2009 AGM

To all current and past CIRO (Campus Community Radio Okanagan Society) volunteers, we are hosting our annual AGM on Dec 1st at the Alumni Relations room at UBC-O at 6:30 pm. The Alumni room is located at the new University Centre in Room 214.

The Agenda will include:

* Executive Update
* CIRO Finances
* Election of Directors standing for office

If you know anyone that would like to attend please let them know.

Meetings in 2009 - Highlights

Bud obtained $5,000 for equipment from different faculties at UBC-O to create a very low power (5 watt) station. The money was placed and allocated within the UBC-O endowment. Bud and Professor Sharon McCoubrey oversee the release of these funds.

Cam visited with Okanagan College over the summer to see if that might be a feasible location to broadcast. The OC campus is central to Kelowna while the UBC-O campus is at the bottom of a small saddle. As FM is line of sight it was felt that perhaps broadcasting at the OC would be best for the station as it would reach more people. OC staff were very supportive but were unable to find space for a station.

One idea abandoned was to stream online from a studio at UBC-O to a receiver at OC. The OC indicated that it would be somewhat difficult to provide space for even a relay computer. As well the weak 5 watt signal may not have reached UBC-O effectively breaking the link between studio and antenna. In the end this idea was deferred.

In the summer it was decided the best course of action was to use the studio space allocated at the UBC-O (as per their building plans and earlier discussions) and broadcast from the top of the brand new students centre at UBC-O. The bulk of the station would use existing equipment including transmission wire purchased for last year's station for '7 Blocks of Busking', 4 track mixing board and computer. The station would cover most of campus clearly but provide very little coverage of Kelowna.

Pricing was sourced for a variety of equipment. A second hand 10 watt exciter was sourced directly from CFBX. A new circular antenna put the final budget just under $5,000 for all the necessary broadcast equipment.

Alex, as Student Radio Club President, contacted the SU and also contacted the Phoniex newspaper and told them of our plans. The SU had planned for the Phoniex newspaper to use the same room as the Student Radio Club within the brand new Student Services building.

The Phoniex requested the Radio Club not be granted space due to privacy and noise conflicts. They support a campus station but felt a shared space would not be feasible. The SU Administrator and SU CIRO Board member met with Alex twice and (paraphrasing) told her that as the Club had not shown 'significant support' for a radio station on campus the SU would not support a campus radio station in any of their facilities at this time.

Bud has recently approached the University to see if the University has space to host a studio and antenna.

Possible Equipment

Hey guys. Not exhaustive but here are my recommendations for gear. I've been getting advice from a dude from Nelson's CJLY that does a lot of their low power stuff so don't think I'm as clever as this:
Antenna
There were four antennas I got quotes on from the two companies that service Western Canada. Antennas can be designed to send out waves in various directions. The recommended type is omnidirectional and circular for our location as we are so central. Because it provides the richest range of signal is comes at the cost of radiated power. An antenna that just broadcasts a signal that comes out vertically (the waves go up and down but not side to side) and directional (the signal is stringer one way) would have more gain (be more powerful) but antennas that were positioned flat (some home stereos) would not be able to hear the signal very well.
As we are going to broadcast in the center of town and aren't too concerned about power right now the omnidirectional circular system works best.
The model that works best for our application is:
Telecom TFC2K-1 (one bay) - $1055
The other models ranged from $600 to $900 but seemed tricker to install or didn't provide the omni-directional circular signal. This is the same model we used for the station last summer. We lose half the power you put in so you need to put in 10 watts to get out 5 watts. If you add more bays you can increase the gain (be more powerful). It would be new so we would have a warranty.
Transmitter
The transmitter is what generates the signal for the antenna to send out. I looked at stereo (mono would only come out of one speaker) with built in limiters (they stop the unit from exploding or sending out deafening feedback which may explode people's stereos when someone screws up at the station).
The Kamloops station has a used 10 watt SBS exciter (transmitter) with built in stereo and limiter. They are willing to part with it for $1200. It is a fairly simple device to run but my buddy at CJLY doesn't like it as it is hard to set up and verify that it is working effectively. This summer we used a cool Lex 30 which took about 5 seconds to set up and has easy to read display panel showing what is going on in terms of antenna feed back, frequency and a bunch of other important stats. The SBS exciter has no display but is pretty fool proof I hear once you get it running.
Here is what Brant the station manager in Kamloops says about the model.
Either of these antenna systems should be fine. Our first unit was circularly polarized, which deals with the issues with either vertical or horizontal polarization by covering both. There are some minor issues with circular polarization, such as I believe a slight loss of efficiency, but if you go with either vertical or horizontal polarization, some listeners may not receive you as well. Basically, you want to send the signal with the kind of polarization that will properly reach the most receivers. Having said that, our new three-bay system is horizontally polarized, as per the advice of our engineer, so there you go. Whichever antenna you purchase, the factory will tune it to 94.5 FM.To change the frequency in the SBS exciter, it's just a matter of removing the case and adjusting a number of settings. We did the new unit, and it was a 20-second job that is well explained in the manual. We have the original manual for the 10-watter, by the way. I guarantee the ability to change the unit's frequency setting from 92.5 to 94.5...in fact, it should be only a matter of changing the "2" to a "4" inside the box. Cheers!
The SBS 10 watt exciter has no warranty but has been used for several years with no fault. As I said it is priced at $1200 used. This model can really only be used for low power applications unless you boost the power with another piece of equipment. With the antenna I'm recommending it would broadcast at a maximum of 5 watts. If you are looking for a long term unit to use we need to get a more powerful transmitter. Otherwise we sell this equipment on to another station setting up a developmental station.
A similar set up (stereo and limiter) with more power are running new:
Lex 30 watt transmitter - $2795Lex 50 watt transmitter - $3010Lex 100 watt transmitter - $3895
These blow the budget but would be under warranty and offer an ease of use and display panel the SBS 10 watt doesn't have. Plus the units could be used to broadcast at higher power quite easily.
Cheers, Cam

Developmental Application CRTC

Application

Related Documents

2008 AGM

AGM November 10, 2008

Phoniex Office, UBC-O Campus 3 pm

Members in Attendance:
Community: Cam, Rob
Students: Alex, Robin, Amberyl, Kiran
Quorum: 6 of 20 paid members (Bylaws need 10%)
Call Meeting to Order: By Rob
Approve Agenda: Approved
Financial Report: Balance Sheet Presented by Cam

Campus-Community Radio Okanagan Society Balance Sheet

Nov 1st, 2008

ASSETS

Current Assets

Bank $547.99 October 31 2007 Bank Statement

2007 Rockanagan CD $100.00 100 CDs. Each CD $1(96 cents labels and covers + shipping?).

Total Current Assets $647.99

Fixed Assets

COAX LMR400 $180.05

Total Fixed Assets $180.05

Intangible Assets

Domain Registry $0.00 January 15 2009 expires

Arts Council Membership $50.00 Paid up to March 31 2010 (amortized to 50% first value)

Total Intangible Assets $50.00

TOTAL ASSETS $878.04

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Debt- Cameron Baughen $1,458.91 Incorporation, Arts Council Membership, NCRA pay back and Rockanagan CDs

Total Current Liabilities $1,458.91

Long-term Liabilities $0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES $1,458.91

SOCIETY_EQUITY -$580.87

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $878.04

Note: $250 moved to UBC-O Endowment Fund. $400 Arts Council Central Okanagan grant mistakenly placed in UBC – O Student Radio Club Account

Cam noted that if the $250 in the Endowment Fund and $400 placed in the Student account were placed against the liabilities CIRO would be in a near identical financial position to last year. The debt was paid out to Rob and Sarah and Cam is the sole person in debt. With costs and revenue 7 Blocks of Busking ended up costing less than $100 for the radio station and festival to the society. Revenue continues to trickle in from the sale of CDs, fees and fundraisers.

Report Directors: There was a general discussion about what was accomplished and the direction to take in 2009.

Vote for following Board positions:
All positions accliamed:
Bud Mortenson (Appointed UBC-O administration)
Robert Chavarie (Appointed UBC-O students union)
Alex Lingnau (Student Radio Club President)
Cameron Baughen (Community Rep)
Rob Madu (Community Rep)
Robin Marshall (Community Rep and also UBC-O Student)
Amberyl Carter (UBC-O Student Rep)

Time of Adjournment: 4:00 p.m.

Minutes Sept 08 Meeting

Sept 18 - Downtown Bean Scene, Kelowna 5:30 PM
Cam, Rob, Bud, Alex

7 Blocks of Busking:
Event a success. Financially close to breaking even with grants and all. Leila raised the most money as was able to cut a CD with won studio time. Fun had by all.

Low-Power Application:
Cam raised potential for low power application at OC Kelowna campus if link available from UBC-O studio.

Charitable Endowment:
Charitable Endowment set up. Oversight by Bud and Sharon McCoubrey. $450 in endowment from 7 Blocks of Busking. Only student radio club can access. Potential discussions with Student's Union on dispursements.

Web Site:
Look at potential new host as expenses high because of uploads. High praise for service from Kirk. May see if school server will allow us a host. The Design of front page may become more static with links to events rather than whole press release.

Talk to Amateur Radio Club:
Cam to go speak with Kelowna Amateur Radio Club

Friends Card:
Friends Card established. 6 venues on board. Cards sent to those that donate over $15.

Student Club:
Big push to get signatures for petition for vote on levy. Alex looking at potential fundraisers on campus.

Annual General Meeting:
Set tentatively Nov 10th, 4PM at the Phoniex office. 4 Board positions (1 student and 3 community) will need to be voted on.

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Industry Canada Approval

603-1726 Dolphin Ave
Kelowna, B. C. V1Y 9R9
FAX (250) 470-5045

Our file: 6206-8119 (DDOK)

June 18, 2008

Campus Community Radio Okanagan Society
3333 University Way
Kelowna, B. C. V1V 1V7

Dear Sir/Madam:
On behalf of the Minister, I am pleased to advise that authority is hereby granted to operate a new short duration low power FM broadcasting undertaking as follows:

Duration of operation: July 3 to July 6, 2008
Name of operator: Campus Community Radio Okanagan Society
Location: 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna, B. C.
Site co-ordinates: Lat: 49/ 53' 28" North Long: 119/ 29' 41" West
Channel and frequency: 233LP 94.5 MHz
Effective radiated power: 26.0 watts
Antenna height above ground: 20.0 metres
Antenna pattern: Omnidirectional
Polarization: Circular
The call sign of the undertaking will be VF7314.
To ensure structural adequacy, the Department recommends that all antenna towers and antennasupporting structures be designed, fabricated and erected in accordance with accepted Canadian standards and that a qualified structural engineer be retained by the applicant. The total antenna structure(s) including, as applicable, antenna(s), guy wires, obstruction painting and/or lighting, must be installed in accordance with current Nav Canada requirements.

You may now proceed with the establishment of the undertaking in conformity with the particulars shown in the associated application dated June 7, 2008. Any changes to the approved undertaking (i.e. site, parameters, equipment etc...) shall be submitted to the Department for authorization before operation begins.

In order to ensure compatibility with the aeronautical (safety) services in the area, monitoring of spurious emissions will apply during FM/NAV/COM compatibility tests. It is to be specifically noted that transmissions on the frequency 94.5 MHz are not permissible for any reason prior to the conduct and evaluation of the tests. To ensure availability please contact Christina Carrier at (250) 470-5037 as soon as possible to arrange a date and time for FM/NAV/COM compatibility testing.

The operation of this undertaking is to broadcast the event “7 Blocks of Busking”.

Diane Larkin
Spectrum Management Officer
Okanagan-Kootenay District

Broadcast Area

Industry Canada App for LPFM '7 Blocks of Busking'

The other forms needed to fill out are the Industry Canada 'Preliminary Environmental Information, Municipal / Land-Use Consultation and Aeronautical Site Clearance Attestation' and the Industry Canada 'Radiocommunication and Broadcast Antenna Systems Attestation'.