FM translator stations are subject to specific height (HAAT) and power limitations, which are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Here’s an explanation of these limitations:
FAQ Tag: wattage
Is it legally permissible to increase the transmitter’s power to well over 100 watts when using a single bay antenna (like a Nicom BKG-77) with 150 feet of LMR-600 cable and a lightning arrestor?
In the case of a single bay Nicom BKG-77 configuration, it’s essential to note that it operates with a gain of -3 dB, effectively causing a loss. To illustrate this further, let’s consider a scenario where your feedline exhibits a loss of 0.8 dB per 100 feet, and the lightning arrestor contributes a 0.1 dB loss. With 150 feet of LMR-600 cable, you’ll encounter a 1.2 dB loss from the cable alone, and when factoring in the lightning arrestor, the total loss amounts to 1.3 dB.
Is it possible for a translator that rebroadcasts an LPFM station to have a higher power output than the LPFM station it is rebroadcasting?
It’s important to note that while translators can operate at power levels exceeding 100 watts at 30 meters HAAT, these higher power levels are subject to necessary contour protections based on their specific location and channel assignment.