CIAM-FM is a communityChristian radiostation broadcasting at 92.7 MHz on the FM dial in Fort Vermilion, Alberta, Canada. CIAM-FM is a listener supported community broadcast. CIAM Media & Radio Broadcasting Association is the registered charity that holds the broadcast license.
CIAM-FM carries music programming, community events, national & international news, sports, weather and syndicated spoken word content. Some content is in local ethnic languages including Cree, Dene, and Plaudt Deutsch.
History
The station in Fort Vermilion began broadcasting in January 2003 at 92.3 MHz on the FM dial but moved to 92.7 FM around 2004.[1][2]
On May 16, 2008, CIAM has applied to the CRTC to add a transmitter at Buckland, Saskatchewan and another at Vanderhoof, British Columbia[3][4][5] Also on July 15, 2008 the station applied to add more rebroadcasters to a number of communities in Alberta and received approval on November 6, 2008.[6]
On March 13, 2009, an application received by CIAM Media & Radio Broadcasting Association proposes to amend the technical parameters of its transmitter, CIAM-FM-11 Vanderhoof, British Columbia, by changing the frequency from 97.9 MHz to 98.5 MHz.[7] This frequency change was approved on May 12, 2009.[8]
On April 22, 2010, CIAM-FM applied to add more transmitters in these following locations: 89.5 MHz Three Hills, Alberta, 105.5 MHz Prespatou, British Columbia and 107.5 MHz in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. This application was denied by the CRTC on August 20, 2010.[9] On March 17, 2011, the station reapplied to add new transmitters in Three Hills, Alberta, Prespatou, British Columbia and Dawson Creek, British Columbia. All three of these locations were approved by the CRTC on July 28, 2011.[10][11]
On October 25, 2011, the CRTC approved an application by CIAM-FM Media & Radio Broadcasting Association to change the authorized contours of its transmitter CIAM-FM-12 Cleardale, Alberta by decreasing the antenna's effective height above average terrain from 48.5 to 39.07 metres and relocating the transmitter site.[12]
On August 9, 2012, CIAM received approval from the CRTC to add a transmitter at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The new Prince Albert transmitter will operate at 107.1 MHz on the FM band.[13]
On June 8, 2016, the CRTC approved CIAM Media & Radio Broadcasting Association's application to operate a low-power rebroadcasting transmitter in Taber, Alberta which will operate at 89.3 MHz (channel 207LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 25.85 metres).[14] Its unknown if or when the Taber transmitter signed on at 89.5 MHz instead of 89.3 MHz. On May 25, 2019, CIAM received CRTC approval to change frequencies for CIAM-FM-23 in Taber, Alberta from 89.5 MHz to 102.5 MHz. Power would increase from 50 to 1,500 watts. EHAAT would rise from 41.3 to 46.2 metres. [15]
On September 19, 2017, CIAM Media & Radio Broadcasting Association received CRTC approval to add rebroadcast FM transmitters at Burnt Hills, Alberta (101.9 MHz with ERP of 50 watts and EHAAT of 82.99 metres), Saskatoon Hill, Alberta (89.3 MHz with an ERP of 50 watts and EHAAT of 156.3 metres), Rose Prairie, British Columbia (107.5 MHz with ERP of 50 watts and EHAAT of 104.6 metres), and Boston Bar, British Columbia (91.1 MHz with ERP of 50 watts and EHAAT of -537.2 metres). [16]
On October 4, 2018, the CRTC approved CIAM’s applications to add FM transmitters at Telegraph Creek, British Columbia on 92.7 MHz with ERP of 50 watts and Corman Park, Saskatchewan on 102.9 MHz with ERP of 50 watts. [17]
On April 15, 2019, CIAM received CRTC approval to add a new FM transmitter in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories that would operate on 95.1 MHz with 50 watts. [18]
^Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-336, CIAM-FM Fort Vermilion – New transmitters in Burnt Hills, Saskatoon Hill, Rose Prairie and Boston Bar, CRTC, September 19, 2017