This morning, news broke that three AM licenses in the Fort Myers-Naples market were turned in. All three of these stations were also heard on FM translators and the initial four year condition of the move-in for two of the translators during the AM Revitalization process had been full-filled, thus allowing the AM to be disposed of and the translators to continue on by being fed with an HD sub-channel.
This got me thinking about the Austin market and if there are some moves and changes coming for some of the many translators here.
- 101.9 FM in Round Rock, which is currently part of The Horn network by way of KTAE 1260 AM in Taylor, seems most likely. It is directional with a huge null to the south because of co-channel KJZX-LP. KJZX has since relocated to 89.1 FM so the directional signal can now be reconfigured. This translator was part of the FCC's AM Revitalization initiative and had a four year condition on its license. That condition being it had to rebroadcast KTAE for at least four years. Those four years were full-filled back in December. So expect it to be moved further south, perhaps all the way to the tower farm with a new primary station (possibly one of KTXX's sub-channels). Its can't go all the way to the farm while rebroadcasting KTAE because of signal and milage rules. Why neither of these things have happened yet is very puzzling.
- 103.9 FM in Austin rebroadcasts KFIT 1060. This was also a Revitalization move-in and it full-filled the term back in September of last year. Worth noting is the licensee of the translator is a different party from the licensee of KFIT.
- 94.1 (K231CZ) was allegedly moved-in to rebroadcast KTXZ 1560. It was supposedly broadcasting with 10 watts off of Blue Springs near Slaughter in Southeast Austin. I say allegedly because this station was never built nor put on the air. Recently the licensee has filed a silent notice saying it took it off the air "PENDING A SALE OF THE LICENSE". That sale will ostensibly happen this November after the four years are complete.
- The only other translator in the Austin area with a four year condition is 101.1, which rebroadcast KTXW 1120. That condition expires in October of next year.
- 97.1 Austin City Limits Radio has apparently completed its upgrade increasing antenna height. In my listening this has always been the best translator in the market, in terms of coverage, and this should improve the signal a little more.
- Lastly, no news yet on 96.1 in Hutto, which rebroadcasts KTSN, completing their upgrade to 96.3 from the tower farm. Perhaps that will take place once they close on the purchase of KGID 96.3 in Giddings, which was announced back in March. This is going to be a very good translator right there with 97.1. Not only is 96.3 a relatively clean frequency, but they will also control same-channel full powered stations both to the east and west to protect the translator in the future. Very smart.
This got me thinking about the Austin market and if there are some moves and changes coming for some of the many translators here.
- 101.9 FM in Round Rock, which is currently part of The Horn network by way of KTAE 1260 AM in Taylor, seems most likely. It is directional with a huge null to the south because of co-channel KJZX-LP. KJZX has since relocated to 89.1 FM so the directional signal can now be reconfigured. This translator was part of the FCC's AM Revitalization initiative and had a four year condition on its license. That condition being it had to rebroadcast KTAE for at least four years. Those four years were full-filled back in December. So expect it to be moved further south, perhaps all the way to the tower farm with a new primary station (possibly one of KTXX's sub-channels). Its can't go all the way to the farm while rebroadcasting KTAE because of signal and milage rules. Why neither of these things have happened yet is very puzzling.
- 103.9 FM in Austin rebroadcasts KFIT 1060. This was also a Revitalization move-in and it full-filled the term back in September of last year. Worth noting is the licensee of the translator is a different party from the licensee of KFIT.
- 94.1 (K231CZ) was allegedly moved-in to rebroadcast KTXZ 1560. It was supposedly broadcasting with 10 watts off of Blue Springs near Slaughter in Southeast Austin. I say allegedly because this station was never built nor put on the air. Recently the licensee has filed a silent notice saying it took it off the air "PENDING A SALE OF THE LICENSE". That sale will ostensibly happen this November after the four years are complete.
- The only other translator in the Austin area with a four year condition is 101.1, which rebroadcast KTXW 1120. That condition expires in October of next year.
- 97.1 Austin City Limits Radio has apparently completed its upgrade increasing antenna height. In my listening this has always been the best translator in the market, in terms of coverage, and this should improve the signal a little more.
- Lastly, no news yet on 96.1 in Hutto, which rebroadcasts KTSN, completing their upgrade to 96.3 from the tower farm. Perhaps that will take place once they close on the purchase of KGID 96.3 in Giddings, which was announced back in March. This is going to be a very good translator right there with 97.1. Not only is 96.3 a relatively clean frequency, but they will also control same-channel full powered stations both to the east and west to protect the translator in the future. Very smart.
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