CKXU-FM
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CKXU is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 88.3 FM, from the University of Lethbridge, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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[edit] History
CKXU began as CKUL in 1972, when a public address system was set up in Section A of University Hall at the University of Lethbridge to broadcast musical content inside the building from mid-morning to early afternoon. The station was managed by a three-member executive under the auspices of the Students’ Union of the University of Lethbridge.
The CKUL Radio Society was incorporated in October 1977, to govern the affairs of the station, and a year later the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) granted the society a licence to broadcast at 530 AM. Even in those early days, the Board of Directors of the station began examining the possibility of a move to the FM band by increasing the number of daily broadcast hours and developing the long-term income streams necessary to fund such an operation.
At the time, broadcasting at a mere 25W, the AM transmitter was of such low power that it was drowned out by the time it reached the parking lot of the university, by a station originating in Montana. However, the move to AM still represented a major step forward in the development of the station. CKUL was now a bona fide radio station, broadcasting 65 hours per week with 25 DJs rather than irregularly with only a handful of programmers.
[edit] The move to FM
Although the station began broadcasting on cable FM in 1988, a switch to FM was considered ideal and the CKUL Radio Society began this process. CKUL’s call letters were changed to CKXU, and on April 8, 2004, the station began to broadcast at 88.3 FM to the city of Lethbridge and the surrounding area from a 150W transmitter located on top of the Students’ Union Building at the University of Lethbridge. CKXU 88.3 FM now broadcasts for more than 126 hours per week, year-round, with a volunteer core of over 100 members.
[edit] Recent Developments
Since the move to FM, CKXU has been steadily progressing. Despite some internal issues, the CKXU has begun pursuing more revenue streams including fundraising events and grants. In February 2006 CKXU held its first annual on-air funding drive. It was considered a success, and the funds raised totaled over $5000. The 2007 funding drive took place from February 8 to February 11, and the goal was $6000, a modest increase from the first year. The pledges totaled $7,800. The money raised will help acquire a 24 hour broadcast system for CKXU. This will help CKXU continue to fulfil its mission statement, by providing more diverse programming to the community of Lethbridge.
