Whether you’re aware of it or not, AM radio is a huge part of American culture. AM radio stations, which are less expensive to run than FM radio channels, give a beautiful snapshot of modern American society. FM radio has become so mainstream that only those with good funding can have a voice, but on AM radio there is everything from high-school football coverage to individuals buying time to talk about whatever they want. Mexican music, Rush Limbaugh’s intense viewpoint and a private music school’s recital can all be heard in the same day on one AM station.
However, AM radio technology is aging. It may be getting lost in static, among other ailments. The digital age is creeping in and drowning out AM radio. There is also a big quality difference between a mono channel and a stereo channel. Most music is played over FM bands that offer sounds in stereo. This is important since recording studios can take sound and place its volume and left/right selection into a beautiful symphony that makes it seem as though the musicians are all around instead of just inside a couple of tiny speakers. Older broadcasting technology does not offer these capabilities, and as a result AM radio is not typically popular for music. With the technology fading, the FCC has put priorities in other places.
Resurgence of AM Radio in America
There was a bit of hype about using FM translators for AM stations. The FCC had initially promised a filing window for this project, but when it came down to it the window never opened. The argument against allowing this window to open amounted to the thought that special circumstances, and possible special pricing, should not be available to AM license holders that were not available to others. New translators, which are quite expensive, can be purchased by AM license holders without this FM translator availability to AM stations. Some wonder if it all boils down to control over what is broadcast over the airwaves.
Industry Activists Trying to Save AM Radio
Some industry activists, and even members of the FCC, are going all-out to save AM Radio. Ajit Pai, the only Republican member of the FCC, feels passionately about saving the AM band. This is because the longer waves of AM radio travel farther than FM waves, and the analog transmission can be picked up by radios during a crisis when cell phones are dead and power is out. Communication during crisis times is critical, and AM radio offers this service for those in rural areas. Mr. Pai also believes that the cultural snapshot offered by AM radio is valuable and should be here for the next generation to enjoy.
No one yet knows what the future holds for AM radio. So listen to it now while you still can.