CKLQ-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the current maximum for Canadian FM stations. CKLQ was powered at 10,000 watts, day and night.
Until the end of August 2025, the station had a nested rebroadcaster at 880kHz, CKLQ. Because 880 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A station WHSQ in New York City, the class B CKLQ featured a directional signal at all times. At night, when radio waves travel farther, it used a four-tower array to prevent interference to WHSQ.
History
CKLQ started broadcasting in October 1977 at a frequency of 1570kHz and moved to its 880 frequency in 1985.[1]
On January 6, 2016, the CRTC approved Riding Mountain's application to convert CKLQ to 91.5MHz 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). Riding Mountain also received approval for an AM rebroadcasting transmitter which would operate on CKLQ's current frequency and technical parameters, at 880kHz (class B) with a daytime and nighttime transmitter power of 10,000 watts.[2]
CKLQ-FM signed on the air on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 4:15p.m., rebranding as Q Country 91.5 FM.[3]
In September 2022, Westman announced the sale of CKLQ and CKLF to Pattison Media.[4]
On August 13, 2025, Pattinson received approval from the CRTC to wind down operations on 880 AM after August 31, citing high maintenance costs for transmitter repairs and securing the AM transmitter site to the satisfaction of Safety Code 6, which requires proper fencing for EMF exposure limits. [5][6]
