CRTC approves Erin Radio changes; two years to complete changes

In the near future, listeners will have to tune in to 88.1 FM – and not 101.5 FM – to listen to Erin Radio.

On June 16, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommun­ications Commission (CRTC) approved Erin Radio’s application to move from 101.5 to 88.1 and to increase the station’s maxi­mum power from 50 to 250 watts.

“Everybody’s ecstatic,” said Jay Mowat, chairman of the station’s board. “This is what we’ve been working to­wards for the last two years.”

The approval means Erin Radio can change its an­tenna radiation pattern to directional, and increase the antenna elevation from 44 to 63 metres.

The antenna, transmitter and signal processor costs are ex­pected to total upwards of $35,000 and Mowat fears the station may be $10,000 or $15,000 short (the town of Erin has donated $10,000 for up­grades and the station has raised another $10,000 this year through fundraisers).

Despite the financial difficulty, Mowat said the CRTC decision means the station is moving in the right direction.

“It means an awful lot to us,” he said, explaining the station’s broadcast area will be­come three to four times its cur­rent size. The station will be able to provide a clear signal throughout Erin village and hopes to reach Hillsburgh as well, he added.

Mowat said the station has two years to do up­grades neces­­sitated by the CRTC approval, although he hopes to complete the changes much quicker.

Once everything is in­stal­l­ed, the station must complete a 30-day test period, during which time it can be heard on 101.5 and its new 88.1 frequency.

Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong applauded the CRTC decision, which he said would give the station protected status (stations of 50 watts are unprotected frequencies).

“I would like to congratulate Jay Mowat and the dedicated team at Erin Radio,” said Chong.

“These changes will allow Erin Radio to play an even bigger role in the communities of Erin, Hillsburgh and the surrounding area … Erin Radio is an integral part of the local community. These changes highlight a strong commitment to rural communities and local radio.”