WBEZ Translator on 91.3 from Chicago?

[stormy01]

Perhaps someone can give me some insight into this: WBEZ 91.5 has a Construction Permit to move its translator (W217BM) from Elgin on 91.3 to Chicago...on a first-adjacent (really?) 99 watts from the John Hancock Center. It's on fcc.gov as well as radio-locator.com Is this some kind of trend nationwide? Squeezing transmitters in on first-adjacent frequencies, never mind second-adjacent, they've already done that with 97.5 and 100.7!

 

[fybush]

One can reasonably assume that this is an interim hop along the way to another "minor change" that will shift it to a different frequency. It will probably operate on 91.3 only very briefly, probably for a few hours overnight, just long enough to be licensed on its new channel so it can then move somewhere else.

 

[polenta3]

as if there isn't already enough interference between stations.

 

[stewie]

as if there isn't already enough interference between stations.

Did you read the above post? It's a placeholder.

 

[brian.marchand]

I am surprised the FCC approved it. I would have thought it was not permissible.

 

[w9wi]

I am surprised the FCC approved it. I would have thought it was not permissible.

The regulations (74.1204) basically state that the contour separation requirements of that regulation don't apply to a translator operating on the first-adjacent channel to its own primary station, as long as no interference is caused in the primary station's city of license. It doesn't specify what "...no interference is caused..." means. WBEZ's application says no interference will occur because the difference in power between WBEZ and the translator is such that the desired/undesired ratio necessary to cause interference cannot happen. I'm having trouble figuring where that D/U ratio is specified.

But in practice, given the low power of the translator it's probable the only place it's strong enough to cause interference is the roof of the John Hancock Center. You can cause interference as long as there are no people in the place where that interference happens!

I note the application semi-obliquely states the purpose of the translator is to relay a HD2/HD3/HD4 channel:

Second, the relocation of the translator would provide fill-in service for the primary station WBEZ, which has been broadcasting multiple program streams due to its use of IBOC digital technology. This fill-in service will allow the more than 3,000,000 residents within the 60 dBu contour to receive an additional non-commercial educational program stream that many are not currently able to receive due to limited availability of IBOC receivers.

 

[dave73]

I am surprised the FCC approved it. I would have thought it was not permissible.

The regulations (74.1204) basically state that the contour separation requirements of that regulation don't apply to a translator operating on the first-adjacent channel to its own primary station, as long as no interference is caused in the primary station's city of license. It doesn't specify what "...no interference is caused..." means. WBEZ's application says no interference will occur because the difference in power between WBEZ and the translator is such that the desired/undesired ratio necessary to cause interference cannot happen. I'm having trouble figuring where that D/U ratio is specified.

But in practice, given the low power of the translator it's probable the only place it's strong enough to cause interference is the roof of the John Hancock Center. You can cause interference as long as there are no people in the place where that interference happens!

I note the application semi-obliquely states the purpose of the translator is to relay a HD2/HD3/HD4 channel:

Second, the relocation of the translator would provide fill-in service for the primary station WBEZ, which has been broadcasting multiple program streams due to its use of IBOC digital technology. This fill-in service will allow the more than 3,000,000 residents within the 60 dBu contour to receive an additional non-commercial educational program stream that many are not currently able to receive due to limited availability of IBOC receivers.

I was surprised that this translator got approved to move to Chicago on 1st adjacent (even if it's owned by WBEZ). I forgot where I read it at that, the reason it's being moved to Chicago, is so that they can simulcast 89.5 WBEW Chesterton. Since this is the only station of theirs that could simulcast WBEW, & they wanted to bring Volcalo Radio to Chicago on analog radio (it's already available on WBEZ HD-2). If only there were another frequency they could acquire that would give them more coverage than the translator for Volcalo Radio. If people remember correctly, WBEW Chesterton operates separate programming from WBEZ Chicago & WBEQ Morris (WBEQ simucasts WBEZ).

 

[w9wi]

Well, again, they say in the application they intend to relay a HD subchannel, so in the end it's WBEZ-HD2 they'll be running on the translator.

And as Scott says, it's probable they'll be changing frequency again. They can go anywhere between 90.7 and 91.9 as a "minor change", further if they get a waiver. I don't think they actually intend to operate on 91.3 for any longer than is necessary to get a license-to-cover.

 

[audioguy]

It would be impractical for them to operate on 91.3 MHz. That frequency is occupied by their HD sidebands. They would have to either move to a different frequency or relocate it to a different city.