I have to admit that I'm relatively indifferent to AM radio. If I listen to it, chances are it's accidental. That being said, I don't have anything against the format. I just ignore it and hope it'll go away.

Apparently, I'm not the only one... http://hometheatermag.com/curtain-call/the_buggles_one-hit_wonders_or_prophets_of_the_modern_age/

Hey, isn't that Mike Nelson of MST3K fame ?

While I don't care much for the content these days, I still like the format. If it goes away, what am I gonna do with all my vintage AM only radios ?

Make your own AM transmitter (http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/radio/am_transmitter.html) I suppose.

I read the cited article with interest, my Omega Constellation watch ticking on my
wrist while my Timex Sportsman slept in my bedroom...

Make your own AM transmitter (http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/radio/am_transmitter.html) I suppose.

For sure. I was going to roll my own from scratch, but I think I'll go with the SSTRAN (http://www.sstran.com/) instead. It's just that I think it's fun to flip around the dial and stumble on something unexpected worth listening to. I also like a little DJ chatter now and then.

That IS Mike from MST3K. His columns wind up in all sorts of magazines, although this one is pretty dry and unfunny compared to what he usually writes. I recall he had a column for all of three issues in TV Guide, and they were just so weird that you would swear that he was trying to get fired (it worked, whether he was trying to or not). He now seems to sell MP3's where he trashes movies MST3K style-you rent the popular movie and put it on your DVD player, and then play the MP3 in loose sync with the movie. It actually works pretty well.

From reading that drivel I can only conclude that a full-blown "home theater" enthusiast would find this humorous. So the author is either clever enough to make a buck off of a special interest group, or he is very out of touch with reality.

Apparently, The FCC has rejected a proposal to increase the power of AM stations, to help overcome the increased "noise" levels in most environments today. Some discussion of that and other possible solutions to the "AM problem" are mentioned in the article:
http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2010/06/should-am-radio-stations-get-a-10x-power-boost.ars
In my area, 2 AM stations are already simulcast on HD sub-channels of FM stations in the same "cluster". I suspect that the AM band will "thin out" considerably over the next few years, with perhaps the higher power stations, and those lower power stations that serve small remote communities remaining for many years. I may purchase an Alfredo "lite" AM stereo transmitter kit, if needed to keep my radio collection happy.:music:
jr

The AM broadcast band still works very well for its purpose, which is still the same purpose it had in the 1920's. That is the point, not a reason to kill it just because something better is also available.

If you really want to hear amazingly good sound quality from an AM-band station, listen to a good HD Radio AM-band signal.

IMHO, it is likely that some AM stations will "go dark" because of this:

This from All Access:

--------------------Bustos Media Transfers Its Stations To Lenders------------

BUSTOS MEDIA, LLC is transferring all of its stations to a new company controlled by its three senior lenders. The company's staff was informed in an e-mail memo from CEO AMADOR BUSTOS and VP Operations JOHN BUSTOS that the licenses will be transferred to NAP BROADCAST HOLDINGS, LLC, controlled by NEWSTART, ATALAYA, and PRUDENTIAL, the company's largest lenders. BROADCAST MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY Pres./CEO JAY MEYERS has been appointed interim CEO until FCC approval has been obtained; AMADOR and JOHN BUSTOS are leaving the company.

"We all worked hard to develop the new emerging Hispanic markets, but the economic downturn and the timing of our purchases were not favorable. We appreciate the trust our equity partners placed in us," the memo said. "We appreciate as well as the patience our senior lenders had as we worked to restructure our debt. I am confident that with the support of the new ownership the staff will continue to build these stations to their fullest potential."
__________________________________________________ ______________________

I suspect that the FMs owned by Bustos will find ready buyers, if it comes to that... AMs, perhaps not.
jr

Wiki article on Bustos :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bustos_Media

I love AM radio!!!

I love listening to distant stations at night (OR TRYING TO,ITS HARDER WITH THIS STUPID IBOC GARBAGE!)

I listen to talk shows on AM,etc :)

The AM band is awesome!!