Clyburn: More For AM Broadcasters

FCC Acting Chair Mignon Clyburn also delivered more news that pleased AMers:

• Give AM broadcasters more flexibility to make antenna site changes
• FCC would also relax its AM daytime and nighttime community coverage rules,  which Clyburn said would help broadcasters find suitable sites and provide relief for towers and directional arrays
• The  FCC would completely eliminate the AM “ratchet rule,” which requires AM stations to throttle back their nighttime signal to reduce interference to other AMs
• Broadcasters would no  longer need authorization or a waiver to reduce power consumption through “MDCL” control technologies..they’d just have  to notify the agency
• The FCC would significantly adjust its AM antenna efficiency standards so that AMs could use shorter antennas.

The notice comes one year after Commissioner Ajit Pai proposed an initiative to revitalize the band, which has been plagued by poor reception, rising interference, and a loss of listeners.