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

[Phil Alexander]

On 27 Jul 2005 at 15:57, Scott Cason wrote:

> 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 

Using other spectrum was considered and totally rejected by the broadcasters
over 10 years ago.

> Pull the plug on all stations between 530 and 1710kHz.

That would limit broadcasting to the visible horizon. 
(Earth curvature comes into play.

> Why couldn't we clear out channel 6 and expand the FM band down with the
> transition to digital for TV to make room?  

Congress has told the FCC to auction that spectrum to private users for
BILLIONS.

> Then take the entire AM band and give it over to the "first responders".

Skywave WOULD present real problems at night. This service SHOULD be 
limited by the horizon.

> Isn't that what congress wants to
> do with left over spectrum from TV's transition?  

No, they intend to auction it to generate revenue.

> My connection to AM is
> sentimental, growing up in south Georgia listening to the Braves on WSB.

Out of curiosity, how close to WSB were you? Over 75 miles away?

> Clear out channel 6, put those guys on equal footing with other FMs and see
> what happens.  

As above, it is not available.

> 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.

If you make that suggestion to the next session of the 
NAB, where should we send the flowers? <g>

Seriously, there is a long history going back nearly 15 years 
in several FCC RM's that began with the de facto demise of AMS
for digital broadcasting.

We have beaten this horse to death many times on these lists.
The history of the most recent can be found by reading the
99-325 docket and the Ibiquity/USADR white papers.

Most conceivable solutions have been made to the FCC and NAB,
and have been discarded in favor of IBOC. Read the papers above
and you will get a better idea of the reasons.


Phil Alexander, CSRE, AMD
Broadcast Engineering Services and Technology 
(a Div. of Advanced Parts Corporation) 
Ph. (317) 335-2065   FAX (317) 335-9037





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