The Future of AM radio

[tvdxer]

I've heard a lot of good things about Grundig and Eton radios in terms of their AM reception abilities.

The Sony ICF-2010, if you can find one, is often looked upon as the ultimate "portable" (it's quite large for today) AM DX rig, especially when connected to a Kiwa or similar loop.

The Sony XDR-F1HD is widely viewed as the best modern FM receiver, with HD Radio to boot - however, it was discontinued in about 2009 or 2010, and used models sell for as much as $500 on E-Bay (compared to the $50 I paid for mine after a special "HD Radio" discount in 2008). The DSP that makes FM reception so good is active on AM as well, and the included loop - provided that you are in a low-noise environment - will snag plenty of stations as well. However, it does not have 9 kHz tuning for TA (Trans-Atlantic) reception.

[Bill Shadowcat]

My personal opinion on AM >

With AM News/Talk and Sports-Talk stations also broadcasting on FM in many markets, FM is sounding more like AM in some ways than it used to. What is left on the AM is the AM broadcasts
of these stations and a few Ethnic or Spanish or Relgious stations, some of which either are or
will eventually move to or begin simulcasting on FM as well eventually to get more listeners. (If there are places available on the FM dial, that is, and in many places this is no longer the case.)

While all this is going on, on FM, formats are changing and modernizing. In my area alone there have been a few Nostalgia or Easy Listening stations switch to a more modern Adult Contemporary style format. Also, in my area, Classic Country and Oldies stations are either highly endangered or extinct.

I think what I'm trying to say is that at least in the smaller markets, if you got a good AM station of 5kw or above that really gets out there and it is broadcasting in a talk or sports-talk format and that format is already well covered on FM, that AM station should go Oldies or Classic Country or some other music format, preferably an "old-school" one in order to pick up the older (and a few younger) listeners who have recently lost their favourite format.

Anyway, that's my take in so many words. Thank you for your time.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by Bill Shadowcat

I think what I'm trying to say is that at least in the smaller markets, if you got a good AM station of 5kw or above that really gets out there and it is broadcasting in a talk or sports-talk format and that format is already well covered on FM, that AM station should go Oldies or Classic Country or some other music format, preferably an "old-school" one in order to pick up the older (and a few younger) listeners who have recently lost their favourite format.

Anyway, that's my take in so many words. Thank you for your time.

I've heard radio pros say that most music FM listeners never use the AM side of their radios. That's why you don't see serious attempts to do what you suggest. It would be the tree falling in the forest with no one around to hear it.

[Bill Shadowcat]

Bo, I think if it were possible to get the word out about the station and it is a station that actually comes in good on ordinary radios (so many AM stations don't) and it is a format that many people miss having, I think it would be doable. Just my opinion.

[Dude111]

I love AM (I always have)

This IBOC crap is making things a bit difficult especially @ night!