PCS Electronics US

FM Translators and Boosters comprise a low power service on the FM broadcast band (88 to 108 MHz) which complements the primary FM service. This service was first created in 1970 to allow FM stations to provide supplementary service to areas in which direct reception of radio service is unsatisfactory due to distance or intervening terrain barriers (e.g., a mountain). Translators or boosters may not originate programming, except for the limited fundraising efforts in the case of translators as explained below. Translator stations rebroadcasting commercial FM stations may be authorized on Channel 221 through 300 (92 MHz to 108 MHz), while translators rebroadcasting a noncommercial educational FM station may be authorized on any FM channel (201 to 300). The maximum effective radiated power permitted for any translator station is 250 watts, while the maximum effective radiated power for a booster station is 20% of the main station's power.

Translator stations simultaneously rebroadcast the signal of a primary FM station on a different frequency. Those translator stations which provide service within the primary station's protected service area are classified as "fill-in" stations. Fill-in translators may be owned by the main station, or they may be owned by an independent entity. Commercial non-fill-in translators are generally owned by independent entities, with certain exceptions, while noncommercial educational non-fill-in translator stations are generally owned by the primary station being rebroadcast.

Booster Stations are essentially translator stations on the same frequency as the main station. Booster stations must be owned by the licensee of the primary FM station. Booster stations are also restricted in that the service contour of the booster may not exceed the protected or service contour of the primary station at any azimuth.