CHRY-FM

York University’s Radio York began operations as a closed circuit station. Studios were in the basement of Vanier College. The University is in Downsview (North York).

Radio York moved to the second floor of Vanier College. Rogers Cable began carrying Radio York’s signal on its system. 

In the late 70’s, Rogers Cable dropped Radio York.  

York Campus Radio applied to the CRTC for permission to operate an over-the-air FM station on 105.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.

The CRTC approved York’s application for a new FM station. The Commission noted that it was a general policy to license only one student radio station in a market. The commissioners were impressed by the innovative community and educational programming proposed by York Campus Radio CJRY, as well as by its proposed emphasis on black and folk music.

On October 13, at 12:00 p.m., Radio York became CHRY-FM. The new station was licensed to operate with 50 watts of effective radiated power on the 105.5 MHz frequency. CHRY-FM’s signal from North York, also served most of Toronto, parts of Scarborough and a good deal of York Region. The “RY” in the calls stood for Radio York. At the start, CHRY operated from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. It would soon operate 24 hours a day. The studios and transmitter were at York University, 4700 Keele Street, 258A Vanier College. The corporate name was CHRY Community Radio Inc. The station’s wide-ranging schedule included play-by-play of inter-college sporting events. 

Among the founders of Radio York (now CHRY-FM) were Steve Harris, VP of Maclean-Hunter and Jamie Crookston, operations manager of CKFM.

Rob Fogle began what would become a long-running weekly jazz series titled “Some Experiences In Jazz”.

CHRY extended its broadcast day to 24 hours. The extended hours came with a change in program directors – Gary Wright replaced Lisa Roosen-Runge who had been PD for over five years.

On May 23, CHRY was given approval to increase effective radiated power from 50 watts to an average ERP of 158 watts and by increasing the antenna height.

On September 12th, after 920 programs and  563 guests, Rob Fogle celebrated the 20th Anniversary of his Some Experiences in Jazz Friday night series.

On May 1, CHRY dropped all of its existing programs and dismissed all of its volunteers. At the same time, it rebranded as VIBE 105 with an urban alternative format.

On June 16, the CRTC denied CHRY’s application to add an FM rebroadcasting transmitter in Scarborough (105.3 MHz with average ERP of 92 watts).