On 4 Dec 2003 14:42:22 GMT, Doug Smith W9WI
wrote:


FM Boosters. Same purpose as a translator, but operates on the same
frequency as the primary station. I suppose they're used when open
frequencies for translators are scarce (certainly the case in the Bay
Area!) and when terrain is rough enough that the boosters won't
interfere with the main transmitter, at least not in places where anyone
lives!

On-channel boosters are not quite the same thing as translators.
Boosters are used when terrain obstacles block parts of the predicted
coverage contour of an FM station. They are allowed only to fill such
"holes," not to extend what would otherwise be the station's coverage
area. The SF bay area is full of them, as the topography prevents any
FM station from reaching full coverage without boosters.

Mark Howell