If you plan to share a final thought with the FCC about its proposal to update FM HD Radio power level formulas, you have until Sept. 21 to do so. Reply comments are due Oct. 6.
As we’ve reported, the commission recently published an order and notice of proposed rulemaking to update the rules to give FM and LPFM applicants more flexibility to increase digital power levels. It plans to update its methodology for a digital FM or LPFM applicant to calculate the maximum permissible digital power level, and to allow asymmetric power operation on the digital sidebands. Radio World expects the proposal to be approved.
The industry has already had a lot of opportunity to comment on these ideas, and we have summarized those in our reporting. But at the end of July the FCC laid out its specific plans, and now is asking for public feedback on them.
The National Association of Broadcasters thinks the changes will allow FM stations to increase digital power to improve coverage and service for listeners, including audiences inside buildings, and also enable broadcasters to target power increases to minimize the impact on other stations.
Here’s a link to the NPRM once again. You can use the Electronic Comment Filing System. Refer to MB Docket No. 22-405.
