19-Feb-2026 –
Although dates and other details are yet to be decided, recent news articles (FCC, RADIOWORLD, REC Networks) announced the first-ever window for low-power FM (LPFM) stations to apply for new co-owned non-commercial FM translators (aka repeaters). LPFM stations are a subset of non-commercial/educational (NCE) radio stations, most of which are full-power stations and would also be eligible to apply. Although a few LPFM stations already have translators, FM translators and the FCC’s consistent ruling in favor of translators over LPFM — even in possible contravention of Congress — have meant that translators have mostly been LPFM’s enemies, so now we live in interesting times.
The low-power FM radio service was designed to be [more] accessible to people who aren’t radio experts such as community groups, which is why the LPFM rules and application are technically fairly simple. In contrast, FM translator rules appear to be alimentary output of lobbying — just read the FCC’s simplified translator overview to catch a whiff.
Like LPFMs, translators are secondary to full-power stations and must fit in whatever gaps can be found between them. Noncommercial translators may only use frequencies in the “reserved band” below 92.1, which is where 99.9% of the full-power NCE stations also live, and in most places they are crammed in like sardines, so the dial will be too full to accommodate translators in many places.
Unfortunately the FCC’s (limited!) translator channel finder tool has been offline for quite some time as of this writing. REC Networks has a tool (use the REC link above) to give people a general idea of possibility, and Prometheus may develop one as well.
FM translator applications are technically quite challenging compared to low-power FM and in nearly all cases will require expert engineering, which due to the additional complexity will usually be more expensive.
Your questions can help make part 2 of this series better. Email them to info at prometheusradio dot org.