CKDU-FM
horizontal polarization) | |
HAAT | 156.5 meters (513 ft) |
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Links | |
Website | www |
CKDU-FM (88.1
History
CKDU evolved from the Dalhousie University radio club, Radio Tiger, which dated back at least to the 1950s. In 1975, the station was dubbed CKDU and began broadcasting via closed circuit to Dalhousie residence halls from the Dalhousie Student Union Building (the SUB). After a successful student referendum to fund the station, and approval from the

The station's programming was initially heavily weighted to what was then considered "alternative" popular music, including such artists as Bauhaus, Ministry, Kate Bush and the Cure. In addition, the station broadcast several magazine style information programs during the day. In late 1985, Mark MacLeod was hired after working at CHMA-FM in Sackville, New Brunswick, to become the station's program director. Working with other station staff, he diversified the station's music programming to include more jazz, world music, and other specialty genres. [2]
In 2000, CKDU-FM received permission from the CRTC to upgrade its transmitter to a power of 3,200 watts. On February 14, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
On April 9, 2010, CKDU received approval to decrease its power from 3,200 watts to 2,460 watts.[5] But it improved its tower's height above average terrain to 156.5 meters (513 ft). So while its power was lower, its coverage area remained roughly the same.
Programming
The programming on CKDU tends to be eclectic. In-house policy is that anything that is commonly heard on a commercial or public (i.e. the CBC) radio station should not be heard on CKDU. CKDU's license also prohibits it from playing selections that have made certain charts such as the Billboard Hot 100 chart, preventing it from entering into competition with local commercial Top 40 stations.
CKDU is one of the few radio stations based in the
Membership
CKDU relies on its membership both for its day-to-day operations and for programming. While all members of the Dalhousie Student Union are automatically members of CKDU-FM, membership is also open to others who wish to pay dues and meet time, training and other membership requirements.
It is reasonably straightforward to become a programmer at CKDU-FM. One puts in approximately 10 hours of volunteer work doing things like staffing phones and putting up flyers and then is eligible for CKDU membership and programming privileges after a short training course is completed.
Funding
CKDU is supported for the most part by the Dalhousie Student Union. However some of its operating budget comes from fundraising drives conducted each year and for sales of advertising and sponsorships. There are only a few paid staff at the station.
CKDU runs ad spots from a variety of advertisers, usually local nightspots and other businesses aimed at young adult clients. The station also airs community announcements for no fee. The fundraising drives are conducted both by calling previous supporters of the station and by soliciting
Facilities
CKDU is located on the fourth floor of the Dalhousie Student Union Building (6136 University Ave.) and is accessible to the general public. The facilities consist of a main
The broadcast booth houses the station's
CKDU presenters and alumni
- hip-hopartist, hosted the show "The Bassment", later renamed "The Treatment"
- nerdcore hip hopartist and former host of "The Pavement", renamed from "The Treatment"
- Jane Farrow - worked as program director and show host, later worked as a producer and show host for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- Jay Ferguson of the band Sloan produced and hosted a music program on CKDU-FM in the 1980s.
- DJ, also hosted "The Treatment"
- TUNS
- Lex Gigeroff - former manager in the early FM days, later credited as a creator of scifi show Lexx
- Mike Catano - member of indie rock band North of America amongst others
- Walter Kemp, host of "Saturday Morning Musical Box" (classical music) since 1985.[8]
- Bev Lamb, host of "Touchstone", (folk music) since 1985.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Decision CRTC 84-884
- ^ "Promise of Performance: Why CKDU-FM is becoming a better alternative" from New Works Magazine, 1986.
- ^ Decision CRTC 2000-98
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-220
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-210
- ^ Barnes, Brenda. "Interview Transcript 61: Brenda Barnes" (PDF). AIDS Activist History Project.
- ^ Smith, Eric (July 24, 2014). "Interview Transcripts 13: Eric Smith" (PDF). AIDS Activist History Project.
- ^ Smith, Jacob. "Dalhousie campus radio station CKDU celebrates 30 years on air". CBC. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "Congratulations Bev! (July 21, 2010)". CKDU FM. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
External links
- CKDU-FM
- CKDU-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
- CKDU-FM in the REC Canadian station database