1400 The Touch Harrisburg is moving

[DStroyer]

The 1400/95.3/104.1-HD2 trimulcast is actually a pretty perfect setup. 95.3 gives the programming better sound quality for listeners in the city (and the majority of people who don't own HD-capable radios), with the added bonus of a larger coverage area (on 104.1-HD2) for those who do have the HD-capable radio.

 

[EnoughJohnMayer]

I think what their GM means is that something else other than The Touch may be put on the WNNK HD-2 channel, not on AM 1400. 95.3 is a translator for AM 1400. John Summers and Dstroyer are right, no translator is allowed to originate programming, it must duplicate its originating station 100-percent. Unless I really missed something, I don't think an FM translator may re-broadcast an HD-2 channel.

I don't think he means something different. He was very direct in the article about the plans for the AM.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/07/the_touch_now_on_fm.html

Can anyone clarify if you CAN use the FM translator to repeat an HD subchannel?

 

[kfitz]

YES

 

[Hydro-Québec]

If everyone were to do this it would not help sales of the HD radios. Why get an HD radio-set when one can listen to the trans-lator FM station?

 

[kfitz]

It would motivate stations not yet HD to implement it. One issue with HD is the chicken and egg scenario....listeners not buying HD because there are not enough stations......stations not implementing technology because there are not enough listeners or radios. People would be motivated to buy HD radios because they could receive there signal at greater distances than on a translator.

 

[EnoughJohnMayer]

YES

Can you source that info? Can't find any proof anywhere on that.

 

[got2bfunky]

When 1400 eventually changes format and the 95.3 signal becomes the "originator" of The Touch programming, will its status change from translator to full-service station be only in name or will that also allow for a signal boost as well? I have traveled the local region and there are some definite gaps the FM is now filling with respect to nighttime coverage, but most areas east of Harrisburg still have "fringe" coverage at best.

 

[John-Summers]

When 1400 eventually changes format and the 95.3 signal becomes the "originator" of The Touch programming, will its status change from translator to full-service station be only in name or will that also allow for a signal boost as well? I have traveled the local region and there are some definite gaps the FM is now filling with respect to nighttime coverage, but most areas east of Harrisburg still have "fringe" coverage at best.

Unless there has been a rule change of which I am not aware, a translator is a translator, and translators cannot originate programming. 95.3 can only rebroadcast what 1400 is broadcasting, nothing more, nothing less. Since 95.3 is in stereo, it is not literally rebroadcasting 1400, but providing identical programming, from the same source. 95.3 cannot become a full-service FM station. It's only pumping out 60 watts and perhaps they can increase that a little or increase antenna height, but presumeably it already has it's optimum power and height. If you can get it, fine, if not, you're outta luck.

 

[epmark]

With WNNK-HD2 as the originating station, the Touch will live on at the 95.3 translator.
I'm still betting on a simulcast (with ESPN1440) for 1400AM (unless they choose to broker
it like 1230AM).

 

[EnoughJohnMayer]

With WNNK-HD2 as the originating station, the Touch will live on at the 95.3 translator.
I'm still betting on a simulcast (with ESPN1440) for 1400AM (unless they choose to broker
it like 1230AM).

Then, in reality, any station group could buy up any available translator in the area, and put new programming on it...granted it's an HD 2 on something else they own. Sounds like an easier way to throw a new station on in a market without having to go through all the hoops.

 

[John-Summers]

Since Kevin Fitzgerald, a broadcast engineer who posted earlier on this subject (and apparently engineered this translator), says that a translator may use an FM-HD2 as it's originating station, we can take him at his word unless someone else can show otherwise. Then 1400 would be free to change format without affecting 95.3. But one of the many documents I read on this translator gives as it's whole reason for existence the fact that 1400's nighttime signal is plagued by interference, and that allowing this translator would be in the public interest, to better serve the community at night. How does that square with moving the Touch to WNNK's HD-2, then changing to something else on 1400? (A case could also be made that using 1400 only for a simulcast is a waste, and I would agree.) This could open the floodgates to having lots of low-powered translators up and down the dial, simulcasting AMs or HD-2s. As if the FM dial isn't cluttered enough!

 

[davesupplee]

Hi -- I'm the Regional Engineer for Cumulus and oversee projects like this one in Pennsylvania, Ohio, NY, CT, VA and anywhere else I'm needed. I wanted to clairify a few things and answer a few questions.

The translator is licensed to WNNK with a waiver to run WTCY's programming. That waiver does not require we run WTCY, just that we can if we choose to. And while there are no rules that specifically allow a translator to rebroadcast an HD2 signal, there are none that prohibit it, either. In fact, the FCC does not care which part of the WNNK signal we rebroadcast. Years ago some clever people in small markets with big FM/daytime AM stations put evening ball games on their FM subcarrers and ran the subcarriers on translators, allowing their main stations to play music. The original intent was to only rebroadcast 1400, but as we went thru the process internally the HD-2 option became available to originate the Touch programming.

Some other commentors wondered if the 95.3 frequency was going to become a licensed station, independent of an AM or HD2 -- no, it really can't for a number of reasons - mainly that it's too close to Shamokin.

Will we see the dial fill up with Translators? Maybe. There are still about 10,000 applications on file from the last translator window 5 years ago - probaby 2/3 or more can't be built for a variety of reasons. Like anything that involves the federal government, it will take an eternity.

Kevin Fitzgerald was the owner of the translator that Cumulus purchased earler this year. He's a very smart guy and hs done some interesting things with Translators, but He is not (or at least not yet) a part of the Cumulus Engineering team.

Speaking entirely for myself, and not for Cumulus, I think that this was a positive move for HD Radio and the Harrisburg radio market - I'm sure alot more people will be exposed to the urban AC format now than would have found it in the graveyard at 1400.

 

[EnoughJohnMayer]

...a positive move for HD Radio and the Harrisburg radio market...

.

How is that good for HD radio? Now, you'll hear the same programming at two different dial locations...one for everyone who can turn their dial to 95.3...and another at the HD2 slot. Why would someone want to buy an HD radio then? Audio quality?

I thought HD was, partially, to be used to increase the variety on the FM dial combating XM/Sirius. The Touch was a product that WAS available to listeners already...granted it was on the AM dial.

If every HD2 signal was being repeated at a different dial position, then why buy an HD radio?

My thoughts are enjoy it while it's a loophole that can be used...and prepare to possibly battle for "grandfathered status" in the future.

 

[DStroyer]

If every HD2 signal was being repeated at a different dial position, then why buy an HD radio?

Translators have less coverage than regular stations, even HD. Translators can act as billboards for the HD-2 channels. "Hey, if you want to hear this programming in more places, get the HD radio."

 

[Hydro-Québec]

I think that this was a positive move for HD Radio and the Harrisburg radio market

Well, it's a positive move for Cumulus. It's not positive at ALL for HD. As has been pointed out, if everyone did this sort of thing the need to get an HD radio would drop dramatically.

And the idea that translators should act as HD radio billboards seems silly- they're designed to fill in dead spots for broadcasters' main stations- this translator does no such thing- its signal goes nowhere at all where the main signal can't already be heard quite well.

 

[got2bfunky]

If I had known The Touch was being broadcast on WNNK's HD2 channel, I would have purchased an HD radio long ago. This is where HD radio needs to distinguish itself with unique programming. To my knowledge, Harrisburg has never had a full-time urban format over the air on FM (the only exception was WIZZ 100.5 FM back in the 80's that was only available through Sammons Cable). Bottom line is that if the HD2 continues to be the originator of the programming, the HD2 signal may be better than what I am experiencing with the translator. Car reception is OK but limited, and reception in the house and on my portable radios is unlistenable. I still have to listen to the AM signal to hear anything. I only live 7 miles from downtown. When the AM changes format, I will only be able to listen in the car and on the Internet unless the signal is boosted.

 

[kfitz]

I jumped in just in support of what Cumulus is doing here. I think Cumulus is on the cutting edge here, They are a good company trying to bring more choices to the listeners. I am not affiliated with Cumulus, I am the eng. Dir for Shamrock in Scranton and do FCC app work for many broadcasters mainly in the mid atlantic states, I specialize in translator and boosters. I work with many FCC attorneys and can assure you that the HD2 thing (which is essentially viewed as an SCA as Dave said) is quite true. Using a translator to promote alternate programming on HD2 is a great idea. Of course the FCC could change their mind, I doubt it in this case. I also think that in many markets FM translators will save a number of AM stations....particularly ones with bad night signals (see Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Bloomsburg, Tunkhannock, etc.). This could present listeners with better choices on the radio dial. Some AM stations with FM translators might actually take the chance and start programming music again!! (and not just oldies or adult standards). This could also be a boon for radio personalities....more will be needed to support more stations. Wouldn't you rather here a cool alternative, jazz, spanish, or urban station on your local FM translator instead of another of the endless religious formats?

 

[RayThomas]

Thanks Kevin and Dave for the legal clarification. Now we get to a purely business question. WTCY,with its market-exclusive Urban format, despite a low-power Graveyard signal, pulls between 2 and 3 shares every book. If Cumulus flips AM 1400 to a different format, where do those numbers go? I have yet to see ratings published for an HD-2 channel or for a translator. Since the translator would be re-broadcasting what is technically part of the WNNK signal, do those numbers simply become part of WNNK's numbers?

 

[amfmxm]

With due respect to the cleverness of this ploy by the engineers & legal eagles involved in identifying and exploiting the loophole, I hope Cumulus is fully prepared to pull the plug on it when the feds wake up and declare it to be against the rules.

This is absolutely not what the commission intended. This was intended to extend needed relief for AM daytimers as a way of enabling these crippled properties to offer (very limited) night time service--not to allow the second largest broadcast group to move a fulltime AM over to the FM band in a Top 100 market.

If, in fact, Cumulus is allowed to program 1400 separately, they will have effectively created a new FM signal for their Harrisburg portfolio. Which, of course, will open the floodgates for similar expansion by all of radio's largest groups in all of the nation's largest markets.

And that is not the FCC's intention in this instance.

 

[tube man]

Heard a rumor the FCC is investigating this use of this translator and it may find it illegal. Wouldn't that be a hoot if the Commission pulled the plug on this translator. That may teach them to flaunt the rules. It's not nice to fool the Commission.