Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 18/05) - Communities throughout the North may end up with one less option when it comes to radio stations if money to install and upgrade equipment for the Native Communications Society (NCS) can't be found.

Gwich'in elder/broadcaster Neil Collin and CKLB host William Greenland.

"Our goal is to raise $50,000 and make sure every community has service after Jan. 1," said Dane Gibson, executive director of the society in Yellowknife.

"This will be a challenge and hopefully one we can overcome."

Cancom, which provides satellite service to the not-for-profit broadcaster free of charge, previously offered its service using a C-band frequency, but has progressively upgraded to using Ku-band.

The change has resulted in the need for an overall upgrade for CKLB 101.9, as its dishes only receive C-band.

To help offset the cost, Cancom donated 29 new Motorola decoder receivers and 16 new specialized dishes, which will take up less space than the old ones.

"The dishes were something special we did for them," said Brenda Kroez, broadcast and uplink director with Cancom. "We don't sell them."

Most of the $50,000 will go towards installation and transporting technicians to remote locations across the territory.

"It's going to cost a lot in technical labour," said Gibson.

"We're also using this opportunity to upgrade the entire broadcast system," she said, explaining that transmitters on receivers will also be replaced.

The result of all the changes will be a wider broadcast range and the ability to broadcast in FM stereo.

Currently, CKLB broadcasts to 28 communities from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., incorporating the Gwich'in, Dogrib and North Slavey languages. They are also looking at adding the Chipewyan language.

"A lot of people around the community listen," said Aklavik resident Dean McLeod, who hopes the service will continue. "It offers community notices, good programs."

Shoestring

budget

The society, which began operations in 1971, operates on a shoe string budget and will have to come up with creative ways to raise the necessary funds, said Gibson.

The organization hasn't received a funding increase from the GNWT or the federal government in six years.

"Fifty thousand dollars is a huge amount for us to raise," said Gibson, who's confident the organization will meet its goal with the public's help.

"If people have ideas or can assist, we'd love to hear from them."