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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-14
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Ottawa, 21 January 2003
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Central Broadcasting Company Limited
Prince Albert and Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan
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Application 2002-0389-4
Public Hearing at Kitchener, Ontario
28 October 2002
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CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake - Technical change
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The Commission approves the application by Central Broadcasting Company Limited, licensee of the radio programming undertaking CFMM-FM Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, to increase the effective radiated power of its transmitter CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake and to change the authorized contours.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Central Broadcasting Company Limited (Central Broadcasting), licensee of the radio programming undertaking CFMM-FM Prince Albert, to increase the effective radiated power (ERP) of its transmitter CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake from 58 watts to 2,500 watts and to change the authorized contours.
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2.
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Central Broadcasting indicated that it would also relocate the CFMM-FM-1 transmitter to approximately 7 kilometres south of the current site to an existing tower, owned by SaskTel, located on Delworth Hill in Prince Albert National Park (the park).
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3.
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The applicant stated that the proposed changes would result in a better quality stereo signal to certain areas of the park which currently experience poor reception of CFMM-FM. In the applicant's view, the ability to reach listeners throughout the entire park is critical in the event of an emergency such as a forest fire.
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Intervention
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4.
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The Commission received an intervention opposing Central Broadcasting's proposal from Mr. Gary Fitz of CJVR-FM, Melford, Saskatchewan. The intervener raised a concern about a discrepancy in the proposed increase to 1,000 watts stated in the application's covering letter and the 2,500 watts (horizontal) ERP indicated in the technical brief.
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5.
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Mr. Fitz further stated that he had monitored the signals currently received from both CFMM-FM and CFMM-FM-1. According to the intervener, the application includes the area of Sandy Lake where there is currently a strong reception of the CFMM-FM signal. Since the area is located within the 0.5 millivolt per metre (mV/m) contour of the originating station, Mr. Fitz suggested that no technical changes were required to reach Sandy Lake and that the other areas were currently well served by CFMM-FM-1.
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The applicant's reply
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6.
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In reply, Central Broadcasting stated that the ERP is a more meaningful way of measuring the strength of a transmitted signal than just transmitter power because it takes into account the antenna gain as well as the transmitter power. As a result, a 1,000 watts transmitter using the proposed antenna will generate ERP of 2,500 watts.
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7.
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In response to the intervener's research into the reception of the CFMM-FM-1 signal, the applicant stated that "it is known that the strength of an FM signal can vary greatly on a day to day basis". In addition, the applicant claimed that the intervener's use of radios to measure a signal did not ensure accurate results and the interpretation could thus be biased.
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8.
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The applicant also pointed out that the improved repeater signal of CFMM-FM-1 would provide a clear stereo signal throughout the park whether or not CFMM-FM's signal from Prince Albert reaches a particular location within the park.
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The Commission's analysis and determination
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9.
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The Commission notes that there would be a minor overlap between the 0.5 mV/m contours of the mother station CFMM-FM Prince Albert and its transmitter CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake as a result of the proposed power increase and relocation of the transmitter. This overlap accounts for the fact that the CFMM-FM signal is receivable in the southern part of the proposed coverage area of the CFMM-FM-1 signal.
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10.
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The Commission also notes that the proposed ERP increase and relocation of CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake would extend the signal beyond the existing 0.5 mV/m contour of CFMM-FM Prince Albert. The Commission considers that the applicant's proposal would be a natural extension of service for CFMM-FM-1.
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11.
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Based on its examination of this application, the Commission approves the application by Central Broadcasting, to increase the ERP of its transmitter CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake from 58 watts to 2,500 watts and to change the authorized contours.
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12.
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The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that, while this application is conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.
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13.
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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 at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2003-01-21