Broadcast translators for commercial stations are normally required to receive a signal from their parent full-service FM station over the air and re-transmit in the region covered by the main station, eliminating the need for a translator except where terrain shielding is a problem). This restriction does not apply to non-commercial educational stations. Any non-commercial station, even one with no local or educational content, can apply for an unlimited number of translators to be fed by any means (including satellite). All take spectrum from local LPFM stations or rebroadcasters of local full-service stations. Existing National Public Radio repeaters were displaced by new religious stations in Lake Charles, Louisiana, losing local and educational content.
Watafsiri wa matangazo ya vituo vya biashara kwa kawaida huhitajika kupokea mawimbi kutoka kwa kituo chao cha huduma kamili cha FM angani na kusambaza tena katika eneo linaloshughulikiwa na kituo kikuu, hivyo basi kuondoa hitaji la mtafsiri isipokuwa pale ambapo ulinzi wa eneo ni tatizo) . Kizuizi hiki hakitumiki kwa vituo vya elimu visivyo vya kibiashara. Kituo chochote kisicho cha kibiashara, hata kisicho na maudhui ya ndani au ya elimu, kinaweza kutuma maombi ya idadi isiyo na kikomo ya watafsiri ili kulishwa kwa njia yoyote (pamoja na setilaiti). Zote huchukua wigo kutoka kwa vituo vya ndani vya LPFM au watangazaji upya wa vituo vya huduma kamili vya karibu. Waliopo wanaorudia Redio ya Umma walihamishwa na vituo vipya vya kidini katika Ziwa Charles, Louisiana, na kupoteza maudhui ya ndani na elimu.