View source for CHKS-FM

{{short description|Rock radio station in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name             = CHKS-FM
| logo             = CHKS Cool 106.3 logo.jpg
| logo_size        = 150px
| city             = [[Sarnia|Sarnia, Ontario]]
| country          = CA
| area             = {{ubl|[[Lambton County|Lambton County, Ontario]]|[[St. Clair County, Michigan]]}}
| branding         = Cool 106.3
| airdate          = August 3, [[1968 in radio|1968]]
| frequency        = 106.3 [[Hertz|MHz]] ([[FM broadcasting|FM]]) {{HD Radio}}
| format           = [[Classic hits]]
| erp              = {{ubl|35,000 [[watt]]s average|50,000 watts peak}}
| haat             = {{convert|124|metres|feet}}
| class            = B
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|CKJD (1968–1987)|CKTY (1987–1999)}}
| owner            = [[Blackburn Radio]]
| sister_stations  = [[CFGX-FM]], [[CHOK]]
| webcast          = [https://sarnia.coolradio.ca Listen Live]
| website          = [https://sarnia.coolradio.ca sarnia.coolradio.ca]
}}
'''CHKS-FM''' is a Canadian [[radio station]], which broadcasts at 106.3 [[FM broadcasting|FM]] in [[Sarnia]], Ontario. The station broadcasts a [[classic hits]] format with the brand name ''Cool 106.3''. In addition to Sarnia, it also serves [[Port Huron, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/92717/cruise-to-rock-port-huron/|title=WHLS Rocks Port Huron|author=chrisbubb|work=RadioInsight}}</ref>
CHKS-FM broadcasts in [[HD Radio|HD]].<ref>[http://hdradio.com/canada/find-hd-radio-canadian-station HD Radio Guide for Canada] {{unreliable source|date=May 2024}}</ref>
==Range==
CHKS-FM can be heard in parts of Eastern Michigan, as far west as [[Flint, Michigan]]. The station conflicts with [[WGER]] of [[Saginaw, Michigan|Saginaw]], in [[Genesee County, Michigan|Genesee]] and [[Lapeer County, Michigan|Lapeer]] Counties, though those with directional antennas can tune either station in these areas. The 106.3 FM signal has been heard as far south as [[Monroe, Michigan|Monroe]]; however, reception can be difficult due to FM translator W292DK in [[Oak Park, Michigan|Oak Park]] which is also on 106.3 FM. This situation tends to cause interference in southern [[St. Clair County, Michigan|St. Clair County]], as well as in [[Macomb County]]. In Ontario, interference seems minimal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=W292DK&service=FX&status=L&hours=U|title=W292DK-FM Radio Station Coverage Map|publisher= Theodric Technologies LLC.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=CHKS&service=FM&status=F&hours=U|title=CHKS-FM Radio Station Coverage Map|publisher= Theodric Technologies LLC.}}</ref>
==History==
Dancy Broadcasting launched the station in 1969, as an [[AM broadcasting|AM]] station with the callsign CKJD and a contemporary [[middle of the road (music)|MOR]] format. The station's original AM frequency was 1250 AM. [[Rogers Communications]] acquired it in 1972, and moved to 1110 AM in 1977. In 1981, Rogers also launched an FM sister station, [[CFGX-FM|CJFI]].
CKJD and CJFI were sold to [[Maclean-Hunter]] subsidiary Blue Water Broadcasting in 1987. The following year, CKJD adopted a [[country music|country]] format with the new call sign CKTY.
When Rogers acquired Maclean-Hunter in 1994, the Blue Water stations were transferred to [[Blackburn Radio]]. Blackburn converted the station to FM in 1999,<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1999/DB99-19.HTM Decision CRTC 99-19], Conversion of AM radio station CKTY to FM, ''CRTC'', January 21, 1999</ref> and gave the station its current call sign, CHKS-FM and changed to an [[active rock]] format under the moniker ''K106.3, Sarnia's Best Rock''.
On July 1, 2020 at 1:06 pm, CHKS ended its [[active rock]] format with playing "[[Fireworks (The Tragically Hip song)|Fireworks]]" by [[The Tragically Hip]] repeatedly from 12:00&nbsp;p.m. until 1:06&nbsp;p.m. The first song played on the new [[rock music|rock]]-oriented [[classic hits]]-based ''Cool 106.3'' was "[[Electric Avenue (song)|Electric Avenue]]" by [[Eddy Grant]].
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://sarnia.coolradio.ca Cool 106.3]
*[https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/ontario/ontario-south-western/chks-fm/ CHKS-FM] at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the [[Canadian Communications Foundation]]
*{{RecnetCanada|CHKS-FM}}
{{Southwestern Ontario Radio}}
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[[Category:Radio stations in Sarnia|Hks]]
[[Category:Active rock radio stations in Canada|Hks]]
[[Category:Blackburn Radio stations|Hks]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1968]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Ontario]]
{{Ontario-radio-station-stub}}