Translators

[genlock]

Is it legal for an FM translator to re-transmit a Part-15 signal?

[engineer]

I don't think so, but these days who knows? The rules have been bent so much for these things nothing would surprise me. There are translators installed one or two cities away from AM's that act like stand alone FM stations. In my opinion, trying to help the AM band has actually hurt the existing FM band. Some folks would disagree.

[Tom Taggart]

No. If you have a ton of money, you could pay to set up (and program) an HD-2 signal on a commercial FM station --which could then be relayed on a translator.

Of course, you would first need to get a hold of a translator license. Since there is no application window open, that means buying the license from someone else.

[genlock]

That HD-2 idea could solve a lot of problems in the Pirate Radio area. It could also make some money for some FM and Translator owners.

[Tom Taggart]

The present owner of the digital rights wants a cut of the revenue from sub-channels. More to the point, considerable expense to set-up the system, on the order of $20 K or more to just add HD, let alone an HD-2 channel.

Then you need a translator so someone can hear it.

In the end--it's the same problem, whether low-power or HD translator combo: Where the "demand" is--such as it is--in urban areas, there are not enough open channels. Best solution (which the minority broadcast advocates won't support) is raising the "subcaps"--allowing more FM stations to be owned by the groups in exchange for selling off the AM channels. The "subcap" is the requirement that while you can own, in a WV market, for example, up to 6 stations, at least 2 must be AM's. Ending subcaps could allow ownership of 6 FM's to a market. Of course, if you are WVRadio, that translates to as many as you want depending upon the number of trusts you create.

While freeing up AM channels for minority ownership, these will be, of course, for the most part, AM stations without translators.