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Translator broadcasting in HD

N

nd2023

Banned
A brand new 102.9 translator in Massachusetts recently got HD. The HD1 and analog is 800 AM station and the HD2 is 1110 AM. The translator is 250 watts so the HD power is a whopping 2.5 watts.

I think FM translators that translate HD2 stations should be required to translate them in HD, not analog. Or the rules should be changed to allow LPFMs instead of translators.
 
That HD signal can't make it more than a few miles unless the antenna is up really high. The analog on the other hand should do at least a 20 mile radius no problem depending on terrain.
 
Nick said:
A brand new 102.9 translator in Massachusetts recently got HD. The HD1 and analog is 800 AM station and the HD2 is 1110 AM. The translator is 250 watts so the HD power is a whopping 2.5 watts.
Click to expand...

I just looked at the applications that were filed for that one. The digital notification specifies -10 dBc injection, so each sideband would be allowed 12.5 watts ERP -- However, the transmit antenna pattern is quite directional, a figure 8 with "nulls" exceeding 20 dB towards an LPFM in NH and a pending application in Boston. Hard to imagine that the owner will recover his costs of adding the HD exciter and additional equipment necessary to transmit HD-2 unless he's using it as an STL for 1110. But even in that case, FM Xtra might have made more sense.
 
The owner had HD on its 800 AM station for several years. IBOC is now off the AM. I was suprised when I turned to the station with my Insigina portable that they had HD. Was about 6-7 miles SW of xtmr.
 
If a translator can relay an analog FM signal OR an HD subchannel, can a translator relay in analog another translator's HD subchannel? Maybe this is just a convoluted way to get another analog translator on the air as a mini-station.
 
Do HD subchannels of translators need to translate another station or can it originate programming? The only instance a translator can originate programming is an FM that is translating a daytime only AM.
 
Translators are....well, translators. There has to be a primary station for them to rebroadcast; they can't operate solo. The rules have been finessed to allow an HD-2 or -3 to function as a primary "station" (entirely illogical, since nobody would seriously argue that an analog stereo pilot or an SCA subchannel would constitute a "radio station") but the concept is the same. At least I think that's what you're asking.
 
Zach said:
If a translator can relay an analog FM signal OR an HD subchannel, can a translator relay in analog another translator's HD subchannel? Maybe this is just a convoluted way to get another analog translator on the air as a mini-station.
Click to expand...

The rules explicitly state that a translator can relay another translator. If a translator can convert a full-power station's HD to analog, then I suppose it's perfectly permissible for a translator to convert another translator's HD to analog.
 
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