On Aug 6, 3:46*pm, wrote:
*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.” * * * * *

Dang That's A Great Idea ! - seems like I read it before . . . RHF