A broadcast translator is a low-powered (maximum of 250 watts) FM radio station that retransmits the programming of a parent station that operates on a different frequency. Translators are not allowed to originate programming, and were originally designed to extend the coverage area of a primary analog FM station. In some cases a single station has multiple translators covering various geographical areas. Call signs for translators start with a "K" in the western United States, and a "W" in the east, followed by the three-digit FM channel number assigned to its operating frequency, and closing with two sequentially assigned letters.
The original rules established for translator stations by the Federal Communications Commission have been expanded to allow AM stations to operate FM translators, most commonly to expand nighttime service for stations with very low nighttime powers or which are limited to only broadcasting during daylight hours. The development of HD Radio digital sub-channels for FM stations led to a second expanded use for translators. Due to a lack of commercial receivers capable of receiving HD transmissions, a translator is now permitted to retransmit the programming of an FM station's secondary ("HD2") or tertiary ("HD3") signals. And unlike the original FM translators, an HD-relaying translator normally provides coverage for the same area as the HD transmission, and it is common for both the originating HD transmitter and its translator to be located on the same transmitting tower.
Because of the lack of HD receivers, few listeners listen to the nominally "primary" HD transmission, with the large majority of the audience actually listening via the translator's signal. This is the list of FM broadcast translators used as primary stations in the U.S. in this manner, where the programming emphasizes the translator's signal, and makes little mention of the "parent" HD signal.
| Translator | FM parent station | Comment | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call sign | Freq. | City | State | Area | Moniker | Call sign | Freq. | Ch. | City | State | Market | |
| W250BC | 97.9 | Atlanta | Georgia | Atlanta | "OG 97-9" | WWWQ | 99.7 | HD3 | Atlanta | Georgia | Atlanta | Same tower as co-owned WWWQ FM 99.7, which as WNNX was original 99X |
| W222AF | 92.3 | Marietta | Georgia | Atlanta | "Comedy 92-3" | WUBL | 94.9 | HD3 | Atlanta | Georgia | Atlanta | Airs satellite-fed 24/7 Comedy |
| W231CE | 94.1 | Lynchburg | Virginia | Madison Hts | "Talk" | WLVA | 580 | Lynchburg | Virginia | Lynchburg | Fox Talk | |
| W233BF | 94.5 | Atlanta | Georgia | Atlanta | "Streetz 94.5" | WSTR | 94.1 | HD2 | Smyrna | Georgia | Atlanta | Formerly on W275BK |
| W255CJ | 98.9 | Atlanta | Georgia | Atlanta | "99X" | WWWQ | 99.7 | HD2 | Atlanta | Georgia | Atlanta | Previously "98-9 Nash Icon". Station was ordered by the FCC to cease broadcasting on April 11, 2018 pending resolution of an interference complaint by WWGA [1] |
| W241AF | 96.1 | Rossville | Georgia | Chattanooga | "96.1 the Beat" | WUSY | 100.7 | HD2 | Cleveland | Tennessee | Chattanooga | Formerly rebroadcast WCCV from near Atlanta |
| K260AM | 99.9 | Des Moines | Iowa | Des Moines | "Hits 99.9" | KIOA | 93.3 | HD2 | Des Moines | Iowa | Des Moines | Both stations on same radio tower |
| W260CB | 99.9 | Detroit | Michigan | Detroit | "Soul 99 FM" | WDMK | 105.9 | HD2 | Detroit | Michigan | Detroit | Separate radio tower in Hamtramck |
| W237BZ W236CA | 95.3 95.1 | Clayton Durham | North Carolina | Raleigh-Durham | "Alt 95.3" | WDCG | 105.1 | HD2 | Durham | North Carolina | Raleigh-Durham | W237BZ on same radio tower as WDCG, near Apex, North Carolina (Previously "95-X") |
| W237DE | 95.3 | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | Harrisburg | "95.3 the Touch" | WNNK-FM | 104.1 | HD2 | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | Harrisburg | Radio format formerly on WTCY AM 1400; both stations on same radio tower |
| K283CH | 104.5 | Houston | Texas | Houston | "104.5 KISS FM" | KTBZ-FM | 94.5 | HD2 | Houston | Texas | Houston | Originally rock "Liquid Buzz", later "94-5 The Rock", Regional Mexican "La Mejor," and on September 7, 2017 current format |
| K237FR | 95.3 | Tumwater | Washington | Olympia | "Olympia's 95.3 KGY" | KYYO | 96.9 | HD2 | McCleary | Washington | Seattle-Tacoma | Until 2014 relayed KGY in Olympia (now KBUP) |
| K224CJ | 92.7 | Phoenix | Arizona | Phoenix | "Oldies 92.7" | KDKB | 93.3 | HD2 | Mesa | Arizona | Phoenix | KDKB-HD2 is a simulcast of oldies KAZG 1440 AM. |
| K273BZ | 102.5 | Bonner Springs | Kansas | Kansas City | "102.5 Jack FM" | KCMO | 94.9 | HD2 | Kansas City | Missouri | Kansas City | 250 watt translator located on different tower from parent |
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