EMF super-translators - 1 of 3

[DaveBayArea]

Check it out:

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...t=25&appn=101663524&formid=350&fac_num=139604

Not sure if that link will work or not, but EMF has filed for a license to cover - BLFT-20141201BCT. It's for K296GB - the 107.1 licensed to North Highlands. The filing says "THE FACILITY WAS CONSTRUCTED AS AUTHORIZED IN THE UNDERLYING CONSTRUCTION PERMIT, EXCEPT THAT IT WAS BUILT TO RECEIVE THE HD2 CHANNEL OF KQJK(FIN 11273) VIA T1 LINE INSTEAD OF KCAI(FIN 89079). EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION OBTAINED PERMISSION TO RECEIVE KQJK(FIN 11273) PRIOR TO COMMENCING OPERATIONS."

I can't get either 107.1 or the HD-2 of KQJK here in Grass Valley to hear the format, but the facility is on the KQJK tower and will likely cover a good portion of the Sacramento metro. Looks like CC has another station in the market.

Dave B.

 

[bkress]

It's not bad, reception is outstanding here in Citrus Heights and Roseville, you start to loose it heading in to Rancho Cordova and
spotty in Carmichael, to be honest who knows what is in store after the LTC is granted

 

[Big D]

The current format on 107.1 is Alternative Rock, which I believe is KQJK-HD2. Not bad, no commercials and minimal stop sets with jocks. We'll see what happens...

 

[stewie]

The current format on 107.1 is Alternative Rock, which I believe is KQJK-HD2. Not bad, no commercials and minimal stop sets with jocks. We'll see what happens...

I love how it's considered a "translator". Yeah, I know, it's re-transmitting an HD-2 broadcast. I love how they don't have to pick it up off air, instead it's fed by a P2P T1.

So it's basically a low power FM station, right?

 

[Unregistered]

Yeah, I would almost consider it a "loophole" in the FCC rules that allows an operator another frequency. The key is the transmitter location. The rules allow up to 250 watts, regardless of HAAT (if I understand correctly). Look at Results' 95.5 on the Sutter Buttes - they broadcast KKCY-HD2 (the former KMJE format now that 101.5 moved to Woodland) with 126 watts at 2100 feet. So they effectively get a directional Class A for what is technically a translator.

The 107.1 signal doesn't have that height so its pretty limited to the Roseville/Citrus Heights/Granite Bay/Rocklin areas. I'm in Folsom and its pretty spotty at best in the car.

 

[DaveBayArea]

I love how it's considered a "translator". Yeah, I know, it's re-transmitting an HD-2 broadcast. I love how they don't have to pick it up off air, instead it's fed by a P2P T1.

So it's basically a low power FM station, right?

Everything you say is true, except it actually has more power than an LPFM would at that height. Plus they're commercial. The whole thing is totally legal and above board. Unlike some others around the country. For some entertaining reading, check this out:

http://www.radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?670754-106-1-K-Breeze-A-Foul-Wind-Blowin

Dave B.

 

[stewie]

except it actually has more power than an LPFM would at that height

You're absolutely right.

 

[Big D]

The big "loophole" with these translators is that the maximum ERP of 250 watts isn't restricted by HAAT (as I understand). Look at 95.5 on the Sutter Buttes. Results was able to put that translator at over 2000 feet to continue KMJEs format using KKCY-HD2 and effectively gain a Class A signal.

The 107.1 signal isn't great, given its lack of height. Too bad Clear Channel/EMF couldn't find a spot on Pine Hill (north of Cameron Park at 2000' with LOS to valley) for the stick, they would have a much better signal that could actually reach Sacramento.

The only imaging currently on 107.1 is the Legal ID as "Sacramento's New Alternative".

 

[bkress]

So it will be interesting when 98.9 (K256AG) goes live from God's Mountain (Hwy 50 at El Dorado Hills)

 

[stewie]

The big "loophole" with these translators is that the maximum ERP of 250 watts isn't restricted by HAAT (as I understand). Look at 95.5 on the Sutter Buttes. Results was able to put that translator at over 2000 feet to continue KMJEs format using KKCY-HD2 and effectively gain a Class A signal.

The 107.1 signal isn't great, given its lack of height. Too bad Clear Channel/EMF couldn't find a spot on Pine Hill (north of Cameron Park at 2000' with LOS to valley) for the stick, they would have a much better signal that could actually reach Sacramento.

The only imaging currently on 107.1 is the Legal ID as "Sacramento's New Alternative".

I have the one HD radio within range of KKCY 103.1 and I love that the HD-2 is out of phase and not listenable. :/

 

[stewie]

So it will be interesting when 98.9 (K256AG) goes live from God's Mountain (Hwy 50 at El Dorado Hills)

I was under the impression 98.9 would remain in EMF's arsenal to add fill-in coverage for KCAI (89.7 / Walnut Grove) and KARA (99.1 / on the Butte's)

 

[MarioMania]

I heard 107.1 in my brothers trunk a few days ago

I wonder how's that translator on 106.1 going to work with KCFA out of Arnold

 

[ContinuousWave]

I love how it's considered a "translator". Yeah, I know, it's re-transmitting an HD-2 broadcast. I love how they don't have to pick it up off air, instead it's fed by a P2P T1.

So it's basically a low power FM station, right?

A 'fill in' translator (one within the city grade of the primary signal) can be fed by any means....once outside 3.16mV contour, they have to be fed via OTA if in the non-reserved band (in the non-comm band, they can all be fed via sat or other means other than OTA)

MOST translators are not true RF translators but repeaters...with a receiver, demod to audio and then retransmitted to the other frequency.

No matter HOW they are fed, they ARE required to shut off if the main signal leaves the air...I know several who donot!

 

[bradgoehl]

There is one qualifier i know of, if a Day Only AM has an FM translator, the translator can stay on after dark once the AM turns off.

 

[stewie]

There is one qualifier i know of, if a Day Only AM has an FM translator, the translator can stay on after dark once the AM turns off.

Been listening closely to 107.1.

Anyone know if CC has a plan to at least locally VT it?

 

[stewie]

The big "loophole" with these translators is that the maximum ERP of 250 watts isn't restricted by HAAT (as I understand). Look at 95.5 on the Sutter Buttes. Results was able to put that translator at over 2000 feet to continue KMJEs format using KKCY-HD2 and effectively gain a Class A signal.

The 107.1 signal isn't great, given its lack of height. Too bad Clear Channel/EMF couldn't find a spot on Pine Hill (north of Cameron Park at 2000' with LOS to valley) for the stick, they would have a much better signal that could actually reach Sacramento.

The only imaging currently on 107.1 is the Legal ID as "Sacramento's New Alternative".

So I get the loophole but does that mean the translator can actually broadcast from a location OTHER THAN that of the HD-2 it's broadcasting?

They already have space on Pilot Hill (KHYL's TX site) with a very nice view into Sacramento so why not leverage that if they're trying to get another signal in the market.

 

[DaveBayArea]

So I get the loophole but does that mean the translator can actually broadcast from a location OTHER THAN that of the HD-2 it's broadcasting?They already have space on Pilot Hill (KHYL's TX site) with a very nice view into Sacramento so why not leverage that if they're trying to get another signal in the market.

The rules state that the translator's city-grade contour must fall entirely within the city-grade contour of the primary station. Plus, it cannot interfere with another station of course. Remember, EMF still owns that translator, and it started off at 10 watts. To be a "minor change" the primary coverage contours of the two sites have to intersect each other, and this signal started out on a cell tower near Natomas. Originally this translator was supposed to carry KFBK-AM, then it was switched to KCAI, now to KQJK-HD2. KCAI's city-grade coverage doesn't make it that far for sure - in fact I'm not even sure it makes it to the KQJK site. But another move may be possible - especially if EMF actually sells that translator to CC.

Dave B.