• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

FM translators for AM?

3

3dawgs

Guest
Hi, all. Just stumbled upon this site, and decided to sign up. This may have been posted
before, and if so please just point me to the link and I'll be on my way...what's the latest
ruling on FM translators for AM stations? I've read a few articles that state that this only
applies to stations that already own translators. Seems kinda weird. Does this mean that
an AM that is currently co-owned with some FM's will be unable to apply for a LPFM
translator to help with AM coverage?

If someone could advise here, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
 
3dawgs said:
Hi, all. Just stumbled upon this site, and decided to sign up. This may have been posted
before, and if so please just point me to the link and I'll be on my way...what's the latest
ruling on FM translators for AM stations? I've read a few articles that state that this only
applies to stations that already own translators. Seems kinda weird. Does this mean that
an AM that is currently co-owned with some FM's will be unable to apply for a LPFM
translator to help with AM coverage?

If someone could advise here, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
Click to expand...

(read the FCC link Flying-Dutchman posted)

No, AM stations that don't already own FM translators can buy them from someone else. However, the translator in question must already be authorized. (as of May 1st) You can't use a translator authorized after May 1st to relay an AM.

They did say they would reconsider that restriction after the next LPFM window.
 
Great! Thanks for the info, guys. This is what I was looking for. Couple more for ya if you don't mind:

1) Acquiring a translator that's already authorized---You're saying that someone else would need to actually own and be authorized to use their translator in my market, and then be willing to give it up and sell it to me if I wanted it bad enough?

2)The next LPFM window---When is that? Where can I find stuff like this, so I don't have to bug you guys all the time? ;D ;D

Thanks, again.
 
3dawgs said:
Great! Thanks for the info, guys. This is what I was looking for. Couple more for ya if you don't mind:

1) Acquiring a translator that's already authorized---You're saying that someone else would need to actually own and be authorized to use their translator in my market, and then be willing to give it up and sell it to me if I wanted it bad enough?
Click to expand...

The FCC construction permit (a document) must have already existed as of May 1st. Since you apparently don't have one, yes, you'd have to buy one (either the construction permit or a completed, operating translator with an operating license) from someone else.

You can get FCC permission to move translators, within certain conditions. You couldn't move one from California to Utah (at least not in a reasonable amount of time!) but I would imagine 20 miles would be doable.

2)The next LPFM window---When is that? Where can I find stuff like this, so I don't have to bug you guys all the time? ;D ;D
Click to expand...

Nobody knows.

I would read http://www.fcc.gov/mb on a regular basis. (that'll eventually answer both questions)
 
Thanks again, w9wi. Big help. Time to start searching for LPFM translators in my area!
 
What's the best way for me to do a search for all translators in my area? I'm looking on that site you posted, but
don't see if it's possible there or not. Thanks.
 
The FCC is not going to open a new translator filing window soon, at least not
until after an LPFM window. The LPFM window will likely come after an Act Of
Congress. That may be late this year.

AMs can acquire existing translators in their primary coverage area.

AMs can be rebroadcast over LPFMs as long as the LPFM conforms to LPFM
rules. But, the AM cannot own the LPFM.

radio-locator.com, fccinfo.com and recnet.com are great for finding frequencies.
 
recnet is great for finding LPFM channels. But, I don't think they have a translator
search. Translators can operate on channels that LPFMs cannot. Translators can
operate on 2nd and 3rd adjacent channels while LPFMs can't. Also, translators
must protect contours. LPFM have mileage seperation. They should have both
been licensed with the same technical specs. But, this is not the case.

Frequencies where you could not place an LPFM are open for a translator.
 
OK, here is plan B

FCC database FM query: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html

Go to botton of search screen and do a 25 mile search centered on your coordinates. This will generate a list of all FM licenses, CP, and applications (denoted as NEW and APP). You are interested in the service code FX for translator. As noted before, the translator must be either licensed or CP issued to be of any use to your AM so disregard all the NEWs since they are the thousands of translator applications filed by a very small number of mostly religous broadcasters during the last window and have been left to clog up the system. Sad because a lot of those freqs, or the actual licenses themselves might have been up for sale had they actually been built.

If you find any promising licenses or CP's then it is up to you to make contact.

Plan C is to hire a consulting engineer who has all the superduper software to do a freq search for you which will screen the 2nd and 3rd adjacents, protected contours, Mexicans, Canadians, and everything else, but at a price!
 
3dawgs - an LPFM is not a translator, it is a special class non-commercial license, limited to 100 watts. An LPFM cannot be a translator for an AM station.

LPFMs, on the other hand, can have translators, and due to the differences in rules for non-comm "educational" FMs, an LPFM can own a translator which extends the contour of the LPFM, and in fact may have a power output exceeding that of the LPFM itself.

An AM can now simulcast on an owned FM translator which was permitted prior to May 1, 2009. The translator 60 dBu contour cannot exceed the AM 2 mv contour. Translators can be bought and sold. FM translators cannot exceed 250 watts in any case.
 
Thanks for all of the useful info, guys. It's a really big help!
 
Bill Wolfenbarger said:
An LPFM cannot be a translator for an AM station.
Click to expand...

I believe the FCC is considering authorizing LPFMs to simulcast AMs, so long as the non-commercial nature of the LPFM license is not affected. Obviously, this would only work well for a few non-comm AMs.
 
edarmsttrong said:
Bill Wolfenbarger said:
An LPFM cannot be a translator for an AM station.
Click to expand...

I believe the FCC is considering authorizing LPFMs to simulcast AMs, so long as the non-commercial nature of the LPFM license is not affected. Obviously, this would only work well for a few non-comm AMs.
Click to expand...

I've seen nothing about allowing LPFMs to simulcast any other station. With the FCC's concerns about localism and LPFM, I doubt they'd allow it.

FM *translators*, yes, within the constraints described earlier, they're allowed to relay AMs.
 
From the FCC Report and Order...

"To the extent that an LPFM licensee and an AM licensee may
find a mutually beneficial way to cooperate in rebroadcasting the AM signal on the LPFM station in a manner that complies with the LPFM rules, they may do so."
 
Yes, You can now get out your checkbook and build an LPFM and rebroadcast your
friend's AM station. You must also pay for the operations and receive nothing from
your buddy.

In the NCE rules it says you can have call to action if you are not paid for it.
So, I guess you could rebroadcast commercials. But again, no money for you.

Also, this have never been done. If you do this, you are in untested uncharted
water.

This ruling came as a surprise brought on by the current economy. Let's see
what develops.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom