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NCE FM Translator window 88.1 - 91.9 band. August 2026

Francis1026

Francis1026

The FCC has announced a new filing window for NCE FM translators in the reserved band (88.1–91.9 MHz). As I understand it, eligibility is limited to existing licensees of reserved-band NCE FM stations, LPFM stations, and AM stations.

I have a question regarding the technical limitations that apply to non-fill-in NCE FM translators.

I understand there are restrictions involving ERP and HAAT, but I am still confused about how those limits are applied in practice. Specifically, if I were to propose a non-fill-in NCE FM translator in the Boston area, would it be permissible to operate with 250 watts ERP at 107 meters HAAT, assuming the proposal fully protects all co-channel, adjacent-channel, IF, and other required facilities?

Or are non-fill-in translators subject to a maximum HAAT or another ERP/HAAT limitation that would prevent such a facility?

If an engineer familiar with the FCC's reserved-band translator rules could clarify how these height and power limits work, I would greatly appreciate the explanation.

Thank you.
 
This is the wrong sub forum on this site for the question, engineering would've been better and get it seen more.. but @fybush is the man with all the answers
 
I wonder if an LPFM Station in Greenville SC (WRTH-LP "Kool FM") would be eligible to upgrade, to add a simulcast channel under this proposal window. Right now they broadcast on 101.5 with only 25 watts, and that barely reaches Downtown Greenville. They also have a translator, W299BO on 107.7 with a legal limit of only 10 watts - which (I was told) that limit is due to high HAAT / height from on top of Paris Mountain (with a directional signal that's pointed away from Greenville, also barely reaches a few miles.) Maybe they can add a signal in Spartanburg or Anderson (or full power HD).
 
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KyleSmith1988 said:
I wonder if WRTH-LP in Greenville SC - "Kool FM" would be eligible to upgrade, or add a simulcast channel under this proposal window. Right now they broadcast on 101.5 with only 25 watts, and it barely reaches Downtown Greenville. They also have a 10 watt translator, W299BO on 107.7 - I was told that the 10 watt limit is due to high HAAT / height on top of Paris Mountain (and is directional away from Greenville, and barely reaches a few miles.) Maybe they can add a signal in Spartanburg or Anderson (or full power HD).
Click to expand...
WRTH-LP has an opportunity to get 2 additional translators to expand its coverage under this window. 10 watts is not a limit, that depend of the HAAT, if you will be in a tall tower around 115 meters above the ground, then, you may be 10 watts, it depends height of the terrain, but I'll check WRH-LP and come with an idea about what you may do.
 
Francis1026 said:
WRTH-LP has an opportunity to get 2 additional translators to expand its coverage under this window. 10 watts is not a limit, that depend of the HAAT, if you will be in a tall tower around 115 meters above the ground, then, you may be 10 watts, it depends height of the terrain, but I'll check WRH-LP and come with an idea about what you may do.
Click to expand...

I have talked to the station owner, so I can let him know about it, if he is interested.
 
KyleSmith1988 said:
I have talked to the station owner, so I can let him know about it, if he is interested.
Click to expand...

Trust me, he knows. Dave Solomon is a radio pro and does some of his own engineering but alot of the filing work is done by LPFM/non com pro Michi Bradley from RecNEtworks
 
KyleSmith1988 said:
I have talked to the station owner, so I can let him know about it, if he is interested.
Click to expand...

Kyle,

Attached is a preliminary study showing what you can accomplish for WRTH-LP. This proposal uses the 88.1 MHz option at 44 meters HAAT with 92 watts ERP. As you can see, it provides very good coverage over the target service area.

Please take a look.
 

Attachments

  • Preliminary WRTH-LP Translator opt.pdf
    941.1 KB · Views: 3
Francis1026 said:
Kyle,

Attached is a preliminary study showing what you can accomplish for WRTH-LP. This proposal uses the 88.1 MHz option at 44 meters HAAT with 92 watts ERP. As you can see, it provides very good coverage over the target service area.

Please take a look.
Click to expand...

Yes, perhaps not as to move the main transmitter site (which they already own) ... Adding a 3rd signal to better serve the city in Greenville & adjacent areas, nearly full coverage in most of the city (107.7 in North Greenville, 101.5 in East/Central Greenville, and (maybe) 88.1 in West/Central Greenville. Closest to WSBF Clemson, and WUBK Enoree/Gray Court. Nice, considering the radio dial in Greenville SC is already fully crowded & nearly maxed out.

Another great example of this already being done is on WXRY-LP in Downtown Columbia, 15 watts on 99.3 doesn't go far. This station recently expanded & added nearby signals for the NW Metro (WXNW - 99.1) and NE Metro (WXNE - 98.1) to better serve the area. In my experience & when I last listened to them locally, the sound quality & audio level on WXNW was low, and coverage was near minimum at best ... Definitely much less performance than expected. WXNW coverage just barely reached I-26, while WXNE hardly reached to I-20, and both come within 1-2 miles of those highways, respectively, at their closest point.
 
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KyleSmith1988 said:
Yes, perhaps not as to move the main transmitter site (which they already own) ... Adding a 3rd signal to better serve the city in Greenville & adjacent areas, nearly full coverage in most of the city (107.7 in North Greenville, 101.5 in East/Central Greenville, and (maybe) 88.1 in West/Central Greenville. Closest to WSBF Clemson, and WUBK Enoree/Gray Court. Nice, considering the radio dial in Greenville SC is already fully crowded & nearly maxed out.

Another great example of this already being done is on WXRY-LP in Downtown Columbia, 15 watts on 99.3 doesn't go far. This station recently expanded & added nearby signals for the NW Metro (WXNW - 99.1) and NE Metro (WXNE - 98.1) to better serve the area. In my experience & when I last listened to them locally, the sound quality & audio level on WXNW was low, and coverage was near minimum at best ... Definitely much less performance than expected. WXNW coverage just barely reached I-26, while WXNE hardly reached to I-20, and both come within 1-2 miles of those highways, respectively, at their closest point.
Click to expand...

Both Dave Solomon who manages/owns WRTH and Steve Varholy who owns/manages WXRY tc, (the later ive met in person and had many radio nerd discussions about tech things) are pretty smart technically.. im sure if they wanted ad could justify a translator, they would. Why are you so interested in what theyre doing and discussing it in such a way like you dont think they know... email them maybe?
 


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