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NAB Files Reply Comments In AM Revitalization Docket
March 20, 2014 at 12:02 PM (PT)
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The NAB has filed its reply comments in the FCC's AM revitalization docket, telling the Commission that it supports an AM-only filing window for FM translators and relaxation of current geographic limits on cross-service translators, loosening of standards requiring community of license coverage. and flexible use of Modulation Dependent Carrier Level Control (MDCL) technology.
The NAB wrote that it "agrees with most comments in favor of opening a filing window for FM translators in which only AM stations may participate, as a means of extending the benefits of cross-service translators to more AM stations and their listeners. While translators obtained in this window should generally remain linked to the acquiring AM station, NAB submits that it would be reasonable to allow such translators to be transferred under certain limited circumstances, such as financial hardship. We also support relaxation of the proposed limit of one FM translator per AM station, to accommodate AM stations with unusually large or irregularly shaped service areas, as well as opening the filing window to all AM radio stations on an equal basis, regardless of class or ownership structure."
In addition, the organization recommended that "instead of limiting a translator’s 60 dBμ contour to the 'smaller' of an AM station’s 25-mile radius or daytime 2 mV/m contour, the FM translator’s signal should be able to cover the greater of these benchmarks.... listeners located beyond a station’s 25-mile radius but within the 2 mV/m contour would receive new or greatly improved service."

