extending FM band down to 76 MHz

[Peter Q. George]

It makes sense.  Both VHF-lo and VHF-hi have been proven in the "real world" to be totally sub-par for Digital Television compared to UHF, something that I (somehow) KNEW years ago when I started writing the "UHF Morgue" exhibits (http://radiodxer.bravehost.com).   I've always thought that 76.1-87.9 MHz would be perfect for an extended FM band.  This would allow better distribution for frequencies for LPFM and the Grandfathered Class D FM stations to migrate.  If they were to allow these stations to switch to the new frequencies and allow simulcasting for a period, not to exceed 10 years (or when the expanded band radios would be more plentiful enough), then the old frequency would be discontinued.

Also, FMeXtra digital broadcasting system should be a less-expensive OPTION for these expanded band stations to commence digital service in lieu of the very expensive and less-than-dependable IBOC system.  The radios should be able to automatically switch from IBOC or FMeXtra.  There should be no timetable for an all digital radio conversion.  Analog still is the only true way to ensure emergency alerts will be available to the general public.  The digital signal is still not a dependable source for EAS or emergency information, especially during natural or man-made disasters. 

  

Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts
"Scanning the bands since 1967"
radiojunkie3@yahoo.com

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--- On Sun, 8/2/09, Bob Nelson <raccoonradio@mail.com> wrote:

> From: Bob Nelson <raccoonradio@mail.com>
> Subject: extending FM band down to 76 MHz
> To: "BostonRadio Mailing List" <boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org>
> Date: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 9:28 AM
> I noticed on Wikipedia, in an entry
> on the "FM band" that last year the FCC said it would look
> into the possibility
> of extending the FM band down to 76 MHz, perhaps in the
> interest of broadcast diversity. It was said public comment
> was welcome. The article said that the Japanese FM
> broadcast band is 76-90 MHz (only such instance in the
> world?) and
> here in US FM began at 88.1 (or perhaps some at 87.9?
> LPFMs?) so as not to cause interference with Ch 5 or Ch 6
> analog.
> 
> But I wonder if such a thing would happen. Obviously
> pre-existing radios won't be able to pick up the "new"
> freqs
> though with time new radios would be made to include 76.1
> to 87.9 (etc) What would go there...community radio/LPFMs?
> Pirates? (they'd look the other way, since most people
> won't be able to pick up those freqs at first, anyway?)
> Commercial stations?
> Hmm.
> 
> My tech knowledge is very limited but it's interesting to
> think about.
> 
> --Bob Nelson
>