Over the past two years residents in and around this town have come to rely on Erin Radio for local News and home-grown music.
However, locals might soon hear something totally different when they tune in to 101.5 FM.
The small, community-based, volunteer-driven radio station is being threatened by three Guelph companies seeking applications to use the same 101.5 frequency.
But as was the case when they started lobbying for a station six years ago, local volunteers are not just taking a wait-and-see approach.
“We are currently running a campaign to try and save our frequency, but we need your help,” programming chairman Jay Mowat said in a letter to council and local residents.
Because it is a 50-watt station, Erin Radio operates on what the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecom-munications Commission) calls an “unprotected frequency,” meaning others can apply to use it.
The CRTC has received three applications for the 101.5 frequency, from:
– Blackburn Radio for a classic rock, new rock station;
– Frank Torres, on behalf of SkyWords Media, for a blues station; and
– the Guelph Broadcasting Corporation, run by Durham Radio Inc., for a “distinctive rock” format.
“The applicants listed above have all stated they intend to concentrate primarily on information of interest to Guelph residents and will not be a replacement to Erin radio,” says a letter being distributed throughout the town by Erin Radio officials.
“There are already sufficient radio stations in Guelph that … ignore the Erin area. We do not need another.”
Brad Poulos, chairman of Erin Radio’s board of directors, told Erin council last week if any of the applications are approved, it could be disastrous for the local station.
The best case scenario, Poulos said, would be having Erin Radio available just in Erin village, due to interference from the other station. The worst case scenario would be losing 101.5FM altogether, he added.
The latter means Erin Radio would likely have to move to the AM frequency, because of the severe shortage of FM frequencies available in the area.
That is undesirable to Erin Radio because of the cost, which officials estimate could be upwards of $100,000 for an antenna, transmitter, and other related items.
Poulos asked council to write a letter of support for Erin Radio, including reasons why the three Guelph applications should be denied.
Council unanimously passed a resolution asking the CRTC to protect the frequency, and will submit the resolution as an intervention against the Guelph applications.
The resolution cites several reasons for the council’s support, including:
– the town has supported Erin Radio for approximately six years, including the original CRTC application in 2005;
– the station features local voices talking about local issues and features local musicians, weather forecasts, and local News such as school closings, and more;
– in 2006 council assisted financially with the purchase of a power generator and this year provided an additional $2,500 to help the station with its initiative to increase its broadcasting area;
– the station has the capabilities of an emergency broadcaster and has been included in the town’s Emergency Response Planning document; and
– council recognizes the important role the radio station plays in the community.
Several councillors also offered to send personal letters in support of Erin Radio. And station organizers are hoping local businesses and residents will follow suit.
“If you love local, small, community, volunteer-based, non-profit operations, we would invite you to support us by making your opinion known,” Mowat said in his letter.
He is asking anyone interested to write a letter of support – or sign the already existing template – and drop it off at Erin Radio (106 main Street), or the town office at 5684 Trafalgar Road, just south of Hillsburgh.
Interested parties can also visit the CRTC site directly. To see all the applications, visit www.crtc.gc.ca and click “open calls for applications.”
Submissions from the public – either in favour or against applications, including those for 101.5 FM – will be accepted until Sept. 25. There is also contact information for the applicants on the site.
The CRTC hearing for the three Guelph applications will be held on Oct. 20 at 9:30am at the Future Inn, Cambridge, 700 Hespeler Rd.
