Please note that for the past couples of weeks in October and November 2009 we have noticed that a group of teenagers are broadcasting a radio service on the FM dial (at 91.9 FM) in Ottawa. According to the CRTC there are no licence for this frequency??? They seem to broadcast mostly weekends on Fridays and Saturdays. Music seems to be coming from an Internet (stream). Website for the station: http://919mixfm.piczo.com/?g=1&cr=7
Anyone in Ottawa heard about this? Station can be receive in a car at various locations in Ottawa (Orleans, Greely, Richmond and even a weak signal in Gatineau on the other side of the Ottawa River.
Ya, i have heard them in my car, as far south as franktown. They also run RDS, on my car radio it says MIX FM then the phone number for requests.
They seem to broadcast only on weekends, and they have been bouncing around from 91.9 to 99.9 to 106.5, looking for open spots on the dial. But this is the strongest of heard them. They must be pushing a couple hundred watts, or more ERP
Industry Canada is sure going to have fun with these guys, if any complaints roll in. Once word gets around about it, something will break. They have even had posters on telephone poles in the market downtown, i have seen them.
They are pushing a fine line, and i believe they want to broadcast on weekends, figuring that Industry Canada spectrum agency for communications (ottawa district office) , won't investigate to tracking on sat or sun. (mon-fri) thing.
If i was a pirate radio operator i would sure not put such publicity on it, but hey its a gamble, lets see how far this is going to go.
I remember when radio nuclear broadcasting on 88.3 in ottawa, years back, got a stop and desist order from industry canada. And pirates have been relatively quiet until now. Of course if you go broadcasting 100 , 200 , 500 watts, at the top of a 20 story building, your bound to attract some attention
if they couldn't shut down VA3JTV (Star Ray TV) in Toronto... i doubt they'll shut these guys down.. that or they'll be simply told to apply for a license, and most-likely get one.
They will shut them down, if the other radio stations start complaining, usually how it works by an engineer or communications staff. Then industry canada starts investigating. A radio station cannot simply get a liscense from the CRTC, is has to apply, then the industry canada sees whether or not it will interfere with NAV/COM communications that it is technically acceptable, meaning airport/airplane. Then there is an intervention allowed from others, after the initial application request.
CRTC also looks as station feasability regarding money, sales, market, types of music. Does it warrant a liscense to broadcast in a market already saturated with plenty of applicants wanting a spot on the dial
in 2010, Ottawa is going to get 2 new radio stations on 99.7 Eve fm
and 101.9 Dawg FM.
I wish the guys luck in there endeavour , it can be fun, but hopefully, no consequenses will follow. The worst that can happen, get a slap on the wrist, don't do again, followed by a cease and desist order from the spectrum management and telecommunications of industry canada.
why the hell did you people complained they came today and they said I half to go off air, I was the only radio station that played every request and let everyone talk on air! so now all you people made trouble to start this stupid thing on this website
the call-sign was for Star Ray TV. before they had that, their experimental license call-sign was VX9AMK. I don't think these guys even have a call-sign... though i wonder what equipment they're using to broadcast.
Back in the early 80's we had a pirate in Hamilton.... CFME.... Not sure who complained but his production was quite professional in nature. I think what didn't help was the over-deviation of the FM carrier and the fact he was stomping on popular out of market signals with a fair amount of power.... It was receivable in Dundas....
He got canned as far as I know. Don't know the details though of that process.
That VA3 call sign is registered to a person living on Main St. in Toronto, not some TV station. Under the radio regulations, an amateur radio licence is not allowed to be used for broadcasting.
A forum community dedicated to Canadian TV, computing and home theatre owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, displays, troubleshooting, styles, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!