List of FM broadcast translators used as primary stations

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.

TranslatorFM parent stationComment
Call signFreq.CityStateAreaMoniker Call signFreq.Ch.CityStateMarket
W250BC97.9AtlantaGeorgiaAtlanta"OG 97-9" WWWQ99.7HD3AtlantaGeorgiaAtlanta Same tower as co-owned WWWQ FM 99.7, which as WNNX was original 99X
W222AF92.3MariettaGeorgiaAtlanta"Comedy 92-3" WUBL94.9HD3AtlantaGeorgiaAtlantaAirs satellite-fed 24/7 Comedy
W233BF94.5AtlantaGeorgiaAtlanta"Streetz 94.5" WSTR94.1HD2SmyrnaGeorgiaAtlantaFormerly on W275BK
W255CJ98.9AtlantaGeorgiaAtlanta"99X" WWWQ99.7HD2AtlantaGeorgiaAtlantaPreviously "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]
W241AF96.1RossvilleGeorgiaChattanooga"96.1 the Beat" WUSY100.7HD2ClevelandTennesseeChattanoogaFormerly rebroadcast WCCV from near Atlanta
K260AM99.9Des MoinesIowaDes Moines"Hits 99.9" KIOA93.3HD2Des MoinesIowaDes MoinesBoth stations on same radio tower
W260CB99.9DetroitMichiganDetroit"Soul 99 FM" WDMK105.9HD2DetroitMichiganDetroitSeparate radio tower in Hamtramck
W237BZ
W236CA
95.3
95.1
Clayton
Durham
North CarolinaRaleigh-Durham"Alt 95.3" WDCG105.1HD2DurhamNorth CarolinaRaleigh-DurhamW237BZ on same radio tower as WDCG, near Apex, North Carolina (Previously "95-X")
W237DE95.3HarrisburgPennsylvaniaHarrisburg"95.3 the Touch" WNNK-FM104.1HD2HarrisburgPennsylvaniaHarrisburgRadio format formerly on WTCY AM 1400; both stations on same radio tower
K283CH104.5HoustonTexasHouston"104.5 KISS FM" KTBZ-FM94.5HD2HoustonTexasHoustonOriginally rock "Liquid Buzz", later "94-5 The Rock", Regional Mexican "La Mejor," and on September 7, 2017 current format
K237FR95.3TumwaterWashingtonOlympia"Olympia's 95.3 KGY" KYYO96.9HD2McClearyWashingtonSeattle-TacomaUntil 2014 relayed KGY in Olympia (now KBUP)
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