{"id":36999,"date":"2019-04-23T07:14:40","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T11:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=36999"},"modified":"2019-04-23T07:14:40","modified_gmt":"2019-04-23T11:14:40","slug":"digital-am-fcc-takes-a-closer-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/04\/digital-am-fcc-takes-a-closer-look\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital AM: FCC takes a closer look"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to an SWLing Post<\/em> reader who writes:<\/p>\n

Thought you and the SWLing bunch would be interested to learn about this. The promoters make it sound so go, but fail to mention all the problems and pitfalls. Hopefully, it will go nowhere, which is the best course possible!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(Source: Inside Radio<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The prospect of a digital-only AM station may still be far on the horizon, but if it one day becomes reality the first step to securing regulatory approval has just occurred. The Federal Communications Commission has put up a proposal submitted by Texas broadcaster Bryan Broadcasting last month for public comment. It\u2019s not a formal rulemaking, but the process could lay the groundwork for a FCC decision allowing digital-only AMs in the future.<\/p>\n

In a\u00a0petition filed<\/a>\u00a0last month, Bryan Broadcasting VP and general Ben Downs said giving stations the option of dropping their analog signal would provide struggling AM owns an \u201cinnovative tool\u201d with which to compete. Broadcasters will have until May 13 to chime in on what\u2019s been docketed as\u00a0RM-11836<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Downs says he\u2019s pleasantly surprised to see the FCC moving so quickly on his petition. The proposal drew some attention among engineers at last week\u2019s NAB Show, although agency staffers were less committal. That made it all the more encouraging when Downs returned from the Las Vegas convention to learn the Media Bureau opened it up to comments.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cIt was clear from the discussion panels that unless there\u2019s interest shown in this 30-day comment period, we will not have this approved as a licensed option,\u201d Downs said. \u201cI don\u2019t think anyone questions the all-digital MA-3 option from a technical feasibility position anymore, separate from the hybrid mode that is authorized. So I would hope the Commission would recognize that this is the next logical step in the AM Revitalization effort.\u201d[…]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Click here to read the full article at Inside Radio.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to an SWLing Post reader who writes: Thought you and the SWLing bunch would be interested to learn about this. The promoters make it sound so go, but fail to mention all the problems and pitfalls. Hopefully, it will go nowhere, which is the best course possible! (Source: Inside Radio) The prospect of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,1114,3],"tags":[625,2720,7219],"class_list":["post-36999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-digital-modes","category-news","tag-am-radio","tag-digital-broadcasts","tag-inside-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-9CL","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":61749,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/digital-library-of-amateur-radio-and-communications\/","url_meta":{"origin":36999,"position":0},"title":"Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications","author":"Thomas","date":"January 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares the following article on the Archiv.org Blog: https:\/\/blog.archive.org\/2025\/01\/14\/vanishing-culture-digital-library-of-amateur-radio-and-communications\/","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hallicrafters-Dial-Analog-Black-and-White-e1525169308291.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hallicrafters-Dial-Analog-Black-and-White-e1525169308291.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hallicrafters-Dial-Analog-Black-and-White-e1525169308291.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hallicrafters-Dial-Analog-Black-and-White-e1525169308291.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hallicrafters-Dial-Analog-Black-and-White-e1525169308291.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14380,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/dab-praha-czech-radio-begins-digital-broadcasting\/","url_meta":{"origin":36999,"position":1},"title":"DAB Praha: Czech Radio begins digital broadcasting","author":"Thomas","date":"August 15, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader,\u00a0David Iurescia, who shares this news and audio report\u00a0via the Radio Praha website: \"10:55 on Thursday morning was an important occasion in the history of radio in the Czech Republic as it was the exact moment that full digital broadcasting was launched in the country.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Modes"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Modes","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-modes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Czech-Republic","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Czech-Republic.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Czech-Republic.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Czech-Republic.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":65178,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/radio-farda-returns-to-shortwave-to-bypass-irans-digital-blackout\/","url_meta":{"origin":36999,"position":2},"title":"Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave to Bypass Iran\u2019s Digital Blackout","author":"Thomas","date":"January 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for the tip: Working with commercial broadcasters, Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty\u2019s Persian service Radio Farda has resumed shortwave broadcasts aimed at Iran, providing an alternative to state-controlled media amid an ongoing internet blackout imposed by the Iranian government. The return to shortwave\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"International Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/international-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/RadioFarda.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/RadioFarda.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/RadioFarda.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/RadioFarda.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42850,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/drm-featured-on-bbc-digital-planet\/","url_meta":{"origin":36999,"position":3},"title":"DRM featured on BBC Digital Planet","author":"Thomas","date":"April 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: The April 14, 2020 edition of the BBC World Service program 'Digital Planet' includes a story about the status of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) broadcasts on shortwave. The segment had no breaking news, but SWLing Post readers might enjoy hearing an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DRM-Waterfall-Spectrum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DRM-Waterfall-Spectrum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DRM-Waterfall-Spectrum.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DRM-Waterfall-Spectrum.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44472,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/video-when-tomorrows-world-demonstrated-digital-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":36999,"position":4},"title":"Video: When “Tomorrow’s World” demonstrated digital radio","author":"Thomas","date":"July 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jason W, who writes: You might be interested in this episode of the BBC series tomorrow's world from 17th Feb 1993 on YouTube: https:\/\/youtu.be\/gJm15LMQEHM 10:23 to 14:50 has a introduction and demonstration of digital radio in the UK and concluding with \"the experts say\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Audio Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Audio Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-audio-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Tomorrows-World.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Tomorrows-World.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Tomorrows-World.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Tomorrows-World.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Tomorrows-World.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27354,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/radioworld-free-ebook-global-digital-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":36999,"position":5},"title":"RadioWorld free eBook: Global Digital Radio","author":"Thomas","date":"July 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Radio World via Dennis Dura) Digital radio continues to progress at a rapid pace worldwide. The latest Radio World International eBook, \"Global Digital Radio,\" takes a look at how each region is preparing for the transition, planned FM switchoff dates and requirements, ways in which digital radio can pave\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/RadioWorld-eBook-254x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36999\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}