Translators of IBOC Stations

[nd2023]

Do translators that translate stations with IBOC need to have IBOC themselves?<P ID="signature">______________
17-year-old radio geek
Location: Princeton Junction, NJ
AIM: KewlDude471</P>

 

[ironbear]

> Do translators that translate stations with IBOC need to
> have IBOC themselves?

I have yet to encounter one associated with an IBOC primary station. But, it seems fairly clear that neither of the two types of FM Translator in use (heterodyne frequency conversion, and demodulation to baseband then remodulation), preserve the bandwidth and amplitude relationships necessary to rebroadcast IBOC. What they do rebroadcast could be a bit of a mess.

Anyone on the board have a more definitive answer to this? Enquiring minds want to know!

 

[xmusicmatt]

> > Do translators that translate stations with IBOC need to
> > have IBOC themselves?
>
> I have yet to encounter one associated with an IBOC primary
> station. But, it seems fairly clear that neither of the
> two types of FM Translator in use (heterodyne frequency
> conversion, and demodulation to baseband then remodulation),
> preserve the bandwidth and amplitude relationships necessary
> to rebroadcast IBOC. What they do rebroadcast could be a
> bit of a mess.
>
> Anyone on the board have a more definitive answer to this?
> Enquiring minds want to know!
>

Im no engineer, but understanding how most translators rebroadcast FM signals thru pick up over the air, or rebroadcast via ISDN or Satellite, I dont see where it would pass IBOC without being IBOC itself. All FM Translators are, are lower powered (typically) FM transmitters. <P ID="signature">______________
Lenks
Program Director/Music Director
X Music Online
The X
Today's Best Music
http://www.xmusiconline.com/</P>

 

[TXengineer]

> > two types of FM Translator in use (heterodyne frequency
> > conversion, and demodulation to baseband then
> remodulation),
> Im no engineer, but understanding how most translators
> rebroadcast FM signals thru pick up over the air, or
> rebroadcast via ISDN or Satellite, I dont see where it would
> pass IBOC without being IBOC itself. All FM Translators
> are, are lower powered (typically) FM transmitters.

That is demod, baseband, and remodulate as stated above.

Heterodyne basically inserts a "beat frequency" to shift the incoming frequency to the out going.

A translator I can think of off the top of my head that repeats an IBOC station is W226AC Rensselear, ETC. New York which rebroadcasts WAMC off of Greylock in Adams...

 

[rdalton]

> Do translators that translate stations with IBOC need to
> have IBOC themselves?

The translators are not allowed to have IBOC yet-- the FCC is still developing those rules.

RJD<P ID="signature">______________
http://www.RichardJDalton.com</P>

 

[tpt]

I would suspect that the conventional translator's IF bandwidth would do strange things to IBAC, if it could pass any of it at all. Some of these translators will pass SCA's but that is not a given. the Digital sidebands is a stretch.

Many newer installations use a fixed tuned receiver and conventional exciter (sometimes followed by a PA amplifier. These receivers pass the baseband composite signal directly into the exciter, but not necessarily SCA's (let alone the digital sidebands). Hence they will probably be relatively immune from problems because of IBAC transmissions on the main channel, but of course will not have the digitasl signal. Same is true of those translators fed by STL, more likely to be found in some state ed. broadcasting networks.

I suspect even with an FCC rulemaking these translators will remain analog until that wonderful day in the continuyally receding future when we actually have some digital receivers out there.