Which HD-2 Station In DFW Needs An FM Translator?

[DToTheJ]

In recent months, we have been hearing about how some markets have been gaining FM translators simulcasting HD-2 subchannels of actual radio stations... Clear Channel added FM translators for its AM talk stations in Miami and Portland, OR... Just this week alone, two FM translators launched in Detroit, simulcasting smooth jazz and alternative formats from one station's HD signals... And not too long ago, Kansas City got an FM translator using the "24/7 Comedy Radio" format - and it got a 4.0 in the latest PPM!

So is there an HD-2 or HD-3 subchannel in this market that deserves an FM translator for actual (non-HD-radio) listening? I pose this question on this board because there is one HD subchannel in Dallas that I feel is worthy of an FM translator: KLUV's "Oldies Radio 98.7 HD-2". Granted, they might need to drop the "98.7 HD-2" from their name if they get a translator, but I think it might work. Heck, it could even justify the fact that this HD-2 channel runs commercial breaks - okay, it's mostly CBS promos and the like, but still...

 

[jd]

Not to question the viability of the idea, but have you looked at frequency availability around D/FW lately? There really aren't any open ones left and of the existing translators it's unlikely that any would switch. Also don't forget about the three for KSKY that technically aren't translators (called "emergency repeaters" instead) and don't appear in frequency searches!

 

[txchipk]

Not to question the viability of the idea, but have you looked at frequency availability around D/FW lately? There really aren't any open ones left and of the existing translators it's unlikely that any would switch. Also don't forget about the three for KSKY that technically aren't translators (called "emergency repeaters" instead) and don't appear in frequency searches!

The owners of the Detroit translators (W230BI 94.3 and W284BQ 104.7) that just launched the rock and smooth jazz formats in that market and plan to bring back heritage urban WAMO to Pittsburgh via a FM translator (WPYT 660 and W261AX 100.1) there own K278BO 103.5 Mineral Wells. I wonder if they have eyes on seeing if it can be re-engineered to reach Ft Worth?

 

[Huff]

The owners of the Detroit translators (W230BI 94.3 and W284BQ 104.7) that just launched the rock and smooth jazz formats in that market and plan to bring back heritage urban WAMO to Pittsburgh via a FM translator (WPYT 660 and W261AX 100.1) there own K278BO 103.5 Mineral Wells. I wonder if they have eyes on seeing if it can be re-engineered to reach Ft Worth?

Beside frequency availability, the biggest challenge to that kind of strategy here is geography. Dallas/Fort Worth is too sprawling to cover with two or three translators, let alone just one. KSKY has 3 signals on FM, and together they don't even cover all of Dallas and Tarrant Counties.

In fact, there are presently two 99.9 FMs on the air in the metro - KSKY's Fort Worth STA and KDKR's translator in Irving.

The 102.5 translator for KGGR/1040 has yet to help that station in the ratings, and that signal is about as big as you're going to get for a translator (near max height and at max power of 250w).

 

[DToTheJ]

... don't forget about the three for KSKY that technically aren't translators (called "emergency repeaters" instead) and don't appear in frequency searches!

I saw the KSKY website the other day and they proudly promote those three FM frequencies on there, too! Slick.