The coalition of engineers that wants the FCC to allow computer modeling of AM directional antennas plans to file its proposed rule changes in the next few business days.
The proposal will be in the form of an “ex parte” presentation to the FCC. As reported by RW earlier, this change is being pushed by a group of prominent engineers, consultants and manufacturers calling itself the AM Directional Antenna Performance Verification Coalition.
In a draft of the letter to the FCC obtained by RW, the group argues that “modern computerized methods of antenna pattern prediction have advanced to the point where computer modeling and internal array parameter monitoring can and should be relied on to verify the performance of most, if not all, medium-wave antenna systems.”
The group is pushing language that would permit the use of computer modeling using moment method analysis to proof and maintain AM directional antenna arrays; it also wants to allow the use of computer modeling to evaluate the effects of potential nearby reradiating objects on AM antenna systems.
The letter will state the engineers’ position that the present process of relying on field strength measurements to verify antenna system performance is “fundamentally flawed,” particularly in urban areas and other environments where field strength measurements are especially unreliable.
Ray Benedict of CBS is the informal chairman of the group and told RW, “Anybody interested in supporting the effort or who has questions can call me at (202) 457-4518.”
