The FM translator has become one of the hottest licenses since both AM and HD radio can utilize them for fill-in service. Many broadcasters are unaware of the true capabilities of this service. Learn from the experience of a station that currently operates four FM translators to effectively fill-in its AM coverage area.

Some questions to be answered in this presentation:

• What is fill-in vs non fill-in status?
• AM Revitalization Translators – are there stipulations that need to be addressed?
• Directional vs Non Directional Service – is shoehorning in a signal necessarily best practice?
• Being a good neighbor to Full FM Service stations – how can the same antenna be both directional and non directional in the eyes of the FCC?
• Allowable height – what do the rules actually say?
• Station Identification – why alphabet soup on the air is unnecessary (FSK is your friend).
• Revised interference rules – what does it take to register a complaint if you are getting interference?

Mark Bohach is a graduate of Hocking College and has worked in broadcasting since 1983. He has worked for organizations such as Ohio University- WOUB AM-FM-TV in Athens Ohio, WCOL- Columbus, Ohio, WLOH-WHOK- Lancaster, Ohio and Muskingum University- WMCO- New concord, Ohio.

Mark and his family have been involved in radio station ownership since 1992. First as owners of WWBK (FM) Fredericktown, Ohio and WBZW (FM) Loudonville, Ohio. Since 2005, they have owned and operated WLOH (AM) Lancaster, Ohio. During this time, Mark has been able to add four FM Translators covering Fairfield, Hocking, Perry and Pickaway Counties in Central Ohio.

Mark is also active in his community. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of the Fairfield County District Library and has served on the boards of Meals on Wheels and his local YMCA. Mark enjoys bicycling and is an avid railfan. He often combines these interests and can be found riding the rail-trails of Ohio.