What started as 88.3 on your FM dial in 1978 as a vocational broadcast class, WKHR gradually matured into a reminder of the great music that filled the air waves during the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Broadcasting on only 10 Watts of power to a limited audience, the station was managed by students of the local high school, as well as adult volunteers on the weekends. In 1983, while WKHR struggled at 100
Watts to keep its rock genre thriving, it was through the hard work of many volunteers, dedicated listeners, and generous contributions that the station was revitalized as “WKHR Inc.” by 1989. As a non-profit entity, WKHR was given the ability to compete with for-profit radio stations while keeping your favorite music commercial free. By May 1995, the FCC granted permission for WKHR to broadcast at 1000 watts on 88.3. WKHR was then heard around Cleveland and much of Northeast Ohio for the first time, by way of an improved antenna system. By September, 88.3 transitioned to the new 91.5 facility with a current power of 750 watts ERP. In 1996, WKHR was broadcasting twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. Currently recognized as Cleveland’s favorite Big Band station, WKHR broadcasts to millions of potential listeners in Northeast Ohio and across the world online.
