| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
An FM Radio Translator is a broadcast radio station that retransmits the signal of a Primary FM station. For example KQED-FM in San Francisco transmits on 88.5 MHz with its large main transmitter. Smaller transmitters, known as FM translators repeat the signal on 88.1 MHz in Martinez and Benicia and on 88.3 MHz in Santa Rosa.
These FM translators can fill in places where the terrain keeps the main transmitter from delivering a good signal, and for Noncommercial Educational FM stations extend the signal beyond the normal coverage of the station.
FM translators operate with power up to 250 Watts, compared with 6,000 to 50,000 Watts for the main station. So they cover relatively small areas. FM translators are secondary stations, so they may not interfere with full service FM stations, and can be "bumped" by changes or additions to full service FM stations.
Many FM translators operate by picking the signal of the main station off the air with a directional antenna and sensitve receiver and directly retransmitting the signal. Some are authorized to use microwave, internet or satellite methods to receive the signal from the main station.
see also: Repeater