Unprotected status for CJAM still a fight
By Adam Fox
CJAM Station Manager
March 4, 2009
Dear Mr. Rogers,
I’m writing with the intent to clarify some inaccuracies in a piece by News Editor Hannah Larkin called “UWindsor radio station, CJAM, in jeopardy” (Volume 81/ Issue 25/ February 25, 2009). It is my hope that you will publish this letter – unedited - in the next issue of the Lance.
Larkin quoted Robert Woodrich (who made several fantastic points about CJAM’s value to the campus, but who is not affiliated with CJAM) on a variety of technical statements suggesting potential broadcasting difficulties for CJAM at a new frequency on 99.1MHz.
Robert states: “WVMV-FM (98.7 MHz), the smooth jazz station out of Detroit, has a broadcast power of 50,000 Watts, which is nearly certain to limit the reach of CJAM’s relatively puny, newly decreased 475 Watt signal.” While CJAM’s maximum wattage will decrease by 50 per cent our average wattage remains unchanged.
Though a 50 per cent power decrease sounds like a big change, the reality is that because of the very large dynamic range of an FM radio, this power change will only be noticeable in the outer extremity of our coverage area. Woodrich also states “surrounded by such behemoths, CJAM will be struggling to send its signal beyond the borders of our campus.” This is false.
According to our Engineering Brief, and for reasons stated above, CJAM listeners will not experience an appreciable decrease in the Windsor area. While it is true that there would be a decrease in strength near the fringes of CJAM’s Canadian range, in fact CJAM will experience an increase in range to the west and the northwest, meaning a considerable increase in American audience. Woodrich also states “There’s even a translator for a Lansing, Michigan mega-station in Detroit that broadcasts on 99.1 FM, although its power is limited to 40 watts.”
This is a Class D, low-power, unprotected translator which, according to the Canada-U.S. bilateral agreement, must cease operation on 99.1 MHz, and thus will have no effect on CJAM’s application. Woodrich finally states “To sum it up, CJAM’s troubles are not likely to end with a successful license application.”
This is a misleading statement. If CJAM is indeed awarded the amendment we will have Protected Status for the first time in our station’s history, ensuring CJAM’s security on the FM band.
Larkin didn’t exercise the necessary diligence required to publish this kind of information, having failed to verify these statements from Woodrich with appropriate sources (CJAM administration, Industry Canada, the CRTC, the FCC, a licensed Broadcast Engineering Consultant, etc). The result is an inaccurate article that misleads the campus readership. CJAM also questions the tone of an article that refers to this situation as CJAM's “latest crisis.” To what previous crisis is Larkin referring?
CJAM appreciates the Lance’s interest in our plight, and we welcomed the opportunity to have our story shared with the Lance’s readership.
We want the readership to understand that CJAM’s application has been verified for technical accuracy by a licensed broadcasting engineer, and that this application has in fact at the time of this letter just received Technical Acceptability from Industry Canada.
I can assure your readers that should CJAM receive the proposed amendment to our broadcasting license and be licensed on 99.1 MHz, CJAM will not experience a considerable decrease in our domestic range - chances are if you can hear us now, you’ll hear us at 99.1.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind your readers that the CRTC is accepting letters of support from the public until March 9. For more information on how to submit to the CRTC your readers can go to www.cjam.ca.
Thank you for the opportunity to address your article, and thank you for helping CJAM spread the word about our fight for protected status.
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