

> There has been a lot of talk (by me included) that IBOC is not the 
>  answer for AM. Especially if we can't do it at night. I'm wondering what 
>  -is- the answer for AM?

Although many have said, "It's a pipe dream", I feel that the only *real* 
answer is to move the TV stations off of channels 5 and 6, and add that to the 
"bottom" of the FM dial. Give AM stations first crack at a slot, there. Also 
dedicate a specific set of channels exclusively to LPFM in that new expanded 
band. (maybe the first 5-10) 

Another rule that would be a good idea, would be to put a freeze on any more 
way-out-of-state, way-outside-any-trace-of-coverage-area translators. Existing 
ones & granted CP's would be allowed to remain, but no more new ones. Local 
LPFM's should get first priority to a channel over any out-of-area 
translators... get rid of this whacky "Laws of Physics-bending" disparity that currently 
exists. (That rule should be enacted *now* on the present band, but I digress.)

Priority and incentive should be given to the smaller AM stations to migrate, 
(especially the "graveyard" channels) and eventually turn-off their AM sites. 
This would leave the MW AM band free to do what it excels at: serving 
wide-areas with 10Kw-plus, analog AM stations. I imagine a lot of the big Clears 
would be salivating at this idea... no more interference!

Many "Mom-and-Pop" AM's would benefit greatly, too, because they would 
finally have 24/7, stable coverage of their markets... and many of them could sell 
the land their arrays occupy for a pretty penny. I could see some of them even 
cooperating to pool resources for a common Ex-Band FM tower site, where they 
would all share the land/tower expenses, and use a master antenna system. What 
a win-win-win that would be for everyone. Even "Uncle Sam" could make some 
bux, with the license fees on the new channels. No more critical DA AM's to deal 
with... no more "flea-power" night allocations... what a concept!

> In my mind one of the bells and whistles we need 
>  to be cool is a way to put data on the radio display.

It could still be done, with a low-baud PSK of the AM's carrier. (Say, 10 
bps) It would, of course, be very limited due to the slow speed (callsign and 
abbreviated format ID, plus FEC/checksum) but would be worth looking into. The 
checksum would be necessary to prevent co-channel interference & RFI from 
filling the display with garbage. With inexpensive DSP chips in the radios, this is 
very doable. Hams use 31 bps PSK via computer sound cards to send 
keyboard-to-keyboard text back and forth all the time. (I love that particular mode!)

Willie...