The station began broadcasting in September 1960 and held the call sign WRMN-FM, simulcasting AM 1410 WRMN.[1][2] The station was located in Elgin, Illinois, and had an ERP of 1,000 watts at a HAAT of 130 feet (40 m).[1] By 1965, the station had begun airing programming independent of AM 1410.[5] In 1965, the station's ERP was increased to 3,000 watts and its HAAT was decreased to 115 feet (35 m).[2] In 1972, the station's HAAT was increased to 210 feet (64 m) and its ERP was reduced to 2,500 watts.[2]
In 1972, the station adopted the call letters WJKL, which was based on the name of the station manager at the time, Richard Jakle.[2][6] In 1974, WJKL adopted a progressive rock format, and was branded "The Fox".[7][8][9] In 1975, the station's ERP was increased to 3,000 watts.[2] In July 1980, the station dropped all local talent becoming fully automated, airing an album-oriented rock format.[7] Live personalities were brought back in April 1981.[7]
In September 1982, the station adopted a big band/adult standards format, with the branding "JKL 94" "Great Music".[7][10][11][12] The station featured music from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.[13]When Radio Was, hosted by Carl Amari, aired nightly on the station.[11][14] In 1984, the station's HAAT was increased to 328 feet (100 m).[15][16]
In May 1990, WJKL adopted an adult contemporary format and revived "The Fox" branding.[17][18][19] The station carried programming from the Satellite Music Network, along with local programs such as the Radio Shopping Show.[6][20] In 1990, the station's ERP was increased to 6,000 watts.[21][22] In 1998, the station added brokered programming at night.[23]
On March 1, 1999, became a brokered affiliateofOne on One Sports (later called Sporting News Radio), airing One on One Sports programming from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.[24][25] One on One Sports moved to the station from AM 950 WIDB.[24][25]
After purchasing the station in 2007, Educational Media Foundation changed WJKL's city of license from Elgin to Glendale Heights.[30] In 2010, the station's transmitter was moved from Elgin to the Oakbrook Terrace Tower in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, moving to a higher location closer to Chicago, while reducing its power to 3,500 watts ERP.[31][32]
On March 10, 2018, K-LOVE moved to 97.9 WLUP-FM (now WCKL).[33] In summer of 2018, WJKL became an affiliate of Educational Media Foundation's Christian CHR network Air1.[34] The station changed its call sign to WAWE on July 11, 2019.[35] The WJKL callsign was moved to K-LOVE's station serving San Juan, Puerto Rico.