NOTE: This answer relates to a rule proposed by REC and does not reflect current regulations in effect:
If the translator is within 39 kilometers of a grid area and the grid area is considered as "spectrum limited", then an anti-preclusion study is required. This is because on co-channel, the minimum distance separation between an LPFM station and a FM translator on the highest tier (greater than 13.3 km service contour) has a minimum 39-kilometer distance separation and as such, these translators outside of the grid can preclude LPFM opportunities inside of the grid. An example of how an anti-preclusion study is performed,
Here is an example of a proposed FM translator with a service contour of less than 7.3 kilometers located outside of the grid of a spectrum limited market. Since the translator proposal is within 39 km of a spectrum limited grid, an anti-preclusion study would be required.
Since this is a lower tier FM translator proposal, any area inside the grid boundary that is within 26 km of the translator must be examined to determine if there are any identified channel points for the same channel (there are shorter distances for first and second adjacent channels).
In this example, there are identified LPFM channel points on the same channel inside of the spectrum limited grid. Those areas would be precluded from LPFM on Channel 268 and therefore, this translator application would not be acceptable for filing:
If this was a spectrum available market, the translator proposal would have been acceptable for filing.
