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WJLX Jasper off air… but the translator's still on

tomservo

tomservo

So I'm hearing WJLX's oldies format on their translator (as "oldies 101.5" with no mention of the AM signal) but the AM is either off or so low powered it's not audible in most of Walker County.

Is this legal? My understanding is if the parent is off, the translator has to shut off. The AM is fulltime as far as I know, so this is probably a maintenance issue. Or a cheap "I wanna save money" issue. ::)
 
The regulations are a bit vague on this. I don't see anything that requires the immediate shutdown of a translator if the primary is off. 74.1231(e) requires a translator to take steps to avoid relaying the wrong primary - if off-air pickup was used, this would be most easily complied with by shutting down the translator if the incoming signal got too weak -- though as a DXer I've seen some evidence that many translators simply ignored this regulation.

74.1263(b) prohibits a translator from operating "...during extended periods..." when the primary is off. Of course, "extended periods" is pretty vague. However, it is also noted that a translator relaying an AM daytime-only station may operate at night, while the AM primary is off, only if the AM primary has operated in the previous 24 hours. (so if this non-lawyer was forced to provide a definition for "extended periods", I'd say that means more than 24 hours)

I think someday an AM station is going to challenge this, leaving the translator on while the AM is off for an extended period, either on purpose to save $$ or due to a difficult-to-repair breakdown. How (and if) the FCC responds will make a big difference in the population of the AM band...

FCC regulation 74.1231(e):
(e) An FM translator shall not deliberately retransmit the signals of any station other than the station it is authorized to retransmit. Precautions shall be taken to avoid unintentional retransmission of such other signals.
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74.1231(h):
(h) An FM translator station that rebroadcasts a Class D AM radio broadcast station as its primary station may originate programming during the hours the primary station is not operating, subject to the provisions of Sec. 74.1263(b) of this part.
Click to expand...

74.1263(b):
(b) An FM booster or FM translator station rebroadcasting the signal of an AM or FM primary station shall not be permitted to radiate during extended periods when signals of the primary station are not being retransmitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FM translators rebroadcasting Class D AM stations may continue to operate during nighttime hours only if the AM station has operated within the last 24 hours.
Click to expand...
 
I was driving through Jasper Friday before last, and their xmitter was still on... however, I did pass through about midnight Wednesday and noticed that the AM was off, but the FM was still on...

-Travis
 
Looks like their problems are back. I got word from someone in the area that the AM has been off for about two weeks now, but the translator remains on.

I hate to be singling out a small town broadcaster, but everyone should at least abide by the same rules.
 
I got sent this: WJLX off air, translator on

It was taken at the WJLX AM tower site. Y'know, at some point they need to file an STA or shut down that translator. And while they're at it, fixed the distorted audio.

<rant alert> I mean, really. Does no one care about the rules or staying in compliance any more? Between this, the dude in Wilcox County operating from an unlicensed spot with an unlicensed antenna, and the little AM down here in Robertsdale that's operated all night (with a day only license) for years… it might as well be anarchy on the radio dial.
 
Re: WJLX Jasper off air… but the translator's still on

Just checked out that link.  The sound quality was horrible indeed.  Too much bass in it.  :mad:

Speaking of That Dude from Camden, his station is coming in very good once again. ;)  The sound issues have been resolved. And yes he's back to the 24 hours a day broadcast.  Still detest his lawbreaking ways though.  :mad:

R.D.P. <><
 
So WJLX 1240 in Jasper has a 250 watt FM translator on 101.5. The listeners are not going to waste their time pushing the AM button on the radio to listen to the graveyard signal on 1240 any longer when they can stay on the FM band and listen to 101.5. Why doesn't the owner of WJLX just file with the FCC to reduce power from 1000w to 100w on 1240 AM? That would keep him legal and save money on the power bill.

This question would make more sense if I was asking about a more expensive 5-10kw multi-tower directional array AM with different daytime, nighttime and critical hours authorizations (possibly even with two different tower sites) and a FM translator providing sufficient coverage to the targeted area, but this thread popped up and gave me a chance to ask.

Since the FM translator can broadcast at night for daytime AM stations there must not be any problem with feeding a translator directly by fiber instead of OTA reception of the host station. Why invest any money at all in the old AM facilities? Put all your resources into the tower height and signal quality of the FM translator. Just keep the AM at minimal specs to keep the license alive until the FCC allows translators and LPFMs to operate the same way old Class D FMs operate. Then the AM should be able to choose to go dark completely and keep broadcasting as a LPFM. I don't believe they should be allowed to sell the AM or be paid to shut down the AM for the benefit of another AM and still keep the low powered FM, but if such a rule change occurs I bet some of the AM owners would want to profit off the old AM license.
 
There are some areas north of Jasper up towards Curry where the AM is stronger than the FM x-lator is.... that might be a reason to keep the AM at 1KW, if financially feasible.
-Travis
 
poledo said:
So WJLX 1240 in Jasper has a 250 watt FM translator on 101.5. The listeners are not going to waste their time pushing the AM button on the radio to listen to the graveyard signal on 1240 any longer when they can stay on the FM band and listen to 101.5. Why doesn't the owner of WJLX just file with the FCC to reduce power from 1000w to 100w on 1240 AM? That would keep him legal and save money on the power bill.
Click to expand...

The translator can't really exceed the AM station 2.5 or 2.0 mV/m contour; reducing the AM's coverage would necessitate a reduction in the translator's coverage, I think.

And you're confusing what LPFMs and translators can do. If it were "converted" to LPFM they would no longer be allowed to run commercials, just underwriting sponsorships or whatever the Feds call it. Jasper already has a station doing that and as with other LPFMs across the country, getting advertisers on board with that non-traditional method is an uphill battle.

There are a lot of AM/FM simulcasts of one form or another and almost always the AM is retained to fill in gaps in FM coverage. WBBM is on FM now in Chicago but you know they'll be keeping 780 going forever because of its massive coverage day and night. The same generally applies to stations like WJLX even though it's apparent they care neither about the quality of the AM nor staying within the confines of the law.
 
I did a poor job editing my post.

I was suggesting the FCC simplify things and revive the old Class D station classification and make all LPFMs and translators essentially the same. Allow class D stations to broadcast anywhere from 1 watt up to 250 watts (but maybe institute a 2000 FAAT policy). Otherwise just use the current "loose" rules for translators for the new version of a Class D license and allow each station to file for either a Commercial or Non-commercial license.

Then the AMs that are primarily surviving off their FM translator could trade their AM license for a permanent Class D license to what is currently their translator... making them FM only. If the AM doesn't want to move exclusively to FM then put the translator back up for auction and let them bid against all the other interested parties for the Class D license to what is currently the translator allocation.

Keep It Simple. Right now the FCC doesn't even know what the rules are.
 
poledo said:
Keep It Simple. Right now the FCC doesn't even know what the rules are.
Click to expand...

Right now with the HD-2's on translators, the AMs on Translators.. I think the FCC is just making this up as they go..
 
Where's my old VCR? I think it's time to start a pirate TV station. Should I go with channel 3 or 4?? The FCC doesn't care anymore, right?
 
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