(CRTC) No nested repeater for CKNX 920 in Wingham, ON

[Dan Sys]

The CRTC rejected Blackburn Radio's proposal today for a nested FM repeater which would have rebroadcast CKNX 920 in Wingham, Ontario. The new station would have operated at 104.3 with 3,000 watts (average and maximum ERP) from an antenna height of 69 metres (EHAAT) with a non-directional antenna radiation pattern.

The CRTC stated that approval of Blackburn’s request would be equivalent to granting it a third FM radio station in the Wingham radio market, which would be inconsistent with the Common Ownership Policy for radio.

In the past the CRTC has granted similar nested repeater requests from Blackburn for CFCO 630/92.1 in Chatham and CHOK 1070/103.9 in Sarnia, however in both cases the FM signals were promoted as the primary station with the significance of the AM signals de-emphasized. It appears as if the CRTC is now closing this loophole.

CRTC DECISION:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-238.htm

[erratics]

After success with Sarnia and Chatham, I think Blackburn were pushing their luck with 3,000 watts with CKNX. From what I recall, CKNX 920 had a good signal in the daytime but really had to power down at night due to nearby stations on 920 that exist or are no longer around these days. Not sure if that's changed in 2013. It sure took a long time to arrive at this decision.