[IRCA] AM Daytime Band Scan

[Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There may be hope for the AM Band yet. Today, I took advantage of an 
errand run to do a quick band scan locally. Hoping for some daytime DX, 
but not expecting much. Instead of the usual right-wing political talk, 
religion, and sports that dominated the band here for years, I found a 
variety of formats.

Among the unexpected treats? Music of several varieties, including rock 
and roll, oldies, Christmas music, and jazz. Also heard was "Comedy 
1420" out of Tuscaloosa, and a local announcer from downtown Birmingham.

What a refreshing change from the canned, satellite delivered, Rush 
Limbaugh wanna-be's that dominated the airwaves here for years.

Maybe the future of AM radio is in (gasp!) local content! Some of us 
might want to hear about our city council, local weather, missing dogs, 
etc. If I could figure out how to file a public comment on the FCC's 
intent to revitalize the AM Band, I might even suggest that they provide 
first choice on new FM translators to those stations which cater to 
their local communities, instead of those that only want to feed 
satellite content, and hire an engineer on a freelance basis.

My prediction is that the AM band of the future will feature more 
foreign language programming, more religious content, and hopefully, 
more local content--especially in small communities. I hope today's band 
scan is a preview of more to come. Music on AM! Wow!


--
73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf

6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484

Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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