Translator Applications near NYC

[Shiny Knob]

The short form translator applications of 2003 were never vetted for viability. They are all merely theoretical.

In this first week of long form filings for the 700+ singletons, FCC staff have already dismissed a few that just aren't possible in the real world.

During the soon to be announced MX round, where apps are generally in more densely populated areas, an even greater percentage will bite the dust because there's simply nowhere left for them to go to avoid one another.

Many will be bought out by their MX competitor and dismissed for 'costs'. I have seen filed agreements where a couple of the Christian translator chains claim their costs to be $20,000 per app. I only wish I had gotten that kind of money to do their translator apps.

So to you many lucky people who got an application done for $1200-$2000, I say, "What a BARGAIN!"

[Shiny Knob]

I just don't get why anyone with half a brain would file a co-channel inside the 60dBu of a class B!!  102.7 and 101.9 are both class B's in NYC, with 6kW ERP from the top of the Empire State Building.

You've put your finger on it. A lot of these were, indeed, filed by people with half a brain. But I guess they were hoping for some kind of a miracle at the FCC.

And let's face it, every so often, usually with the help of a senator, somebody with half a brain gets a free pony from the FCC.

[WNTIRadio]

And on the other side of the coin, what good would a 10 watter be in the midst of a class B signal anyway.

The applicant was Fordham University, which owns and runs WFUV in NYC.  That makes these applications even more of a mystery, as they are no stranger to radio. 

Why would someone file an impossible app only to move to a better (and viable) frequency?  Why not just apply for the more open frequency in the first place and not one that is impossible.

To those of you not familiar with NYC geography, these two apps are about a mile east-northeast of the Tappan Zee bridge.  About 22 miles north of the Empire State building and all of those class B signals.  Again, they operate a 48kW stick in the Bronx, have synchronous boosters in the city and know how to do radio.

See for yourself:

http://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?tabSearchType=Lice&sLicensee=FORDHAM+UNIVERSITY

[WNTIRadio]

Okay, I pulled up the applications and I think I figured out this mystery.  They were submitted by the "Vice President for Administration", who I'm sure has not a clue about how these things were supposed to work.  Probably thought that if he applied that 101.9 and 102.7 would be kicked off their frequencies. 

And there is no consulting engineer involved in this either. 

Still, they should have been dismissed instantly.

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=100647178&formid=349&fac_num=153960

[Shiny Knob]

Sorry, I misunderstood your original post by assuming you wanted an answer.

Please feel free to bitch about the FCC. They deserve it.

[Kmagrill]

Well, I just looked at the 20030317FDX application in rfInvestigator and (as reported) the interfering contour from the translator is completely contained within the 54dBu protected contour from WFAN.  I have no idea what they were thinking.  If the FCC does not allow them to move or change channels, they're dead ducks.  Either it was a brilliant strategy that will surprise us all, or it was really dumb.  Time will tell, and pretty soon, I'd imagine.