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FM translator ON but AM originating station off?

F

fredcantu

I was listening to KTXZ 1560's translator on 95.1 and decided to compare audio quality with the AM. The AM was off the air or silent... either way their was a lot of RFI on 1560. Later in the hour the AM was back but the audio lagged the FM.

Question #1: Can a translator broadcast if the orginating station is off the air?

Question #2: Is it legal for an orginating station to lag the translator? Logic seems to dictate that the originating station should always be first... hence the word ''originate.''
 
fredcantu said:
Question #1: Can a translator broadcast if the orginating station is off the air?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, a translator can originate programming if it's repeating a daytimer and is operating after the originating station has signed off. It's possible that there are some conditions on that, but I have heard of this practice happening in a few cases and have been told it's legal. Beyond that, I don't know. Something I can suggest is that it would be possible that KTXZ 1560 was on-the-air, but you couldn't hear it due to interference from KGOW in the Houston area. Since you said there was a lot of RFI, that seems at least possible. I know several stations on and around 1560 have been complaining that KGOW is causing them problems since it upgraded its power awhile back. At least one station, I believe KNGR 1560 out of Daingerfield, is requesting an FM translator because KGOW pounds it during the day to the point that it's difficult to receive a few blocks away from the transmitter.

Question #2: Is it legal for an orginating station to lag the translator? Logic seems to dictate that the originating station should always be first... hence the word ''originate.''
Click to expand...

It apparently is possible with some FM's translating AM's. A translator can be fed through means other than off-air in certain conditions, and I understand it's fairly common on translators that relay FM's. That seems at least possible in the case of KTXZ. Also, there are situations where a translator is relaying a station that broadcasts in HD. In that case, you can find a translator ahead of the main signal because of the approximately 8 second delay in HD transmissions.
 
fredcantu said:
I was listening to KTXZ 1560's translator on 95.1 and decided to compare audio quality with the AM. The AM was off the air or silent... either way their was a lot of RFI on 1560. Later in the hour the AM was back but the audio lagged the FM.

Question #1: Can a translator broadcast if the orginating station is off the air?

Question #2: Is it legal for an orginating station to lag the translator? Logic seems to dictate that the originating station should always be first... hence the word ''originate.''
Click to expand...

You can feed a translator directly if you have an AM sta. I susperct they do. What you heard soundls like the primary lost their STL from their studio to the transmitter and replaced it with an "IP" STL. Thus Translator relays in real time and main is behind. It is weird, though.

Clouseau
 
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