Cortes Radio possesses a technology that will enable it to continue broadcasting even if a major disaster takes out the grid and internet. On July 19, Shaun Koopman Protective Services Coordinator for the Strathcona Regional District, brought a team of volunteers from Campbell River and Gold River. For about twenty minutes, CKTZ stopped broadcasting through-out 99% of its area while we performed the first successful test of Radio-in-a-box in front of the station at Mansons Landing, Cortes Island.
On August 29, 2017, Cortes Community Radio, CKTZ 89.5 FM signed a memorandum of understanding with the Strathcona Regional District, on Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, stating we are to give them temporary usage of the station during emergencies. This has been part of Cortes Radio’s vision from the beginning but up until a week ago seemed more of a goal than a reality. Everything changed on Thursday, December 6, 2018. This morning Derrick Harvey talks about CKTZ’s new emergency back-up: radio in a suitcase.
