FCC: new FM translators for KARI & KVRI Blaine

Licenses to cover were issued today to Way Broadcasting for both of their AM stations in Blaine.  K239CY will operate on 95.7 FM with 45 watts as a translator for Christian talk/religion 550 KARI.  The omni-directional coverage pattern covers Blaine & Birch Bay nicely, but also extends across the “dotted line” providing coverage to White Rock, Cloverdale, Aldergrove & Langley BC – considered part of KARI‘s intended target area.

Way Broadcasting also received permission to launch translator K287CI which will operate on 105.3 mHz with 45 watts & an omni-directional radiation pattern identical to co-sited K239CY.  The new translator will rebroadcast the Punjabi & South Asian language variety format of  “Radio India” heard on 1600 KVRI.  That station is solely targeted to the large South Asian communities of metro Vancouver & it’s suburb cities & has zero interest in serving Whatcom Co. residents.  Why a station with 50 kW day & 10 kW nights needs a translator to serve Blaine & Birch Bay is beyond the comprehension of this reporter.

KVRI is a thorn in the side of Canada’s broadcast regulator – the CRTC, who consider the station an unwanted, intruder, “border blaster”.  They attempted to have that country’s tax dept. & other federal agencies harass & target Canadian-based “Radio India”,  so that company promptly set up an American subsidiary to avoid this.  “Radio India” personalities & management have been involved in some controversies over the years that have made them a target.