CFRM-FM

On September 12, MSD Computer Corp. (on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated) was awarded a licence for a developmental FM community station at Little Current, operating on 101.1 MHz with effective radiated power of 1.4 watts. The station would broadcast 24 hours a day and offer a wide variety of music targeting young adults. It would also provide information on upcoming events and broadcast safety messages directed to the Town of Little Current (provided by the Manitoulin Fire Department and the Ontario Provincial Police)

Manitoulin Radio Communication Inc. was authorized on July 12 to increase effective radiated power for CFRM from 1.4 watts to 1.5 watts.

CFRM signed on the air in September. Studios and offices were located at 10 Campbell Street East. CFRM used a computerized 60 day program logging system, automatic computer control for the studio from a remote location, and monitoring both environment and transmitter control with video over Internet Protocol. Thanks to the use of diesel generators and APC power backup and protection systems at both studio and transmitter sites, CFRM was able to stay on the air during the frequent power blackouts on the island. 

On July 29, CFRM was given a licence upgrade to that of a low-power Type B community FM station. Power would increase to 1,830 watts on 101.1 MHz.

On September 20, CFRM was authorized to increase effective radiated power from five watts to 45 watts and to decrease antenna height. The hope was to cover the entire island.  

On August 16, Manitoulin Radio Communication Inc. was given approval to change CFRM’s frequency from 101.1 to 100.7 MHz, increase effective radiated power from 45 watts to 1,830 watts, and increase antenna height at a new transmitter site. CFRM’s status would change from a low-power unprotected service to a regular Class A FM service. The earlier power increase did not accomplish the hope of serving the entire island. 

CFRM-FM changed format from classic hits to country on October 23.

On March 19 at 1:00 p.m., CFRM-FM made the move from 101.1 MHz to 100.7 MHz. The signal would now reach from Sault St. Marie south to Parry Sound and all of Manitoulin Island. With the change in status, CFRM became known as 100.7 FM “The Island”.

On April 29, Manitoulin Radio Communication Inc. had its application to operate a low power transmitter for CFRM-FM at Sudbury denied. If approved, the transmitter would have broadcast on 107.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. The CRTC noted that CFRM-FM was a community-based radio service that offered a Hot New Country music format as well as local weather, marine and road reports, and information on regional events to listeners in Little Current and surrounding areas. Manitoulin Radio submitted that the proposed transmitter would allow the many Sudbury residents who own property on Manitoulin Island to remain aware of important information relating to Manitoulin Island while they were in Sudbury. While the Commission recognized that some residents of Sudbury may have an interest in information concerning Manitoulin Island, the addition of the proposed transmitter to broadcast programming originating at Little Current would provide minimal local reflection of the Sudbury community.

100.7 The Island, went green this summer. A wind generator, powered by a wind turbine was installed and was generating electricity to power the station’s Harris FM-HD transmitter. By using this turbine The Island reduced the power drawn from the grid. This was phase one of the station’s green plan. Station owner and CEO Craig Timmermans said they would install five more wind turbines at the tower site and then have their own micro wind farm, which would help power homes in the community. The final phase would be the installation of a vertical wind turbine at the studios in downtown Little Current. It was expected all three phases would be completed by the end of 2009. 

On March 19, CFRM-FM received approval to increase effective radiated power from 1,830 watts to 27,500 watts, and to decrease effective antenna height. The changes would allow the station to reach all of Manitoulin Island.

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CFRM-FM to December 31, 2011.

On August 28, the CRTC administratively renewed CFRM-FM’s licence until December 31, 2012.

On December 14, the CRTC renewed the licence of CFRM-FM until August 31, 2019.

On April 1 at noon, Country-formatted 100.7 The Island (CFRM) got a sister station. Glow 100.7, with a hot dance format, took over The Island’s old frequency. The Island became Great Lakes Country 103.1 FM (CHAW) with 35,200 watts.

In April, CFRM received CRTC approval to raise antenna height and relocate the transmitter.

CFRM-FM changed branding from Glow 100 to Hits 100 in June.

On August 8, CFRM received a short-term licence renewal until August 31, 2024 due to issues of non-compliance.