CKLQ-FM

Harry F. Davidson received a licence to operate a new AM station at Brandon, using a frequency of 1570 kHz and full-time power of 10,000 watts (different day and night directional patterns). Applications for transmitters at Neepawa (1400 kHz with 100 watts) and Virden (1490 kHz with 250 watts) were denied as those areas should receive an adequate signal from the Brandon station. 

Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd. launched CKLQ-AM in October. 

On February 15, the CRTC renewed CKLQ’s licence to September 30, 1989.

On January 22, Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd. was given approval to change CKLQ’s frequency from 1570 kHz to 880 kHz and to relocate the transmitter from a site approximately seven kilometers south of Brandon to approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Brandon. The proposed changes would result in a better quality signal. The daytime coverage area would now include Riding Mountain National Park to the north, Moose Mountain to the west, and Portage la Prairie to the east. The nighttime coverage area would increase by approximately 165%. Power remained at 10,000 watts day and night. 

CKLQ made the move from 1570 to 880 kHz.

Ron Arnst changed posts: news director to operations manager.

CKLQ marked 20 Years of Country – its 20th birthday. The station went on the air in the spring of 1977, and moved from 1570 to 880 kHz in July of 1985, greatly increasing the coverage of “Western Manitoba’s Country Music & Information Station”. Recent upgrades include the installation of digital computer equipment in the control and production studios. To mark the anniversary, CKLQ held contests, parties, and issued a limited edition 20th Anniversary CD.

On March 18, the CRTC announced that it approved, by Letter of Authority, a change in the effective control of Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd., through the transfer of 77% of the common shares from eight shareholders to two existing shareholders, Wildwood Communications Ltd. and Twinmon Holdings Ltd. (7% – Don and Ron Kille) and four new shareholders, Alrico Enterprises Ltd. (10%), Wilfy Enterprises Ltd. (10%), 69599 Manitoba Ltd. (10%) and Westman Media Co-operative Ltd. (40%).

In June, CKLQ launched a new FM station in Brandon – CKLF-FM.

The CRTC approved the transfer of control of Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd. (CKLQ and CKLF) through the purchase by Westman Media Co-operative Ltd. of all shares not currently held by Westman. Westman increased its holding in Riding Mountain from 40% to 100%. Westman took full ownership on September 2.

Westman Communications installed a new transmitter for CKLQ. Q Country’s general manager Don Kille said the new Nautel solid state transmitter would provide listeners across the station’s coverage area with a stronger, more reliable signal.

On August 13 the CRTC renewed CKLQ’s licence to August 31, 2008 instead of for the maximum term of seven years. The period would allow the Commission to assess, at an earlier date, the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations regarding the distribution of category 2 Canadian popular music.

On August 25 CKLQ had its licence renewed by the CRTC to August 31, 2015. 

Westman Communications Group (CKLQ/Star 94.7) was awarded the Outstanding Medium Business Award from the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce at the 2010 Manitoba Business Awards. The selection committee considered the customer-owned cooperative’s record in customer service, employee relationships, contributions to the communities it served and how it enhanced each of those areas.

CKLQ/Star FM News Director John LoRegio stepped down after 16 years with the company. LoRegio had been in the business for 39 years. His last day was July 5.

The new News Director at CKLQ (effective January 2) was Clay Young, formerly of CJOB Winnipeg where he had been a reporter/anchor.

Bill Turner, the long-time morning host at CKLQ, retired. He started out at CKYL Peace River, and then moved to CKX-TV Brandon. 36 years ago, Turner began at CKLQ doing news, eventually moving to become the morning host.

On January 6, the CRTC approved the application by Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd. to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Brandon to replace its AM station CKLQ and to operate an AM transmitter in Brandon to rebroadcast the programming of the FM station. The station would maintain the existing country music format. Riding Mountain proposed to operate the station at 91.5 MHz (channel 218C) with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 325.6 metres). The us of this frequency would be conditional on the successful transition of CIWM-FM from 91.5 to 107.5 MHz. CKLQ-AM would continue to broadcast on 880 kHz with power of 10,000 watts.

On April 27 at 4:15 p.m., CKLQ officially moved from 880 AM to 91.5 FM (as Q Country 91.5 FM) but kept 880 AM on the air as a nested repeater. The station was also celebrating its 40th anniversary.