The format of translator call signs
Sept 3, 2020 18:59:05 GMT -6
Post by CAwasinNJ on Sept 3, 2020 18:59:05 GMT -6
The format of a translator callsign: (K or W) (channel number) (usually two letters) (possible suffix)
The K or W works just like with full service (aka full power) stations. K's are west of the Mississippi and W's are east. There are a few calls that date back to before that was the standard but it holds true for 99.9% of stations.
The channel number is something we don't usually think about in radio but yes they do have them for FM. The channel numbers are 200 through 300. 200 is 87.9 (actually valid but REALLY hard to get), 201 is 88.1, 202 is 88.3 and so on up to 107.9 which is 300.
The next two letters I'm not sure of but I think are issued sequentially. The FCC's callsign reservation system doesn't allow translator-formatted queries so I don't think they are able to be requested. At least in TV they've actually run out of two letter translator callsigns for some channels and went to three. This will probably happen eventually in FM too.
The K or W works just like with full service (aka full power) stations. K's are west of the Mississippi and W's are east. There are a few calls that date back to before that was the standard but it holds true for 99.9% of stations.
The channel number is something we don't usually think about in radio but yes they do have them for FM. The channel numbers are 200 through 300. 200 is 87.9 (actually valid but REALLY hard to get), 201 is 88.1, 202 is 88.3 and so on up to 107.9 which is 300.
The next two letters I'm not sure of but I think are issued sequentially. The FCC's callsign reservation system doesn't allow translator-formatted queries so I don't think they are able to be requested. At least in TV they've actually run out of two letter translator callsigns for some channels and went to three. This will probably happen eventually in FM too.
