Translator moves

[TexasTuner]

You know, getting old really sucks! Here I am trying to help out a friend who needs to put an FM translator within the 25 mile area of an AM he's operating, so he can simulcast. IIRC, the 60 dbu contour of the proposed translator operation has to overlap the existing translator operation's 60 dbu contour.

#1-is this correct?

#2-does anyone know why this requirement exists in the first place?

Thanks, and Happy New Year to all!

Fred Morton
Houston

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Fred... I think the translator's coverage cannot cover an area beyond the primary coverage of the am. If the translator goes past that, you'll have to either move the translator if you can or do a directional, if you can.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

You know, getting old really sucks! Here I am trying to help out a friend who needs to put an FM translator within the 25 mile area of an AM he's operating, so he can simulcast. IIRC, the 60 dbu contour of the proposed translator operation has to overlap the existing translator operation's 60 dbu contour.

#1-is this correct?

#2-does anyone know why this requirement exists in the first place?

Thanks, and Happy New Year to all!

Fred Morton
Houston

I believe that it is correct that the translator's new 60dbu circle at some point must overlap it's old 60dbu circle. But once it is licensed, the same rule applies again & again allowing for some rather long distance moves if interference concerns are met and if you are a patient person.

 

[TomT]

Look at:

Sec. 74.1233 Processing FM translator and booster station applications.

(a) Applications for FM translator and booster stations are divided
into two groups:
(1) In the first group are applications for new stations or for
major changes in the facilities of authorized stations. For FM
translator stations, a major change is any change in frequency (output
channel) except changes to first, second or third adjacent channels, or
intermediate frequency channels, and any change in antenna location
where the station would not continue to provide 1 mV/m service to some
portion of its previously authorized 1 mV/m service area. All other
changes will be considered minor. All major changes are subject to the
provisions of Sec. Sec. 73.3580 and 1.1104 of this chapter pertaining
to major changes.


Minor change applications can be filed at any time; while major change application must wait for the opening of a window. The FCC rarely opens windows, the fresh air might be too much for the place.

 

[jackandcoke]

You know, getting old really sucks! Here I am trying to help out a friend who needs to put an FM translator within the 25 mile area of an AM he's operating, so he can simulcast. IIRC, the 60 dbu contour of the proposed translator operation has to overlap the existing translator operation's 60 dbu contour.

#1-is this correct?

#2-does anyone know why this requirement exists in the first place?

Thanks, and Happy New Year to all!

Fred Morton
Houston

Fred, my guess is that the rule exists so that the population served to justify the (original) translator's existence in the first place doesn't completely lose that service because of the move. Think of it as a very loose rule theoretically intended to keep complete chaos from reigning in the translator world--as if it doesn't already!

 

[TexasTuner]

Thanks to all for the answers and insights...it appears what my friend wants done can be done, but it won't happen quickly.

 

[joep]

Actually, the R&O reads as follows:

1. In this Report and Order, we adopt changes in our FM translator rules to allow AM stations to use currently authorized FM translator stations to retransmit their AM service within their AM stations’ current coverage areas. Specifically, AM broadcast stations will be allowed to use currently authorized FM translator stations (i.e., those now licensed or authorized in construction permits that have not expired) to rebroadcast their AM signals, provided that no portion of the 60 dBu contour of any such FM translator station extends beyond the smaller of: (a) a 25-mile radius from the AM transmitter site; or (b) the 2 mV/m daytime contour of the AM station. In addition, AM broadcast licensees with Class D facilities will be allowed to originate programming on such FM translators during periods when their AM station is not operating. We take these steps to permit AM broadcasters to better serve their local communities and thus promote the Commission’s bedrock goals of localism, competition, and diversity in the broadcast media.