[BC] Expanded AM Band and License Return

[Gary Peterson]

" I recall the expanded band was introduced to result in a long
term reduction in interference on the AM band. Stations whose removal from
the existing band would result in the greatest interference reduction were
given a preference for licenses in the expanded band. During the
transition, they were allowed to broadcast on both the old and new
frequencies. I thought they were required to simulcast, but from what I
read in this article, that does not seem to be the case. Anyway, these
stations now do not want to give up the old channels. Not giving up the
channels appears to result in an increase in local program diversity, but
does not result in the original goal of interference reduction.

Harold "

My company purchased two AMs with expanded band CPs.  Previous ownership
chose not to build them.  Under present ownership, both were built and the 5
tower array in ND and the 6 tower array in MS were abandoned.  Both arrays
were historically unstable and would have cost a small fortune to rebuild
properly.  Not everyone is trying to look for loopholes.

Gary Peterson, K?CX
Corporate Engineer
Triad Broadcstng. Co., LLC