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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-8
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Ottawa, 18 January 2006 |
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O.K. Radio Group Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta |
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Application 2005-0757-7
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2005-90
15 September 2005 |
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CKER-FM Edmonton – Technical change
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The Commission approves the
application by O.K. Radio Group Ltd. to amend the broadcasting licence
for the radio programming undertaking CKER-FM Edmonton by changing the
frequency from 101.9 MHz (channel 270C) to 101.7 MHz (channel 269C). |
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The application
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1. |
The Commission received an application by
O.K. Radio Group Ltd. (O.K. Radio) requesting that the broadcasting
licence for the radio programming undertaking CKER-FM Edmonton be
amended by changing the frequency from 101.9 MHz (channel 270C) to 101.7
MHz (channel 269C). |
2. |
The applicant stated that the proposed
frequency change was required in order to alleviate interference caused
to the signals of other radio stations in parts of Edmonton. All other
technical parameters would remain unchanged. |
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Intervention
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3. |
The Commission received one intervention
from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), who was opposed to
this application on technical grounds. The intervener stated that 101.7
MHz is the same frequency as that contemplated for use by the CBC in
Lloydminster in its Long Range Radio Plan for Radio Two, although under
Class B parameters (i.e., on channel 269B). According to the CBC, the
technical change proposed by O.K Radio would create a potential zone of
interference inside the protected contour of that Lloydminster
allocation. The CBC added that it does not have complementary coverage
in this area for its Radio Two service, and that its recent
investigation for Edmonton and its vicinity have revealed that
replacement channels are difficult to find. |
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Applicant’s reply
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4. |
McCormick Telecom Consulting Ltd. (MTC),
replying on behalf of O.K. Radio, stated that negotiations among the
applicant, other radio licensees and the Department of Industry (the
Department) had taken place in order to resolve a serious interference
situation that emerged recently when new FM stations commenced
operations in Edmonton. MTC added that, as a co-operative gesture on the
part of O.K. Radio, CKER-FM had already commenced broadcasting on 101.7
MHz under temporary authority granted by the Department. |
5. |
MTC stated further that it had completed an
interference evaluation of the Lloydminster channel which demonstrated
that it is being protected by a wide margin. According to MTC, in the
case of an assignment with full Class B parameters, there may be a small
wedge of interference to the 0.5 mV/m contour depending on the location
of the transmitter site, but that in the present case, this interference
zone would be no more than 8 kilometers deep and would be situated over
a small part of rural Alberta, west of Lloydminster. MTC concluded that
O.K. Radio’s application fully meets the Department’s rules and
procedures and, in the worst case, would offer only a minor impairment
to a potential future CBC service in Lloydminster. |
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Commission’s analysis and determination
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6. |
The Commission notes that technical
matters, such as the potential for frequency interference, are within
the jurisdiction of the Department. In this regard, the Department has
advised the Commission that, when CKER-FM began broadcasting at its
current site, interference to the signal of CISN-FM Edmonton was found
to occur in several parts of Edmonton, and that this interference was
eliminated once the applicant commenced broadcasting on the adjacent
channel 269C. The Department added that CKER-FM has been operating with
interim authority on this new channel since May 2005, and that the
Department is satisfied with the results. With regard to the use of
channel 269B in Lloydminster, the Department noted that, while some
small areas of mutual interference are predicted, the applicant has met
the criteria for protection of an unused allotment and that the extent
of the interference is considered acceptable. |
7. |
The Commission has examined the issues
associated with the operation of CKER-FM on 101.7 MHz (channel 269C) and
is satisfied that the applicant’s use of these new technical parameters
is appropriate in the circumstances. Accordingly, the Commission
approves the application by O.K. Radio Group Ltd. to amend the
broadcasting licence for CKER-FM Edmonton in order to change the
frequency from 101.9 MHz (channel 270C) to 101.7 MHz (channel 269C). |
8. |
The Commission reminds the licensee that,
pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority
will only be effective when the Department notifies the Commission that
its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting
certificate will be issued. |
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Secretary General |
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This decision is to be appended to the
licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may
also be examined in PDF format or in HTML
at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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