AM is it really dead?

[vagrant]

I enjoy listening to sports on AM radio as it allows me to work on projects vs watching the boob tube. I may be fortunate to have AM sports stations in my area. Some stations simulcast on FM as well.

I also have an extremely low power FM transmitter, that enjoys a full wave antenna, to broadcast whatever that may not be on traditional AM radio at the moment. From NOAA weather to old time radio mysteries on a loop, or whatever suits me at the time is broadcast around the house…and probably my neighborhood.

 

[RRR]

Haha, not offering it in the electric vehicles, eh? I'll bet it's primarily because of the interference the EV's emit, rendering AM basically useless

 

[mmckenna]

Haha, not offering it in the electric vehicles, eh? I'll bet it's primarily because of the interference the EV's emit, rendering AM basically useless

Yeah, RFI is the issue. The manufacturers don't want to clean up the noise, so they just remove the AM function of the radio. Many hope that the FCC steps up and cracks down on EV manufacturers and forces them to clean up the noise.

 

[a727469]

My bet is nothing will be done on EVs. First of all, too many other options for entertainment in cars these days and definitely not a big enough EV market yet. Not to mention the FCC should have better things to do than since they don’t seem to do much on much larger cases of RFI. If radios are forced to have the am available, manufacturers will just ignore the RFI and say “live with it, that’s the way it is, turn on the FM’

 

[KK4JUG]

Nearly every programming decision on radio -- all radio -- these days is the result of tons of research, especially on the advertising end, so it probably is effective or they'd do it differently. And I would guess that some spots (leading spots?) cost more to run than the middle ones. But that is just a guess.

AM stations in small markets neither want nor can afford "tons of research" when it comes to advertising and programming. Their research might consist of the boss coming in and saying, "Jim Bob stopped me on the street this morning and said we don't play enough Merle Haggard. See if you can dig up some Haggard stuff so he'll leave me alone." These stations don't make a lot of money but they pay the bills. They (sort of) abide by the FCC's rules so everyone leaves them alone. A lot of them provide things like farm market information, local obits and might even do a live remote from the ribbon cutting at the new cafe on Main Street.

 

[Slippery999]

We moved to Hawaii six years ago and I didn't pay too much attention to AM. I retired and moved to Molokai Hawaii a few years ago and now I'm taking a look at AM here on the islands.

I picked up a Grundig AN200 AM Loop Antenna and I just started working with it. Stations aren't the strongest here but this antenna has really helped.

I'm doing some videos on the antenna and here is one where I use my Radio Shack DX-394 with the Grundig AN200 Antenna.

 

[mmckenna]

I picked up a Grundig AN200 AM Loop Antenna and I just started working with it. Stations aren't the strongest here but this antenna has really helped.

Curious, do you get any AM DX from the mainland?

I've never tried listening for anything out of Hawaii, not sure I'd stand a chance. But I did catch a long wave aeronautical beacon from Hawaii many years ago.

 

[Slippery999]

Curious, do you get any AM DX from the mainland?

I've never tried listening for anything out of Hawaii, not sure I'd stand a chance. But I did catch a long wave aeronautical beacon from Hawaii many years ago.

I only started trying but I did pick up two from the West coast. It's pretty rare, for me anyway. Hawaii's AM stations are pretty weak. This antenna helped a lot.

I do really well on Shortwave and the Ham bands. 🤙🏻

 

[mmckenna]

I only started trying but I did pick up two from the West coast. It's pretty rare, for me anyway.

Which two did you pick up? Most of the big clear channel AM stations are aimed up and down the coastline.

 

[Slippery999]

Which two did you pick up? Most of the big clear channel AM stations are aimed up and down the coastline.

Unfortunately, it was before I started a log. I believe one was from California I believe it was San Diego and the other was from Oregon.

 

[mmckenna]

Unfortunately, it was before I started a log. I believe one was from California I believe it was San Diego and the other was from Oregon.

OK, thanks. That gives some hints.

 

[Boombox]

FWIW, there was a radio hobbyist / DXer named 'Gar-HI' on another radio forum who heard several signals from the mainland US just off his Sangean PR-D5 alone (the preDSP version, I think). He heard Texas, California, I think he also heard Chicago once, and even a station from NYC.

This was back in 2014-2016 before the Solar minimum hit. They were amazing catches. He was located on the NE side of the Big Island, not too far upland from Hilo, so he had nothing be ocean, basically, between him and the continental US.

 

[Dude111]

I love the AM band and to be frank I am glad to see this IBOC stuff gone from almost every station now!

 

[Slippery999]

FWIW, there was a radio hobbyist / DXer named 'Gar-HI' on another radio forum who heard several signals from the mainland US just off his Sangean PR-D5 alone (the preDSP version, I think). He heard Texas, California, I think he also heard Chicago once, and even a station from NYC.

This was back in 2014-2016 before the Solar minimum hit. They were amazing catches. He was located on the NE side of the Big Island, not too far upland from Hilo, so he had nothing be ocean, basically, between him and the continental US.

Condition are a huge part if it. I have a hard time getting the Honolulu stations on some days.lol

I do pretty well on Shortwave and pick up Hams from Australia, Japan and the mainland but it can be spotty at times.🤙🏻

I'm right across the channel from Maui. I can see Maui, Lanai and Kaho'olawa from my lanai.

 

[a727469]

While all this is interesting especially to us radio geeks and frankly the one time I was in Hawaii many years ago, I had no time to check the cross ocean reception, the question still remains as to whether AM is really dead. My wife has friends in Hawaii, and they tell us that they have not listened to AM in over 10 years.

 

[Slippery999]

While all this is interesting especially to us radio geeks and frankly the one time I was in Hawaii many years ago, I had no time to check the cross ocean reception, the question still remains as to whether AM is really dead. My wife has friends in Hawaii, and they tell us that they have not listened to AM in over 10 years.

I would say "On the ropes but not dead". On all the Hawaiian Islands there are local pockets and there are small AM stations that are for those groups. So people do listen.

As for overall, I would still say on the ropes but not quite dead.

 

[MikeinDestin]

When the fcc approved the translators, I always questioned the logic as to how this helped AM since these are very low power(250 watts max) and in many cases would have difficulty covering all of the area of the AM, and are at the mercy of regular FMs as far as interference and power. I realize that the rules allow the AM to operate 24 hours even if the AM is daytime only but this is like throwing a life preserver to an elephant.
Here is a good duscussion

https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/question-about-fm-translators.771896/

This is the problem with our local AM station. We have a 250 watt translator which is ok for the area, but really is only strongest in FT Walton, about 12 miles west of me. They boast that you can listen to them on 107.5, 96.5 HD2, and stream them. But because of the low powered FM, HD2 (which nobody has a radio for), ironically their 2.5 kW AM signal is still the best option. At least during the daytime. The nighttime 132 watt signal only covers FT Walton, making it unusable at night. Unfortunately the AM side, and sometimes FM, is fraught with technical issues. Distorted audio mostly. Their morning show has an announcer that takes calls, and it's very popular with the locals. The rest of the day is syndicated talk shows.

 

[a727469]

I recall being in Florida in the 80s and AM was still great. Also, driving with my parents to Florida as a very young radio geek, I remember waiting to see when I could pick up WAPE, the “big ape” in Jacksonville…,
As you said you have a station that is popular with the locals, but what demographic are the locals and what is the station able to provide that is not available elsewhere? Unfortunately, older demographics do not appeal to advertisers. Yes, I realize there are still some somewhat successful local AMs but the list is shrinking. My work at a local AM station right after college was great since then it was all about local information and ratings and advertising revenue were excellent.
Of course, then I went and got a “real” job🥲😁

 

[Dude111]

I love the AM band and listen all the time!

I love 800 CKLW .. 1060 KYW...

One night I got KOA (850) but that only happend one time...

 

[MikeinDestin]

I recall being in Florida in the 80s and AM was still great. Also, driving with my parents to Florida as a very young radio geek, I remember waiting to see when I could pick up WAPE, the “big ape” in Jacksonville…,
As you said you have a station that is popular with the locals, but what demographic are the locals and what is the station able to provide that is not available elsewhere? Unfortunately, older demographics do not appeal to advertisers. Yes, I realize there are still some somewhat successful local AMs but the list is shrinking. My work at a local AM station right after college was great since then it was all about local information and ratings and advertising revenue were excellent.
Of course, then I went and got a “real” job🥲😁

Older people with real life experiences, be it military, politics, or whatever. It's a mature audience. True, there aren't many ads you can sell them, many ads are boring repeats, and psa type stuff. But it is very intelligent conversation, not some stupid "morning zoo" show.