New Translator(s) in Cape Canaveral - 102.3/103.3

[djdanski]

I have noticed as of Monday, Feb 26 that 2 new translators for LPFM "The Groove" are broadcasting off the 7000 block of A1A in Cape Canaveral.  What seems to be curious about this is that they are broadcasting on 2 different frequencies at the same site with identical power (41 watts) and at an identical height (49 meters above sea level).  This is all from the FCC website.

While all the above seems to be academic, these two new signals have now made Star 94.5 (WCFB), totally inaudible within at least a mile radius of these combined signals.  What I mean by this is that "The Groove's" signal bleeds all over the 94.5 frequency.  I understand that WCFB's transmitter was wiped out with the tornadoes several weeks ago but their backup facility did put pretty much the same signal into this part of the Cape and it was loud and clear at this location.

While I am a radio "nerd", I don't fully understand why the 102.3/103.3 signals are completely obliterating the 94.5 frequency.  I was under the impression that 10.7Mhz up and down the dial from the present frequency would be the intermediate frequency.  Also, does anyone out there know exactly what frequency they plan on using here?  The 103.3 is licensed to Cape Canaveral while the 102.3 in licensed to Cocoa Beach.  They both have the same signal from the same site and it would seem silly to me to retransmit the same signal with identical coverages on 2 different frequencies.

Thanks,   danski

[Johnathan]

I don't understand the interference issue, but perhaps I can attempt to address the two identical signals from the same site issue. The two translators are licensed to different organizations, so I am inclined to believe this is probably okay according to the rules. My guess is that perhaps one group was unable to construct sufficient facilities before their translator CP expired, so they just went on the air from a site that was already established, with the intention of moving back to their originally desired location in the future.

[djdanski]

I have an update to the "bleeding over" problem being experienced on 94.5fm in Cape Canaveral due to the new translators.  Apparently, the problem is in the process of being fixed, I am no longer hearing The Groove's signal all over the 94.5 frequency as of early Wednesday morning (Feb 27th).  Special thanks to The Groove's engineers who are on top of the problem.

I am no radio engineer and have no idea what was causing the interference to happen but I am glad at least that part of my radio dial is back to normal.  From what I heard today from a Cox radio engineer, 94.5 may begin to broadcast from the big stick in Orange City either late this week or early next week.


Dan