WHEN DID YOU GO ON AIR?
A: We went on the air Oct 15th, 2014.
WHAT ARE YOUR CALL LETTERS?
A: CJPE but the station is known as “99.3 County-FM”
WHERE IS COUNTY-FM LOCATED?
A: The radio station is located on Cold Storage Road, in the COUNTY Farm Centre (38 Cold Storage Road)
HOW FAR CAN I HEAR COUNTY-FM?
A: The station has 3,000 watts of power which gives us a signal sufficient enough to cover every ward in the COUNTY and a bit beyond.
WHY DO I GET STATIC OR A WEAK SIGNAL?
A: The station has a strong signal throughout the County. If you are getting a weak signal on a home radio, you may need to get an external indoor antenna (under $10) or check that the antenna is oriented correctly. Try changing the orientation of the radio or antenna to see if that helps. You can confirm the signal in your neighborhood by checking on your car radio.
WHY DOES THE SOUND “STUTTER” WHEN I LISTEN ON-LINE?
A: The sound may stutter if the speed of your internet connection is not high enough or if your internet provider is experiencing “congestion” with too many users logged on at once.
IS COUNTY-FM BE ON THE AIR 24 HOURS A DAY?
A: Yes
WHO OWNS COUNTY-FM?
A: This radio station is a community-owned and -operated not-for-profit organization which began by a core of very passionate people who believed The COUNTY needed its own radio station.
WHO RUNS COUNTY-FM?
A: Deb Simpson became the station’s first permanent General Manager on March 1, 2015, taking over from Interim General Manager Jim (JJ) Johnston.
HOW ARE YOUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS GOING?
A: The station received incredible support from the community. Over 238 community members gave $100 or more to become Founding Donors of the station. Individual donations through January 16th totalled just over $52,000. Local businesses has been just as supportive, with 48 businesses contributing $500 or more to become Founding Sponsors, raising a total of $72,000.
We still have significant fundraising to do to pay off the initial costs of starting up the station, and will always need to fundraise to accomplish some of our goals.
WHY DOES COUNTY-FM PLAY COMMERCIALS?
We sell commercials, which supply over 70 % of the revenue we need to provide the service of our Community station. As well, commercials provide local businesses with a cost effective way to advertise their products and services to County listeners.
Our Free Community Event notices provide not-for-profit organizations with a way to let the community know about their events. Special advertising rates area also available for not-for-profits who need to advertise their major fundraising events.
WHAT IS THE COUNTY-FM FORMAT? WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?
A: What does it sound like? Think CBC a few years ago;
- Morning and afternoon hosts keep you up to date with what is going on in the COUNTY and play an eclectic mix that borrows from many different styles of music.
- Long form and short form shows at other times;
- Long Form. Longer than a half an hour.
- Music examples include Blues, Classical, Country, Top 40, Hip Hop, Jazz, Folk, Alternative, Rock etc.
- Spoken Word. Wine Shows, Township roundups, Sports, Agricultural shows, Health, Ask the Experts, behind the Arts Scene etc.
- Short Form. Daily or weekly reports such as marine, birding, business, community activities fishing, arts, golf, etc.
- Long Form. Longer than a half an hour.
WHO DECIDES THE COUNTY-FM PROGRAM SCHEDULE?
A: There is a programming committee who along with the General Manager make the decisions on which radio programs will become part of the schedule. The station manager works in concert with the hosts on the content and presentation of each show.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW SJHOW?
Please submit your proposal through UB the DJ. IT is a great way to ‘get your feet wet’ on the station.
HOW DO I BECOME A COUNTY-FM ON-AIR HOST?
A: Visit us our volunteer page for details.
HOW MUCH DO COUNTY-FM ON-AIR HOSTS GET PAID?
A: The station is a non-profit organization so all On-Air positions are un-paid, volunteer roles. There are only a few paid positions in admin and if paid employees serve as on-air hosts, they do it as volunteers on their own time, not on paid time.
ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED BEYOND BEING AN COUNTY-FM ON-AIR HOST?
A: Most people think radio is all about the show hosts when in fact it takes a lot of behind the scenes staff to make it all work. There are opportunities in many areas including administration, technical, fundraising/marketing/promotion sales.
IF I WANTED TO VOLUNTEER, HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK/MONTH WOULD I BE NEEDED?
In terms of how many hours a week/month, that would depend entirely on your availability.
ARE THERE BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL MUSICIANS TO HAVE THEIR MUSIC PLAYED OR PLAY LIVE ON COUNTY-FM?
A: The answer is yes and yes. This is an important outlet for local music and there is nothing better soundings than an artist playing live on the radio! Please contact the station by phone 613-476-2229, submitting your music to music@993countyfm.ca or contacting gm@993countyfm.ca.
WILL COUNTY-FM BE COMPETITIVE WITH BELLEVILLE RADIO STATIONS?
A: County FM’s focus is the County. The Belleville stations are very supportive of our initiative and cover a much wider area. COUNTY-FM focusses on the COUNTY population and its unique essence, interests, needs and activities.
WHAT BENEFITS TO THE COUNTY DOES 99.3 COUNTY-FM OFFER?
A: 99.3 County FM provides
- A voice dedicated to COUNTY residents
- An “immediate” go-to source for news and information in regular and emergency times
- A partner for the awareness of the myriad of COUNTY community activities and interests
- A highly targeted advertising solution
HOW CAN I HELP COUNTY-FM?
A: You can help in a number of ways:
- Cash Donations. Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $20 that are paid by cheque made out to PEC Community Foundation with a notation on the cheque that says “community radio”. Casual cash donations made to the radio station by cash (not by cheque) are not eligible for tax receipts.
- Commercial campaigns. We can help you grow your business and when you buy from us you are also supporting our operating costs.
- Spread the good word
- Send engaged Volunteers our way or become one