KRCO-AM/Prineville turned on Central Oregon's first AM translator last night. It is broadcasting on 96.9 off Grizzly Butte. http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facilit y_id=151166

So yer tellin me that if I'm in Central Oregon I can now hear classic country hits on the FM dial in Stereo?
Yee haw!!!!
Thanks Keith!

How would they get their audio to the site?

Is it stereo? There's nothing to guarantee that it is.

They are allowed to use an STL to get the audio to the translator. The stereo pilot light is on but I am not close enough to get any left/right separation in my car radio. I will be a little closer to the mountain tonight to see if I get any separation.

This in an exciting time for AM music stations! Hopefully, Eugene's KKNX (Oldies) can find a spot on FM.

My guess is that in 10 years or so a majority of AM stations will be on FM one way or another:

1. Format change of an existing FM station.
2. FM translator.
3. FM HD-2 or 3 of a "sister" station.
4. Expanded FM band (old ch. 5 and ch. 6 analog TV)
5. NBFM in the old AM broadcast band, which should have more channel width available due to 1 through 4 above.

Indeed, possibly an exciting time for AM music stations!

only if people have an AM stereo reciver.

>>Expanded FM band (old ch. 5 and ch. 6 analog TV)

I hope the FCC goes there...

The Japanese FM band starts at the lower edge of Channel 5 (76 MHz). If these frequency assignments do get turned over to radio broadcasting, I hope that this doesn't result in a wholesale abandonment of the existing AM band. I think that it would be a travesty if KGO turned off its 810 kHz signal in favor of a VHF signal that could only be heard in the Bay area. I couldn't listen to Dr. Bill in the car or on portable radios anymore.

What is an STL?

Can AM stations have translators below 92.1 on the dial.

Jay_zie:

Studio Transmitter Link.

Alfredo_t

I would hope that by moving many of the "local" AM stations to FM, some of the interference problems on the old "clear channels" would be reduced and a station like KGO could indeed have a west coast "footprint", if it so desired. KGO is a very unique night time voice on the AM band.

> KGO is a very unique night time voice on the AM band.

Amen. I'm also liking the current evening lineup on KIRO and am saddened to know that it will be leaving the 710 frequency soon. The only local evening show here is Victoria Taft, and unfortunately her program seems, for the most part, to be stuck on a tiny handful of topics: TriMet, high density housing, illegal immigrants, homeless people, and Democrat Party incumbents in Salem. There are so many more Portland things that could go into a radio show than what Taft and, formerly, Victor Boc decided to focus on.

Addendum to my last post: Where is Jacquel7 when you need her??

Are translators like these expensive? Why don't AM stations buy translators to improve their night time coverage?

The FCC rules did not permit FM translators for AM stations, but a new rule is pending (and may have passed by now). Some AM stations applied for FM translators on a provisional basis, and if the new rule does not get approved, I suspect they will have to cease operations.

Early this summer, while driving back from Denver, I stumbled upon KUGR 1490, which was being carried on a FM translator. I wasn't aware about the FM translator until I heard it announced on the air. Unfortunately, when I heard the announcement, I was already out in the fringes of the FM translator's coverage area. I am pretty sure that the translator was broadcasting in mono.

I'm thinking the AM translator rule recently went through.

Is KRCO already using it's 96.9 translator?

I thought I heard a while back about KIRO's programming migrating to FM,but what will happen to the 710 frequency after the shift occurs?

710 is rumored to be flipping to all-sports. See: ../5/371699.html"#f7f7f7" align=left> Author: Radioxpert
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 12:56 am

Yes, KRCO is now at 96.9, but the signal isn't strong enough to serve Bend.

Is a translator that strong to serve Bend? I thought it's countour couldn't extend beyond the AM daytime 2mv contour.

FM translator for AM stations proposal got shelved. Heavy pressure from the LPFM folks?
Not even sure that those AM's running FM translators under an STA (Special Temporary Authority) will be able to continue doing so.

I'm pretty sure that the AM's currently running FM translators, will be allowed to continue doing so. The FCC wouldn't force these stations to destroy their new FM image, which would cost them listeners and advertising revenue.

In the case of WWRF-AM that was transmitting on 96.9 in West Palm Beach (W245AY), the application for the "legal STA" contained the following statement:

"This request is temporary in nature and is requested to extend only until the
Commission’s final decision in RM-11338. Should that decision ultimately not allow the
rebroadcast of programming of AM stations on FM Translator stations, Radio Fiesta will
immediately cease the carriage of WWRF on W245AY."

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=6 38540

Was the new HD-2,3... translator rule separate from this, or is it dead as well?

Quite a few AM stations are now on FM translators, and the listening audiences have switched. I believe these stations could easily make a case, which the FCC wouldn't deny. Pulling these stations from FM, could nearly put them out of business.

It will be interesting to see how this is resolved!
From the statement that I quoted above, It would appear that the station "took a chance" and may loose.
Is KRCO-AM still on the 96.9 translator?

Yes. It is on the air with the stereo pilot light on, but I was very close to the transmitter on Friday and the audio was still mono.

Someone should tell them that 96.9 would sound much better in stereo!

FM will go much further in mono than stereo and with such low power, you need all the help you can get!

They're putting out a stereo signal, although the audio is mono. So, they're not gaining any extra coverage. Horizon's engineer should either turn off 96.9's stereo generator, or install a stereo STL!

I just found out they are getting their audio to the translator through a temporary system. They are working on something else.

Hopefully this means they'll soon be in stereo.

96.9's audio sounds like a low quality internet feed. Apparently the feed isn't very reliable, since KRCO (690 & 96.9) had dead air, most of the weekend!