1950
After three years and four tries, David M. Armstrong’s Capital Broadcasting System Ltd. started Victoria’s second radio station – CKDA on January 18. Operating on 1340 kHz, CKDA had a full-time power of 250 watts (non-directional). The "DA" in the call letters: David Armstrong.
1954
David Armstrong applied for and received British Columbia’s first FM licence. CKDA-FM went on the air later in the year. CKDA-FM originally acted as a link to the CKDA-AM transmitter on Chatham Island, in Oak Bay.
1955
CKDA switched to 1280 kHz and increased power to 5,000 watts.
1956
Armstrong acquired British Columbia's first low-powered television station – CHEK - Victoria.
T.J. O'Neill moved from the sales department to become program director.
David G. Hill, assistant manager of CKDA, became manager, and Allan Klenman, sales manager of CKNW for past six years became local sales manger of CKDA.
1957
CKDA moved to 1220 from 1280 kHz and increased power from 5,000 to 10,000 watts.
1960
David Armstrong sold CHEK-TV.
1965
CKDA-FM became CFMS-FM.
1966
In October, CKDA was given approval to increase power to 25,000 watts full-time (single directional pattern) from 10,000 watts (single directional pattern).
1967
Even though the increase to 25,000 watts was not yet in place, CKDA applied for
a further increase to 50,000 watts. The application was denied.
1968
Again, CKDA applied for an increase in power to 50,000 watts. The application was denied on May 28.
CKDA went ahead with the original plan for 25,000 watts and it became operational
later in the year.
1971
On July 22, CKDA 1220 was authorized to increase power from 25,000 to 50,000 watts. A single directional pattern was used in both cases. 50,000 watt operation began later in the year, using five towers located on Chatham Island.
1976
The purchase of CKDA/CFMS by CHQT Broadcasting Ltd. of Edmonton was denied by the CRTC. The Commission criticized the proposal for its lack of local ownership or participation.
1980
Walter Cowden became manager of operations for CKDA and CFMS-FM. He had been program director.
1985
Gerald Laing became director of operations for CKDA/CFMS. He had been with CKPG in Prince George.
CKDA applied to change frequency from 1220 kHz to 1200 kHz. The change was approved later in the year. The new frequency became available thanks to the Rio Agreement.
David M. Armstrong, who established CKDA in 1950, died on April 22. He was 65. Armstrong was president of Capital Broadcasting Systems, which operated both CKDA and CFMS-FM.
Mary Jo Molzan became promotions manager for CKDA/CFMS. She had been with CKGY in Red Deer.
CKDA/CFMS appointments: Sheridon Armstrong, president; Gowan Guest, secretary; and Gerald Laing, general manager. Margaret Armstrong, former vice president; and Ruby Masters, former secretary, resigned as directors of Capital Broadcasting System Ltd.
1985-86
Eryn Brooks joined the CKDA news department from Winnipeg's CKY.
Gerald Laing was named general manager. Scott Armstrong became news director. Clive Kitchener became news supervisor.
1986
On July 1, CKDA moved from 1220 kHz to 1200 kHz. Power remained 50,000 watts day and night. A three tower directional (DA-1) array was used, along with a Continental 317C 50 kW transmitter. The technical facilities were located on Chatham Island, about three and a half miles east of Victoria. Hydro was provided to the uninhabited island by undersea cable. The transmitter site also had a diesel standby. Chief engineer at this time was Fred Cole.
A bid by Wayne Stafford to gain control of CKDA/CFMS ran in to strong opposition from some of the employees. Their arguments were backed by George Jones, a close friend of the late owner, David Armstrong, who said that Armstrong intended that his family inherit Capital Broadcasting and had no wish to see Stafford buy it. Armstrong's widow, Sheridon, also opposed the application. Gerald Lang, a former general manager of the stations supported the sale, saying continued operation by Mrs. Armstrong would be disastrous.
Paul Gugliari became CKDA's program director. He had been music director at CKFM Toronto.
J. Robert Wood became interim manager. Dean Roberts became program director.
1987
Chuck Camroux purchased 25% of Capital Broadcasting System Ltd. Mrs. Sheridan Armstrong held 75%.
Gerald A. Laing left CKDA/CFMS-FM where he had been general manager to become VP and GM at Westwood One Canada.
1989
Terry Griffiths was program director.
CKDA and CFMS had long since outgrown their basement space on downtown Douglas Street and now also occupied some offices on the floor above.
1995
On August 21, the CRTC approved a two-stage intra-corporate re-organization of Capital Broadcasting, owner of CKDA and CFMS. In the end, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. would own CFMS-FM while O.K. Radio Group Ltd. would own CKDA-AM. Rogers already owned CJVI-AM while O.K. owned CKKQ-FM.
These sales were completed September 1. Shortly after the sale of CKDA, the station left the air. It returned October 10, as CKXM with a country music format. CKXM began operating from brand new transmitting facilities at the existing site on Chatham Island.
1996
In July, CKXM began broadcasting in stereo.
1997
CKXM announced some line-up changes: Scott James moved from producing the Wayne Pederson morning show to hosting the 10-2 program. Tara Wilson joined Peter Schaad as afternoon news anchor. Todd Hunter took over the duties of assistant music director/community relations staffer.
1999
CKXM and CKKQ moved in May to the top floor, 2750 Quadra Street. CKXM had operated for years from 1450 Douglas Street.
On October 28, CKXM was given approval to convert to the FM dial, operating on 91.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,766 watts. The existing country format would be kept.
2000
On March 20, CKXM was granted authority to operate a rebroadcast transmitter at Sooke, operating on 97.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 38 watts.
At 4:00 p.m. on the same date, CKXM made the move to FM as “The New X91.3”.
The old CKXM 1200 AM frequency went silent on May 17.
2001
On June 21 at 12 noon, CKXM-FM changed from country to modern rock as "The Zone@91.3 FM."
To match the new name, the call letters changed on July 5 to CJZN-FM.
Al Ford became program and music director at The Zone.
2004
On March 19, CJZN was granted approval to operate a transitional digital radio undertaking. The transmitter would be located at Malahat Ridge and employ the EUREKA-147 digital audio broadcasting system. The station proposed to operate the transmitter using DRU frequency 1,472.000 MHz (DRB channel 12) with an effective isotropic radiated power of 2,000 watts.
2006
On April 13, the CRTC extended the deadline to begin operation of its previously approved digital radio operation to August 31, 2006. OK Radio had requested an extension to March 19, 2007 citing the uncertainty of the status of digital broadcasting in Canada, but the Commission noted that the date proposed would extend beyond the expiry of the licence in question.
On May 9, the Edmonton-based OK Radio Group announced the sale of its two Victoria stations, CKKQ-FM and CJZN-FM to Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. COO of OK Radio, Stu Morton was quoted as saying, "The management, programming and character of the stations will continue. [Pattison] stations run much the same way we do.” On November 24, the CRTC approved the ownership change, along with the respective transmitters in nearby Sooke, with the applicants specifying the value of the transaction at $15.75 million. The Commission also noted the purchase included the not-yet-launched transitional digital radio undertakings associated with the stations.
Written by Gord Lansdell, Bill Dulmage - Updated December, 2009
