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Question about AM translators on FM band

A

Alex Browne

I may be mistaken, but I thought that an FM translator for an AM station had to simulcast the AM station; it was a way to enhance/extend the AM station.

Over the weekend outside a store in Port St. Lucie, we saw a van promoting "La Nueva 104.9 FM" and playing Spanish-language dance music. I was aware that 104.9 (W285FN/Port St. Lucie) was a translator for WIRA-1400/Fort Pierce, so I assumed WIRA had flipped its format to Spanish-language dance music. That was not the case.

WIRA is identified on Wikipedia and other sources as having a Gospel format, and their (obviously outdated) website identifies the station as "jazz, blues and gospel." Neither of those descriptions appears to be correct; every time I've tuned in WIRA, I hear a Creole talk or call-in show.

Note that there is a separate website for "La Nueva 104.9 FM" that makes it clear its format is Spanish-language dance; it includes the phrase "la que te mueve" (the one that moves).

Bottom line, W285FM is -not- simulcasting WIRA. Shouldn't it be? Or do I misunderstand the rule for FM translators of AM stations?
 
I have seen it a few times where an application was filed to sell or make some other change to the translator and that was the major purpose of the application and thats what it shows up in as fcc record, but then a line within that application is a request to change the primary station. like, say you sell the translator.. the fcc applicaiton gets filed and recorded as such.. and that one line to change the primary station is buried in there... so the fcc staff sees it but it doesn't show up also as a minor modification either, because that wasnt the point of the filing.
 
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