The FCC has established new case law by permitting FM translator W263AQ to make a move that would normally require a major change application or a series of minor changes that the FCC considers an abuse of process.
Read the full story at Broadcast Law Blog and read the FCC's letter granting the waiver.
Today's waiver is a major shift in translator policy and it does address a need to provide cross service translators where they are needed.
While REC Networks opposes the use of FM Translators for "clustered" AM stations (those in an ownership group where they also have an FM in the same market) and we staunchly oppose FM Translators for retransmitting HD-2 signals (thus forming a de facto FM station), we do support cross service translators for stand-alone AM stations with no FM holdings.
Keep in mind also, today's move was allowed because the translator was being moved into an area that was well distanced from any of the Top-150 Arbitron markets that are being considered for review in the current 99-25 proceeding.
Until after the LPFM filing window, REC hopes that the Commission use discretion in granting these waivers as the placement of any translator within 40 km of the boundary of a Top-150 market will have an impact on the availability of LPFM within the market if the FCC implements their option 3 or any similar alternative plan proposed by either LPFM or translator proponents.
