“How do we ensure a strong, successful future for CKUA?” is a question often pondered by CKUA’s board and leadership team. There are so many parts to ensuring it’s a robust CKUA moving into the future. One of those—a crucial but often unsung part—is the incredible technical infrastructure that keeps CKUA beaming out across the province.
This has lately undergone a major improvement project and we want to thank our friends at Network Innovations for making it possible.
First, some background:
You might remember this story, about the satellite we are located on, Anik-F2, starting to fall out of space.
It presented an unavoidable truth: we needed to work with a new satellite. This would mean replacing our satellite communications equipment at all transmitter sites. While a challenge, it was also a fantastic opportunity to upgrade our outdated equipment.
A fantastic opportunity can also be a massive, expensive task. However, Network Innovations stepped up to save the day, providing crucial satellite communications equipment and installation services to CKUA as a gift-in-kind sponsorship.
Network Innovations is a Calgary-based communications company with strong Alberta roots and international reach. “Network Innovations has been an Alberta company since 1989,” says Andrew Burdall, company President, Americas and Asia. “We want to support Alberta communities, and what better way than by supporting CKUA? We do this kind of work every day, so we are happy we can provide a helpful solution to CKUA. “
Andrew says it was fascinating, speaking with CKUA’s technical team and learning about the technology needed to create and transmit CKUA’s programming 24/7.
Various factors, like weather, glitches in complex equipment, and outdated technology, can disrupt the FM broadcast from the transmitter towers around the province. Read more about transmitter technology here.
“It’s not just about replacing the equipment. It’s about modernizing and improving it,” he says.
“From a tech point of view, this will create a stable infrastructure that will support CKUA for many years. That’s a key thing for audiences. We know how to bridge the distance between the towers with technology. It’s about creating a solution that’s for the future benefit of the community.”
Installation of the equipment will likely begin in the new year. The equipment has to be tested and then, once all systems are a go, a team of both CKUA and Network Innovations staff will begin a cross-Alberta tour to all 16 of CKUA’s transmitters to install it. Keep your ears open for a crisper, cleaner sound, starting in the new year.
It’s an exciting project, one that will enhance the CKUA listener experience. Andrew adds that he’s a listener and a donor himself. “I like the fact that my day-to-day work now supports the continuation of such an important institution.”
“We are committed to providing our listeners with a reliable listening experience at all times; so, when we faced the challenge of needing to update our satellite communications equipment, we knew we had a big job, not to mention expense, on our hands to future proof our organization,” says CKUA CEO Marc Carnes. “We are so very grateful for this gift-in-kind sponsorship agreement with Network Innovations.”
