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AM Daytimers Association

The Loud and Clear Voice for America's AM Daytime Stations

Summary of FCC's Notice of Proposed Rule Making

Docket No. 07-172

The FCC needs to change its rules because current rules only allow FM stations to utilize FM translator stations and prohibits the origination of programming by way of FM translators, allowing only the rebroadcast of the signal of full power FM stations. The new rules as proposed in the NPRM would allow AM stations to use FM translators when the 60 dBu contour of the translator is completely within the 2 mV/m contour of the AM translator and the translator site is within 25 miles of the AM station's tower site. The new rules also propose allowing daytime-only AM stations to originate programming on the fill-in FM translators.1 In the NPRM, the FCC seeks comment on the following issues:

  1. If the FCC adopts these new rules, should they be effective for all eligible AM stations across the country and regardless of class of station or should the use of FM translators be phased in by class of station or on a needs basis (i.e., daytime-only stations first, then AMs with the largest differentials between daytime and nighttime operating authority, or based on whether an AM station is the only one licensed to a particular community or county).
  2. If the rollout of availability of FM translators to AM stations is not made available to all stations at the same time, in what order should FM translator service be made available and why.
  3. Would it be appropriate to place limitations on the use of FM translators for fillin service by an AM licensee who also has an interest in an FM station in the same market.
  4. Should there be a limit on the number of FM fill-in translators a particular AM station can utilize, and should that number be constant, or adjusted based on the different classes of AM stations.
  5. FM stations are NOT allowed to provide direct financial support to FM translators that rebroadcast their signal if the translator's signal extends beyond the protected contour of the full power FM station. However, an FM licensee CAN provide direct financial support to "fill-in" FM translators. Should the same rules apply in the same manner to AM stations so that an AM licensee can provide direct financial support to a "fill-in" FM translator and broker time from FM translators in the non-reserved (commercial) band. And further, should commercial AM stations be allowed to enter into time broker agreements with FM "fill-in" translators in the reserved (educational/noncommercial) band.
  6. Would it be appropriate to allow daytime-only or Class C AM stations to simulcast or originate programming over a low-power FM (LPFM) station as a fill-in service when the AM station operates at night with less than its fully authorized daytime power.
  7. Is the Commission's proposed use of the AM daytime 2 mV/m contour as the limit for "fill-in" translator use and 25 mile site restriction appropriate, or should some other measurements be used, and for whatever limit is ultimately adopted, should de minimus overlap be allowed in certain circumstances. If so, then under what circumstances should overlap be allowed, and how much overlap should be permissible.
  8. Should measure conductivity be allowed in calculating the 2 mV/m contour of the AM station or should the Figure M-3 benchmark for conductivity be applied in all cases.

1. AM station that have limited nighttime power would simulcast their nighttime programming over FM translators that "fill-in" the daytime 2 mV/m coverage area.

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