BY LAURIE WEIR

Jack FM has returned to the airwaves in Smiths Falls. 

The station that serves the Ottawa market, including Smiths Falls and the valley, was the variety hits Jack FM station from 2004 to 2020 when it became Country 92.3. 

The Smith Falls “newish radio station” reverted to the Jack format effective Dec. 27, 2023, “playing whatever” on an automated loop. 

The former office of Jack FM was located at 6 Beckwith St., N. in Smiths Falls. 

Listeners would recognize long-time broadcaster John Chatwood, who covered a lot of community events. 

“I’d be tempted,” Chatwood told this publication, as “nothing is ever off the table.”

He’d been a broadcaster in Smiths Falls for 34 years at various stations and through various owners, he said. 

“I first started here in 1986,” he said. “At the end, the studio was in my house. We moved out of the studio on Beckwith and we had a studio set up in my house for the final go.”

Working from home “was the big thing back then,” he said, noting it was only three years ago when he left the airwaves.

“We used to have that building out on the Jasper Road jam packed for the two stations,” he said. 

“It’s a smalltown radio station … Give some kid a chance. They gave me a shot when I was a kid back then. It’s a great starting ground. Some of us wanted to stay at a local radio station.”

Smiths Falls Coun. Dawn Quinn said it would be “wonderful” having Chatwood back on the air. 

“He is a personable guy … tells the true story,” she said. “Be so nice to have him back again. He did great interviews, was out and about, and lots of times when not even asked.”

Formerly CJET-FM, the radio station has a long history in Smiths Falls.

Hugh Colton’s uncle, Jack Pollie, started CJET in 1955, which was 1070 AM frequency.

Colton, a former broadcaster, said he would love to see a live person behind the mic, “especially with the importance of this being a community minded radio station, but that will be a decision that will be made by the Rogers Broadcasting.”

There was no word from Rogers Broadcasting this week as to whether there would be staff on site.