Seattle Radio: KIRO GM Urges FCC To Not 'Cripple' Class As

Carl Gardner

KIRO 710 AM Seattle is one of the many AM radio stations that will be dramatically affected by the FCC’s plan to allow other AM stations, on the same frequency, to maintain power at night. But, as GM Carl Gardner tell RadioInk, this plan is a big mistake for several reasons and his listeners will be affected in a big way.

Bonneville's KIRO-AM is the FEMA-led station for emergency service throughout Western Washington and Gardner says the FCC is about to put that service in jeopardy.

And Gardner says this is not just a late-night issue. “Seattle is far north in latitude. In mid-winter we have sunrise after 8 a.m. and sunset shortly after 4 p.m. The AM proposal would strip our contour protections even 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset. So we would face major interference issues for as much as 20 hours per day under the proposed rules. Only between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. would KIRO actually have the ability to serve the full region we are expected to serve in our emergency capacity.”

KIRO 710 AM (50 Kw, DA-N) Red Loval Coverage Area

The Bonneville GM says everyone wants to see the small operators have every chance to be successful, especially in small communities where they may be the only local broadcaster. “That’s a good thing. But we should not, in the process, cripple those stations that are big and strong and capable, with resources to serve entire regions. I believe that was the idea back when Class A and clear channel stations were created, and it’s still a reality today at a number of these stations.