Texas AM stations with FM translators

[jd]

Several stations around the state have received Special Temporary Authority to operate FM translators, ostensibly to help boost their nighttime coverage. In most cases these translators operate with 250 watts; not much, but definitely better than the minimal power for the parent AM stations. Here's where it stands now:

KLVQ 1410 Athens-94.5
KNGR 1560 Daingerfield-100.9 (moved from Mount Pleasant)
KXIT 1240 Dalhart-94.5
KELP 1590 El Paso-95.9 (pending approval)
KIMP 960 Mount Pleasant-104.3
KNET 1450 Palestine-95.7
KPLT 1490 Paris-96.3
KOKE 1600 Pflugerville/Austin-102.7 (tower in Austin)
KAHL 1310 San Antonio-103.7
KTXZ 1560 West Lake Hills/Austin-95.1 (tower in Austin)

It must be noted that although these FM translators are operating under STA's it's only a formality. Expect changes in FCC rules that will eventually convert them to permanent authorizations and look for many more applications.

All of the stations listed above cited greatly reduced nighttime coverage due to co-channel interference, but in one case daytime interference is given as the reason that the station needs an FM translator. It specifically mentions the offending station: "KNGR IS RECEIVING TREMENDOUS INTERFERENCE INSIDE ITS 2.0 MV/M DAYTIME CONTOUR FROM STATION, KGOW, BELLAIRE, TX. SINCE KNGR CANNOT BE HEARD WITHOUT INTERFERENCE EVEN INSIDE IT'S OWN CITY OF LICENSE DURING THE DAYTIME WE ASK THE COMMISSION TO EXPEDITIOUSLY GRANT THIS REQUEST AS AN EMERGENCY MOTION."

 

[arklatexradio]

Another one
KTFS 940 in Texarkana on 105.5

 

[jd]

KTFS 940 in Texarkana on 105.5

Thanks for the heads up; that one sneaked under the radar (or mine, at least). I see that they cited adjacent-channel interference to their 11-watt nighttime AM signal. Any idea what, in particular (WKY maybe...)?

 

[jd]

...and one more thing. KSKY 660 Balch Springs/Dallas, which has a killer 20,000 watt daytime signal, has received authorization for two FM repeaters to fill voids in their nighttime coverage. One is for 92.9 with 800 watts ERP from a site just east of downtown Dallas. That power is considerably higher than most translators. The other translator, on 95.5, would serve Fort Worth from a site near Richland Hills with 140 watts ERP. I see this as an interesting application of the FCC's "relief" plan for AM stations, since there are a number of other stations in the area that probably could argue that they need translators. A couple of them are daytimers.

 

[w9wi]

...and one more thing. KSKY 660 Balch Springs/Dallas, which has a killer 20,000 watt daytime signal, has received authorization for two FM repeaters to fill voids in their nighttime coverage. One is for 92.9 with 800 watts ERP from a site just east of downtown Dallas. That power is considerably higher than most translators.

I'm having trouble finding this one, it's not showing up in FM Query or the CDBS. 74.1235 would seem to set a clear limit of 250 watts for translators, I don't see *any* exceptions there.

The other translator, on 95.5, would serve Fort Worth from a site near Richland Hills with 140 watts ERP. I see this as an interesting application of the FCC's "relief" plan for AM stations, since there are a number of other stations in the area that probably could argue that they need translators. A couple of them are daytimers.

The justifications you're seeing are not justifications for licensing of completely new FM translators. There is no filing window open for new FM translators - if you file for one right now your app is going to get returned.

What you're seeing are justifications for existing translators to relay AM stations, not normally allowed.

So the AM station that wants to be relayed on FM must first buy (or lease?) a translator, then file for permission to rebroadcast their AM station on that translator. It's that permission you're seeing. Some other station may have a better case for FM, but if that other station didn't bother to buy/lease a translator, there's nothing for the FCC to act on.

 

[jd]

I'm having trouble finding this one, it's not showing up in FM Query or the CDBS. 74.1235 would seem to set a clear limit of 250 watts for translators, I don't see *any* exceptions there.

It's in the CDBS, but it's under KSKY: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662260

You're right about the power; the limit is 250 watts but they're calling these "emergency" FM repeaters. I overlooked something on this one: there are actually three repeater applications in the file (listed as "temporary fill-in" facilities) with one supposedly licensed to Arlington operating co-channel with the one for Fort Worth. Those towers are relatively close.

Dallas: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662261
Fort Worth: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662275
Arlington: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662268

What I gather is that until the issue of interference from Mexican stations is resolved, if ever, these translators would continue to operate.

So the AM station that wants to be relayed on FM must first buy (or lease?) a translator, then file for permission to rebroadcast their AM station on that translator. It's that permission you're seeing. Some other station may have a better case for FM, but if that other station didn't bother to buy/lease a translator, there's nothing for the FCC to act on.

I understand the justifications you mention, and the KSKY deal is unusual, to say the least. But there are other ways for AM stations to get a translator. As noted above, the Daingerfield station is being relayed on one that was moved from Mount Pleasant. And in the Dallas area the translator on 95.9 is actually a move-in as well, starting in Canton and moving 50 miles northwest to Garland. Granted that one is for a non-comm but the same thing might be possible for an AM station that wanted to do it.

 

[Willis1000]

KOKE 1600 Pflugerville/Austin-102.7 (tower in Austin)
KTXZ 1560 West Lake Hills/Austin-95.1 (tower in Austin)

Technically the antenna farm is in West Lake Hills.

 

[jd]

Technically the antenna farm is in West Lake Hills.

You got me, Willis... ;D

 

[billyg]

Do these translators rebroadcast the AM signal (static and any noise if the signal is weak)? Or can they use a line feed from the station. Just curious.

 

[w9wi]

It's in the CDBS, but it's under KSKY: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662260

You're right about the power; the limit is 250 watts but they're calling these "emergency" FM repeaters. I overlooked something on this one: there are actually three repeater applications in the file (listed as "temporary fill-in" facilities) with one supposedly licensed to Arlington operating co-channel with the one for Fort Worth. Those towers are relatively close.

Dallas: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662261
Fort Worth: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662275
Arlington: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=662268

What I gather is that until the issue of interference from Mexican stations is resolved, if ever, these translators would continue to operate.

Yikes. This is interesting.

The FCC is pretty bad about reporting STAs... sometimes they make it to CDBS, sometimes they don't, sometimes an FM station ends up listed under AM.....

They'd of course allowed this kind of thing for stations affected by interference from *Cuba* some time ago. This is the first time I've heard of it being allowed vis-a-vis interference from Mexico.

800 watts, I don't see a HAAT in there but in North Texas HAAT and HAGL should be pretty similar - 150m more or less - that's the better part of a full Class A signal...

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction on these!

(Oh, yes, it's not unusual for AMs to be bringing in translators from elsewhere. I guess I count that as buying or leasing an existing translator.)

_________________________________________________

Do these translators rebroadcast the AM signal (static and any noise if the signal is weak)? Or can they use a line feed from the station. Just curious.

Two of them around here (Nashville, Tenn.) relay pure daytimers, where the AM is completely off the air at night. The translator is allowed to continue to operate - carrying the same program feed that goes to the (turned off) AM transmitter. The FCC asked about this in their proceeding & seemed inclined to allow it.

In most of the cases I'm aware of, the translators are on the AM tower (the KSKY case seems to be a relatively rare exception) so even if they were relaying the nighttime off-air signal of a one-watt AM station it would be plenty clean. But I'm sure in most cases they're running a feed directly from the studio/STL.

The KSKY case in any case is not technically a translator (as far as the rules are concerned) so it's not subject to the feed rules for translators.

 

[billyg]

All of the stations listed above cited greatly reduced nighttime coverage due to co-channel interference, but in one case daytime interference is given as the reason that the station needs an FM translator. It specifically mentions the offending station: "KNGR IS RECEIVING TREMENDOUS INTERFERENCE INSIDE ITS 2.0 MV/M DAYTIME CONTOUR FROM STATION, KGOW, BELLAIRE, TX. SINCE KNGR CANNOT BE HEARD WITHOUT INTERFERENCE EVEN INSIDE IT'S OWN CITY OF LICENSE DURING THE DAYTIME WE ASK THE COMMISSION TO EXPEDITIOUSLY GRANT THIS REQUEST AS AN EMERGENCY MOTION."

I remember driving through Mt Pleasant a couple months ago around 4pm and KGOW was all over KNGR. It was strange to read the Houston board a few months ago and hear the reception problems about KGOW. All that 50K is going north.

If I were the owners of KNGR I'd do everything to move off 1560, but getting a low wattage translator is a good alternative.

 

[txchipk]

Several stations around the state have received Special Temporary Authority to operate FM translators, ostensibly to help boost their nighttime coverage. In most cases these translators operate with 250 watts; not much, but definitely better than the minimal power for the parent AM stations. Here's where it stands now:

KLVQ 1410 Athens-94.5
KNGR 1560 Daingerfield-100.9 (moved from Mount Pleasant)
KXIT 1240 Dalhart-94.5
KELP 1590 El Paso-95.9 (pending approval)
KIMP 960 Mount Pleasant-104.3
...

Off topic, but it looks like KIMP 960 and its FM translator are going to some sort of Spanish-language format. Website -- http://easttexasradio.com/kimp.php -- shows a "La Super K 104.3/960" logo and "Coming Soon!".

 

[RADIODADDY]

KNGR is a special situation.. They are flat broke and have been for years. The owner of the station lives in Houston. Bob & Glorya Wilson operated the station for the last five years. Believe me, everything is a mess at the station, nearly everything is in various stages of disrepair - its only a matter of time before it is gone. I secured the STA for the translator because Bob asked me to. We operated the translator for a couple of months for them - today Bob passed away due to complications from Diabetes - he was 81. I don't know at this time if the station will continue to operate.

So back to your post, the reason they don't move to a new frequency is because that is very costly. They would need licensing, the tower retuned, a new transmitter, etc. The owner of KGOW has offered to help, though I'm not sure to what extent. The move would cost thousands of dollars and the station hasn't even been able to keep their electricity on. I helped them as much as I could, but there is limit to what magic an engineer can do with no budget even for his own gas money.. Bob was a great guy and it was a pleasure working with him - the new "FM" brought him great joy in the last few months of his life..

 

[billyg]

Thanks for that update. It will be sad if KNGR goes off the air again.