CHLK-FM

On March 14, the CRTC approved the application by Norm Wright and Brian Perkin, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an English language commercial FM radio station in Perth. The station would operate at 88.1 MHz (channel 201A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 700 watts. The applicant proposed to offer an adult contemporary/easy listening music mix, targeted to an audience 40 years of age and over, which would include a blend of pop songs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The station would also feature some music from Category (Special Interest), to be aired in the evenings and on weekends. The applicant proposed that a maximum of 75% of the music to be aired by the station would consist of hit material, as an alternative to the standard condition of licence requiring FM stations to broadcast a level of hit material that is less than 50%. The applicant indicated that the proposed station would devote 70% of its schedule to locally originated programming, including local news, weather, traffic, sports and community information. Fifteen percent of the broadcast week would be devoted to
spoken word content, of which a minimum of 15% would consist of news. The applicant further proposed to establish a programming advisory board to offer advice concerning the interaction of the radio station with the community. The licence would expire 31 August 2012. The applicant had originally proposed to use a frequency of 88.5 MHz. Use of that channel was awarded to Ottawa.

CHLK-FM signed on the air March 13th at 11:45 a.m. for broadcast tests. Studios and offices were located at 43 Wilson Street West in Perth. The corporate name was Perth FM Radio Inc. 

CHLK “Lake 88.1” officially signed on the air on August 10 at 9:00 a.m. Both of the owners are doing on-air shifts. Norm Wright handles the morning show while Brian Perkin does afternoon drive. Former CFRA Ottawa newsman Michael O’Brien, is news director. The name – The Lake – was chosen to reflect the Rideau Lakes Region served by CHLK-FM.

On December 13, the CRTC approved the application by Perth FM Radio Inc. to change the authorized contours of CHLK-FM by increasing the average effective radiated power from 700 to 2,800 watts (maximum ERP from 1,350 to 5,400 watts with an average height of antenna above average terrain of 91.5 metres). Perth FM requested this technical change due to complaints of weak or inconsistent reception of its signal from communities inside its authorized service contours such as Lanark, Westport, McDonalds Corners, Maberly, Elgin and Toledo.

Lake 88.1 increased power on April 12 at 12:10 p.m.

On August 17, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CHLK-FM to August 31, 2013.

On January 24, the CRTC approved a change in effective control of Perth FM Radio Inc., from a joint control by Brian Perkin and Norman Wright to a control exercised by Perkin through the transfer of all the voting shares held by Wright to Perkworks Holdings Inc., a corporation owned by Mr. Perkin and his wife.