1400 The Touch Harrisburg is moving

[DStroyer]

The 1400/95.3/104.1-HD2 trimulcast is actually a pretty perfect setup.  95.3 gives the programming better sound quality for listeners in the city (and the majority of people who don't own HD-capable radios), with the added bonus of a larger coverage area (on 104.1-HD2) for those who do have the HD-capable radio.

[EnoughJohnMayer]

I think what their GM means is that something else other than The Touch may be put on the WNNK HD-2 channel, not on AM 1400.  95.3 is a translator for AM 1400.  John Summers and Dstroyer are right, no translator is allowed to originate programming, it must duplicate its originating station 100-percent.  Unless I really missed something, I don't think an FM translator may re-broadcast an HD-2 channel. 

I don't think he means something different. He was very direct in the article about the plans for the AM.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/07/the_touch_now_on_fm.html

Can anyone clarify if you CAN use the FM translator to repeat an HD subchannel?

[Kevin Fitzgerald]

YES

[Hydro-Québec]

If everyone were to do this it would not help sales of the HD radios.  Why get an HD radio-set when one can listen to the trans-lator FM station?

[Kevin Fitzgerald]

It would motivate stations not yet HD to implement it.  One issue with HD is the chicken and egg scenario....listeners not buying HD because there are not enough stations......stations not implementing technology because there are not enough listeners or radios.  People would be motivated to buy HD radios because they could receive there signal at greater distances than on a translator. 

[EnoughJohnMayer]

YES

Can you source that info? Can't find any proof anywhere on that.

[got2bfunky]

When 1400 eventually changes format and the 95.3 signal becomes the "originator" of The Touch programming, will its status change from translator to full-service station be only in name or will that also allow for a signal boost as well?  I have traveled the local region and there are some definite gaps the FM is now filling with respect to nighttime coverage, but most areas east of Harrisburg still have "fringe" coverage at best.

[John-Summers]

When 1400 eventually changes format and the 95.3 signal becomes the "originator" of The Touch programming, will its status change from translator to full-service station be only in name or will that also allow for a signal boost as well?  I have traveled the local region and there are some definite gaps the FM is now filling with respect to nighttime coverage, but most areas east of Harrisburg still have "fringe" coverage at best.

Unless there has been a rule change of which I am not aware, a translator is a translator, and translators cannot originate programming.  95.3 can only rebroadcast what 1400 is broadcasting, nothing more, nothing less.  Since 95.3 is in stereo, it is not literally rebroadcasting 1400, but providing identical programming, from the same source.  95.3 cannot become a full-service FM station.  It's only pumping out 60 watts and perhaps they can increase that a little or increase antenna height, but presumeably it already has it's optimum power and height.  If you can get it, fine, if not, you're outta luck. 

[epmark]

With WNNK-HD2 as the originating station, the Touch will live on at the 95.3 translator.
I'm still betting on a simulcast (with ESPN1440) for 1400AM (unless they choose to broker
it like 1230AM). 

[EnoughJohnMayer]

With WNNK-HD2 as the originating station, the Touch will live on at the 95.3 translator.
I'm still betting on a simulcast (with ESPN1440) for 1400AM (unless they choose to broker
it like 1230AM). 

Then, in reality, any station group could buy up any available translator in the area, and put new programming on it...granted it's an HD 2 on something else they own. Sounds like an easier way to throw a new station on in a market without having to go through all the hoops.