List of FM broadcast translators used as primary stations

A broadcast translator is a low-powered (maximum of 250 watts) FM radio station that retransmits the programming of a parent station that operates on a different frequency. Translators are not allowed to originate programming, and were originally designed to extend the coverage area of a primary analog FM station. In some cases a single station has multiple translators covering various geographical areas. Call signs for translators start with a "K" in the western United States, and a "W" in the east, followed by the three-digit FM channel number assigned to its operating frequency, and closing with two sequentially assigned letters.

The original rules established for translator stations by the Federal Communications Commission have been expanded to allow AM stations to operate FM translators, most commonly to expand nighttime service for stations with very low nighttime powers or which are limited to only broadcasting during daylight hours. The development of HD Radio digital sub-channels for FM stations led to a second expanded use for translators. Due to a lack of commercial receivers capable of receiving HD transmissions, a translator is now permitted to retransmit the programming of an FM station's secondary ("HD2") or tertiary ("HD3") signals. And unlike the original FM translators, an HD-relaying translator normally provides coverage for the same area as the HD transmission, and it is common for both the originating HD transmitter and its translator to be located on the same transmitting tower.

Because of the lack of HD receivers, few listeners listen to the nominally "primary" HD transmission, with the large majority of the audience actually listening via the translator's signal. This is the list of FM broadcast translators used as primary stations in the U.S. in this manner, where the programming emphasizes the translator's signal, and makes little mention of the "parent" HD signal.

Translator FM parent station Comment
Call sign Freq. City State Area Moniker Call sign Freq. Ch. City State Market
W250BC 97.9 Atlanta Georgia Atlanta "OG 97-9" WWWQ 99.7 HD3 Atlanta Georgia Atlanta Same tower as co-owned WWWQ FM 99.7, which as WNNX was original 99X
W222AF 92.3 Marietta Georgia Atlanta "Comedy 92-3" WUBL 94.9 HD3 Atlanta Georgia Atlanta Airs satellite-fed 24/7 Comedy
W231CE 94.1 Lynchburg Virginia Madison Hts "Talk" WLVA 580 Lynchburg Virginia Lynchburg Fox Talk
W233BF 94.5 Atlanta Georgia Atlanta "Streetz 94.5" WSTR 94.1 HD2 Smyrna Georgia Atlanta Formerly on W275BK
W255CJ 98.9 Atlanta Georgia Atlanta "99X" WWWQ 99.7 HD2 Atlanta Georgia Atlanta Previously "98-9 Nash Icon". Station was ordered by the FCC to cease broadcasting on April 11, 2018 pending resolution of an interference complaint by WWGA[1]
W241AF 96.1 Rossville Georgia Chattanooga "96.1 the Beat" WUSY 100.7 HD2 Cleveland Tennessee Chattanooga Formerly rebroadcast WCCV from near Atlanta
K260AM 99.9 Des Moines Iowa Des Moines "Hits 99.9" KIOA 93.3 HD2 Des Moines Iowa Des Moines Both stations on same radio tower
W260CB 99.9 Detroit Michigan Detroit "Soul 99 FM" WDMK 105.9 HD2 Detroit Michigan Detroit Separate radio tower in Hamtramck
W237BZ
W236CA
95.3
95.1
Clayton
Durham
North Carolina Raleigh-Durham "Alt 95.3" WDCG 105.1 HD2 Durham North Carolina Raleigh-Durham W237BZ on same radio tower as WDCG, near Apex, North Carolina (Previously "95-X")
W237DE 95.3 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Harrisburg "95.3 the Touch" WNNK-FM 104.1 HD2 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Harrisburg Radio format formerly on WTCY AM 1400; both stations on same radio tower
K283CH 104.5 Houston Texas Houston "104.5 KISS FM" KTBZ-FM 94.5 HD2 Houston Texas Houston Originally rock "Liquid Buzz", later "94-5 The Rock", Regional Mexican "La Mejor," and on September 7, 2017 current format
K237FR 95.3 Tumwater Washington Olympia "Olympia's 95.3 KGY" KYYO 96.9 HD2 McCleary Washington Seattle-Tacoma Until 2014 relayed KGY in Olympia (now KBUP)
K224CJ 92.7 Phoenix Arizona Phoenix "Oldies 92.7" KDKB 93.3 HD2 Mesa Arizona Phoenix KDKB-HD2 is a simulcast of oldies KAZG 1440 AM.

References

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  1. ^ "Enjoy The Silence: Cumulus Forced To Shut Down A Big Translator" by Adam Jacobson, April 12, 2018 (rbr.com)