David wrote:
On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:54:21 -0700, Roadie

The real question is whether radio stations really care about geting
an inconsistent signal to non-local listeners on nighttime AM. The
inability to provide a consistent signal coupled with advertising that
is usually local in nature would seem to indicate that non-local
listeners are not much of a concern to AM stations.

Radio stations are supposed to operate in the public interest.


Yes the *majority* public interest, not the micro-minority that
numbers 0.01% of the populace. The FCC is under no obligation to
serve a micro-minority's interest.

And yes it is a micro-minority.

It's not the 50s anymore..... today's population of teens and young
adults are listening to the *internet* for their Distance radio, not
SW or AM skywave. The FCC is hear to serve THEM - the majority - and
their wish to have more variety, more choices, more eclectic music
styles (like "indie rock" on 98ROCK-HD 3).

The FCC is serving the majority's wishes, not the 0.01% micro-
minority.






people like Dwardo had their way all radio would cease transmitting at
7 PM because the advertising drops below the breakeven level. All 50
kW stations would cut their power by 3 dB to save money on electric


I admit it. If I had my way, AM stations would be forbidden to
broadcast further than 100 miles. Only 2 or 3 "superstations" like
WGN or WTBS or WOR would be allowed to do national-wide AM. Thus
cleaning-up the air.

Alternatively:

I would forbid Digital broadcast at night, and propose to the FCC
board that AM analog be terminated in 2015. (Same as the UK and
Germany are planning to do.) At that time AM-HD would take over
during night broadcasts.