Alabama applications for translators in the latest auction

[tomservo]

RECnet has the full list in PDF form, but here's the ones in Alabama that might be of interest to us…

Anniston:

WHOG seeks 93.5

Arab:

WRAB seeks 107.1

Athens:

WEKI in Decatur seeks 105.3

Auburn:

WANI seeks 104.5
WAUD seeks 104.5

Bay Minette:

WTOF seeks 96.7

Birmingham:

WATV seeks 92.9 (yeah good luck)
WZGX seeks 101.7

Brewton:

WEBJ seeks 98.3

Calera:

WAMI from Opp, moving to Maplesville, seeks 106.5

Centreville:

WBIB seeks 101.3

Decatur:

WWTM seeks 94.3

Dothan:

WAGF seeks 93.9
WCNF seeks 105.9
WOOF seeks 107.1

Evergreen:

WNWF Destin seeks 107.7 (obviously a mistake because WPNS Evergreen is seeking 106.9 in Destin, too)

Fairhope:

WABF seeks 101.9

Fayette:

WLDX seeks 97.1

Fort Payne:

WFPA seeks 93.9
WZOB seeks 101.3

Gadsden:

WAVU seeks 92.5

Hanceville:

WQHC seeks 100.7

Huntsville:

WTKI seeks 105.3

Jackson:

WRJX seeks 107.1

Jasper:

WIXI seeks 103.3

Muscle Shoals:

WZZA seeks 107.9

Ozark:

WOZK seeks 98.1

Pike Road:

WTXK seeks 106.7

Robertsdale:

WJNZ seeks 107.7

Russellville:

WKAX seeks 93.5
WGOL seeks 107.7

Selma:

WHBB and WJAM both seek 94.7

Sylacauga:

WFEB and WYEA both seek 100.3

Tallassee:

WTLS seeks 94.7

Troy:

WEZZ and WTBF both seek 96.3

Tuscaloosa:

WMHZ seeks 101.3
WMXB seeks 104.1

Tuskegee:

WACQ seeks 98.1

Valley Head:

WQRX seeks 99.3

 

[R.D.P.]

I look for most of these to be approved of very quickly. The ones that have more than one party applying, it might take a little more time.

Dan <><

 

[R.D.P.]

Let's make a prediction. If WEZZ is granted the CP, this relay will move to Brantley, so it can be paired with the AM station and their radio service is restored.

Dan <><

P.S. I look for many of these Apps. to make some new moves before they finally sign on.

 

[JD36108]

Is WTXK looking to move down the dial from 107.5 or are they seeking to add another station?

 

[tomservo]

Is WTXK looking to move down the dial from 107.5 or are they seeking to add another station?

That's a good question; many of these applicants already have a translator in their stable. So I'm not sure what the end game is for some of them.

 

[RollTide]

I'm curious to see what WTKI Huntsville and WEKI Decatur are doing. Both of these AMs already have FM translators. They aren't a full simulcast of each other 24/7 but are the same program for most of the day. WTKI is on 92.9 in Huntsville with a new CP to upgrade to 220 watts at 316 meters which will cover the Huntsville metro very well and most of the county. So why are they seeking 105.3 which looks like it will cover mostly the same area as their current 92.9 CP? Then they also want 105.3 in Athens to simulcast WEKI and give the station an FM presence in Athens (they are already on 94.7 in Decatur) which makes sense, but that's also mighty close to the coverage projected for the Huntsville translator of the same frequency. The maps don't depict their projected 60 dbu coverage overlapping, but I know for a fact that signals off of Monte Sano Mountain carry well to the west due to the flat terrain in that direction. They could interfere with each other. Why not keep 92.9 in Huntsville and 94.7 in Decatur and just pursue 105.3 in Athens, unless the goal is to avoid having to mention 3 different FM frequencies on the air. I'll be looking to see how this one plays out.

 

[FreeAlabamaMedia]

That's a good question; many of these applicants already have a translator in their stable. So I'm not sure what the end game is for some of them.

Totally guessing: The previous rules(?) applications(?) acquisitions(?) in which they got their first translators make the difference.

RECnet says these new applications for this new window (exclusive to AM licensees) *must* relay their AM signal if they are approved. It seems 1210 WTXK [and other AMs] got their first FM translators (W298BC 107.5) by way of licenses originally meant to relay FM stations or other translators (ones approved after the "Great Translator Invasion" in 2003). The FCC okayed AM-to-FM cross-band translator use in 2009, limiting them only to already approved translators up until that point.

Keeping WTXK "The Ticket" as an example: IF translator 106.7 is okayed, it's forever tied to AM 1210. Translator 107.5 isn't, and can relay a new primary station/format or get sold.

 

[b-turner]

Don't forget, many AMs in order to be seemingly more competitive, have chosen to lease translators until they can get one themselves. In advertisers' mind, a little 250 watt FM in a big city covering 5% of the metro gives incredible value to an AM that actually reaches the whole metro. Go figure. In one market of almost 6 million, a 250 translator (owned or leased) attached to an AM station can increase the price they can command for airtime about 30-40% even if the FM only reaches 100,000 of those 6 million.

 

[Groove1670]

In some case the translator is worth more. Depending on the market. Vegas, Atlanta, Dothan, Tuscaloosa etc. are winners. The population is condensed, and with the height, coverage could equal a Class A.

A signal still (AM/FM) still has to cover most of the population to be viable. 5% is not going to do it. The translator needs to be place in the right location (and height) to be viable and a player. I''ve see 10 watters that do well and 250 watters that don't. Location, location, location.

 

[tomservo]

The first round of application dismissals were published in today's Digest.

WMXB's app for 104.1 was dismissed - ineligible to apply - was the only Alabama translator app I saw. I'm sure more will fall before it's over.

 

[Radio Observer]

In some case the translator is worth more. Depending on the market. Vegas, Atlanta, Dothan, Tuscaloosa etc. are winners. The population is condensed, and with the height, coverage could equal a Class A.

Just be sure to keep in mind that these are a secondary service and can be "bumped" by a real station at any time. With this being the case, just how anxious is everyone to shut-down that AM "deadweight" in hopes of not losing that new translator due to encroachment? The end result could very well be NO signal.

 

[R.D.P.]

Who do you think will get the 94.7 FM CP here in Selma? Will it be WJAM or WHBB? Me thinks WHBB will get it. How will this one end up being rewarded? Just curious.

Dan <><

P.S. Surprised that WGYV Greenville, WOPP Opp, WKWL Florala, WWIC and WZCT in Scottsboro didn't apply for a FM relay. If anybody needed one, those are right candidates since they either sign off at dark or broadcast with a weak nighttime signal.

 

[Groove1670]

Just be sure to keep in mind that these are a secondary service and can be "bumped" by a real station at any time. With this being the case, just how anxious is everyone to shut-down that AM "deadweight" in hopes of not losing that new translator due to encroachment? The end result could very well be NO signal.

Many of the applicants are in rural locations. A possibility in the larger markets, but unlikely. Most of the "bumped" cases have occurred in the top 100 markets where spectrum is tight. In most of those cases a resolution is found. A new relaxed FCC just ruled in favor of a translator being movedbecause of a Class A allocation. Times are a changing.

 

[Poledo]

A new relaxed FCC just ruled in favor of a translator being moved because of a Class A allocation. Times are a changing.

That very new allocation hasn't even gone to auction. How many years will it be before 106.9 FWB signs on? 5 years or more?

 

[tomservo]

That very new allocation hasn't even gone to auction. How many years will it be before 106.9 FWB signs on? 5 years or more?

I don't know how long it'll be for the Class A to make it to the air (if ever), but the reasoning for the quick move for WRNE's translator was the oncoming onslaught of new translators could preclude them from moving at some point in the future. I'm surprised the FCC acted in their favor, but it'll work to their advantage.

 

[Groove1670]

That very new allocation hasn't even gone to auction. How many years will it be before 106.9 FWB signs on? 5 years or more?

There is a possibility in the next auction, which I predict will be in 24-36 months. I see one more large auction after that (with a list of frequencies available). After that, the large auction windows will be done. The last few have failed to garner large bids, and some frequencies didn't get a bid.

 

[Poledo]

So the smart thing for WRNE to do is to say on the clear 106.9 frequency unit the CP for 93.7 is ready to expire?

How many of these Florida and Alabama translator applications are frequency squatting?

How will 106.9A (or C3) FWB effect WBHR's 106.9 translator in Fairhope?

When are 95.3 and 94.5 going live in Pensacola? I want local Rock!

 

[Groove1670]

You can sit of any frequency. When a permit is issued you have 36 months to build or loose it. Due to HD channels and the AM revitalization there are very few translators odd the air.

The impact of the FWB station will not impact the proposed Fairhope translator. I haven't looked, but if there is a C or C1 on that frequency (within 150 mile), that will cause issues during atmospheric conditions.

I think you will be waiting a long time for rock. TK is the market leader. The format has never done well with two stations (revenue wise)

94.5 and (105.3) are owned by religious broadcasters.

 

[tomservo]

The bigger issue for the WBHY AM translator that's back on the air from Daphne is going to be WRBE from Lucedale. It's just a class A but I've heard it obliterating the translator several times back when it was still on the old WABF tower in Fairhope. So I guess if conditions were right the same could happen for a similarly powered station from FWB.

Even when it's just mildly enhanced conditions at night, the dial here in central Baldwin County often gets full of competing stations. 103.1 is a good example frequency, with the Supertalk station from Pascagoula fighting it out with WZLB. It just seems to be dependent on "which way the wind blows" whether one or the other dominates. On those nights, 106.9 here is either WRNE or WRBE, never the Daphne translator.

Another translator that I think is going to be really hurt by its dial position is the one applied for WJNZ on 107.7. WFXX Georgiana really booms in here when conditions are the least bit good and I could see it really hurting reception for that station. They really need an FM outlet, though, being just a daytimer.

 

[R.D.P.]

Been checking around. So far, no CP's have been granted for these new relays. When will we see some action on them? Just curious.

Dan <><

P.S. I'm still wondering who'll get the CP for 94.7 FM in Selma, when all is finished? (Scott and Broadsouth are competing for it)