Let’s say that the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act becomes law this year. According to the S.1669 Bill Summary on congress.gov:
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule that mandates all new passenger motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. (AM broadcast stations are often used to deliver emergency alerts, as well as news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.)
Specifically, this bill applies to passenger motor vehicles (1) manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and (2) manufactured after the rule’s effective date.
The DOT rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations or Digital Audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment.
If this bill becomes law, what is the next logical step? The answer is in the last sentence: The DOT rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations or Digital Audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. Focus on the phrase “AM broadcast stations or Digital Audio AM broadcast stations.” That means an AM HD radio receiver in those vehicles.
Here lies the opportunity: replacing the analog AM broadcast with Digital Audio AM, making Digital Audio AM the primary way listeners hear station content on the AM band. It is a known fact that current-generation Digital Audio AM basically eliminates receiver interference issues while markedly increasing sound fidelity, resulting in a listener experience very similar to that of a normal FM station. Let’s face it: analog AM sounds poor, especially when music is being played as content. Digital audio AM has been around for years but has been marginalized in favor of the use of FM translators. Many station owners who invested in digital broadcast transmitters have long since turned them off because of the lack of a mandate in the consumer electronics marketplace for digital broadcast receivers. With the passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, should that occur, comes an opportunity to pass additional AM radio legislation similar to the Digital Television Transition Act of 2005.
This legislation set a firm date for the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, mandating that all full-power television stations cease analog broadcasts by February 17, 2009. What would an AM Digital Audio Transition Act look like?
First, it would not be as upsetting as the DTT Act was back in the day. AM stations would not be forced to move from the AM band to another part of the spectrum, as Digital Audio broadcast operates within the existing band on the same frequency. Thus, the analog broadcast will not disappear; however, Digital Audio broadcast will become a necessity for all AM station owners by a certain date. AM owners will be allowed to stop broadcasting in analog if they choose, and they can even continue using their FM translators for a specified amount of time, but they must keep their AM digital signals on 24/7.
Now, the cost factor for current analog-only AM stations to add digital audio broadcast is a burden that many owners cannot afford. Like the DTT Act, grants and funding opportunities will be made available to assist them in upgrading their infrastructure. Coupon programs will also be made available to the public for car radio converters and for the purchase of new radios to replace analog-only sets. The funding for this assistance could come from existing tariff proceeds and possible modest increases in FCC license fees over time.
Digital Audio AM content for all, through legislation such as the conceptual AM Digital Audio Transition Act, could fundamentally change the listening experience for all Americans and create new relevance and an economic renaissance for AM radio. Let’s get it done.