This site will shut down in about 30 days.
Please book mark our new site at http://www.ckgi.ca/

New Website coming
We will be continuing on with our application to get on the dial and so will be launching a new website. Work on the new site has started, stay tuned for the launch date and services we will provide. Artists, with recorded material, wanting give us permission to use their material, in any streaming or podcasting on this site, should contact us to provide a release for mechanical rights.

Live at the Haven and the Blue Lounge
We are hosting our bi annual fundraiser January 1, 2010 Live at the Haven followed by the Blue Lounge at the Surf. The Live at the Haven show will be an all ages variety show format. Following the Haven show we will again host the Blue Lounge show at the Surf.  Any musicians/perfomance artists would like to participate or folks who'd like to volunteer (front of house, backstage) please contact Kathy at artworks@gabriolaartworks.com

NCRC 2010
We are hosting the National Campus Community Radio Conference June 7th to 11th, 2010 at Camp Miriam. NCRC usually hosts about 100 delegates from all over Canada and the US. This is  big honour for us to be trusted by the radio community in this way. Anyone who would like to get on the volunteer roster for this week please contact Kathy.  We'll be needing upbeat, hardworking folks to help prepare meals, ferry folks around and just generally help us "up the vibe."  If any Gabriola musicians/performance artists/poets would like to perform during the lunch-hour/happy hour performance series please contact Liz at the info@gabriolaartscouncil.org.

Book Fair
Adjunct to the conference will be a Book Fair on Tuesday, June 8th at the Surf Lodge. The book fair will be open to the public.

Rogers offer to assist comes in, this time with out a catch!
Win or lose 98.7FM Gabriola will get on the air!
Susan Wheeler Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs for Rogers Media has submitted their offer to assist Gabriola Radio to find another channel to broadcast on (and prepare the required engineering brief) so Rogers can go ahead with their expansion plans. Rogers submitted the offer to the CRTC in their reply to the intervention filed by Gabriola Radio, it states:

If our application to establish a rebroadcast transmitter on Saltspring
Island is approved, we are prepared to offer technical assistance to the
GRS with respect to identifying an appropriate technical solution to
launching a community radio service on Gabriola Island. If the solution
involves an application for either a low-power FM station or for a new AM
station, RBL will assume responsibility for the preparation of the technical
brief and corresponding technical documentation required by Industry
Canada.

The full reply from Rogers is on file. Also included is the full copy of our intervention opposing Rogers application for 98.5 FM.

CJSW interviews Gabriola Radio pres and Rogers VP
Here is the link to the entire interview.
http://blogs.cjsw.com/news/2009/09/29/gabriola-radio/

Here is a two minute clip from the interview aired on CJSW.




Intervention by Vista may save the day for Gabriola Radio.

Good news for friends of Gabriola Radio! Vista Broadcasting has joined forces with Gabriola in attempt to squelch Rogers Broadcasting’s expansion of 100,000 watt CIOC 98.5 FM, Victoria’s Ocean Lite Rock. Roger’s application would take away the last channel on the West Coast suitable for a Gabriola community radio station. And, it turns out, also steps on the toes of Vista’s Duncan radio station.

Canada's largest media company hopes to expand and, by that, wipe out the last channel suitable for the Community broadcasting applicant Gabriola Radio. The VISTA Radio intervention cites the fact that Rogers new expanded service would also cross over its allowed service area into the area broadcast to by Vista’s Duncan station CJSU (The Sun). "These type of out-of -market signals are generally not supported by the CRTC", said Rob Bye, radio station manager for Nanaimo's CKWV (The Wave).

"The CRTC may overlook one set of concerns but when two disparate parties object for two different reasons, it gets harder for the commission to over look the arguments expressed. I am now giving Gabriola Radio a better then 50-50 chance of winning this round with Rogers", said Ken Zakreski, Gabriola Radio president.

Vista's engineering report, filed by its VP Bryan Edwards, also points out one other problem," It is clear that the proposed synchronous transmitter will not greatly improve reception of CIOC-FM’s signal in the Saanich Peninsula, but in fact will create serious receive problems in these areas while extending the signal north –northwest into another market for no reason other than to expand."

Rogers had stated its primary goal with this expansion was to better service the Sydney area. It turns out Vista had noticed that Mt Tuam (ed. note on Salt Spring Island) comes between the Rogers tower site and the town of Sydney.

"FM is basically line of sight transmission," said Zakreski , "with Mt Tuam in the way, Sydney won't get better service, I don't think its a case of sloppy engineering by Rogers, as much as this was their best shot and it fell short. Lucky break for Gabriola Radio, we'll wait to see what the CRTC decides."

Gabriola Radio is hoping the CRTC will permit them to re apply with their application for CKGI - 98.7 at 60 watts which was withdrawn because of the technical objection posed by Rogers. A decision on the Rogers application by the CRTC can take two to 6 months.


Rogers applies for 98.5 FM
Rogers has filed an application (CRTC 2009-0996-3) to expand their 100,000 Watt CIOC 98.5 FM (The Ocean) with a repeater (max 3,500 watt) on Saltspring Island. Rogers has been noticed for a CRTC consultation Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-516.

The link to file a comment is http://support.crtc.gc.ca/rapidscin/default.aspx?lang=en&applicant=2009-516

Rogers states their reason is to improve service to their existing coverage area but their expansion of 98.5 FM will wipe out the last channel available for Gabriola Radio to use. The issue is the last channel going to a community applicant for a news service or a small amount of revenue for the largest media service in Canada. Rogers revenue projections state they will only make $100,000 in year three and $136,591 in year seven. Corporate greed over public interest.

Gabriola Radio had applied to use 98.7 FM (60 watts) but Rogers objected even though their existing service was fully protected. Rogers technical objection was the reason the Gabriola application was withdrawn. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-36-4.htm

We are asking all concerned parties to file a CRTC intervention and OPPOSE the Rogers expansion. Should Rogers expansion be denied by the CRTC, Gabriola Radio will re-apply for use of 98.7 FM and, if approved, commence a much needed community service to Gabriola and surrounding area.
Don't let Gabriola drown in the Ocean - OPPOSE the Rogers expansion.

Below you will find details of the Rogers application and instructions on commenting to the CRTC.

Saltspring Island, British Columbia
Application No. 2009-0996-3   Application by Rogers Broadcasting Limited to amend the broadcasting licence of the English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking CIOC-FM Victoria, British Columbia.   The licensee proposes to add an FM transmitter at Saltspring Island, British Columbia to broadcast the programming of CIOC-FM Victoria, British Columbia in order to improve reception quality within the existing coverage area of CIOC-FM.   The transmitter would operate on frequency 98.5 MHz (channel 253C1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 635 watts (maximum ERP of 3,500 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 662 metres).   This would be a synchronous repeater, using the same frequency as CIOC-FM.   The licensee states that a transmitter located on Saltspring Island would be the optimal solution to correcting the reception deficiencies of CIOC-FM to the north of its coverage area.  

Licensee’s address:
Rogers Broadcasting Limited
333 Bloor Street East, 6th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
Fax: 416-935-8203
E-mail: susan.wheeler@rci.rogers.com  

Examination of application:
817 Fort Street
Victoria, British Columbia

Access to application via the Internet
Saltspring Island Public Library
129 McPhillips Ave.
Saltspring Island, British Columbia  

Public Participation
 
Deadline for Interventions/Comments
 
29 September 2009

 The intervention must be received by the Commission and by the applicant on or before the above-mentioned date. The Commission cannot be held responsible for postal delays and will not notify a party whose intervention is received after the deadline date. The intervention will not be considered by the Commission and will not be part of the public file.   Interventions will be considered by the Commission and will form part of the public record of the proceeding without further notification to intervening parties, provided the procedure set out below has been followed. Parties will be contacted only if their submissions raise procedural questions.   Written interventions should be submitted to the Secretary General of the Commission in only one of the following formats:  
by using the
[Broadcasting interventions/comments form]
 
by mail to
CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2
 
or
 
by fax at
819-994-0218

 A true copy must be sent to the applicant, and proof that this has been done must accompany the intervention sent to the Commission.   The Commission advises those who file and serve by electronic mode to exercise caution when using e-mail for service of documents or notification, as it may be difficult to establish that service has occurred.   Parties must ensure, before initiating service through electronic mode, that they will be able to satisfy the Commission, upon request, that service of the notification was completed.   Where the intervention is filed by electronic means, the line ***End of document*** should be entered following the last paragraph of the document, as an indication that the document has not been damaged during electronic transmission.   Each paragraph of the document should be numbered.   Interventions should clearly identify the application referred to and indicate whether parties support or oppose the application, or, if they propose changes to it, include the facts and grounds for their proposal.

Don't let Gabriola drown in the Ocean - OPPOSE the Rogers expansion.

The RDN grants in aid awards $450 for microphone purchase.
Very nice and a great big thank you to the Grants in aid committee and the entire RDN board of Directors.

CRTC denies Rogers request to use CCD funds for channel search
The CRTC has decided on Roger's request to use CCD eligible funds for the preparation of a channel search and brief for Gabriola Radio. The decision is not to permit it. CRTC letter 220 kb
Since that decision Roger's has indicated a willingness to use their resources to undertake a channel search. We will give them a week to come up with a plan for our channel search.
It is in Roger's interest to move Gabriola Radio (proposed 98.7 FM CKGI 60 watts- community) to another channel rather then have us oppose their application to expand their Victoria service (98.5 FM CIOC 100,00 watts - Ocean Lite Rock commercial).


National Radio Conference http://www.ckut.ca/ncrc.php
In order to fully consider the Rogers offer and our current options Ken will be attending NCRC in Montreal. Good time to discuss our situation.

CD Delivery to Radio Conference
If you have a new cd out and want to have copies delivered to attending college and community radio stations, get at least 20 copies to the radio mailbox at Artworks by this Monday, June 8th, noon.

Rogers offer to assist comes in, with a catch!
Susan Wheeler Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs for Rogers Media has submitted their offer to assist Gabriola Radio to find another channel to broadcast on (and prepare the required engineering brief) so Rogers can go ahead with their expansion plans without our opposition at a CRTC hearing. The catch in the deal is that it requires a policy change by the CRTC permitting funding of this type. The full offer from Rogers is posted online as a pdf file. Rogers Media offer to assist download 40 kb.

We will carry on!
The intervention filed by Rogers Corporation to expand their Victoria service (98.5 FM CIOC 100,000 watts - Ocean Lite Rock) will delay the establishment of Gabriola Radio (proposed 98.7 FM CKGI 60 watts), however the volunteers have agreed to re apply based on community support for the station.

The Gabriola Radio application to the CRTC is widely supported by a diverse group of residents plus the National Community Radio Association and two community broadcasters. We also received support from our MP, MLA and MusicBC notably filed in the midst of their Juno Award preparations. In addition to the over 400 signatures on various petitions the Gabriola Radio CRTC application received over 85 formal interventions and comments. Only 15 of that number opposed the proposal, most on health and safety grounds, which we have determined to be unfounded.
No evidence has been presented by independent or industry funded scientists to determine that FM radio emissions, when broadcast under Safety Code 6, cause any harm to individuals, the environment or animals. Gabriola Radio is regulated by Industry Canada. They will verify that the application meets or exceeds the safety limits covered by Safety Code 6.

You can help us by signing our petition which is found around Gabriola. Don't let Gabriola drown in the Ocean.

For more information please join us at our regular meetings every Wednesday 2 pm at Artworks, upstairs by the Coffee Bar.

Thank you, Ken Zakreski, president

Double bummer

CRTC closes file on Gabriola Radio application.
The following item is withdrawn from this hearing given that the Commission was advised by the Department of Industry that this application was not technically acceptable. Therefore, the Commission has closed the file on this application.

Gabriola Island, British Columbia
Application No. 2008-1533-4

Application by Gabriola Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM Type B community radio programming undertaking on Gabriola Island.

Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-36-4.htm

*******************
Industry Canada unable to approve Gabriola Radio application. Rogers' appplication take precedance under existing rules.

Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to advise you that your application for a broadcasting station at Gabriola Island, BC has been examined by the Department. Unfortunately, due to valid technical objections by Rogers (CIOC-FM) and McBride Communications & Media Inc. (CKPM-FM) we regret that we are unable to consider your application Technically Acceptable per our rules. The CRTC has been informed accordingly.
Sincerely,
Manon Bolduc
Application and Certification Officer
Broadcast Applications Engineering
Industry Canada | Industrie Canada
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0C8



Bummer...
On the last day of public comment March 5th, Rogers Broadcasting informed Gabriola Radio they have applied to expand CIOC-FM from Victoria to areas north including Gabriola Island...

The Rogers application, if approved by the CRTC, would make Gabriola Radio's planned use of 98.7 FM untenable and now makes our applications mutually exclusive.

Gabriola Radio has an application before the CRTC to operate a community radio undertaking on 98.7FM at 80 watts. We reduced our output to 60 watts to fully protect Rogers' CIOC-FM theoretical coverage area, after negotiations in good faith. Today we find out they are now expanding.

The Diversity of Voices Decision by the CRTC indicated a desire for wider use of the broadcast network.


Greetings Gabriola Radio Society Members!
The Shaw TV crew came to the island for a feature on the Gabriola Radio CRTC hearing. The TV segment will play on The Daily channel 4. If you have Quicktime you can watch the segment. Check your volume, the guitar comes in heavy.

We shout out a great, big thank you to the Islands Trust office in Victoria for the contribution of two "gently used" computer servers! We commend the Islands Trust for offering its used equipment to non-profit groups within the Trust area at a nominal fee -- it's a huge help! Can a CKGI podcasting service be far behind?

The Big News
Gabrola Radio has a hearing with the CRTC for an application to establish a community radio service using 98.7 FM and the call sign CKGI. It is now up to you to convince the CRTC that this is a good thing.



Community support carries a lot of weight when applications are evaluated by the CRTC. However, templated emails and letters with identical wording are discounted. The letters can be very brief, and state simply why you feel Gabriola Island needs this service. The CRTC will make the decision they feel is in the best public interest.

If you want to make your feelings known, your written comments must be received by the CRTC on or before March 4th, 2009. The reference is Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-36, hearing date is March 30th. Make sure you include the Gabriola Radio application number: 2008-1533-4.

Your comments should be addressed to the Secretary General of the CRTC using one of the following methods:

• By using the electronic interventions/comments form located on the CRTC's website www.crtc.gc.ca under Public Proceedings for hearing 2009-36. Good luck, we are located half way down that page, we hear the web site can be a challenge, you may want to use the fax option.

• By fax to the Secretary General at (819) 994-0218 (remember to number paragraphs and use an ***end of document***, you know where), or

• By mail to : CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2

Please copy us on your intervention by email at gabriolaradio@shaw.ca , by fax to 250-247-9852 or by mail to Gabriola Radio, 9-575 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0.

Thank you from
Ken, Kathy, Gerry, all the members and volunteers that have worked so hard to get us to this point.

For bonus points
In your submissions you could state you would prefer to receive a Gabriola Community transmission on 98.7 FM, over say Port Moody's new commercial channel on 98.7FM - McBrides Communications or Victoria's CIOC 98.5 FM -Rogers Broadcasting.

Also mention any actual support you pledge to the station that it would receive if awarded any broadcast licence.

We also will need internet access for our live stream and podcasts, any assistance there (technical support, digital storage or upload bandwidth) would be appreciated. We also need funds for rent when we get into the commons, any help there would be appreciated.

You can check on what people are saying about our application by looking here.

Engineer finds channel
Thank you so much for your past support! We have an exciting year ahead of us ... Yippee -- our engineer has found a channel on the FM dial. Drum roll please.... dial up 98.7 FM! Okay, so there's nothing on the airwaves there now but close your eyes and imagine!!! Ferry updates, power outage news, garage sales, local sports, friendly discussion and debates, loads of great local arts and cultural info and who knows, maybe someday an interview with you and your hamster! We are completing the Industry Canada brief that makes it home for CKGI-fm, Gabriola Co-op Radio!!! We could not have made it this far without your support, encouragement and enthusiasm!!! Please keep us going by getting your $20, 2009 membership now at Artworks or see Gerry, Ken or Kathy.
... or simply pop a cheque (or paypal) in the mail to:
Gabriola Radio Society
#9-575 North Rd.,
Gabriola Island, BCV0R 1X1

Don't forget our Annual General Meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 2, 09 at 2 PM upstairs at Artworks.

Congratulations to the CBC they were awarded their application to broadcast to Vancouver on 88.1 FM.

We Can Do It - Live at the Haven
The CD is complete and we will be releasing copies for sale, very very soon. For a taste have a listen to a little track we like to call - Tell It! (The Gabriola Co-op Radio song).


Vancouver Meeting
Angela Choi, Industry Canada is now the Director of Spectrum Management for Industry Canada. Some of you will remember her from BCRC03, the radio conference. She sends along the current FAQ and safety information on broadcasting.

In an email CBC Regional manager Jason Coleman offered up community access to the proposed tower site on Gabriola. - January 10, 2008

CBC Applications for 104.1, 88.1, and 98.7 (known as le big gulp)
Vancouver CBC badly needs an AM flip, we say let's do it for Shelagh Rogers. We encourage you to support their 2 CRTC applications with the condition that the CBC not take the last radio frequency from Gabriola Radio.

FM scarcity on the west coast
The decommissioning of Analog Television is expected to provide some much needed relief to a congested radio corridor. We don't know if the decommissioning of analog Television will result in additional channels for sure because the ATSC to FM interference criteria has not been established. Check the Industry Canada wiki site for details. We are expecting to find something suitable soon and a big rush from the commercial radio sector.

CRTC Decision - Diversity of Voices
Decision released regarding the current media mix in Canada. Referring to community media as "diverse..., alternative..., and innovative" our health was assured. We have been good and will be rewarded. The Heritage Canada analyst Ken spoke with talked about matching any funding we receive from the Regional District of Nanaimo.

RDN funding - print the petition, we're gonna need it!

The RDN staff with legal opinion and support from the BC Minister has reported to council they may support a community radio station. We are collecting signatures on the included petition.pdf to show continuing support from Electoral Area B residents. Thank you.

We Can Do It - Live at the Haven.

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 was a big success with over $4000 raised for the new studio. Our membership drive is on, please remember to renew yours. Advance orders for the CD - We Can Do It are being taken now.

The Blue Lounge - at the Surf

Following the Haven, our Adults only Blue Lounge presentation in the Heritage Hall at the Surf raised a few eyebrows.

A great big thank you to everyone that helped out and supported the new station!

Studio update
We are currently planning a specially constructed studio building.
We have enough funds for a small studio and want to proceed with equipping it.







Acousticians

Tony Gradanti will be programmer host for a music program on CFUV from Gabriola via the internet. The program will feature music from around the world based on acoustic instruments. Expect regular interviews with local musicians every Thursday at 6 - 7 pm during the 26 week program run scheduled to start Thursday, May 12th. Tune in to CFUV 101.9 fm in Victoria or http://cfuv.uvic.ca/

Engineering brief

A sizeable donation by the Gabriola Fire Department has secured the services of an author for the Industry Canada brief. We can expect completion of the brief following negotiations for tower aperture and co-location facilities. We are now seeking funding to complete payment for the Industry Canada brief. Our tx locations and studio sites briefing document is now available in the Coverage Area pages.

CRTC Application

The application can be viewed on line. The CRTC provided us with an html version and it has been completed.

BCRC03

The response for the technical workshops was so large we moved all the workshops to Gabriola. The National Campus and Community Radio Association's Pacific Regional Radio Conference (BCRC03) was August 30/31 and hosted by Gabriola Co-op Radio and CHLY Radio Malaspina. All workshops held at the Haven on Gabriola Island, BC. Workshop schedules, locations, presenters and other information on the conference are now posted in the BCRC03 page. This is the final version.

Welcome to the future Community Radio station for Gabriola

The launch of chly fm in Nanaimo, has increased the interest for an FM broadcasting facility on Gabriola Island. A stand alone facility on Gabriola, owned by the community, operated as a co-operative is desirable from a safety, cultural and economic perspective. This website addresses the interest from the community of Gabriola for a new FM broadcast undertaking.

Action Plan - Internal Activity

• Design and construct Studio One - centrally located on Gabriola providing live and recorded programming for broadcast on CHLY and other non-commercial radio stations.
• Complete Application for a new FM undertaking with broadcasting facilities on Gabriola Island.
• Attend CRTC hearing, if required.
• Construct transmitter facilities on Gabriola Island and broadcast.
• Construct Studio Two - to provide broadcast support for Studio One and the FM undertaking.
• Participate under station agreements to provide and share programming with interested operating stations across the Georgia Straight region. This will possibly include citr,cfuv, chly, cfro and the proposed stations to be founded throughout the Georgia Straight region including the southern islands, the sunshine coast and the easterly portion of southern Vancouver Island.