CFIX-AM

CFML began broadcasting on November 11. 

Ad: Serving the largest French population in Ontario – CFML – 1000 watts – 1110 kcs.

CFML was operating on a frequency of 1110 kHz with a power of 1,000 watts. It operated during daylight hours only. The station was owned by Madeleine Laframbroise and offered programming in the French language. The “ML” in the call sign represented the owner.

Madeleine Laframboise (owner, president and manager) was given approval to sell CFML to B. Bertrand.

On July 8, CFML Rdio (Cornwall) Ltd. was authorized to change CFML’s frequency from 1110 kHz to 1170 kHz and to increase power from 1,000 watts to 10,000 watts. The station would continue to operate during daylight hours only, with a directional antenna system.

On October 31, CFML (Cornwall) Ltd. was denied a French-language station at Hawkesbury, on 1110 kHz with 1,000 watts of power. The CRTC did say though, that it would be willing to consider an application for a low power rebroadcaster to improve CFML’s reception in the area.

In May, CFML (Cornwall) Ltd. was given approval for a new AM rebroadcast station at Hawkesbury, operating on 1110 kHz (CFML’s old Cornwall frequency) with 250 watts of power – daytime only. Studios would be in Cornwall.

The Hawkesbury station signed on the air as CHPR.

The sale of CFML was approved in June. Benard Bertrand, Extelle Bertrand and Bertrand Investments Ltd. would sell their shares of CFML Radio (Cornwall) Ltd. to Pierre A. Belleau (100%). The ownership transfer application also sought part-time local programming on CHPR, originating from the Cornwall studios.

CFML became CFIX.

The CRTC approved the application to transfer ownership of CFIX Cornwall and CHPR Hawkesbury to Robert Chevrier (37.5%) and Jean Soucy (37.5%). Pierre A. Belleau would retain a 25% interests. The new owners intended to re-apply for 24 hour operation, approval for which was granted last year and allowed to lapse.

The licenses for CFIX and CHPR were renewed by the CRTC to March 31, 1982, in the hope that a purchaser could be found. The licensee (Les Communications Franco Ltee) went into receivership and informed the Commission of such on August 21. Price Waterhouse Ltd., a trustee in bankruptcy was then given Commission authority on August 28 to operate the stations until a buyer could be found.

In January, CFIX was sold by Price-Waterhouse Inc. to Veerndra Adihya of Toronto. CFIX would continue on as a French-language station, even though the new owner didn’t speak the language. The closing of the purchase apparently did not take place.

On June 30, the CRTC denied the purchase of CFIX and CHPR by Idea Akashwani 
Communications Ltd. from Price Waterhouse Ltd. upon surrender of the existing licence issued to Les Communications Franco Ltee. CFIX was the only private French-language service in Cornwall. It served part of Eastern Ontario through its rebroadcaster, CHPR. In recent years, the station had experienced many problems in attracting a reliable audience and maintaining a viable operation. Problems included management difficulties, technical restrictions (daytime only) and market fragmentation. At public hearings held in December of 1978 and March of 1981, the CRTC studied applications by the station to change the power and frequency of CFIX and to transfer control. In decisions of April 2, 1980 and April 30, 1981, the CRTC approved these applications. However, most of the improvements planned were never implemented.  The CRTC says it still considers a local French radio service in the area highly desirable, but the applicant did not allocate the necessary funds for a viable operation, proposing insufficient staff and over-optimistic revenues.

At the same time as the above denial, the Commission also turned down a second application by Centrex Broadcasting Ltd. for a new AM station at Cornwall (1600 kHz with 2,500 watts). The CRTC stated that it again reviewed the economic

The licenses for CFIX and CHPR were renewed on September 30.

On June 30, Radio Cornwall-Hawkesbury Inc. was authorized to purchase CFIX and CHPR from Price Waterhouse Ltd. Radio Cornwall-Hawkesbury was owned by Guy Vaillancourt of Lachute, owner of CJLA-AM in that market. The applicant proposed two FM rebroadcast transmitters to simulcast CFIX and CHPR during the day and continue service at night when the AM transmitters have to leave the air (92.1 MHz Cornwall and 102.1 MHz Hawkesbury…effective radiated power of 50 watts for both). These new FM transmitters were also approved. The AM transmitters would be allowed to  continue operation for two years to enable the applicant to consolidate operations. The new FM transmitters would also be allowed to broadcast some programming from CJLA.

In December, CFIX Cornwall left the air.