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FM translator for 890

Already on? I mentioned a page of "low power and unauthorized" FM stations in a different thread and the page, supposedly updated last year, says:
>>94.9 W235CS La Mega, Dedham - Relay 890 WAMG

Would think that was on air and monitored, not a list of current and upcoming
 
jlehmann said:
It appears that the reason it came up on the change list this week is that they’re applying to move to the channel 7 tower in Newton. Currently they’re on one of the AM towers in Ashland.

http://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProEngine.php?sCurrentService=FM&tabSearchType=Appl&sAppIDNumber=1785225
Click to expand...

Correct. There are no new AM-on-FM translators being applied for, because the last of those application windows happened last year. Anything that shows up now on Insight's weekly FCC update (or in my NorthEast Radio Watch, as this will tomorrow) is an application to modify an existing translator license or CP.

This one has been on for at least a year. I heard it while in Holliston last March.
 
fybush said:
Anything that shows up now on Insight's weekly FCC update (or in my NorthEast Radio Watch, as this will tomorrow) is an application to modify an existing translator license or CP.
Click to expand...

Does that include the transactions in which the license for a never-built translator, or a translator whose AM has gone out of business, shows up in a distant market under new ownership? Or are you only referring to tweaks in the antenna pattern and such?
 
CTListener said:
Does that include the transactions in which the license for a never-built translator, or a translator whose AM has gone out of business, shows up in a distant market under new ownership? Or are you only referring to tweaks in the antenna pattern and such?
Click to expand...

The ability to move a translator "to a distant market" was a one-time-only FCC window that was the first phase of the so-called "AM revitalization" program a few years back. Stations had one chance to move an existing translator license or CP up to 250 miles and to any open channel, and if they didn't apply within that window, that was the only chance to move. That opportunity ended in 2017.

Under current rules, translators can only be moved under the "minor change" rules. The 60 dBu contour of the new signal has to have at least some overlap with the previous 60 dBu contour, which in practice limits moves to about 10-15 miles in most cases. And you can only change to a first-, second- or third-adjacent channel (say, from 94.9 to 95.5) or to an "IF channel" (10.6 or 10.8 MHz away from the current channel).

In any event, yes, the changes you'll see on the Insight FCC report each week will now generally be only these "minor" changes. There's no window currently open at the FCC for anything else.
 
Wimmmex said:
Isn't 94.9 Zumix radio?
Click to expand...

Yes, but from Ashland, the Mega translator and the Zumix LPFM from East Boston don't overlap within their protected areas. A little fringe overlap southwest of Boston at most.

The proposed Newton Upper Falls location is still not within the protected area of the Zumix signal, it's at the outer edge of the fringe, and from the application linked above, it looks like it will be directional toward the southwest away from the Zumix signal, so it looks like there will be no legally prohibited overlap.

There will be a bit more actual fringe overlap with Zumix, but Zumix is already so weak where that will occur that I doubt many people are listening to Zumix over the air in that area.
 
Eli Polonsky said:
There will be a bit more actual fringe overlap with Zumix, but Zumix is already so weak where that will occur that I doubt many people are listening to Zumix over the air in that area.
Click to expand...


I fear that we are starting to shoehorn in stations and this will eventually hurt FM listening.
 
Wimmmex said:
I fear that we are starting to shoehorn in stations and this will eventually hurt FM listening.
Click to expand...

It sure seems that way. Small areas where one signal is strong enough to be listenable, surrounded by vast areas of mush. It's especially bad for car radios where there is no chance to position the antenna to pick out just one signal.
 
It almost seems the only thing that works against Pirates is translators. These gaps get filled today either illegally or legally.
 
channel99 said:
It sure seems that way. Small areas where one signal is strong enough to be listenable, surrounded by vast areas of mush.
Click to expand...

Translators and LPFM's are intended to only cover small primary areas (even if Costa-Eagle calls their Oldies one "Big 105.3").

The "mush" in between and outside those small primary areas where their weaker signals may overlap is a byproduct.
 
A lifeline to signal challenged AMs and people resisting the AM dial.Some FM translators can cover a little bit but not as much as a full fledged AM or FM (full power).

And of course it's the FM that gets the promo push (but not at WJIB)

Big 105.3 Medford (//Methuen)

Valley 98.9 Salem NH

Vermont's Beat 105.7 Barre VT

Though sometimes the AM freq etc gets equal or better billing.

WPOP Hartford the latest to boast of an FM translator.
 
raccoonradio said:
A lifeline to signal challenged AMs and people resisting the AM dial.Some FM translators can cover a little bit but not as much as a full fledged AM or FM (full power).

And of course it's the FM that gets the promo push (but not at WJIB)
Click to expand...

I think WMRC in Milfords translator is referred to as "my FM"...no mention of the AM at all.

And with "Valley 98.9" in Salem NH...all of the service to the community that was on the AM is now gone too.
 
Eli Polonsky said:
Translators and LPFM's are intended to only cover small primary areas (even if Costa-Eagle calls their Oldies one "Big 105.3").

The "mush" in between and outside those small primary areas where their weaker signals may overlap is a byproduct.
Click to expand...

The mush problem is biggest on car radios, which have non-directional antennas. Even when in the primary area, building and hills block the signal enough in places that another translator will sporadically take over the channel.
 
Not that the FCC gives a rat's rear end, but this is what happens when you have the AM band dying the death of a dog, and the eternal refusal by the Hacks and Idiots In Charge to allocate 76 - 88 Mhz. for the relocation of AM outlets, a solution for NPR stations with problem signals, and, finally, allow for the expansion of Community Radio.

Only problem this....this made too much sense.:mad:
 
Channel 83 said:
Not that the FCC gives a rat's rear end, but this is what happens when you have the AM band dying the death of a dog, and the eternal refusal by the Hacks and Idiots In Charge to allocate 76 - 88 Mhz. for the relocation of AM outlets, a solution for NPR stations with problem signals, and, finally, allow for the expansion of Community Radio.

Only problem this....this made too much sense.:mad:
Click to expand...

No, it makes no sense at all.

The lower VHF band was only "just now" removed from use by TV. That happened way to late for a new band to be opened up, as Americans have almost totally quit buying new radios. They are, instead, buying smart devices.

And as far as cars, the average age of a care in the US is 11 years... so it would take a decade to get the new band in just half of all cars.
 
Dead horse, gallop! No, there's not going to be a re-allocation of 76-88 to FM broadcasting. Even if there was, you'd be 20 years too late. People aren't buying radios now, and they certainly aren't going to buy new ones for a few local stations.
 
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