Ok, so I’m on this new kick. Why couldn’t I combine a terrestrial Low Power FM signal with an Internet radio station? Last December the U.S. congress passed H.R. 1147 or Local Community Radio Act of 2009. The bill will now move on to the Senate then to the president’s desk for approval.
This is seen as a victory for small time broadcasters, myself included. As soon as possible we will get the ball rolling on an actual radio station home for the GRIN. I am optimistic the bill will be passed into law with all the full support of the broadcast community and the FCC.
A 100 watt FM radio station in a major population center, Atlanta Metro, would potentially reach a large population. Previous LPFM’s were not allowed in a major market such as Atlanta. The new bill reverses the FCC’s previous restrictions on major market penetration. The good news is that the FM dial here is not overcrowded either. Obtaining a good frequency should be a painless process.
There is talk now of repurposing the vacated analog TV frequencies on channels 5 and 6 for both troubled local AM facilities and future LPFM’s. Audio quality, especially for the AM’s would become 100% digital stereo thus producing an even playing field when compared to conventional FM. I am not too excited about this due to the non-existence of receivers. Although; as a former AM broadcaster myself, pristine digital quality would be heavenly. It would take years for the electronics industry to catch up. (Frankly, I hope that AM disappears entirely. It is 80+ year old technology 30 years past its prime.)
Internet radio faces many hurdles as well. Most listeners are tied to a PC. Live streaming over the Internet must become more portable before it catches up with terrestrial AM & FM. WiMax and Wi-Fi show promise. But, I would wager that most folks would rather have their radio free of a monthly fee. I have reasoned that combining both LPFM and Internet steaming are a great strategy for a budget minded broadcaster such as myself. The GRIN will return. Just what type of carrier or simulcast combination is yet to be decided.
Stay tuned
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