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FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 2:59 pm

LOL here we go, more Moody, KLOVE, Public radio and (99.9fm) WYHI Bible Broadcasting Network in Chicago! Lets create some more unlistenable signals especially in that part of the band between 88.1 - 88.9FM being a graveyard already.

I can't think of any AM stations except BIN 640AM that are non-comm.

Z

The FCC approved today a plan to hold a new filing window for FM translators in the reserved, non-commercial portion of the FM band (88.1 to 91.9).

The window will be open for other noncommercial FMs, LPFMs and noncommercial licensed AM stations to obtain a noncommercial translator.

Link: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 4:20 pm, in reply to "FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

“This will particularly benefit educational broadcasters, to allow them to extend the programming their stations provide to the public and reach remote, rural, and underserved communities,” says FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

Mmmm.We shall see.

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 4:31 pm, in reply to "Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

Mmmm.We shall see.

Exactly Tom. Most EDU's these days have a hard enough time keeping the transmitter on, are on automation, or can't get shifts filled. WDCB has ZERO student interaction. Short of being on COD payroll and being run on campus, there is no student participation nor is it really a college run station.

This will benefit some rural and small/medium markets. The large markets like Chicago, will benefit the Religious mainly.

Z

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by JJSPC1372 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=JJSPC1372' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 5:51 pm, in reply to "Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

Almost every day there is at least one AM, FM, or FM LP license turned in and cancelled with the commission and sometimes several. So why in the world is it a good idea to open a new filing window for anything...whether it be commercial or in this case non-commercial. You just have to shake your head at the logic.

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 11:37 pm, in reply to "Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

Money. This will generate some cash for the agency which in recent years, especially R Administrations, has been choked of funding massively.

Speaking of dark stations. I read of 4 AM and 1 FM which went dark in the month of February, reading Lance's headlines and articles on his site. I have been ringing the alarm and waving the red flags. It is not boy crying wolf.

Z

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 8:14 pm, in reply to "FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

WMFN has a commercial license, so it wouldn't be of use to them.

1110 WXES is a daytimer that has a Non Commercial license. They run Spanish Catholic programming that was once on WNDZ. They still carry the Non Commercial license that WMBI had. They would benefit from one of these.

If a Christian broadcaster or other non profit wanted WNDZ, they would also benefit if they converted the license to non commercial.

The biggest problem is Chicago's non commercial 88.1-91.9 band is packed with signals like this. Probably wouldn't work out that great in Chicago proper. It would be harder to find a place to put one of these translators without interfering with other stations. WNDZ it might be slightly easier if they put one in Indiana.

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2026, 11:34 pm, in reply to "Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

The BIN is interesting, someone from iHeart told me, the commercial load depends on the market it is in. I listen frequently (last time was a few weeks ago) on WVAZ-HD2 (considering its poor HD signal) and commercials are non existent there. You do hear a lot of PSA and Black feature segments when commercials are supposed to air. WMFN audio chain is terrible when you have access to the HD2 stream. Jeremy is right, the originating stations, both, would be commercial status, so no go on the next round filing window.

Here is WNDZ's chance to offload a new owner. But, as Jeremy pointed out and I indicated in the OP, the band is saturated in Chicago and questionable what range or reliability it will have. If anyone can make it happen? EMF. Their engineers are stellar at this stuff.

Z

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 5, 2026, 2:44 am, in reply to "Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

Yes, this a golden opportunity for 750. The question is, will they take it? They could use this, and a return to actual programming. Also, why are the Access Radio stations without FM's?

Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 5, 2026, 8:34 am, in reply to "Re: FCC APPROVES PLAN TO HOLD NON-COMMERCIAL FM TRANSLATOR FILING WINDOW"

Yes, this a golden opportunity for 750.

Yes and no. The only scenario is someone to buy it now, convert it to non-commercial status, then file for the non-comm translator and hope they get it. Those are some tough odds due to time. Also, lot of money needed for a small footprint, interference, graveyard laden low power FM signal. The 88.1 - 88.9 band is already littered with barely listenable signals, throw these translators in.... 🔥

> 90% likely 750 will go dark within a few years and license will be surrendered, all land will be be sold at a profit, when the tax breaks on it dry up.

Z

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