Building Out Our Broadcast: Upcoming Translator Station Window
We create programming that meets listeners where they are. Broadcast radio remains essential—for discovering the station, receiving emergency information, and for many, simply because it's how they prefer to listen. At the same time, online streaming and on-demand listening make our programming available whenever and wherever people want it.
Listening habits are changing, but what connects our audience is the value they find in our programming. However people choose to listen, we're committed to providing the best possible experience.
That's why we'll be applying during the FCC's new noncommercial translator filing window this August. FM translators are low-power stations that rebroadcast WGDR's signal into communities we can't reliably reach today. In a mountainous state like Vermont, they can make a tremendous difference—extending service into areas we have never reached, and finally, addressing the spotty reception in Barre, Montpelier, and other areas where terrain limits our primary signal, all without interfering with other stations.
This August is only the application phase. If we're awarded one or more translator licenses, we'll have up to three years to determine which sites we can afford to build and put on the air.
There is a lot of strategy that goes into applying for these stations and where. We are working on this over the summer. Stay tuned for more.
Translator Basics
This is the first noncommercial FM translator filing window ever and the first translator filing window of any kind in 25 years.
An FM translator is a low-power station (up to 250 watts) that rebroadcasts the signal of an existing station.
Each translator has its own call sign and frequency (for example, WBAR, Barre, 90.1 FM).
The filing window is limited to noncommercial stations, but competition is expected to be strong from other eligible organizations.
Available frequencies are limited to the noncommercial educational FM band (88.1–91.9 MHz).
Applicants must identify an available frequency and a viable antenna location and may apply for up to 10 translators.
Translator antennas can often be installed on existing structures such as rooftops, silos, and utility infrastructure—they don't always require a traditional broadcast tower. We are actively seeking partners willing to host a translator station antenna. Please reach out to Llu@WGDR.org if this is you or you know someone!
Building a translator typically costs about $10,000, with annual operating costs of approximately $1,000–$2,000, depending on site rental and utility costs. Finding funding for each of these stations relies heavily on getting the support from the communities we are trying to add. We are eager to find partners in extended areas to help us make this happen.
