Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
May 28, 2010
DA 10-973
Mr. Richard F. Arsenault
P.O. Box 337
Fortescue, New Jersey 08321-0337
Dear Mr. Arsenault:
This letter is in response to your petition dated April 13, 2010, requesting that the Commission 
initiate a rulemaking to permit AM stations to voluntarily implement an increase in authorized daytime 
operating power.  You believe that such rules changes would mitigate degradation of daytime AM signal 
reception resulting from the interference effects of digital computers and other computing devices, 
Broadband over Power Lines, energy efficient fluorescent lighting with solid state switching circuitry and 
other electronic devices.  Specifically, you propose that the Commission allow a five-year period in which 
AM stations may increase daytime operating power up to ten times their currently authorized power without 
formal application to the Commission.  For the reasons set forth below, we deny the petition.
In MM Docket No. 87-267,1 the Commission took many actions, both major and minor, to transform 
and revitalize the AM broadcast band.  We adopted revised AM technical standards, which were designed, 
over time, to reduce interference in a station’s primary coverage area, and we allowed migration of many of 
the highest AM interferers to an expanded AM band, which reduced existing interference and station 
congestion.  We have determined that your proposal is not in the public interest because it would greatly 
increase the potential for interference between AM stations and would undermine the Commission’s 
efforts to improve the AM service.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 405 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 405, and Section 1.401(e) of the Commission’s Rules, 47 
C.F.R. § 1.401(e), the petition for rulemaking filed April 13, 2010, by Richard F. Arsenault IS DENIED.
This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to Sections 0.61 and 0.283 of the 
Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.61 and 0.283.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
William T. Lake
Chief, Media Bureau
  
1  See Review of the Technical Assignment Criteria for the AM Broadcast Service, Report and Order, 6 FCC Rcd 
6273 (1991) (subsequent history omitted).