AMband.org

There is a way to cope.  Try a little Karma —enjoy!

The FCC released a new “Public and Broadcasting” manual that is
required to be in your station’s Public Inspection File.

Here is the link to the manual.  It can be downloaded below.
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/public_and_broadcasting.pdf

Courtesy of Jim Pollock, PE

The AM Directional Antenna Performance Coalion’s recommendations have been recieved and added to the record of MM Docket 93-117. These recommendations are to permit a large portion of AM stations with directional antennas to determine that the antenna performance conforms to the requirements for licensing using a much simplified procedure. The draft rules are available at :

The present way that an AM station demonstrates that its antenna has the desired directional pattern is by making extensive field intensity measurements in the area within 16 km of the transmitter site. The proposed method would permit stations meeting a minimum set of criteria on design and construction to model the antenna using method of moments, and establish operating parameters by setting the operating constants to the predicted values. The antenna system monitoring system would have to be verified on a biennial basis.

This post will be updated with a link to a full listing of the comments once it is officially available on the FCC website.

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.