Gary -
Do you work at the station? That is helpful information, but does not really address the underlying issue, which is, why is WJMF-LP broadcasting on 87.9 FM?
If my antenna were similarly broken, somehow causing me to broadcast on a carrier of 103.81 FM instead of 103.9 FM, then I would not have any legal authority to do so, even though my 200 kHz slice of audio spectrum happens to include that part of the band. If that were the case, then I would be running a radio station outside of the parameters of my broadcast license, which would mean I would be operating what would amount to a pirate station.
Another way to view this issue: what if I decided that it would be better to operate a low-throughput wireless Internet link between 103.8 MHz and 104.0 MHz instead of a broadcast radio station? I have the rights to the spectrum anyway, so shouldn't I get to do whatever I want within the confines of those 200 kHz? Obviously, that is not allowed, for even though I may have exclusive FCC-granted access to that part of the bandwidth in this area, my license does not permit a wireless Internet operation as part of the authorization. I must run a broadcast radio station on a center frequency of 103.9 MHz, and, HD considerations aside, nothing else is permitted.
99.1 FM is another example - it was on the air again today, even though its parent AM station remains offline. The FCC is quite clear on the point that a FM translator must cease operations when its primary station is off the air. Much like WJMF-LP's antenna issue, perhaps the AM 970 people have been having ongoing issues with a tower crew, but that does not mean that their translator is permitted to keep broadcasting. While its parent AM station is offline, anyone broadcasting on 99.1 FM is operating little more than a pirate radio station.
I similarly invite anyone on this board to stop by and visit us at WYAB 103.9 FM - we are located at 740 Highway 49 North / Suite R, in Flora.
--- Casual Observer
