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HD-2 Simulcast on Analog FM

Play Freebird said:
More about Saga's simulcast of WIII-HD2 in Ithaca on a 250 watt translator, using 75-year old technology that really works:

http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,110622.msg880085.html#msg880085
Click to expand...

That is a very interesting discussion. Although I think it is contrary to the original intent of FM translators, I can’t see anything in the rules that would prohibit it. I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, so take those words with a large grain of salt. The rules were written in an era when nobody had thought of multicasting, so the FCC may be as surprised by this unintended consequence as I am.

Presumably you could also do this with FMeXtra, since its secondary channels are also intended for public consumption over the air. That would be a lot cheaper way for many small stations to implement it. My experience with FMeXtra is that it works well even in low power situations.

There is also a discussion of this idea on the Engineering Board, http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,109098.0.html
 
In all seriousness, this is one way to get more listeners for an HD2 station. Even if the translator doesn't cover the entire desired target area, at least listeners can sample the programming and perhaps be convinced to buy an HD Radio if they want to hear the station outside of the translator's coverage area.

Plus, this would allow some stations to "localize" translators if they only have one or two anyway; they can simply broadcast a customized feed over HD2 or HD3.
 
Johnathan said:
In all seriousness, this is one way to get more listeners for an HD2 station. Even if the translator doesn't cover the entire desired target area, at least listeners can sample the programming and perhaps be convinced to buy an HD Radio if they want to hear the station outside of the translator's coverage area.

Plus, this would allow some stations to "localize" translators if they only have one or two anyway; they can simply broadcast a customized feed over HD2 or HD3.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of broadcasters who would love to have a legal way to separately program a translator. Under the current rules, that is prohibited, except for this interesting loophole. I really don't see any down-side, as long as it is indeed OK with the FCC. It’s pretty ingenious, when you think about it.
 
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