107.1 translator for WGLD Silent

[epmarkr]

107.1 has been quiet for several days. Anyone know what's going on ? I thought 107.1 was included as part of the WGLD Cumulus sale.

 

[epmarkr]

Running WSBA at this time. Have not heard a station ID (have heard WSBA show promos).

 

[DXingRadio]

I'm guessing it's not silent anymore. Major Keystone swapped the signal to VP broadcasting, now it's Spanish CHR "Mega 107.1"

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/218607/mega-107-1-debuts-in-lancaster-york-via-major-keystone-swap/

https://tumusicapa.com/

 

[Double A]

So, who the heck is listening to music on a 730-watt AM station?! This may be a controversial opinion, but since the FCC is allowing AMs to shoehorn these translators into the band, why not let them leave the AM band entirely? Let them save the power and sell the land their AM tower or array of towers is on.

Have the FCC make a new FM station class, call it A0 or A1, limited to 250 watts ERP. Let AM stations voluntary move to a protected spot on the FM band, as long as they are willing to give up their AM license and the FM frequency isn't determined to interfere too much with incumbent stations.

WKGE's translator coverage area actually looks pretty good. And, there are plenty of AM's that are on life support just to keep a translator on the air. e.g., WKGE in Johnston "coasting on STAs": https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/any-word-on-wxpa-am.737716/post-6419199

 

[fybush]

So, who the heck is listening to music on a 730-watt AM station?! This may be a controversial opinion, but since the FCC is allowing AMs to shoehorn these translators into the band, why not let them leave the AM band entirely? Let them save the power and sell the land their AM tower or array of towers is on.

Hardly a new idea, and I've got a sizable roster of clients who'd be delighted to do just that if the FCC would allow it.

For now, there are all sorts of regulatory hurdles. The biggest is the designation of translators as "secondary service" and the auction provisions of the 1996 Communications Act. Turning translators into a primary service would make them into new facilities that would need to be auctioned. And of course there's plenty of political pressure from owners who have invested heavily in full-power FM who don't want to give AM/translator operators an easy path to a more even footing on which to operate. They'd be rather loudly opposed to the act of Congress that would be needed to change some of the rules that prohibit what you're suggesting from happening.

 

[Double A]

WKGE's translator coverage area actually looks pretty good.

Correction: I meant to say WGLD's coverage area looks pretty good.

For now, there are all sorts of regulatory hurdles. The biggest is the designation of translators as "secondary service" and the auction provisions of the 1996 Communications Act. Turning translators into a primary service would make them into new facilities that would need to be auctioned. And of course there's plenty of political pressure from owners who have invested heavily in full-power FM who don't want to give AM/translator operators an easy path to a more even footing on which to operate. They'd be rather loudly opposed to the act of Congress that would be needed to change some of the rules that prohibit what you're suggesting from happening.

Thanks for the insight, Scott! I'm not surprised that this would basically be impossible in practice.