It’s a dramatic idea that would change infrastructure reaching back to the
very roots of our industry. A group made up primarily of broadcast
consulting engineers proposes a new use for TV Channels 5 and 6 in the
United States once their occupants migrate to digital. It recommends the
reallocation of part of that spectrum for the use of the country’s AM
stations. The group, calling itself the Broadcast Maximization Committee,
recommends the conversion and migration of all AM stations over an extended
period of time and with digital transmissions only. It also proposes
relocating the LPFM service to a portion of this spectrum and expanding the
NCE service into the adjacent portion. The group made its proposal in a
filing to the FCC as part of the broadcast diversity proceeding (Docket
07-294). Comments in that proceeding were due this week. Other
organizations also have used the proceeding to discuss how the radio
spectrum should be structured; but these comments are likely to draw new
attention to the plight of AM stations and possible ways to help the
occupants of the senior band. Engineering Consultant John Mullaney, a
proponent of using Channels 5 and 6 for radio, is part of BMC. Noting that
similar proposals to use that space for radio stations have been dismissed
by the commission as premature until the DTV transmission is done, the
group says the time is ripe for this proposal. Although LPFMs and NCE
stations would benefit, AMs would gain the most, the group contends. The
proposal would move virtually all AM stations to the new band. The
engineers lay out a plan under which all or most of the current AM
occupants would move and parts of the existing band would be designated for
users like municipalities and LPAM stations. “For clear-channel (Class A)
AM stations we are proposing that the FCC will increase existing
protections on the AM band and possibly re-allocate the Class As that stay
in such a way that they will have enough protection from other AM stations
so that they can operate HD Radio day and night without creating
interference,” BMC member Bert Goldman told Radio World. “This reduction
in AM noise will allow the remaining Class A stations to increase their
daytime and nighttime interference-free service by removing all other AM
stations.” Each channel is anticipated to be structured in such a way that
the station may decide if they want greater robustness of signal (and
greater coverage like in rural locations) or less robustness and up to four
program channels. BMC is not proposing a digital standard at this time.
BMC has also proposed a way to move the estimated 24 post-transition DTV
stations out of Channels 5 and 6. The proposal is signed by Mullaney,
Goldman, Mark Lipp, Paul H. Reynolds, Joseph Davis, Clarence Beverage,
Laura Mizrahi, Lee Reynolds and Alex Walsh.

Nuts and Bolts of BMC’s AM Migration Plan
8.01.2008
Here are the nuts and bolts of the Broadcast Maximization Committee’s
proposal http://www.radioworld.com/pages/s.0100/t.14794.html to use old
TV spectrum for a migration of AM stations. Under the BMC plan, AMs could
transition to the Channel 5/6 spectrum (100 channels 77.0 to 86.9 MHz) and
operate in the digital mode. In this way, AMs “can solve the current
digital problems they are experiencing, especially at night,” the group
states in its proposal. BMC is proposing to: Extend the FM band to
include frequencies 76.1 to 87.7 MHz FM Expanded Band (EXB) with a 100 kHz
channel spacing, creating 117 new channels. The first eight channels (87.0
to 87.7 MHz) would be reserved NCE channels since they are contiguous to
the current NCE band. The next 100 channels (77.0 to 86.9 MHz) would be
used to migrate AM stations to the proposed FM new EXB band channels, where
they would operate in digital mode. One channel on 76.9 MHz would be set
aside for NOAA DHS use nationwide. The last eight channels (76.1 to 76.8
MHz) would be for LPFM use. The vacated AM band (540 to 1700 kHz) would
open up for multiple uses, including improved AM broadcast service or other
use. While the policies, standards and priorities for an AM migration would
need to be developed, BMC has offered a technical plan to show that its
proposal is possible and to encourage further discussions. “Above all, AM
stations can become competitive, financially viable and immediately have
some hope for better days.”