We discussed four scenarios for startup:
- Internet radio station only. Six months to startup.
- Internet radio station, to be followed by a CRTC Type B licence station. Six months to startup; 24 months to full operation.
- Over the air (OTA) station, starting with a Development licence (5 watts), to be followed by a Type B (higher power) licence. Also an Internet station. Twelve months to startup; 24 months to full operation.
- OTA Type B licence from the outset. Also an Internet station. Twenty-four months to full operation.
While an Internet radio station only would be unregulated and startup would be quick, easy and very low cost, we believe that we would not attract a sufficiently large and broad audience within the County to be sustainable. FM radio is readily available to all – in homes, in vehicles and in businesses. Despite the growth of Internet and cellular communications, there is lots of life left in over-the-air radio broadcasting.
We agreed on scenario 3, starting with an OTA low-power Development licence, which is quicker and easier to obtain than a higher-power Type B licence. Because a low-power station has a range of only a few kilometres, we would have to locate the antenna in Picton to reach the maximum number of residents during the startup period. We would apply for a Type B licence immediately after going on air.