CIAM-FM facts for kids

CIAM-FM is a special kind of radio station that serves its local community. It's a Christian radio station, which means it plays music and programs with a Christian message. You can find it on your radio dial at 92.7 MHz in Fort Vermilion, Alberta, Canada.

This station is supported by its listeners, which means people who enjoy the programs donate money to help keep it on air. The group that runs the station and holds its license is called the CIAM Media & Radio Broadcasting Association. They are a registered charity.

CIAM-FM plays lots of different things. You can hear music, news from Canada and around the world, and sports updates. They also share information about local community events. Some of their programs are even in local languages like Cree, Dene, and Plaudt Deutsch, which helps connect with different groups in the community.

History of CIAM-FM

The CIAM-FM radio station in Fort Vermilion started broadcasting in January 2003. When it first began, it was on 92.3 FM. A year later, around 2004, it moved to its current spot on the dial at 92.7 FM.

Over the years, CIAM-FM has grown a lot. It has many smaller transmitters, called "rebroadcasters," that help its signal reach more towns and areas. These rebroadcasters are like mini-radio stations that pick up the main signal and send it out again. This allows people in many different places across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories to listen to CIAM-FM.

Expanding the Radio's Reach

Since it started, CIAM-FM has worked to bring its programs to more listeners. They apply to a group called the CRTC. The CRTC is like the "boss" of all radio and TV in Canada. They give permission for stations to start new transmitters or change how they broadcast.

For example, in 2008, CIAM-FM got permission to add new rebroadcasters in places like Buckland, Saskatchewan and Vanderhoof, British Columbia. They also added more in Alberta. Sometimes, they even change the frequency of a rebroadcaster to make the signal clearer, like when the Vanderhoof transmitter moved from 97.9 MHz to 98.5 MHz in 2009.

CIAM-FM has continued to expand its network. In 2011, they got approval to add transmitters in Three Hills, Alberta, Prespatou, British Columbia, and Dawson Creek, British Columbia. In 2012, they added one in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

More recently, in 2016, they got approval for a new rebroadcaster in Taber, Alberta. They even got permission to make that signal stronger in 2019. They also added transmitters in other places like Burnt Hill, Alberta, Saskatoon Hill, Alberta, Rose Prairie, British Columbia, and Boston Bar, British Columbia in 2017.

In 2018, more transmitters were approved for Telegraph Creek, British Columbia and Corman Park, Saskatchewan. And in 2019, they added one in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories. All these new transmitters help CIAM-FM share its community and Christian programming with many more people across Western Canada.