Broadcast History - October 25

[jon]

In 1950, my favourite call letters, CJON, came on the air for the first time in St. John's, Newfoundland. The station signed on to 930 KHz with 5000 watts, with a directional transmitter pattern at night. CJON-TV was launched in 1955.

In 1963, CFBV Smithers signed on to 1230 KHz with 1000 watts day and 250 watts at night. CFLD Burns Lake was added in November 1965, with 250 watts on 1400 KHz. In 1974, 50 watt rebroadcast transmitters were added in Houston (1450), Granisle (1480) and Hazelton (1490). CFBV and CFLD increased power to 1000 watts day and 500 watts at night, moving to former U.S. 1-A clear channels 870 KHz in 1985 and 760 KHz in 1986, respectively. WWL New Orleans had been the only station on 870 KHz at night, and was used during the early 1960s Cold War as a propaganda station to Cuba for part of its broadcast day. WJR Detroit was the former sole owner of 760 KHz.