The FCC should relax rules for AM stations...
The FCC should relax rules for AM stations to revitalize AM radio, several Clear Channel officials told Commissioner Ajit Pai, said an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/10WtaTc). Clear Channel asked Pai to repeal the “Ratchet Rule,” which limits AM stations to…
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prevent interference. Clear Channel said the rule did little to stop interference but impeded improvements to AM stations. Requirements for license coverage hinder AM relocation, and the commission should relax those rules, said the filing posted Thursday to docket 09-182. The company said the commission should increase opportunities for AM stations to use FM translators to rebroadcast AM stations, which it said “have served to encourage listeners usually accustomed to the FM band, including young adults and females, to tune directly to the AM band.” Clear Channel said it would be difficult to set a date for AM stations to convert to all-digital, but that FM translators could serve “as a bridge” until that transition -- or a move to new spectrum, such as the Channel 5 and 6 bands -- could be accomplished.