AMband.org

Radio Ink has reported that the FCC has presented its final IBOC rules. From the initial release on the FCC website:

• There will be no schedule for mandatory conversion to digital
• AM Night will be authorized
• FM stations can use extended digital hybrid mode
• Stations must simulcast a digital signal at least as good a analog
• Stations can use a flexible bandwidth policy – digicasting, multichannel, etc.
• Brokering is OK, with restrictions
• Same program content rules as main channels – no swearing, fake contests, political access, etc.
• The FCC is looking for comment on some remaining issues:  Limits on subscription broadcasting, public interest limitations.

MB Docket – 99-325 is still open for comments on some items.  A link to the Report and Order will be added here when it becomes available.

Radio website reports that WGNS-AM of Murfreesboro, TN has also gotten an STA to operate two translators to repeat its station. According to an article in Murfreesboro’s  Daily News Journal, the owner of WGNS, Bart Walker, attributes getting the STA to the fact that Murfreesboro native Deborah Taylor-Tate is now on the FCC.

According to the Broadcast Law Blog, the FCC has issued a Special Temporary Authority to duplicate its AM signal on an FM translator. Apparently, the station got a jump on the pending rulemaking through pressure by its congressman, U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C.  This may indicate that the FCC is seriously considering approving the pending rulemaking, RM-9419, that would permit AM stations to rebroadcast on FM translators. It is disturbing to hear, however, that congressional pressure has succeeded in having the FCC grant an STA that yeilds facilities that are proposed to be permitted in a pending rulemaking, but are proscribed by present rules.   This is almost  as amazing as the FCC’s recent issuance of an STA to permit a Pirate to continue broadcasting.

The Rock Hill Herald reports that WRHI(AM) in Rock Hill, SC will soon duplicate its 1340 kHz signal on the FM Band on 94.3 MHz.

Congress’ change to the dates for Daylight Savings Time has madePre-Sunrise authorizations more important than ever. Operation of daytime stations and fulltime stations with weak night power is seriously impacted. Daylight will come even later in the morning this March and next October and November, and for each year thereafter.

As I reported earlier, the FCC’s Pre-Sunrise and Post Sunset Authorization calculator is seriously broken, and won’t be fixed until at least next fall. The Commission has implemented a stopgap measure to patch the system for this spring for many stations, but it is pretty bad news for stations with no pre-sunrise authorizations at all.

I am filing a Petition for Rulemaking that proposes a more rational set of rules that will significantly increase expanded hours authorizations to permit all class B and D stations to operate during the transitional hours on a non-interference basis. Those stations now eligible for 500 Watt (or lower) PSRA operations under the current rules would still be eligible, but those stations that can run more power without interference could do so. (more…)

Congress changed Daylight Savings time to begin three weeks earlier and end three weeks later. This means that for three weeks this month and again in October many daytime only stations don’t sign on until after 7AM. The FCC recalculated Pre SunRise and Post SunSet Authorizations (PSRA and PSSA) to try to avoid the obvious impact to these stations. The FCC ran its modified PSRA/PSSA calculator and re-issued all the PSSA and PSRAs. Unfortunately, the FCC’s program was buggy and all these authorizations have been recinded.

Now it appears that not only is the program buggy, but hopelessly so, and it won’t be fixed until at least next fall.

This is horrible for poor AM stations stuck with loss of their morning drive time. It seems to me that stations need a special three week reprieve this spring.

Heck, if the FCC can authorize a pirate with an STA, they should be able to accommodate this emergency with a fix. Just as a trial balloon – Daytimers can begin operation at 7AM for the three weeks in March 2007 at 500 Watts or their day power level (whichever is lower) without regard to interference.

Since the FCC has to start over with PSRA and PSSA authorizations, it is time to re-think the whole world of transitional hour operations. I have prepared a draft petition for rulemaking that would reform PSSA and PSRA operations to be more logical and rational. I will provide a link here when I get it posted.