CKEN-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting from Kentville, Nova Scotia at 97.7 FM. The station currently plays a country format and is branded on-air as AVR (which is short for Annapolis Valley Radio). The station has been on the air since 1947.
The station originally broadcast at 1490 AM, then moved to 1350 AM in 1953, then back to 1490 AM in 1979. In July 2002, the station received CRTC approval to move to 94.9 FM; instead, it moved to 97.7 FM in 2003.Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-165 CKWM-FM moved to 94.9 and became Magic 94.9. Both stations are owned by the Maritime Broadcasting System.
Rebroadcasters
On November 15, 2011, MBS received CRTC approval to operate CKDY as a separate, locally originated station, with CKDY-1-FM continuing to repeat CKDY.Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-708
CKEN-FM's programming previously simulcasted on CFAB AM in Windsor; that station broke off from the AVR network in 2008, to broadcast as an independently operated station.
On February 26, 2020, the station's copper wiring and computer system was stolen by an unknown person. This resulted in the AM signal being off-air, leaving listeners to rely on the FM signal in Weymouth. On February 28, 2020, an arrest was made involving a 40-year old unnamed woman, who subsequently faced charges in connection with theft and vandalization. She was due in the Digby provincial court in April.Woman charged following copper theft from Digby radio site, CTV News Atlantic, February 28, 2020Digby loses radio service after thieves steal copper and equipment from transmitter site, The Chronicle Herald, February 27, 2020
In March 2020, the CRTC approved Maritime Broadcasting System's application to temporarily operate CKDY on FM at 99.7 MHz until the AM signal at 1420 kHz 1420 CKDY former logo returns to the air. There was a potential that CKDY would remain on 99.7 FM if the radio station decided to permanently shutdown the AM signal.CRTC approval to use 99.7 FM for CKDY. 2020-0512-7CKDY on air in Digby at 99.7 FM, AVR Network, March 2020 99.7 CKDY Logo
On September 30, 2020, Maritime Broadcasting System Limited submitted an application for a broadcasting licence to operate an english-language commercial FM radio station in Digby, NS to replace its AM radio station CKDY Digby. The new station would operate at 99.7 MHz (channel 259B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2.39 kW (directional antenna with a maximum ERP of 6.53 KW with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 165.7 metres).Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2020-344 2020-0175-9, CRTC, September 30, 2020
On May 3, 2021, the CRTC approved Maritime Broadcasting System's application to move CKDY to 99.7 MHz.Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2021-153, CKDY Digby – Conversion to the FM band, CRTC, May 3, 2021
On July 28, 2023, the CRTC approved MBS's application to operate a new temporary low-power transmitter at 99.7 MHz (channel 259LP) in Digby with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 33.5 watts (directional antenna with a maximum ERP of 50 watts and an effective height of the antenna above average terrain [EHAAT] of 33.3 metres).Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-231, CKDY Digby – New transmitter in Digby, CRTC, July 28, 2023AppNo=202401587, CRTC, June 10, 2024 On September 26, 2024, Maritime Broadcasting System Limited received CRTC approval to decrease the maximum effective radiated power (ERP) from 6,530 to 5,570 watts, increase the average ERP from 2,390 to 2,690 watts, decrease the effective antenna height above average terrain (EHAAT) from 165.7 to 24.5 meters, and amend the existing coordinates of the transmitter site. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2024-221, CKDY-FM Digby – Technical changes, CRTC, September 26, 2024
References
External links AVR Network CKEN-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation CKDY history - Canadian Communications Foundation CKAD history - Canadian Communications Foundation