Radio World has had quite a strong response from readers with perspectives about Larry Langford’s comments on removing AM proof requirements. Here’s another from a prominent radio equipment manufacturer who asked not to be named because he was speaking just for himself rather than his organization:
I appreciate the comments from other engineers talking about why it is important, however the missing point seems to be that the FCC does not require these measurements for FM or TV transmitters. All contemporary AM, FM and TV transmitters are equally reliable, and the likelihood of out-of-band emissions is very low. Why do these engineers imagine AM is so unstable to require yearly check? Factually, out-of-band emissions from FM transmitters or digital TV transmitters, while still remote, have a much higher probability of impacting some operations that people care about: mobile phone systems. Even in cases where mobile carriers complain about out-of-band emissions, typically the FM or TV station is well within their specification requirements; mobile operators have such sensitive receivers that they are trying to operate much beyond the norms of broadcasting.
In any event, it seems like holding onto the past for no good reason.
What are your own thoughts? Email [email protected] with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field.
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