[BC] 3th and long, IBOC on the 45 yard line

[Scott Cason]

>>To make it clear, I'm not an IBOC supporter, but I strongly
support DAB in the MW band, and believe that ultimately,
the band should be expanded downward.

Why do we need digital in the standard band?  My suggestion, and this should
have started 10 years ago, is to take some of the spectrum that will no
longer be needed by television and give that to the current AM broadcasters
for FM stations.  Pull the plug on all stations between 530 and 1710kHz.
Why couldn't we clear out channel 6 and expand the FM band down with the
transition to digital for TV to make room?  Then take the entire AM band and
give it over to the "first responders".  Isn't that what congress wants to
do with left over spectrum from TV's transition?  My connection to AM is
sentimental, growing up in south Georgia listening to the Braves on WSB.
Clear out channel 6, put those guys on equal footing with other FMs and see
what happens.  Eliminate new class C and B FMs.  Everyone is a 6kW class A
for new apps.  Or class A1, 10kW ERP.  Of course grandfather current Class C
& B stations.
If I had a lousy performing 1kw AM and had the chance for a 10kW FM in an
expanded band, I'd jump at the chance.
Scott Cason
LaGrange Communications, LLC
502-213-0024
www.lagrange-com.com