Hi all,
In trying to find an emtpy slot for what will eventually be a Part 15 FM station, I did some searching on the dial. Everyone says that radio-locator is the best way to find an open station, but it's not very accurate.
I found a site called radiolineup which shows a list of stations in your area and the distance they are to you. I found seven clear stations where radio-locator said there were zero. Also, radio-locator said that 107.9 is open, but it's not - there's a new station there.
So, I just wanted to let everyone know about this instead of blindly following what one site or the other said.
Yes it has been my experiance that Radio-Locater is simply a guide. Nothing more. Use your car radio if it is a good one. Find a quiet spot and then try to find minimum noise to the right and left of the channel. The same applies to AM as well.
Very cool that you found this.
Best wishes,
Brooce, The DOGRADIO Experiments
To find my several Part 15 usable frequencies I have used several methods, with a three page list of all FM frequencies periodically updated with current occupants within the 2-state area around my location.
To start the list, the local stations and their ERP (effective-radiated-power) gets typed in, which leaves the spaces in-between them as hunting ground.
Next, stations and powers in cities all around the 2-state area, especially seeking those that are farthest away or which have low power.
Using the list I then tune on a sensitive FM radio and...
Observe the FM band on a spectrum analyzer, watching for wide areas of "no signal."
I have used the radio-locator frequency finder, and noticed that it did NOT suggest some of the good channels I was able to find, and some of its suggestions were among those I rejected.
Radiolineup is new to me, thanks for telling about it.
Within recent months many new translators have come on, some older translators have moved to different frequencies and tower locations, and one or more LPFMs have appeared, so I've had to move a few times.
Things are fluid for FM right now, the bus is crowded.
In the starting years I remember when only 3 local FMs were on in the daytime, only 1 at night, and after midnight nobody.
Radio locater is a database that has to be updated on a daily bases, which it isn't.
Sometimes it's months before new stations are added if at all.
Sometimes you have to use the audio division quarry at FCC.gov for the broadcast band you intend on broadcasting on. Then enter the required information for your local area. It will include pending CPs, so you have an idea that an empty channel will soon have a licensed station on it.
AM BAND: https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/am-query-broadcast-station-search
FM BAND: https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/fm-query-broadcast-station-search
Good luck.
Bruce.