Anyone hearing that the FCC is going to delay and even halt multi-step translator applications? I've got three moves in on mine with several more to go, and its crickets on the application grant. I'm hoping its just the snow in Washington but the rumors are flying.
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Troubling Translator Rumors
- Thread starter CompleteGame
- Start date
It wouldn't supprise me that at some point they'd shut down that abuse.
Competing forces and interests converging. I assume I know where Jeff is going with his translator and if I were in his shoes I would be doing the same thing. And I would feel justified because the process has been in place and is according to the existing published rules.
The FCC has been very busy looking after things other than radio broadcasting... you know... phone companies, cell phone frequencies, moving HD TV channels around, and making room for new wireless devices that we haven't seen yet.
Look at what has happened in radio broadcasting that left the FCC muttering: "I didn't see that one coming!"
In the last AM window the little provision that you could apply to move a daytime only station and even change frequency and get what amounted to a NEW daytime only AM station turned into an unexpected circus.
No one saw the national religious groups filing hundreds of apps for NCEs and in another window hundreds of apps for translators. One of the reasons the proposed window for new LPFMs is being delayed is because the FCC is currently sitting on unprocessed applications "they didn't see coming!" Can they deny some of them? They technically meet the existing rules and common practice. Can they change the rules in the middle of the game?
I agree with OKCRadioGuy. There is some abuse going on here. I also agree with CompleteGame. I have acquired a license and I am playing by the rules of the game. Surely you are not going to change the rules while I have the ball in motion are you?
The FCC has been very busy looking after things other than radio broadcasting... you know... phone companies, cell phone frequencies, moving HD TV channels around, and making room for new wireless devices that we haven't seen yet.
Look at what has happened in radio broadcasting that left the FCC muttering: "I didn't see that one coming!"
In the last AM window the little provision that you could apply to move a daytime only station and even change frequency and get what amounted to a NEW daytime only AM station turned into an unexpected circus.
No one saw the national religious groups filing hundreds of apps for NCEs and in another window hundreds of apps for translators. One of the reasons the proposed window for new LPFMs is being delayed is because the FCC is currently sitting on unprocessed applications "they didn't see coming!" Can they deny some of them? They technically meet the existing rules and common practice. Can they change the rules in the middle of the game?
I agree with OKCRadioGuy. There is some abuse going on here. I also agree with CompleteGame. I have acquired a license and I am playing by the rules of the game. Surely you are not going to change the rules while I have the ball in motion are you?
I see and understand both parts of the argument. However, any agency can and will change the rules in the middle of the game. Moreso when you are a licensee of a public resource, rather than the owner of a property right. As a legal matter, a broadcasting license is only property for limited circumstances. You and I and everyone else are merely holders of an opportunity to use United States property under certain circumstances at the pleasure of the People, with some procedural protections in place by regulation and statute to encourage investment and stability.
Over the years there has been much abuse, some which was unintentional effects of earlier policy decisions.
Over the years there has been much abuse, some which was unintentional effects of earlier policy decisions.
My sources have told me the Media Bureau considers multi-step translator moves "distasteful", but not necessarily illegal, as long as they comply with the rules that apply to minor changes. To discourage relocation of translators across wide distances, the first one or two applications will continue to be processed quickly, but subsequent applications may take several months. So you may need to build a "permanent" facility at each of the intermediate sites and operate it for a while, rather than hanging the antenna on a portable mast for a few hours, filing for the license to cover, and then filing for the next move the same day..
Keep in mind translator minor change CP apps are exempt from filing fees, so the FCC may have decided the level of service should be downgraded accordingly.
Keep in mind translator minor change CP apps are exempt from filing fees, so the FCC may have decided the level of service should be downgraded accordingly.
I think the frustration is as GRC puts it....less than a year ago, the goal was to support ailing 1kw community AMs and now they want us to build permanent structures? So that we can re-broadcast the Moody Bible College signal from the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere? Who does that serve?
Yes, the hopping mechanism is pretty silly but I'm not trying to fool anyone. I want to protect my little AM, like the FCC grandly said I could.
As for app fees, I'd pay whatever price, if that would just get things going again; I'm sure the other 1000 applicants would too. I'd hate to think this all about money.
I feel really bad for the guys on their last step. They've got antennas on towers, got the little Armstrong fired up and.........nothing.
Yes, the hopping mechanism is pretty silly but I'm not trying to fool anyone. I want to protect my little AM, like the FCC grandly said I could.
As for app fees, I'd pay whatever price, if that would just get things going again; I'm sure the other 1000 applicants would too. I'd hate to think this all about money.
I feel really bad for the guys on their last step. They've got antennas on towers, got the little Armstrong fired up and.........nothing.
I believe there's going to be a big push for HD radio. The FCC has already stated that LPFMs and translators will not be protected.
This could be very influential as to how many LPFM applicants apply in the next window. It's going to be a much worse situation for translators as many are less than 100 watts ERP.
According to an engineer I spoke with, when HD becomes the norm many translators will just go away. I still believe that translators may be of value in the near future and it is because of this we continue to try to grow an audience until Internet Radio and Iphone listening becomes the norm for our listeners.
With that said, I believe in ten years maybe less or a little more, many of those translators we worked hard to build will be worth little if anything.
Just an opinion. josh
This could be very influential as to how many LPFM applicants apply in the next window. It's going to be a much worse situation for translators as many are less than 100 watts ERP.
According to an engineer I spoke with, when HD becomes the norm many translators will just go away. I still believe that translators may be of value in the near future and it is because of this we continue to try to grow an audience until Internet Radio and Iphone listening becomes the norm for our listeners.
With that said, I believe in ten years maybe less or a little more, many of those translators we worked hard to build will be worth little if anything.
Just an opinion. josh
josh said:I believe there's going to be a big push for HD radio. The FCC has already stated that LPFMs and translators will not be protected.
WHO is going to be the power behind a big push for HD radio?
HD is what it is and probably will be where it is for a while in the foreseeable future.
Josh, analog band translators are not going to be obsolete any time in the near future. 90% of the pop has at least 6 analog radios. Best Buy can't even find buyers for their $60 portables. Secondly, HD capable translators are available on the market now from at least on manufacturer. However, given low power levels, there is not a lot of economic sense in converting to digital. Heck, my station is going to be FM analog-only for years to come. Once WiMax hits and widespread acceptance in vehicles, there actually may be a point where our FM signal is merely a nightlight for our IP-based digital audio.
Josh, analog band translators are not going to be obsolete any time in the near future. 90% of the pop has at least 6 analog radios. Best Buy can't even find buyers for their $60 portables. Secondly, HD capable translators are available on the market now from at least on manufacturer. However, given low power levels, there is not a lot of economic sense in converting to digital. Heck, my station is going to be FM analog-only for years to come. Once WiMax hits and widespread acceptance in vehicles, there actually may be a point where our FM signal is merely a nightlight for our IP-based digital audio.
Today if you find yourself talking to a radio person, you might drop into the conversation: "And does your station have a website?"
There seems to be lot of "conventional wisdom" that what is delivered by radio today is likely to find a new home on other platforms evenutally. Maybe different programming elements will land on various "digital era" vehicles.
Any day now I expect to hear a conversation that goes like this: "Oh, you operate a web site? Does your website have a radio station?"
There seems to be lot of "conventional wisdom" that what is delivered by radio today is likely to find a new home on other platforms evenutally. Maybe different programming elements will land on various "digital era" vehicles.
Any day now I expect to hear a conversation that goes like this: "Oh, you operate a web site? Does your website have a radio station?"
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