"It's the programming, stupid!"

[Bill]

"If, as an owner of an AM, you feel that the end of AM broadcasting is
inevitable.....it's headed into a death spiral that no one is going to be
able to turn around....then why not have the attititude of getting every
last dollar out of it before it eventually crashes to the ground."



What happened to the plan to expand the FM band into the 70 MHz range now
that TV has mostly vacated channels five and six? AM licensees were to get
first priority.

While the programming and audio fidelity aren't anything to get excited
over, the ability of an AM station to build a temporary antenna and get back
on the air in a disaster is a huge plus. The millions of AM capable radios
out there doesn't hurt either. The various public alert systems being
proposed might get a tornado warning out but will fold when the cell
networks overload and cell site destruction occurs. I believe in K.I.S.S!
Too bad there aren't more that believe it. No, they have to have the latest
shiny silver plated network based toy...

Yes, I'm a dinosaur and neo-luddite. I have a public safety background and I
always look not only for a belt and suspenders but that extra piece of rope
to keep my pants up. I grew up in the 50's and 60's when AM was in its prime
and FM was still learning to walk. I have Sirius, HD Radio, and an air card
so I can stream while driving around. I'm a cell tech now so I don't have to
pay for the data used.... I love the new technologies yet still DX on AM. I
listen to WBZ out here west of St Louis several times a week over the air
just so I can hear the Boston ads...

Alas, the end of AM is getting closer. I will mourn for it until the day I
pass.

Bill