CFTH-FM

While the station was incorporated in 1985, it was not until January 2st 1991 that Radio Communautaire de Harrington Harbour finally put community radio station CFTH-FM on the air. The station broadcast on 97.7MHz, with a power of 180 watts. The station began its programming to serve six villages in the area, Harrington, Chevery, Aylmer Sound, Tete-a-la-Baleine. Mutton Bay and La Tabatiere.

Early financial problems necessitated the closure of a newsroom in Chevery, and then of a substation in La Tabatiere, but the determination of the station’s Board of Directors to ensure the station’s survival was to get them through several crises and allow the operation to recover from what had seemed an insurmountable deficit problem.

In December, CFTH-FM was able to extend its service to the community of Kegaska.

On July 19th, the station’s licence was renewed for a further seven-year term. with the station being required to broadcast 50 hours of programming weekly, with flexibility to increase or reduce that amount by up to 20% without prior CRTC approval. The station would play a part in developing Canadian talent, and would encourage volunteer participation in the running of the station.

January 23rd saw the founding of The Quebec Association for Anglophone Community Radio (QAACR), a group of five community radio stations, in the Lower North Shore, Pontiac and the Eastern Townships. Station Manager Lana Shattler was appointed to the Board to represent CFTH-FM. Among the Association’s goals was the development and provision of quality English language community radio programming

On August 29th, the CRTC renewed CFTH-FM’s licence for a further seven years. By this time, the station was broadcasting at 1500 watts. 

On December 6, the CRTC approved the application by Radio communautaire de Harrington Harbour to amend the licence for CFTH-FM-1 Harrington Harbour, by adding an FM transmitter at Mutton Bay. The new transmitter would operate on 98.5 MHz (channel 253A) with an average effective radiated power of 70 watts (maximum ERP of 145 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 158 metres). The licensee stated that the addition of the new transmitter would allow it to adequately serve the populations of Mutton Bay and of La Tabatière.

On July 25, the CRTC approved the application by Radio communautaire de Harrington Harbour to amend the licence for CFTH-FM-1 in order to operate a rebroadcasting transmitter in Kegaska. It would operate at 89.9 MHz (channel 210LP) with an effective radiated power of 10 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height above average terrain of 10 metres).

In November, Radio communautaire de Harrington Harbour voluntarily surrendered its licence for CFTH and its rebroadcasters in Mutton Bay and Kegaska. No reason was given for the request for revocation.