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Translators!

Interesting. Sounds like it's mostly a crackdown on expanding into another market via a translator. Hope any FCC fallout doesn't hurt stations like Chuck that are making use of a translator in a different way.
 
awp69 said:
Interesting. Sounds like it's mostly a crackdown on expanding into another market via a translator. Hope any FCC fallout doesn't hurt stations like Chuck that are making use of a translator in a different way.
Click to expand...

Why? Chuck is just a simulcast of WJMZ-HD3's signal (which should have be illegal in the first place since placing HD signals on a translator is NOT the original purpose of using translators). If you have an HD radio, you should be able to get WJMZ-HD3 signal OTA in much off the market. BTW: Just so that you know, I've have a similar beef with what Saga in Asheville had done with the 98.1 translator that was originally intended for WISE, but was used for WOXL-HD2's signal, thus creating a "new station".


I would love to know where was the FCC over the last decade when they approved this bull(blank), not to mention allowing "satcasters" to muddy up an already crowded band?

Robyn
 
RobynWattsV2.0 said:
Why? Chuck is just a simulcast of WJMZ-HD3's signal (which should have be illegal in the first place since placing HD signals on a translator is NOT the original purpose of using translators).
Click to expand...

Guess that was my point. I wasn't sure if placing the HD signal on a translator was legal or not. So if the FCC is taking a closer look at the use of translators, I was wondering if they would crack down on things like this too. I hope not as I like Chuck and I don't have an HD radio.
 
I agree 110%. This was what I've been saying for years, and even talked to the FCC about
the abuse and rule twisting of these translators. Many like 92.9 in Greenville have as much
coverage as many Class As!! Not right.

Original post:
Why? Chuck is just a simulcast of WJMZ-HD3's signal (which should have be illegal in the first place since placing HD signals on a translator is NOT the original purpose of using translators). If you have an HD radio, you should be able to get WJMZ-HD3 signal OTA in much off the market. BTW: Just so that you know, I've have a similar beef with what Saga in Asheville had done with the 98.1 translator that was originally intended for WISE, but was used for WOXL-HD2's signal, thus creating a "new station".


I would love to know where was the FCC over the last decade when they approved this bull(blank), not to mention allowing "satcasters" to muddy up an already crowded band?

Robyn
 
The usage of translators as 'separate' stations is becoming common everywhere. The only reason for ChuckFM on WJMZ-HD3 is to feed 97.7. If they didn't have another signal to relay it to, they wouldn't have started that format, since probably like 90% of this (or most other markets) don't have a clue about what HD Radio is. I guess I don't really mind it because most of the radio here besides 97.7 is so awful.
If you think 92.9 has a good signal, try 97.7. I can't get 92.9 well to the south.
 
I will agree that translators should not be misused, but again let's don't go over board either. If a translator happens to have a good range due to where it sets then so be it so long as it doesn't interfere with other stations and I don't mean a station that is 70 to 100 miles away either since in this part of the country a station even if it's 100KW it can't serve a community that far away. Moving translators can be a good thing in some cases and bad in others but each should be handled on a case by case basis of why they are being moved. As for independent station use ie: creating a station from just a translator and a feed from some place this like most things would be abused if the FCC lets it. Remember when the rule making for LPFM stations was happening and there was a proposal for 1000 watt, 100 watt, and 10 watt LPFM's but low and behold the NAB pushed to stop 1000 watt stations which left a big gap in stations power levels, gee let's see there's 10 watt then 100 watt then 6000 watt gee no big gap there, right? Now I am not saying that everything that is being done with translators is right but it does sound like some companies are trying to fill that gap with 250 watt translators whether it's right or wrong and yes I am sure money is behind a lot of it.
 
Like 99.3 in Charleston. Simulcasts an HD2 feed of one of Apex's FM stations, and 250 watts from West Ashley covers all areas inside 526 strong, out almost to Summerville, and south to Folly.
 
Here in Virginia, translators keep sprouting like mushrooms after a good soaking rain.

I can think of at least two or three within listening range of my location that are approximately 50 or more miles from their originating transmitters. In fact, there are so many of them here now, that I can listen to one station on no less than 4 frequencies by turning my rooftop antenna in the proper direction. Is that really necessary? I think its just a loophole that allows stations to corner a market by grabbing every little flea power translator that they can afford. Translators have their place to serve markets that are not being served well, but they also cut out any LPFM competition, which also seems to me like that may be part of the translator grab-and-hold plan by the big boys.
 
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