Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

Hello:

I am from Canada where FM translators are not allowed (although CFCO Chatham and CHOK in Sarnia managed to effectively get one) so my knowledge of the rules is limited. I know an AM station must maintain their AM signal to keep the FM translator compliant. Assuming the AM station is broadcasting in mono is it allowable for the FM translator to broadcast in stereo? The reason I ask is I found it unusual that the Port Huron translators were in mono. I know a mono signal is less noisy and may travel further than stereo.

Thanks

As far as I know, in the US full service FM transmitters and translators can be in either mono or stereo, just depends on the settings set by the broadcaster. Unaware of some rule to the contrary if there is one.

Smile FM is commonly known to disable stereo on their stations, translator or not, as it adds quite a bit of noise to the signal, particularly static noise when a tuner locks in stereo yet has a weak signal.

I recall WKEG, when it was sold/flipped to Relevant Radio, its 4 translators were stereo under Family Life Radio, all went mono for Relevant radio right after the sale processed.

WDTK 1400/92.7 & WLQV 1500/101.5 operate mono AM signals with stereo translators (and it is quite audibly so on the translators)

In the case of the soon to be silenced CFCO 630/92.9- CFCO was widely known to have a rare C-Quam audio processor that transmitted AM in stereo. 99% of todays recievers only do mono AM so that technology is practically irrelevant today, but speaking on a technical level, in the case of CFCO the AM at 630 and FM 92.9 are (soon to be were) equivalent to each other

This may not have answered your question but hope this helps

Assuming the AM station is broadcasting in mono is it allowable for the FM translator to broadcast in stereo?

Yes, it is allowed.

Question answered. Thanks for the prompt replies.

Regards

Dave

hb2 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2026 5:34 pm As far as I know, in the US full service FM transmitters and translators can be in either mono or stereo, just depends on the settings set by the broadcaster. Unaware of some rule to the contrary if there is one.

Smile FM is commonly known to disable stereo on their stations, translator or not, as it adds quite a bit of noise to the signal, particularly static noise when a tuner locks in stereo yet has a weak signal.

I recall WKEG, when it was sold/flipped to Relevant Radio, its 4 translators were stereo under Family Life Radio, all went mono for Relevant radio right after the sale processed.

WDTK 1400/92.7 & WLQV 1500/101.5 operate mono AM signals with stereo translators (and it is quite audibly so on the translators)

In the case of the soon to be silenced CFCO 630/92.9- CFCO was widely known to have a rare C-Quam audio processor that transmitted AM in stereo. 99% of todays recievers only do mono AM so that technology is practically irrelevant today, but speaking on a technical level, in the case of CFCO the AM at 630 and FM 92.9 are (soon to be were) equivalent to each other

This may not have answered your question but hope this helps

99.999999999%

billmich88888 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2026 8:09 am

hb2 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2026 5:34 pm As far as I know, in the US full service FM transmitters and translators can be in either mono or stereo, just depends on the settings set by the broadcaster. Unaware of some rule to the contrary if there is one.

Smile FM is commonly known to disable stereo on their stations, translator or not, as it adds quite a bit of noise to the signal, particularly static noise when a tuner locks in stereo yet has a weak signal.

I recall WKEG, when it was sold/flipped to Relevant Radio, its 4 translators were stereo under Family Life Radio, all went mono for Relevant radio right after the sale processed.

WDTK 1400/92.7 & WLQV 1500/101.5 operate mono AM signals with stereo translators (and it is quite audibly so on the translators)

In the case of the soon to be silenced CFCO 630/92.9- CFCO was widely known to have a rare C-Quam audio processor that transmitted AM in stereo. 99% of todays recievers only do mono AM so that technology is practically irrelevant today, but speaking on a technical level, in the case of CFCO the AM at 630 and FM 92.9 are (soon to be were) equivalent to each other

This may not have answered your question but hope this helps

99.999999999%

Haha righto on that point.

Finding a remaining C-Quam station is hard enough.

Finding a C-Quam receiver to pick up stereo on said AM stereo station is like digging for gold.

Main reason why nobody utilizes that technology anymore these days.

Gosh C-quam sounded good.

The only C-QUAM stations I can think of in/near Michigan are WION in Ionia and WIOE (former WLYV) in Fort Wayne. Not have the proper receiver, I can't pick up stereo.