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From the fringe: new FM translators of AM stations

S

sebenste

A few months ago, WLBK-AM1360 (DeKalb, IL) began simulcasting on a translator at 98.9 FM, 250 watts on top of brand new FM bays on their AM transmitter on First Street, just south of the Kishwaukee River.

This weekend, I noticed WSQR-AM 1180 (Sycamore) is also on the air on 93.5 FM in DeKalb, likely diplexing from the same spot, even though the FCC database shows it broadcasting from way far north. Power is also 250 watts.
 
Uh-oh. That cannot be a good thing for WFMT listeners out in DeKalb. Good thing they have WNIU.
 
Big upgrade for WSQR's nighttime signal....given that they're running exactly one watt nights on 1180 AM.
 
Can anyone report on what kind of a signal WFMT has out in DeKalb? I do not know if they are listenable out there or not.

However, I do not want to see the FM band turned into another AM wasteland, and that seems to be the path we are on. Every corn cob AM is going to want an FM signal.
 
audioguy said:
Can anyone report on what kind of a signal WFMT has out in DeKalb? I do not know if they are listenable out there or not.

However, I do not want to see the FM band turned into another AM wasteland, and that seems to be the path we are on. Every corn cob AM is going to want an FM signal.
Click to expand...

I would far rather see "every corn cob AM" get them, as opposed to an endless list of repeaters playing middle of the road Jesus rock.
 
Seems like the FM band is already well on he road to AM-ization when the FCC let FM's begin using directional antennas.
 
WFMT definitely has intermod problems around the transmitter at 1st street. But because they are at only 250 watts, as long as you are not around the tower, you can still get WFMT noise free.

WSQR-FM (can't remember their call sign now) is not on WLBK's tower; I'm guessing it's on WSQR's stower, but Ihaven't had a chance to drive by to see if this is so.
 
OK, I had a chance to drive by WSQR's 1180 AM transmitter site. Roughly 15' from the top are two shiny new FM bays, while 93.5 FM was splattering all over 93.3 and 93.7. I betcha can't guess what that is? ;D
 
After my post the other day, I scrolled down to the bottom of the page and saw the page, which indicated that the translator would be on the WSQR stick. Makes perfect sense, and I applaud Larry Nelson and company for making the move....especially given that the programming (even though mostly from the bird) is of a type not widely available in this area.

I'm about 23 miles from the stick, and while I get a fair-to-good signal on 1180, I haven't heard the translator yet. I'll keep trying.
 
I believe directional antennas were always permitted on FM. Section 73.215 was a step back toward the original FM rules that just required no contour overlap. The Table Of Allotments, Distance Separation Requirements, and First Local Service resulted in a warped distribution of facilities. As I pointed out in comments on the Petition For Rule Making back around 1988, markets are not evenly distributed in many areas of the country. Secondary Markets are clustered around larger markets and close to them, 40 to 65 miles away. Distance Separation Requirements put few allotments in those areas, and 92.7, 93.5, 94.3, 95.9, 96.7, 98.3, 102.3, 103.1, 103.9, 105.5, 106.3, and 107.1 were all Class A frequencies limited first to 1 kW/250 feet and later 3 kW/300 feet. This was done to please the big market owners and limit competition more than to prevent interference.
 
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