Erie’s Presque Isle State Park is a radio site in northwestern Pennsylvania. The park juts out into Lake Erie across the lake from Long Point, Ontario, just 25 miles away. Erie is the perfect distance between the eastern and western extent of the lake and therefore both Toronto and Detroit are readily audible. However, while the site is great on paper, due to the local radio environment – a city of just 100,000 with nearly 30 locals in town or just outside town – it’s a less than ideal site.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA BANDSCAN
August 30, 2018 1530 – 1800
Conditions: 72°F and sunny
Location: 42°10’10.0″N 80°06’20.1″W
585 feet (16 feet above lake level)
145 stations total / Average distance: 74 mi.
* station was received on seek
87.75 WLFM-LP OH Cleveland / La Mega / 3kw / 1dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
*88.1 WEFR PA Erie / Family Radio / 630w / 35dBµ, stereo (14 mi.)
88.3 CJIQ ON Paris / Tri-Cities Alt. / 8.22kw / 5dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
*88.5 WMCE PA Erie / LECOM Radio / 750w / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (10 mi.)
88.7 WBFO NY Buffalo / NPR Public //88.1 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (89 mi.)
88.7 CIMX ON Windsor / 89X / 100kw / 1dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
*88.9 WFSE PA Edinboro / Fighting Scots R. / 3kw / 20dBµ, stereo (21 mi.)
89.1 CBLA-2 ON Paris / CBC R. 1 Kitchener / 10.4kw / 5dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
89.1 WKSV OH Thompson / NPR & Classical //89.7 / 50kw / 1dBµ, mono (59 mi.)
*89.3 W207BA PA Hammett / CSN International / 10w / 30dBµ, stereo (10 mi.)
*89.5 WMIH OH Geneva / Station of the Cross / 21kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (34 mi.)
89.7 WNJA NY Jamestown / Classical 94.5 / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (53 mi.)
*89.9 WCOB PA Cambridge Springs / Family Life N. / 25kw / RDS / 25dBµ, st. (24 mi.)
89.9 CJBC-2 ON Paris / Ici Musique Toronto / 14.8kw / 15dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
90.1 W211AE NY Mayville, etc. / NPR Public //91.3 / 3w / 0dBµ, mono (31 mi.)
90.3 WCPN OH Cleveland / Public & Jazz / 47kw / 5dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
90.3 CJBC ON Toronto / Ici Musique Toronto / 10kw / 5dBµ, mono (109 mi.)
*90.5 WERG PA Erie / Alternative / 2.75kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (9 mi.)
90.7 CBL-2 ON Paris / CBC Music Toronto / 8.23kw / 5dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
90.9 WCOT NY Jamestown / Family Life Network / 12kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (55 mi.)
90.9 WCVJ OH Jefferson / Air1 / 1.85kw / 0dBµ, mono (50 mi.)
91.1 CJRT ON Toronto / Jazz.FM91 / 40kw / 10dBµ, mono + overload (108 mi.)
*91.3 WQLN PA Erie / NPR Public / 35kw / RDS / 60dBµ, stereo (9 mi.)
91.5 = 91.3
91.7 WVMU OH Ashtabula / Moody Radio //103.3 / 3.2kw / 10dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
91.9 WVME PA Meadville / Moody Radio //103.3 / 4.4kw / 10dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
91.9 CBEW-1 ON Leamington / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 10.45kw / 0dBµ, m. in null (131 mi.)
*92.1 W221DI PA Erie / Station of the Cross / 45w / 20dBµ, mono only (3 mi.)
92.1 CKPC ON Brantford / Jewel 92 / 80kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (76 mi.)
92.3 WMXD MI Detroit / Mix 92.3 / 45kw / 5dBµ, mono (151 mi.)
92.3 WRRN PA Warren / 92 Gold / 50kw / 0dBµ, mono (54 mi.)
92.5 IBOC (WEHP)
*92.7 WEHP PA Lawrence Park / Happi 927 / 6kw / RDS / 60dBµ, stereo (3 mi.)
92.9 IBOC (WEHP)
93.1 WDRQ MI Detroit / Nash FM / 26.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (159 mi.)
93.1 CHAY ON Barrie / Fresh R. 93.1 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
93.3 WWSE NY Jamestown / SE93 / 26.5kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (42 mi.)
93.5 CBCL ON London / CBC R. 1 London / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (84 mi.)
93.7 WQGR OH N. Madison / Cougar 93.7 / 6kw / 15dBµ, mono (58 mi.)
93.7 CKYC ON Owen Sound / Country 93 / 22kw / 10dBµ, mono (167 mi.)
*93.9 WTWF PA Fairview / The Wolf / 6kw / RDS / 55dBµ, stereo (10 mi.)
94.1 WHBC OH Canton / Mix 94.1 / 45kw / behind 93.9 silence (108 mi.)
94.3 CKSY ON Chatham / Adult Contemp. / 50kw / 2dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
94.3 WRQI PA Saegertown / Rocky 94 & 107 //107.7 / 2.15kw / 1dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
94.5 WNED NY Buffalo / Classical 94.5 / 94kw / 15dBµ, mono + 88.1 (75 mi.)
*94.7 WXBB PA Erie / Bob FM / 1.7kw / RDS / 55dBµ, stereo (9 mi.)
94.9 CKGE ON Oshawa / The Rock / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (140 mi.)
94.9 CHRW ON London / Variety / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (81 mi.)
94.9 WQMX OH Medina / Country / 16kw / 5dBµ, mono (109 mi.)
95.1 WYLE PA Grove City / Willie 95.1 / 19kw / 1dBµ, mono (65 mi.)
95.3 CING ON Hamilton / Fresh R. 95.3 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (74 mi.)
*95.5 WUTT-LP PA Erie / Classic Hits / 55w / 30dBµ, stereo (8 mi.)
95.7 WPIG NY Olean / The Pig / 43kw / 5dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
*95.9 WLTM NY Mina / Lite FM / 820w / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (18 mi.)
95.9 CFPL ON London / FM96 / 300kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (80 mi.)
*96.1 WOHK OH Ashtabula / K-Love / 3.3kw / 20dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
96.1 WMSX NY Buffalo / Mix 96 / 47kw / in null (80 mi.)
*96.3 W242CU PA Erie / The Score //1260 / 173w / 40dBµ, mono only (5 mi.)
*96.5 WBKX NY Fredonia / Kix Country / 1.4kw / 10dBµ, mono (39 mi.)
96.5 WAKS OH Akron / KISS-FM / 31kw / in null (99 mi.)
*96.7 W244DX PA Erie / Jet Radio //1400 / 250w / 35dBµ, mono only (4 mi.)
96.9 WBTI MI Lexington / Hot AC / 3kw / 2dBµ, mono (143 mi.)
*97.1 WREO OH Ashtabula / Mix 97.1 / 50kw / 20dBµ, stereo (42 mi.)
97.1 WXYT MI Detroit / The Ticket / 15kw / 0dBµ, mono in null (160 mi.)
97.3 CHBM ON Toronto / Boom 97.3 / 28.9kw / 10dBµ, mono (108 mi.)
97.5 CIQM ON London / Virgin Radio / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (84 mi.)
97.5 WDDH PA St. Marys / The Hound / 19.5kw / 3dBµ, mono in null (77 mi.)
97.7 WTGV MI Sandusky / Classic Hits / 3kw / 5dBµ, mono (162 mi.)
97.7 CHTZ ON St. Catharines / HTZ-FM / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
*97.9 WXTA PA Edinboro / Nash FM / 10kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (14 mi.)
98.1 WKCQ MI Saginaw / 98-KCQ / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
98.1 CHFI ON Toronto / Adult Contemp. / 44kw / in null of 97.9 silence (108 mi.)
98.3 WYBL OH Ashtabula / The Bull / 4.7kw / 10dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
98.5 WKSE NY Niagara Falls / Kiss 98.5 / 23kw / 5dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
98.5 WNCX OH Cleveland / Classic Rock / 16kw / 5dBµ, mono (102 mi.)
*98.7 W254AJ PA Erie / Family Life Network / 250w / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (5 mi.)
98.9 CHCD ON Simcoe / myFM / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (41 mi.)
99.1 CBLA ON Toronto / CBC R. 1 Toronto / 98kw / 10dBµ, mono (109 mi.)
99.1 WFRO OH Fremont / Eagle 99 / 11.5kw / 2dBµ, mono in null (163 mi.)
99.3 CJBC-4 ON London / Ici Première Toronto / 15.34kw / 10dBµ, mono (84 mi.)
99.3 WHMJ PA Franklin / Majic //104.5 / 7.3kw / 2dBµ, perfect, mono (51 mi.)
99.5 WDCX NY Buffalo / Religious / 110kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (75 mi.)
99.7 CKNC ON Simcoe / Oldies 99.7 / 18kw / behind IBOC (48 mi.)
*99.9 WXKC PA Erie / Classy 100 / 50kw / RDS / 60dBµ, stereo (10 mi.)
100.1 IBOC (WXKC)
100.3 WGYY PA Meadville / Froggy 100.3 & 98.5 / 20kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
100.3 CKRZ ON Ohsweken / Voice of the Grand / 5kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (62 mi.)
100.5 CBBL ON London / CBC Music Toronto / 15.34kw / 15dBµ, mono (84 mi.)
100.5 WKXA OH Findlay / Country / 20kw / 0dBµ, mono (200 mi.)
100.5 WDVI NY Rochester / Mix 100.5 / 50kw / perfect in car (149 mi.)
100.7 CHIN ON Toronto / International R. / 8.5kw / 2dBµ, mono (108 mi.)
100.7 W264AT PA Warren / Family Life Network / 210w / 0dBµ, mono (52 mi.)
100.9 CBLA-3 ON Wingham / CBC R. 1 Toronto / 30kw / 0dBµ, mono (139 mi.)
101.1 WRIF MI Detroit / The Riff / 27kw / 10dBµ, mono (162 mi.)
101.1 CFLZ ON Fort Erie / More FM / 50kw / 2dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
101.1 WHOT OH Youngstown / Hot 101 / 24.5kw / in null (82 mi.)
101.3 CKOT ON Tillsonburg / Easy 101.3 / 26kw / 10dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
101.3 W267CN NY Jamestown / Adult Contemp. //1240 / 60w / in null (42 mi.)
101.5 CBEF-3 ON Sarnia / Ici Première Windsor / 1.886kw / 0dBµ, mono (125 mi.)
101.5 W268CJ PA Corry / Family Life Network / 250w / perfect in car (33 mi.)
101.7 WMVL PA Linesville / Cool 101.7 / 1.4kw / 10dBµ, mono (33 mi.)
101.7 CKNX ON Wingham / The One / 100kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono in null (144 mi.)
101.9 WHUG NY Jamestown / My Country / 6kw / 0dBµ, good, mono (45 mi.)
101.9 WDET MI Detroit / Public Variety / 48kw / 5dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
102.1 CFNY ON Brampton / The Edge / 35.4kw / 10dBµ, mono (108 mi.)
*102.3 WQHZ PA Erie / Z102.3 / 1.7kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (9 mi.)
*102.5 WZOO OH Edgewood / Magic 102-5 / 5.8kw / 10dBµ, mono (44 mi.)
102.5 WTSS NY Buffalo / Star 102.5 / 110kw / 10dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
*102.7 WCGM PA Wattsburg / Family Life Network / 3.5kw / 15dBµ, stereo (24 mi.)
102.9 CKLH ON Hamilton / K-Lite / 40.3kw / 2dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
102.9 WYFM PA Sharon / Y-103 / 33kw / 1dBµ, mono (82 mi.)
103.1 CFHK ON St. Thomas / Fresh R. 103.1 / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
103.3 WCRF OH Cleveland / Moody Radio / 25.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (100 mi.)
103.3 WEDG NY Buffalo / The Edge / 49kw / 5dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
103.5 CIDC ON Orangeville / Z103.5 / 30.7kw / 15dBµ, mono + 103.7 (121 mi.)
103.5 WMUZ MI Detroit / The Light / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (161 mi.)
*103.7 WRTS PA Erie / Star 104 / 50kw / RDS / 60dBµ, stereo (10 mi.)
103.9 CKDK ON Woodstock / Country 104 / 51kw / behind 103.7 (73 mi.)
104.1 WHTT NY Buffalo / Cl. Hits 104.1 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
104.1 WQAL OH Cleveland / Q104 / 12kw / 2dBµ, mono (102 mi.)
*104.3 W282BR PA Erie / The Vibe //99.9 HD-2 / 173w / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (5 mi.)
104.5 WXMJ PA Cambridge Springs / Majic //99.3 / 2.55kw / 15dBµ, mono (32 mi.)
104.5 CHUM ON Toronto / Hot AC / 12.7kw / 2dBµ, mono (108 mi.)
104.7 WKKY OH Geneva / Country / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (57 mi.)
104.7 CIHR ON Woodstock / Heart FM / 20kw / 5dBµ, mono (73 mi.)
*104.9 WRKT PA North East / Rocket 105 / 4.5kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (10 mi.)
105.1 WQXK OH Salem / K-105 / 88kw / 15dBµ, mono (96 mi.)
105.3 CFCA ON Kitchener / Virgin Radio / 100kw / 2dBµ, mono (89 mi.)
*105.5 WGOJ OH Conneaut / Religious / 6kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (30 mi.)
105.7 CHRE ON St. Catharines / EZ Rock / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
105.7 WMJI OH Cleveland / Majic 105.7 / 16kw / 5dBµ, mono (98 mi.)
*105.9 W290BI PA Erie / Christian Contemp. //106.3 / 180w / RDS / 30dBµ, st. (9 mi.)
106.1 CIMJ ON Guelph / Magic 106.1 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (91 mi.)
*106.3 WCTL PA Erie / Contemp. Christian //105.9 / 860w / RDS / 30dBµ, st. (9 mi.)
106.5 WYRK NY Buffalo / Country 106.5 / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (80 mi.)
106.5 CIXK ON Owen Sound / Mix 106.5 / 28kw / 0dBµ, mono (167 mi.)
106.7 WDTW MI Detroit / Alt 106.7 / 61kw / 1dBµ, mono (151 mi.)
106.7 CIKZ ON Kitchener / Country 106.7 / 5kw / 0dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
106.7 WAOB PA Beaver Falls / We Are One Body / 37kw / 0dBµ, mono (107 mi.)
106.9 WKZA NY Lakewood / Kiss FM / 5.1kw / 5dBµ, mono (45 mi.)
106.9 CIXX ON London / The X / 3kw / 3dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
*107.1 W296BW PA Erie / Business News //1450 / 250w / RDS / 30dBµ, mono only (4 mi.)
107.3 CJDL ON Tillsonburg / Country 107.3 / 7.8kw / 5dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
*107.5 WFXJ OH N. Kingsville / The Fox / 3.6kw / 25dBµ, stereo (34 mi.)
107.5 WGPR MI Detroit / Hot 107.5 / 50kw / in null (152 mi.)
107.7 WRQW PA Cooperstown / Rocky 94 & 107 //94.3 / 4.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (51 mi.)
107.7 CHGK ON Stratford / 2day FM / 6kw / 3dBµ, mono in null (93 mi.)
107.9 WBTB-LP PA Erie / Grace of Calvary / 100w / 10dBµ, mono (6 mi.)
107.9 CJXY ON Burlington / Y108 / 26.1kw / 2dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: 92.9, 106.7
Recommendations for this radio site: Presque Isle is a strangely magical place in an otherwise ordinary city. The park is popular for boaters and those interested in environmental and ecological endeavors such as birding, notable due to its favourable location for migrating birds. Both surfing and scuba diving are permitted at the park and unlike a lot of the Lake Erie coast, beaches here are quite decent. Make it a day at the park by pitching a tent on the beach at Sara’s Campground right at the park entrance and beside Waldameer & Water World amusement park. While the area tends to be a little crowded and tent camping is first-come first-served, it’s quite worth it. The park offers a 13-mile loop road with numerous places to stop and relax or enjoy some scenery.
Location Rating: Despite the beauty of the location itself, the park is a truly abysmal experience on the dial. Thirty local stations clustered in and around the city make listening here a rather hostile experience. While the site is far enough from the major metro areas – 80 miles from Buffalo and London and 90 miles from Cleveland – the in-town stations make the radio situation here awfully difficult. It’s not impossible and it’s certainly worth a listen as numerous good catches can be found in Erie, though even with good equipment, it may be a rather futile effort due to the local interference. Entry to the park is free, but it is only open from dawn to dusk. Presque Isle is also plagued with flat terrain with a fair chance of ducting passing overhead, thus missing all the action. Alternatively, cross I-90 just five miles inland where the elevation is 500+ feet higher and find a quiet spot to tune the dials if the park doesn’t serve its purpose.