The Organisation began in 1980 as the Christian FM Broadcasters Tasmania Inc. Our first Test Transmission was held in a caravan at Table Cape in September 1982. In July 1983, Municipal Warden Bill French opened the Studio/Office in Inglis Street, Wynyard.
In 1990, after having held 22 Test Transmissions, a Community Licence was granted. We could now be ‘on air’ permanently from 23rd December 1990 and our ‘name’ was changed to ‘Coastal FM Incorporated’. (Ten years of hard work – set backs; frustrations; extreme dedication & determination by many people; and licence applications finally won through!) January 13th, 1991 was our official Launching Day! Our ‘call-sign then was ‘7DBS’ – signifying our commitment to linking the Coast through Devonport, Burnie and Smithton – and our frequency was then 106.1!
In June, 1997, Fusion Australia were invited to take on the management of the station, while the Coastal FM Board continued to ensure that station fulfilled its established goals. A new antenna was then installed at Table Cape which improved the signal to the Coast. The station became known as FM 106.1 “The Coast’s Own”. The purchase of ‘tie-lines’ allowed the North West Community to see a lot more of Coast FM personnel during outside broadcasts. The original transmissions from Table Cape started with 106.1 and the two translators were added at Smithton 88.9 and Devonport 104.7 at a later stage. During the recent upgrade (during 2015-16) the studios have now move to digital era in preparation for future digital broadcasting. The station has also expanded it’s Outside Broadcast facilities with a vehicle during 2021. Some of the station managers were Dennis Adams, Sheridan Gardiner, Paul Bottern, Matt Amery, Nathaniel Garvin, Jim Griffin, Mal Metcalf and now Brian Shearston