[BC] NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING - Revitalization of the AMRadio Service

[Henry Ruhwiedel]

The FCC rules have provided for audience estimation for all broadcast facilities based on signal strength contours,  1 MV, 60 dBu  B grade etc.
As for going to 100 KW on AM, that 3 dB is not going to gain you much coverage as AM is essentially noise and interference limited now, not like the old days when a 15 microvolt signal could be received clearly, It just created more mutual interference. pre-sunrise post sunset micro power was a really stupid idea, a few watts? For what the worms near the tower base? I am less than 30 miles from a low end 50 KW and it gets wiped out by power line noise and the computer chip in my washing machine. I can hear it better 200 miles away (daytime) in the boonies than here in rural suburbia. If you want an example of 50 kw goes nowhere, in DC I think it sits on 1500 or such and its coverage is beat by many lower power station on the other end of the band.
There are just too many slices of the pie in many markets for ad dollars to support. Natural selection, smart folks will figure out how to stay in business, others will turn in their licenses, sell to conglomerates or might find a niche audience, beg for dollars etc.
Personally I would throw out IBOC, and make a very good sounding AM signal.  If you want to reduce interference it has been my suggestion since the early 60's to go DSSRC  double side band reduced carrier, that reduces power utilities costs significantly and the inter carrier interference is reduced by 10 dB or more. We could also consider compatible SSB as many shortwave station use.
Meanwhile, cruise various car dealers and tune across the band and find who you think is the best sounding station then copy them and improve on that.
 
Henry