[1] CFAX signed on on September 11, 1959, as a daytime-only 1,000-watt radio station on 810 kHz, shutting down every night to accommodate clear-channel KGO.

The station, undercapitalized from the beginning, quickly ran into financial trouble, with Clare Copeland emerging as owner and manager.

In 1964, the station changed dial position to 1070, and commenced 24/7 operation, transmitting from the Trial Islands.

Clare Copeland sold the station in 1975 to Mel Cooper, who stepped down as General Manager of CKNW Vancouver to assume ownership of CFAX.

Under Cooper's direction, the station increased its emphasis on news and information programming, and developed a subsidiary company specializing in recording original commercial jingles for sale throughout North America, and syndicating radio programming, "Seacoast Sound."