Now IHM Wants To Own ALL The AM Stations!

[Ben Zonia]

But what do you bet that once they do, they'll file a Petition For Rulemaking to move them all to an EXPANDED FM BAND?

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-bus ... t-touch-fm

[Deleted User 15688]

Do you really think we will have an expanded FM band?

[Ben Zonia]

If the big boys like IHM want it, it may be more likely to happen at some point. They have resisted due to removal of channels due to cellular gobbling it up. But so far, Low VHF frequencies appear to be better for FM than digital TV in its current configuration. Other than ERP levels, it is difficult to say High VHF isn't good for digital. The stations I have observed that can be received OTA over 50 miles are on VHF High channels, because they get over hills and obstructions much better than VHF.

[Turkeytop]

Is there any unused spectrum adjacent to the existing FM band?

[k8jd]

Expanding FM ? Could go down from 88 to 82 to take over VHF TV ch 6, I suppose.
Can't go up because that's the Aero Comm band from 108 up to 136 MHz.

[Ben Zonia]

The 108-118 MHz is used for navigational beacons. 72-76 MHz is used for hearing loss devices. Though it might be difficult, I would think that part of the nearly abandoned services on the 30-50 MHz band could be usable as a replacement for one or the other, though propagation "disturbances", DX fun for us, cause more problems.

[Turkeytop]

Hey, it might be fun getting DX on my hearing aids.

[Deleted User 15688]

In Asia the FM band is 76-108 MHz. My question is, if this were to become a reality, would people go out and purchase a new radio to receive the new frequencies? With all the digital platforms available via our smartphone, what is the use of a new radio receiver? And also would the extension of the FM band be digital?

[Kennelly Heaviside]

If you read the manual, you will find that many radios have the option of tuning down to 76 MHz by a special setting. IBOC would likely be possible, don't know about digital only. Personally, I don't think digital is worth the problems it results in with interference sources to and from the signal.

[n8fnr]

And yet every single radio in every vehicle in the USA and Canada has an FM radio that goes from 88-108. How many people would buy new radios for their vehicles?

[billmich88888]

less than zero

[Radio Chili]

Hey, it might be fun getting DX on my hearing aids.

I hear you!

[Radio Chili]

Hey, it might be fun getting DX on my hearing aids.

I hear you!

(Must be the fresh battree?) My old chemistry teacher in High School, Mr. Carlyon used to call them "battrees! We loved it, LOL