Either the hamsters were frozen, or they're trying to see how low they go with the signal to cover the GTA while saving on electricity. They wouldn't be the first station to go that route

Or hear me out...... overnight maintenance?

Sounds like maintenance. CFTR has an auxillary Tx site at the Rogers 855 York Mills Road campus. I heard it on air last night just before 1am. At the time I was listening, the aux site was just sending a dead carrier. The main Tx was still on the air with audio. I've heard them test the aux site seveeral times before, usually around 3am but never this early. What's interesting is the aux Tx is not locked to the main Tx oscillator and is about 0.3Hz (my guesstimate) off frequency. Because I am close to it, having the two not locked creates periodic deep fades in the main signal as the two cancel each other out. The further away you are from central Toronto, the less impact this aux signal will have on reception of the main. Just to mention, I've also heard them test the aux site Tx with audio, while the main is still on air. The effect was hollow sounding (still with deep fades). I suspect the audio feeds between the two sites are just every so slightly delayed. So, if you hear consistant fading or hollow sounding audio on 680, you are likely hearing the aux Tx. The aux is intended to back up the main in case of failure for just the Toronto area. With it's intended operation (main off air), none of the above anomolies will apply. It would seem like Saul tuned in at the right time while the main Tx was off and scored a great catch. I think the best I've had is WRKO. As for CFTR eventually relocating it's main Tx site - always a possibility, but look at how long CFRB and CHUM have been sitting on prime land in south Mississauga. I don't think they are moving any time soon, at least until they decide to throw in the towel on their AM signal. With the number of times I hear the online stream being pushed on RB, this may not be far off. I could only imagine the annual operating and maintenance costs for Bell of those two sites.

Last edited by Evuguy (January 23, 2026 9:34 pm)

I find it laughable the amount of people on this board that jump to worse case for 680, that to this day is hugely rated, much more profitable than some of the other am stations on the dial.   Transmitter maintenance will happen and overnights is the time to do it.   Of any of the am stations, 680 likely has a higher chance to convert to FM if that opportunity presents itself.    I'm not sure 1010 or 640 will ever see that..   How about we stop the assumptions that clearly are past the point of ridiculous.

Last edited by radiokid (January 24, 2026 1:03 am)

I'd say that's a yes, it should count.  Different technical parameters and location.