The future of AM radio

[Doug Drown]

As for CBC in the Maritimes, I know that one new FM is being constructed in
P.E.I. to compensate for the loss of 1070 AM in Moncton.  But one of the
complaints I heard about, early on, was from commercial fishermen and other
boaters who were very dependent upon 1070 for weather information while out
on the sea.  I don't know the CBC plans to address that.

I agree: this was a silly idea.

-Doug


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <kvahey@comcast.net>
To: "(newsgroup) Boston-Radio-Interest"
<boston-radio-interest@bostonradio.org>; "Scott Fybush" <scott@fybush.com>
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 6:58 PM
Subject: The future of AM radio


> This is a two part question that I have been pondering.
>
> 1. In Canada the AM band outside of the major population areas is
> becoming extinct. What exactly does the CRTC plan to do with the
> unused spectrum? On a related matter would the CRTC be open to
> allowing non-Canadian signals to readust protection patterns for
> stations that no longer exist. Prime example would be WEEI who no
> longer should worry about the former CKVL.
>
> 2. Could we ever see the FCC do the same thing in the US outside major
markets?
>
> I have never understood why the CBC and CRTC wanted the national
> service off AM. The expense of providing full FM coverage has to be
> astronomical given the land area involved. Why eliminate the blowtorch
> AM signals that could fill in the gaps especially at night. Will the
> Maritimes have full service when 1070 goes silent?