FM translators of AM stations

[w9wi]

I was curious -- ran a query against the facility and int_translator tables of the CDBS database this evening.

73.9% of all authorized AM stations are the listed primary of at least one FM translator license, construction permit, or application.

That figure does not include AM stations which are relayed by a full power FM station. (examples: WBBM & WSB)

It also does not include cases where a translator's primary is the HD2/HD3/HD4 sub of an FM station, but that HD2/HD3/HD4 rebroadcasts an AM station. (example: WTSO)

Only 17 of the 57 Class A stations in the Lower 48 have translators -- but 12 of the 16 in Alaska do.

[TPT]

Expect a number of those remaining AM stations without translators to vanish in the coming years (except for the 50 kw stations). Also, I would suspect that many of those stations are already dying--on long-term STA's, reduced power, long wires, off-air, etc.

[kkiddkkidd]

Expect a number of those remaining AM stations without translators to vanish in the coming years (except for the 50 kw stations). Also, I would suspect that many of those stations are already dying--on long-term STA's, reduced power, long wires, off-air, etc.

I have a couple of those... One is part of a backwoods 3 station combo and _might_ survive.

The other is a singleton 1kw client that has been on the market for a couple of years. He refused to file an application (didn't have the money) even though there appeared to be a freq available and is now complaining that he hasn't had a single inquiry to his sale notices. I even offered to pay for the study and app fees if he would take care of the PN's and pay me back when the station sold... He didn't have time to be running back and forth to the newspapers.

And now will probably be turning it off sometime this summer... I begged him to file and now can't really feel all that bad that he is going to just turn it off.


Regards,

[Deep Thought]

And now will probably be turning it off sometime this summer... I begged him to file and now can't really feel all that bad that he is going to just turn it off.

The fewer of these on the air the better.

[kkiddkkidd]

The fewer of these on the air the better.

A few years ago, them would have been fightn' words to me but now there are so many lifeless AM's around that I think that it might be a good thing to thin them out a little.

This station is technically in pretty good condition and is locally ran and live most of the day but is still being ran as if it were the 70's... The owner is 80+ years old and failing mentally.

Later,