CBU 690 approved to reduce power to 25kw

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CBU 690 approved to reduce power to 25kw

Postby radiofan » Wed Feb 07, 2018 5:47 pm

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-52

Reference: Part 1 application posted on 18 July 2017 Ottawa, 7 February 2018 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia Public record for this application: 2017-0604-5 CBU Vancouver –Technical changes


1. The Commission approves the application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to change the authorized contours of the English-language radio programming undertaking CBU Vancouver, British Columbia, by changing the antenna pattern and decreasing the daytime and nighttime transmitter power from 50,000 to 25,000 watts. The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

2. The CBC stated that these technical changes are required due to damages sustained by a recent fire and that they should result in a similar coverage area, as most of the Radio One AM reception in the area is duplicated by the Radio One FM signal from CBU-2-FM Vancouver.

3. The licensee added that proposed changes will ensure excellent coverage in Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

4. Pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective once the Department of Industry notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

5. The licensee must implement the technical changes by no later than 7 February 2020. To request an extension, the licensee must submit a written request to the Commission at least 60 days before that date, using the form available on the Commission’s website.

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.
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Re: CBU 690 approved to reduce power to 25kw

Postby Doug » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:16 am

Why do broadcasters actually apply to reduce transmitter power? Is it strictly a cost savings measure and to what effect does this have on its reach? In this case, any area(s) in GV/LM that you would expect might now receive a degraded/"crackly" single or no single at all?

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Re: CBU 690 approved to reduce power to 25kw

Postby jon » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:34 pm

The application is really about reducing the number of towers they need for 690. With any more than 25,000 watts, CBU could not adequately protect all the other stations on 690 with less than four towers.

The question about why a station has to apply to reduce power brings up an interesting point that I just learned about this week. There are now two or three major technologies out now that can really cut the power costs for higher powered AM stations. As I understand it, all of them involve reducing the strength of the Carrier, which, until now, was a constant signal on the assigned frequency, whenever the audio level (Modulation) is low.

It was quickly discovered that FCC Regulations (not sure about Canadian regulations) do not permit a station to run their Carrier at significantly less than their assigned power. U.S. stations using these technologies have had to get special permission from the FCC.

An Engineer on Facebook talks about using this new technology on CKMX-1060 Calgary, with great results, thanks to a Comedy format with lots of moments of low Modulation.
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Re: CBU 690 approved to reduce power to 25kw

Postby OnAir » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:20 pm

Yes, CBU-AM is utilizing Dynamic Carrier Control (DCC). Hydro savings are typically in the 20% - 30% range.
Also, work has begun on the removal of towers #3 & 4. The antenna for CKZU was removed last week.
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