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NAB
Files Comments in FM Translators for AM Proceeding
Over 300 comments
have now been filed in the FCC’s “FM Translators for
AM” proceeding (MB Docket No. 07-172, comments due by January
7, 2008), and the vast majority of these are supportive of the
Commission authorizing such service. NAB’s comments strongly
endorse the proposed rule changes “as a means to enhance
AM radio service for the benefit of listeners, and enable AM radio
stations to better compete in the ever-changing media marketplace.”
< The
rule changes being considered are based on a petition filed by
NAB in July of 2006 proposing that AM stations be allowed to operate
FM translators to retransmit their AM programming as a fill-in
service, as long as no portion of the 60 dBu contour of the FM
translator exceeds the lesser of: (a) the 2 mV/m daytime contour
of the AM station or; (b) the 25-mile radius of the AM transmitter
site (see the August 20, 2007 issue of Radio TechCheck for more
information on the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which
was issued in response to the NAB petition). Some of the specifics
of the recently filed NAB comments include the following:
Limitations
on use of translators: NAB states in its comments that all
AM radio stations should be permitted to operate FM translators,
regardless of station class, or whether the station currently
has authority to operate during nighttime hours, or whether a
station is a stand-alone entity or part of a co-owned group. The
Commission should not attempt to distinguish among which kinds
of stations are more deserving of an FM translator. Listeners
of these stations are not concerned about the corporate structure
of the station or its class of service. Listeners want and should
have better reception and better access to the AM radio programming
they value. The most equitable way to serve the needs of listeners
would be to allow all stations, regardless of class or ownership
structure, a fair opportunity to obtain authorization to operate
one or more FM translators. The only suggested exception to this
approach that NAB would support is Wisconsin Public Radio’s
recommendation that eligibility for FM translators in the reserved
band be limited to noncommercial AM licensees, since such a restriction
is consistent with the Commission’s rules governing noncommercial
services.
Limits
on the number of translators: NAB’s proposal is to limit
the service of FM translators for AM to the smaller of a 25-mile
radius from the AM transmitter site or the 2 mV/m daytime contour
of the AM station. Given these restrictions, NAB believes it is
unnecessary for the Commission to impose a ceiling on the number
of translators an AM station may deploy, since AM stations have
no incentive to incur the added costs of multiple translators,
including electricity, maintenance, and insurance, unless absolutely
necessary. Further, it would be wholly appropriate for the Commission
to permit a station to operate multiple translators for the same
public interest reasons as those underlying the Commission’s
proposed rule changes that would allow an AM radio station to
operate a sole FM translator.
Nighttime
operation for daytime-only stations: NAB supports the Commission’s
tentative conclusion to allow AM daytime-only radio stations to
originate programming on FM translators during nighttime hours
when they are not authorized to operate. This approach will also
greatly benefit the 1125 AM stations that must operate with very
low power at night. As the Commission recognizes, all of these
AM broadcasters face unique competitive disadvantages because
of their inability to compete during the all-important morning
and evening “drive time” hours. Allowing daytime-only
stations and stations that must operate at “flea power”
at night to use FM translators will radically improve these stations’
competitive position by significantly improving their service.
/font>
Coverage
restrictions: the proposed boundaries for FM translator for
AM service guarantee that AM stations will only deploy an FM translator(s)
as a fill-in service and not as a means to extend their coverage
areas. NAB recognizes in its comments that in certain situations
it may be impossible for a translator to exactly replicate these
boundaries, in which case the Commission may deem it practical
to permit a certain de minimis portion of a translator’s
signal to extend beyond the AM station’s daytime 2 mV/m contour.
Reply comments
in this proceeding are due on or before Monday, February 4, 2008.
The full text of the NPRM is available on the FCC’s Web page
at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/openAttachment.do?link=FCC-07-144A1.pdf,
and all filed comments are available for review using the FCC’s
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) – go to http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi
and enter “07-172” (no quotes) in the first box (marked
“Proceeding”), then scroll down and select “Retrieve
Document List.”
SDARS Terrestrial
Repeater Comment Deadlines Set
As reported
in the
January 7, 2008 issue of Radio TechCheck, the FCC recently
issued a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (in IB Docket
No. 95-91) seeking additional comment on the appropriate rules
and policies for licensing of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services
(SDARS) terrestrial repeaters. Comments on this rulemaking are
due on or before Thursday, February 14, 2008, and replies are
due on or before Monday, March 17, 2008. The full text of this
FNPRM is available on the FCC’s Web page at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-215A1.pdf.
See the July
30, 2007 issue of Radio TechCheck for instructions
on “FILING COMMENTS WITH THE FCC” (near the end of the
article).
Is Your AM DA Ready for HD Radio?
 NAB
Science & Technology is hosting a two-day course at NAB headquarters
on March 6-7, specially developed to instruct broadcast engineers
on how to prepare their AM stations for HD Radio. There is no
similar educational opportunity for engineers to learn the proper
techniques to maintain complex AM antenna systems ensuring that
their stations comply with the FCC rules and enjoy optimum coverage
and fidelity. Ronald Rackley, a principal in the firm of du Treil,
Lundin & Rackley, Inc. Consulting Engineers and Ben Dawson,
President/Senior Electrical Engineer of Hatfield and Dawson of
Hatfield and Dawson, will teach the course. Together they have
collaborated to instruct the next generation of AM broadcast engineers
and pass along the art of AM directional antenna system design
and maintenance. They were awarded NAB’s highest engineering
honor in 2006, the NAB Engineering Achievement Award for Radio.
For more information on how to register and housing go to AM
DA Seminar information on the NAB Website or contact Sharon
Devine sdevine@nab.org or
(202) 429-5338.
NAB Provides Members with Energy Consulting
to Lower Their Expenses
The APPI Savings
Solution Program is a National Association of Broadcasters member-only
benefit that manages and reduces member’s rising energy costs.
Members who utilize this program will benefit from APPI's extensive
knowledge of and expertise in electricity and natural gas markets
across the U.S. APPI analyzes, negotiates, and structures individual
and aggregation supply solutions for NAB members in deregulated
states. There are no upfront fees and compensation is results
based. As energy costs continue to rise and decrease your bottom
line, contacting APPI is a wise business decision. Contact APPI
at (800) 520-6685 or e-mail info@appienergy.com
and be sure to mention you are an NAB member or visit the APPI
website at www.appienergy.com.
The
January 28, 2008 Radio TechCheck is also available
in an Adobe Acrobat file.
Please click
here to read the Adobe Acrobat version of Radio TechCheck.
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