That's the way it is.
What About This
For purposes of this discussion we will not call it the "AM band". It will be the "Medium Wave Band".
So, stop using Amplitude Modulation, which by its nature leaves receivers vulnerable to reproducing any noise that happens to be occurring along with the AM signal.
Instead, we use Frequency Modulation, which as a feature of its characteristics tends to nullify residual noise present on the band.
Rather than "revitalizing the AM band" we would revitalize the Medium Wave Band!
My name doesn't need to be connected with it (the Blare Method).
We'll give credit to Part15.Org!
Noble idea, but impractical.
Given the 10 kHz spacing on the medium wave broadcast band, we would still have a very choked frequency range on our signals. The noise would indeed be nearly entirely eliminated, but there's not enough room for a stereo signal, much less a signal with much in the way of highs.
Dont get me started on the public having to buy yet >another< radio. If they're not buying HD receivers, then a Medium Wave FM unit is going to be a super-tough sell.
The AM Band is Passing Into History
BillyBurg is correct, the idea of FM on MW is impractical exactly as described, and so is all this useless talk of "revitalizing" the AM band, which has no useful way of happening.
The ONLY sane idea to revitalize radio is the expansion of the FM band to match other countries, something like 74 to 108 MHz.
As a blighted vacant space, is there ANY re-purposing that could be applied to the old medium wave band? Anything?
I agree that changing AM to "FM" is a bad idea because everyone will have to buy a new radio and the existing one in your car will be useless also and no one cares about radio enough to do this....even HD is not on anyone's agenda to go out and get an HD capable radio.
Carl's solution is BEST!
Why can't the FM band be expanded to what it is in Europe, Asia, Japan, Australia, (Russia is 64-108)...etc and have more space....it's sitting unused now!
As for existing receivers a lot of them already cover 76 to 108(or at least down to 87.5) and yes a lot of people will have to get a new radio to listen to the expanded band as what was needed for AM when it expanded but the receivers are easily available and there are lots on Amazon with the 76-108 capabilities but everyone will be able to keep their existing radio if they don't care about the expanded band as with the AM expansion.
I don't know what else the "old" AM band could be used for and I doubt that it will be hobby radio but it would be nice if some of it could be set aside for this.
But if that happened I would hope that BETS-1/part 15 would adopt and make it legal to go on the expanded band also, although most in the US don't go FM anyway.
What Mark Said
"I don’t know what else the “old” AM band could be used for and I doubt that it will be hobby radio but it would be nice if some of it could be set aside for this."
Changes in FCC rules tend to follow the money trail, but assigning the blighted AM band to hobby radio would be an easy move given the lack of corporate interest in it, except I suppose the IBOC racketeers still lust for it, although that bad idea appears to have fizzled.
Mr. Pai? Could we please have the AM band? Please?
Got some band members of Gordo and Tommy Gun backing me now. They have been filling my agenda to push for a General broadcasting service for AM.
Rock band members may now donate to the cause and just maybe we will eventually get a lawyer to help.
The Legacy has started a buzz in the AOR community and I even have a gentleman who is writing his own book about his Rock band and my station and it's growing pains and goals may be a part of the book.
It's sometimes who you know that could make the difference.
As part of the band's proposal C-Quam WILL be a mandate to preserve audio quality.
Waves are building and with donation money we should be able to buy backers like the RIAA has done.
<p style="text-align: left;">Goddo I meant I hate auto correction I typed it that way so many times and it keeps on putting the RN to it. Think of God and the word oh now put it together that's the name of the band.</p>
Expand the Amateur Radio Service from 1.8 down to 1.6.