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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2007-36
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Ottawa, 29 January 2007
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My Broadcasting Corporation
Renfrew and Arnprior, Ontario
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Application 2006-1187-3
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2006-131
13 October 2006
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CHMY-FM Arnprior - Technical change
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The Commission approves an application to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CHMY-FM Renfrew, in order to change the frequency of its transmitter CHMY-FM-1 Arnprior, from 104.7 MHz (channel 284 LP) to 107.7 MHz (channel 299A). The Commission also approves the request to change CHMY-FM-1's authorized contours by increasing the effective radiated power from 50 watts to 1,000 watts and by decreasing the antenna height.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CHMY-FM Renfrew, in order to change the frequency of its transmitter CHMY-FM-1 Arnprior, from 104.7 MHz (channel 284 LP) to 107.7 MHz (channel 299A). The licensee also proposed to change CHMY-FM-1's authorized contours by increasing the effective radiated power (ERP) from 50 watts to 1,000 watts and by decreasing the antenna height.
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2.
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MBC submitted that the proposed change in frequency is needed to respond to a recent decision authorizing CJRC Gatineau, Quebec to operate at 104.7 MHz (channel 284B1)1.
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3.
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MBC stated that it is requesting an increase in ERP to obtain a protected frequency for CHMY-FM-1. According to MBC, a protected frequency would enable it to address the potentially chronic difficulty of maintaining a low power service to Arnprior and would ensure that Arnprior residents continue to receive the local information that the licensee is currently providing. MBC further indicated that it plans to establish CHMY-FM-1 as a stand-alone radio programming undertaking when it becomes financially viable to do so.
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Intervention
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4.
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The Commission received an intervention in support of this application by Mr. Terry Gibeau, Mayor of the Town of Arnprior. In Mr. Gibeau's view, CHMY-FM-1 provides a valuable service to Arnprior offering local news and community coverage.
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Commission's analysis and determination
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5.
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The Commission notes that the proposed increase in power would result in a change of CHMY-FM-1's status from a low power unprotected service to a regular Class A FM service, and that the proposed technical changes would result in a significant increase in the authorized contours of the undertaking.
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6.
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In its evaluation of this application, the Commission has taken into consideration the fact that MBC was originally licensed to serve the community of Arnprior with its Renfrew station. In CHMY-FM Renfrew - New transmitter in Arnprior, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-453, 1 September 2005, the Commission authorized MBC to operate a transmitter of CHMY-FM Renfrew in Arnprior because listeners in Arnprior were experiencing difficulty in receiving CHMY-FM's signal. Since implementing the transmitter, CHMY-FM has been serving the Renfrew and Arnprior areas with local news, weather and sports for both communities.
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7.
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The Commission notes that the proposed change in frequency is required because 104.7 MHz has been awarded to CJRC-FM Gatineau. With respect to the proposed increase in ERP, the Commission notes that a low power transmitter of the Renfrew station can provide a good quality FM signal to Arnprior, but does not guarantee continued access to the frequency, a situation that can occur in small communities such as Arnprior that are located close to larger communities, such as Ottawa. In the present case, the Commission is satisfied that the proposed power increase would not significantly increase the population covered and would not permit CHMY-FM's signal to enter into another radio market. Further, there were no opposing interventions to this application.
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8.
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In light of the above, the Commission approves the application by My Broadcasting Corporation to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CHMY-FM Renfrew, in order to change the frequency of its transmitter CHMY-FM-1 Arnprior, from 104.7 MHz (channel 284 LP) to 107.7 MHz (channel 299A). The Commission also approves the request to change CHMY-FM-1's authorized contours by increasing the ERP from 50 watts to 1,000 watts and by decreasing the antenna height.
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9.
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The Commission reminds MBC that, if it wishes to establish CHMY-FM-1 as a stand-alone radio station, it would have to file an application with the Commission for a new broadcasting licence.
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10.
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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 of Industry 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: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Footnote:
CJRC Gatineau - Conversion to FM band, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-637, 24 November 2006
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Date Modified: 2007-01-29