Is it too late to fix the AM band?

Story by Tom Taylor Now

Some engineers privately think so, because of the rampant (and rising) noise level. It’s created by everything from cellphones and tablets to fluorescent lights and power lines. Also car engines (That’s why BMW says it isn’t equipping its electric BMW i3 with AM).

The FCC may be years late hopping on this issue, but it does have a rulemaking in progress and yesterday’s deadline for comments produced a flood.

The Society of Broadcast Engineers focuses on the ambient noise that plagues AM reception. It states the facts of life – the FCC can’t do anything about unlicensed Part 15 and Part 18 devices “past the point of sale,” and the agency’s reducing its already-thin field staff.

The SBE solution is basic – the only “meaningful chance” to do something is at the manufacturer level. It urges the Commission to “create obligations on manufacturers, importers and dealers.” Otherwise, the group says “AM listeners have media options, and RF noise will make them exercise those options...they will simply utilize different media.”

When interim Chair Mignon Clyburn announced the FCC’s AM proceeding at the Orlando Radio Show (building on strong work by Commissioner Ajit Pai), the one idea most AM folks agreed on was giving them greater access to FM translators. The FCC’s doing that. That provides daytimers with a nighttime signal and everybody a second place on the radio dial.

But is the FCC – and the industry – up for more basic fixes? You may have noticed some radios have superior AM sound, while many don’t – the quality of design and manufacturing really matters.