On October 21, 2015, the Commission adopted a Report and Order in the Matter of Revitalization of the AM Radio Service. The AM Revitalization Order was released on October 23, 2015, and published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2016. In the AM Revitalization Order, the Commission amended Section 73.1560 of the Commission’s rules to permit AM stations to commence operation using Modulation Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL) control technology without prior Commission authority, provided that within 10 days after commencement of MDCL operation, the AM station licensee submits a completed FCC Form 338, AM Station MDCL Notification. FCC Form 338 identifies the AM station and specifies the technical details of the station’s MDCL operation. The rules adopted in the AM Revitalization Order become effective February 18, 2016, with the exception of Section 73.1560, which contained a new information collection necessitating Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Media Bureau Announces Effective Date of Modified Rule Governing AM Station MDCL Operation
Posted: April 11, 2016