Cumulus To Launch New 103.7FM Kansas City

[mbatchelor]

Cumulus just put their new FM Translator on the air at 103.7 in Kansas City.  With 250 Watts at 1152 Feet, the coverage should not be that much less than a Class A FM, and should provide a good signal for 20-25 Miles or so around KC if not more.

Using the recently relaxed translator rules, Cumulus will feed the station with KCFX HD-2, which is currently stunting as "Leprechaun 103.7," and is rumored to be taking the new signal to Mainstream Rock to help flank Classic Rocker KCFX against Entercom's KQRC in the Rock market.

An inexpensive way to add a signal to the mix, Cumulus paid just over $30k for the translator, plus the expenses to move it from 92.9 Independence to 103.7 Kansas City.

[Nick]

And just where does it provide "fill in" service? KCFX's 1000 watts of HD is easily receivable anywhere in the 60 dBu contour of the translator, it is not filling anything in.

[TheBigA]

And just where does it provide "fill in" service? KCFX's 1000 watts of HD is easily receivable anywhere in the 60 dBu contour of the translator, it is not filling anything in.

Sure it is...the original signal may be receivable, but it requires a special receiver that most people do not own.  Not unlike some AM owners who are moving their signal to FM via translator.

[Nick]

The translator should translate 96.5 in HD. KCFX-HD1 on 103.7 analog, and KCFX-HD2 on 103.7 HD2. As it is, 96.5 HD2 should only be heard in one place on the dial, not on two places on the dial. Translator abuse is getting even more ridiculous.

[TheBigA]

The translator should translate 96.5 in HD. KCFX-HD1 on 103.7 analog, and KCFX-HD2 on 103.7 HD2. As it is, 96.5 HD2 should only be heard in one place on the dial, not on two places on the dial. Translator abuse is getting even more ridiculous.

Translating an HD station in HD is what's ridiculous.

If you or someone in the market thinks it's abuse, they can take them to court.  But I predict the FCC won't do anything.  They want more stations.  That's what this does.