CKLE-FM

Radio Communautaire du Bas St-Laurent Inc. applied for a community FM station at Rimouski. It would operate on a frequency of 104.5 MHz and have an effective radiated power of 2,080 watts. Although the filing of the application was not completed until after the recent CRTC freeze on FM (imposed to allow the CBC time to complete a study on the utilization of frequencies), the Commission decided to consider them on the basis that specific frequencies will not be assigned until the FM allocation plan is finalized.

The CRTC approved the above application. A number of community FM’s were approved for Quebec, reflecting the support provided for this type of broadcasting by the Community Media Service of the provincial department of communications. Departing from the usual restrictions on advertising for community stations, the CRTC permitted as much as ten minutes per clock hour of conventional advertising on some of the newly licensed community FM’s in Quebec.

Target on-air date of August 1

Comad supplied McMartin transmitters and other equipment for CKLE-FM.

Usually licenced to operate with ERP’s not exceeding 3,000 watts, the community stations were partially funded by the province, had limited commercial mentions, and proved community programming and access for local residents.

CKLE-FM was authorized to change frequency from 104.5 MHz to 96.5 MHz.

CKLE-FM left the air on September 30 after non-renewal by the CRTC as a result of serious and persistent compliance difficulties.