I am happy to share with you the good news that the testing of the 98.7 FM radio frequency has been successfully completed. From all reports, CARN 98.7FM had a clean and penetrating sound except for certain areas in the East where we experienced some interference from a CBC station. We are hoping that this will be rectified in time.

CARN was authorized by Industry Canada to conduct testing of this frequency for a 3 week period beginning May 31st and ending June 21st at 11:59 PM. The testing was independently carried out by Canada’s largest broadcasting consulting engineering firm which reported that they found no interference to any existing radio station including the CBC.

During this testing period, CARN played some of the most beautiful music that has not been on the playlists of Canadian mainstream commercial radio stations. Your response to this music has been tremendously positive.  In fact, the thousands of emails, telephone calls and Facebook comments confirms that there is a great need for this radio format in the GTA. This reassurance has made my 12 year battle to bring this radio station to the GTA worthwhile.  Allow me to share with you two of the thousands of great comments we have received:

“I have been living in Canada for more than 40 years, I never thought I would see the day when I would turn my radio on and hear R&B, Soul, Reggae, Soca and Gospel in the middle of the day on a mainstream station in Toronto. It brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you CARN you have made my day.” – Listener from downtown Toronto, Ontario.

“I would just like to let you know that my mother and I stumbled across 98.7 today while trying to find another station that we usually listen to. Am I glad that we didn’t find that station because the music on 98.7 was so sweet it has inspired my VERY reserved mother to let loose and have a BBQ. This station is awesome! We couldn’t stop listening to it. There’s nothing like this on Canadian radio. Keep up the good work, you guys are awesome. We are praying that this is more than a test, but a TESTIMONY of the great beginning of 98.7!” – Listener from Brampton, Ontario.

I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your inspiring words of support.

Where do we go from here?  Now that the testing has been successful, I must return to the CRTC to attain that final official broadcast certificate which will allow CARN to start its long awaited broadcast operation. Our vigilance is still needed as the CBC maintains its resistance to us having our own radio station by claiming that our station could cause interference to their Peterborough station. Clearly the independent testing has proven that it is the other way around. I am quite sure that the Government of Canada, Industry Canada and The CRTC understands the great need for the Black and Caribbean population of the GTA to have its own radio station.

While our on-air broadcasting will end on June 21st @ 11:59PM as per Industry Canada testing authorization, our goal is to be back on the air and fully launched as soon as possible. We are working hard to have our new website www.CARN987.com launched shortly which will provide up-to-date information on our progress, the official launch date, employment opportunities and on-line live music streaming.

Your strong concerns regarding CARN 98.7FM changing its format once we’ve launched has been heard loud and clear.  Please be assured that this has strengthened my resolve to protect this format on your behalf.   While I understand and feel your frustration I must say that I feel like a child being spanked for the wrongs done by another, but I understand and will take heed.  CARN 98.7FM will be the station to provide you with your music, news, sports, and talk shows.  I agree with all of you that this radio format is long overdue.  We look forward to serving you for a long time to come.

Thank you and God Bless,

Fitzroy Gordon
Founder & President
CARN Radio Toronto