Okay, I'll try to help. Much "action here. Nice to see!
Translators: Need NOT ID every hour. I can't cut and paste from the FCC, their page for that site is down,(the main site is up) but...I happen to have a translator, and a copy of the rules about 4 rooms away. We're required to post the rules in our TX room or studios for translators, so here ya go...Here's a couple of the rules, paraphrased to save typing...there's more deatil on the
"By arranging for the primary station which is being rebroadcast to ID the translator by call sign and location. THREE such ID's shall be made during each day, once between 7 and 9 AM, once between 12:55 and 1:05 PM, and once between 4PM and 6PM."
this could be why you don't hear it frequently on some of the stations mentioned in this thread.
"By transmitting the call sign in international morse code at least once each hour. Transmitters of FM broadcast translator stations of more than one watt power output must be equipped with an automatic keying device that will transmit the call sign at least once each hour unless there is a frim agreement with the translator's primary station as described above."
I just heard "you're listening to KCKK AM Littleton Colorado, K229BS Lakewood Colorado". Obviously I am on AM down here in Texas.
IF there is also a KCKK-FM, from my experience, they are borderline "arguable" okay, though technically, NO AM is legally titled "XXXX-
AM". When an FM shares call letters, the
FM side should add the "FM" designation, because that's just how it's been done for years since FM was added. By the way, mention of the state is not required, but allowed. only COL "City of License" is of interest to the FCC in legal IDs. I suppose one could argue that in areas bordering multiple states, or in places with identical town names, (e.g. Sault Ste. Marie, MI vs. Canada or Sheboygan, WI vs. Cheboygan, MI) it could be necessary should the signals be close enough to be heard in the same locations.
Given that translators don't HAVE to legally ID in an audible fashion and can use the FSK method, (see a few posts up) you're down to whether or not the HD identifies itself. This type of rule is one of the ways the big boys have created "stations" out of translators, without confusing listeners. They send HD into translators, and the HD's ID
on the main station's carrier if memory serves. (this area I'm gray in, but the HD's near me do that)...so, in that case, the actual translator with the HD translated on it may never be ID'd, thus sounding like a "real" station when it is not. I doubt if any public stations would make errors in their ID'ing.
For simple translators of AM into FM, or FM into FM, the audible legal ID is still the easiest, best way to guarantee compliance. I do think, however we're probably one of the few, maybe the only one using morse code. It just sounds cool, and guarantees being heard every hour, since we ARE the "parent" station to our own co-located FM. It also doesn't confuse the public into saying, "Just what the heck IS that W224BZ he talkes about, anyway?" I only do that when we're running behind in live programming, and want to skip the recorded legal ID.
I'm unclear about multiple station ID's from one originating location as (I think I understood the question) was outlined above. There WAS a time when it was not permitted, and every station along the "chain" had to do it's own, by breaking in to the network, be it a station to station network, or a satellite fed station. I'd guess this rule has been "relaxed."
Does this help anyone? Hope so. NIce to see the interest on this board!
You can always read up on "legal ID's" on fcc.gov for better explanations, I only know what I've been taught as an operator, and the HD side I only know what I HEAR.
