The NAB wants the commission to let AMs use FM translators.
The association filed a petition for rulemaking with the FCC "seeking permission for AM radio stations to license and/or use FM translators to retransmit their service as a fill-in service," it states in an association newsletter.
"Under NAB's proposal, no portion of the 60 dBu contour of the FM translator may exceed the lesser of either the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM station or a circle with its center at the AM transmitter site and a radius of 25 miles."
NAB told the FCC about technical challenges facing AMs due to interference from natural and man-made obstacles, "as well as from FCC rules that require AM stations to reduce power during nighttime hours in order to avoid interference from other AM signals located on the same frequency."
Granting the petition "would be consistent with FCC precedent in favor of improving AM radio service," the association said.
"We also demonstrated that NAB's petition is more reasonable and justified by current competitive circumstances than similar earlier requests that the FCC rejected or did not act upon. Finally, the petition describes the public service provided by local AM broadcasters and illustrates how granting NAB's petition would allow AM stations to continue, if not expand, their service to the public."