I just read that some AM stations want to go total digital (DRM) with no AM signal. Why don't they just go FM? Who is going to want to buy a new radio just to hear those stations. I would like to see the FCC turn the band over to the big blowtorch stations running 50 Kw or even more.
I miss the good old days of clear channel stations. They would be good for national emergencies, hurricane and tornado information. I can remember traveling at night, listening to the same station all night with no interference. We've got the radios; all we need are the stations to listen to.
The AM stations in question do not want to go DRM. DRM in America is dead. They want the option to go all-HD if they choose to. Few AM stations would choose to do so, but several have done all HD tests with good reception results. As for HD receivers, many newer cars have them, and there are several models available in electronics box stores and over the internet for $100 or less. I have one.
As for the clear channels, yeah, the FCC allowed them to get cluttered up in the 1980's. That genie is out of the bottle and the only thing that will undo it is when stations start to go off the air. When that happens, the MW band will sound like SW does now -- a bit empty.
As for AM stations going to FM, that's a great idea except FM is maxed in many metros. AM 'revitalization' gave AM stations preferences to put up an FM translator as an FM relay of the AM signal. However, in my medium sized metro, there isn't enough room on FM for every AM station to do that. This is why some AM stations planning on being around 35 years from now are thinking HD as a possible way to compete with FM and streaming.