FM 985 CKWR is an independent, locally operated radio station which has been broadcasting from Waterloo Region to the Tri-County area for over 50 years. 

CKWR is a not-for-profit radio station, serving the communities of Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, and Guelph, as well as the various surrounding townships of Wilmot, Woolwich, North Dumfries, and more.

It was originally licensed back in 1973, when it was marked as Canada’s first licensed community radio station on the 98.7 MHz frequency (98.7 FM).

On July 21, 1997, CKWR received approval from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), allowing it to change frequency from 98.7 MHz to 98.5 MHz, where it has remained as FM 98.5 to this day.

It’s at that point that the station also increased the effective radiated power from its tower from 1,430 watts to 2,400 watts, improving the local signal strength across Waterloo Region and beyond.

FM 985 is now amongst 10 FM radio stations operating across Waterloo Region, stretching to 16 when Guelph and Mount Forest are included. Across those channels, CKWR remains the lone Classic Rock radio station throughout the area.

CKWR moved to a weekday Classic Rock format in September of 2025 after briefly becoming Mix 98.5 in 2024.

To this day, FM 985 continues to feature shows in over 10 languages & Specialty Music Shows.

You’ll only find this variety on FM 985 “The Sound of the Region”.