NAB Proposes FCC Rule Changes To Deal With FM Translator Interference Issues

Proposals

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS has petitioned the FCC to institute a rulemaking to allow FM translators to move to any available channel as a minor change to resolve interference, rather than only to an adjacent or IF-related channel, and has proposed other changes to the Commission's handling of interference complaints against translators.

The additional changes include a minimum threshold of six different listener complaints from the full-power station before an interference claim becomes actionable, with the number possibly being adjusted up or down depending on whether the service is rural or urban; requiring that complaining listeners be verified as regular station listeners and unaffiliated with the station; requiring proof of actual interference at a "sufficient number of locations to indicate a consistent problem," verified by an on-off test where practical; and documentation that the complaining station has notified the translator operator of the alleged interference and has attempted resolution without Commission involvement.

The NAB also said that it will publish a series of best practices to help translators and full-power stations avoid and manage interference, including engineering advice.

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