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Rondeau Provincial Park is a radio site in southwestern Ontario, less than 20 miles southeast of Chatham and just 55 miles across Lake Erie from downtown Cleveland. Much like nearby Point Pelee to the southwest, Rondeau is another park consisting of a thin peninsula jutting out into the lake, known especially for birdwatching along its 7 miles of beaches. Because of its position on a peninsula, the park easily pulls in stations from all shores of the lake, including Cleveland, Detroit (60 miles to the west), Toledo (100 miles to the southwest), Erie (90 miles to the east), Buffalo (155 miles to the east), and Toronto (150 miles to the northeast). The London market is nearby, just over 50 miles away, and because of the flat land in southwestern Ontario, this area is also part of Lake Huron’s circulation, leading signals from northeastern Michigan, over 200 miles to the northwest, into the area regularly, especially in the evening and at night. In the daytime, the lake breeze fuels reception across the water to Rondeau from Pittsburgh and Wheeling, both 160 miles to the southeast. As the area is particularly remote aside from its proximity to Chatham, not many locals pose a big threat to an open dial.
RONDEAU PARK, ONTARIO BANDSCAN
July 31, 2019 1845-2125 / August 1, 2019 0830-0930
Conditions: 25°C, clear, intense mosquito swarms post-sunset
Location: 42°16’53.3″N 81°50’26.9″W (Access #11, primary)
42°19’01.6″N 81°50’37.2″W (site 304, morning enhancement)
just above lake level at Lake Erie Access #11 / Tulip Tree Tr.
200 stations total / Average distance: 98 mi.
† station was received during morning enhancement session only
* station was received on seek
87.75 –
*88.1 CBEE ON Chatham / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 1.43kw / RDS / 40dBµ, m. only (17 mi.)
*88.3 WBWC OH Berea / The Sting / 4kw / 25dBµ, stereo (60 mi.)
88.5 WCTP MI Gagetown / Christian / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (120 mi.)
88.5 WMCE PA Erie / LECOM Radio / 750w / 10dBµ, mono (98 mi.)
88.5 WYSU OH Youngstown / NPR & Classical / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (105 mi.) †
*88.7 CIMX ON Windsor / 89X / 100kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (59 mi.)
88.9 WDTR MI Imlay City / Smile FM / 3.2kw / 15dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
89.1 WKSV OH Thompson / NPR & Classical //89.7 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (58 mi.)
89.1 WLKB MI Bay City / K-Love / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (140 mi.)
89.1 CBLA-2 ON Paris / CBC R. 1 Kitchener / 10.4kw / behind WKSV (98 mi.)
*89.3 CKGW ON Chatham / UCB Canada / 18.7kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (17 mi.)
89.5 WMIH OH Geneva / Station of the Cross / 21kw / 25dBµ, mono (67 mi.)
89.5 CIUT ON Toronto / Sound of Your City / 15kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (156 mi.)
89.7 WKSU OH Kent / NPR & Classical / 12kw / 20dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
89.7 WJOJ MI Rust Twp. / Smile FM / 31kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (187 mi.)
*89.9 CBE ON Windsor / CBC Music Windsor / 100kw / 30dBµ, stereo (58 mi.)
89.9 WCOB PA Cambridge Sp. / Family Life N. / 25kw / 20dBµ, m. in null (91 mi.)
90.1 WUCX MI Bay City / Q90.1 FM / 30kw / 20dBµ, mono (128 mi.) †
90.1 WXML OH Upper Sandusky / NewVision FM / 15kw / 10dBµ, mono (115 mi.)
*90.3 CBEG ON Sarnia / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 1.8kw / 35dBµ, mono only (50 mi.)
90.3 WCPN OH Cleveland / Public & Jazz / 47kw / 25dBµ, stereo (63 mi.)
90.5 WKAR MI East Lansing / NPR & Classical / 85kw / 20dBµ, mono (134 mi.) †
*90.5 WERG PA Erie / Alternative / 2.75kw / 15dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
90.5 CKXM ON Exeter / myFM / 2.95kw / 15dBµ, mono (76 mi.)
*90.7 WNFR MI Sandusky / Hope FM / 42kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (73 mi.)
*90.9 WRCJ MI Detroit / Classical & Jazz / 22.5kw / 25dBµ, stereo (69 mi.)
91.1 WRUW OH Cleveland / College Variety / 15kw / 25dBµ, stereo (54 mi.)
91.1 WFUM MI Flint / Michigan Radio / 17.5kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (93 mi.)
91.3 WQLN PA Erie / NPR Public / 35kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
91.3 WGTE OH Toledo / FM91 / 13.5kw / 15dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
91.3 WAPS OH Akron / The Summit / 2kw / 15dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
91.5 WVMV MI China Twp. / Smile FM / 1.05kw / 20dBµ, mono (46 mi.)
91.5 WKHR OH Bainbridge / Nostalgia / 750w / 15dBµ, mono (63 mi.) †
91.5 CKBT ON Kitchener / The Beat / 10kw / 10dBµ, mono (98 mi.)
91.5 WXXI NY Rochester / NPR Classical / 45kw / 7dBµ, mono (224 mi.)
91.7 CIBU-1 ON Bluewater / Cl. Rock 94-5 //94.5 / 6kw / 25dBµ, st. (87 mi.)
91.7 WUOM MI Ann Arbor / Michigan Radio / 93kw / 20dBµ, mono (106 mi.)
*91.9 CBEW-1 ON Leamington / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 10.45kw / RDS / 20dBµ, m. (44 mi.)
92.1 CKPC ON Brantford / Jewel 92 / 80kw / 20dBµ, mono (103 mi.)
*92.3 WMXD MI Detroit / Mix 92.3 / 45kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (62 mi.)
92.3 WKRK OH Cleveland Hts. / The Fan / 40kw / 20dBU, mono (61 mi.)
*92.5 WBGV MI Marlette / Country 92.5 / 3kw / 20dBµ, mono (90 mi.)
92.5 WDJQ OH Alliance / Q92 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (110 mi.)
92.5 WVKS OH Toledo / KISS-FM / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
*92.7 CJBX ON London / Pure Country 93 / 50kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (60 mi.)
92.9 CFCO-1 ON Chatham / Country 92-9 //630 / 250w / 20dBµ, mono (19 mi.)
92.9 WBUF NY Buffalo / Jack FM / 76kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (158 mi.)
*93.1 WZAK OH Cleveland / Urban AC / 27.5kw / 20dBµ, mono (70 mi.)
93.1 WDRQ MI Detroit / Nash FM / 26.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
93.3 WWSE NY Jamestown / SE93 / 26.5kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (131 mi.)
93.3 WNCD OH Youngstown / The Wolf / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono, weaker (103 mi.)
*93.5 CBCL ON London / CBC R. 1 London / 100kw / RDS / 40dBµ, m. only (53 mi.)
93.7 WQGR OH N. Madison / Gold 93.7 / 6kw / 25dBµ, mono (54 mi.)
93.7 CKYC ON Owen Sound / Country 93 / 22kw / 15dBµ, mono (160 mi.)
*93.9 CIDR ON Windsor / The River / 100kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (59 mi.)
93.9 WTWF PA Fairview / The Wolf / 6kw / 15dBµ, mono (90 mi.)
94.1 WHBC OH Canton / Mix 94.1 / 45kw / 15dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
94.1 CBL ON Toronto / CBC Music Toronto / 38kw / 15dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
*94.3 CKSY ON Chatham / Adult Contemp. / 50kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (17 mi.)
94.5 WWSW PA Pittsburgh / 94.5 3WS / 50kw / 20dBµ, mono (157 mi.)
94.5 WCEN MI Hemlock / The Moose / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (172 mi.) †
94.5 CIBU ON Wingham / Cl. Rock 94-5 //91.7 / 75kw / 15dBµ, mono (129 mi.)
94.5 WNED NY Buffalo / Classical 94.5 / 94kw / 15dBµ, mono (158 mi.)
*94.7 WCSX MI Birmingham / Classic Rock / 13.5kw / RDS / 25dBµ, st. (69 mi.)
94.7 CHKX ON Hamilton / KX 94.7 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (125 mi.)
94.9 WQMX OH Medina / Country / 16kw / 20dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
94.9 CHRW ON London / Variety / 6kw / 15dBµ, mono (57 mi.)
*95.1 CKUE ON Chatham / Cool FM //100.7 / 42kw / RDS / 45dBµ, st. (17 mi.)
95.3 CING ON Hamilton / Energy 95-3 / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (123 mi.)
*95.5 WKQI MI Detroit / Channel 955 / 100kw / 30dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
*95.5 WFHM OH Cleveland / The Fish / 31kw / 30dBµ, mono (61 mi.)
95.7 WCMB MI Oscoda / CMU Public R. / 25kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (185 mi.)
95.7 WPIG NY Olean / The Pig / 43kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (175 mi.)
95.7 WIMX OH Gibsonburg / Mix 95.7 / 3.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (98 mi.) †
*95.9 CFPL ON London / FM96 / 300kw / RDS / 45dBµ, stereo (55 mi.)
96.1 WHNN MI Bay City / My 96-1 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (128 mi.)
96.1 WOHK OH Ashtabula / K-Love / 3.3kw / 15dBµ, mono (67 mi.)
96.1 WMSX NY Buffalo / The Breeze / 47kw / 15dBµ, mono (157 mi.)
*96.3 WDVD MI Detroit / Hot AC / 20kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (69 mi.)
96.3 CFMZ ON Toronto / New Classical 96.3 FM / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
96.5 WAKS OH Akron / KISS-FM / 31kw / 25dBµ, stereo (70 mi.)
*96.7 CHYM ON Kitchener / Adult Contemp. / 80kw / 35dBµ, stereo (99 mi.)
*96.7 CHYR ON Leamington / Mix 96.7 / 27kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (48 mi.)
*96.9 WBTI MI Lexington / Hot AC / 3kw / 30dBµ, stereo (73 mi.)
96.9 WGRF NY Buffalo / 97 Rock / 24kw / weak in null (158 mi.)
*97.1 WXYT MI Detroit / The Ticket / 15kw / 20dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
97.1 WREO OH Ashtabula / Mix 97.1 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (63 mi.)
97.3 WKWK WV Wheeling / Mix 97.3 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (162 mi.)
97.3 W247CU MI Ft. Gratiot Twp. / Smile FM / 25w / 15dBµ, mono (63 mi.)
97.3 CHBM ON Toronto / Boom 97.3 / 28.9kw / 10dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
*97.5 CIQM ON London / Virgin Radio / 50kw / 30dBµ, stereo (53 mi.)
*97.5 CBEW ON Windsor / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 19kw / RDS / 25dBµ, m. null (58 mi.)
*97.7 WTGV MI Sandusky / Classic Hits / 3kw / 25dBµ, stereo (92 mi.)
*97.9 WJLB MI Detroit / Urban / 50kw / 35dBµ, stereo (65 mi.)
97.9 WXTA PA Edinboro / Nash FM / 10kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (91 mi.)
*98.1 CKLO ON London / Cl. Rock 98.1 / 40kw / 35dBµ, stereo (58 mi.)
98.1 WKDD OH Munroe Falls / 98.1 KDD / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (76 mi.)
98.3 WYBL OH Ashtabula / The Bull / 4.7kw / 15dBµ, mono (66 mi.)
98.5 WNCX OH Cleveland / Classic Rock / 16kw / 25dBµ, stereo (65 mi.)
98.5 WKSE NY Niagara Falls / Kiss 98.5 / 23kw / RDS / 15dBµ, m. in null (154 mi.)
98.7 WDZH MI Detroit / The Breeze / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (67 mi.)
98.7 CBCB ON Owen Sound / CBC R. 1 Toronto / 100kw / 5dBµ, m. in null (176 mi.)
*98.9 CHCD ON Simcoe / myFM / 50kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (84 mi.)
98.9 WMXY OH Youngstown / Mix 98-9 / 5.9kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (105 mi.)
*99.1 CKXS ON Wallaceburg / 99.1 FM / 3kw / 15dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
99.1 WFRO OH Fremont / Eagle 99 / 11.5kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (90 mi.)
*99.3 CJBC-4 ON London / Ici Première Tor. / 15.34kw / 30dBµ, m. only (53 mi.)
99.3 WATZ MI Alpena / Country / 17kw / 20dBµ, mono (197 mi.)
*99.5 WDCX NY Buffalo / Christian / 110kw / 25dBµ, stereo (158 mi.)
99.5 WYCD MI Detroit / Country / 17.5kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
99.5 WGAR OH Cleveland / Country / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (63 mi.)
99.7 CKNC ON Simcoe / Oldies 99.7 / 18kw / 15dBµ, mono (86 mi.)
99.7 WUGN MI Midland / Family Life R. / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (161 mi.)
99.7 WSHH PA Pittsburgh / Wish 99.7 / 17kw / 10dBµ, mono (158 mi.)
99.7 CIYN-1 ON Goderich / MyFM / 750w / 10dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
*99.9 CFGX ON Sarnia / The Fox / 50kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (49 mi.)
*99.9 WXKC PA Erie / Classy 100 / 50kw / 30dBµ, mono (97 mi.)
100.1 WNIR OH Kent / The Talk of Akron / 4.2kw / 5dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
100.1 WSWR OH Shelby / My 100.1 / 3kw / 3dBµ, mono (102 mi.)
*100.3 WGYY PA Meadville / Froggy 100.3 & 98.5 / 20kw / 15dBµ, mono (97 mi.)
100.3 WNIC MI Dearborn / Adult Contemp. / 32kw / 10dBµ, mono (67 mi.)
100.5 CBBL ON London / CBC Music Toronto / 15.34kw / RDS / 30dBµ, st. (53 mi.)
*100.7 WMMS OH Cleveland / Rock / 34kw / 15dBµ, mono (64 mi.)
100.7 CKUE-1 ON Windsor / Cool FM //95.1 / 9kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (56 mi.)
100.9 IBOC (WRIF)
*101.1 WRIF MI Detroit / The Riff / 27kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (73 mi.)
101.1 WHOT OH Youngstown / Hot 101 / 24.5kw / 15dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
101.3 CKOT ON Tillsonburg / Easy 101.3 / 26kw / 25dBµ, stereo (72 mi.)
101.3 WNCO OH Ashland / Country / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (103 mi.)
*101.5 CBEF-3 ON Sarnia / Ici Première Windsor / 1.886kw / 25dBµ, m. (50 mi.)
101.5 W268CO OH Willoughby / Integrity R. //1330 / 250w / 10dBµ, m. (54 mi.)
*101.7 CKNX ON Wingham / The One / 100kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (129 mi.)
101.7 WHOF OH N. Canton / Sunny 101.7 / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (103 mi.) †
101.7 WLOF NY Elma / Station of the Cross / 2.8kw / 3dBµ, mono (176 mi.)
*101.9 WDET MI Detroit / Public Variety / 48kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (63 mi.)
*102.1 WLEW MI Bad Axe / Cruise 102.1 / 50kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (129 mi.)
102.1 WDOK OH Cleveland / Star 102 / 12kw / 20dBµ, mono (62 mi.)
*102.3 WGRT MI Port Huron / Adult Contemp. / 3kw / 30dBµ, stereo (63 mi.)
102.3 CHST ON London / Jack 102.3 / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono in null (55 mi.)
*102.5 WTSS NY Buffalo / Star 102.5 / 110kw / 15dBµ, mono (166 mi.)
*102.5 WDVE PA Pittsburgh / Classic Rock / 55kw / 15dBµ, mono (155 mi.)
*102.7 WDKL MI Mt. Clemens / K-Love / 50kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
102.7 WCGM PA Wattsburg / Family Life Network / 3.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (111 mi.)
102.9 WYFM PA Sharon / Y-103 / 33kw / 20dBµ, stereo (105 mi.)
102.9 CKLH ON Hamilton / K-Lite / 40.3kw / 10dBµ, mono (124 mi.)
*103.1 CFHK ON St. Thomas / Fresh R. 103.1 / 60kw / 30dBµ, stereo (53 mi.)
103.1 CBEF-1 ON Leamington / Ici Première / 1kw / 20dBµ, m. in null (44 mi.) †
103.1 CHAW ON Manitoulin Is. / Country 103 / 27.5kw / 5dBµ, m. in null (254 mi.)
103.3 WCRF OH Cleveland / Moody Radio / 25.5kw / 15dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
103.3 WEDG NY Buffalo / The Edge / 49kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (159 mi.) †
103.3 WQLB MI Tawas City / Hits FM / 15kw / perfect in car (172 mi.)
*103.5 WMUZ MI Detroit / The Light / 50kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (72 mi.)
*103.5 CIDC ON Orangeville / Z103.5 / 30.7kw / 10dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
103.7 WRTS PA Erie / Star 104 / 50kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (98 mi.)
103.7 WCKY OH Pemberton / 103.7 ‘CKY / 50kw / 20dBµ, mono (107 mi.) †
*103.9 CKDK ON Woodstock / Country 104 / 51kw / 25dBµ, stereo (78 mi.)
103.9 CHOK-1 ON Sarnia / News Sports Info //1070 / 200w / weak in null (56 mi.)
104.1 WVGR MI Grand Rapids / Michigan Radio / 96kw / 20dBµ, mono (190 mi.) †
104.1 WQAL OH Cleveland / Q104 / 12kw / 15dBµ, mono (65 mi.)
104.1 WHTT NY Buffalo / Cl. Hits 104.1 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (159 mi.)
*104.3 WOMC MI Detroit / Classic Hits / 190kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (66 mi.)
104.3 WOGI PA Moon Twp. / Froggy 104.3 / 13kw / 10dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
104.5 CHUM ON Toronto / Hot AC / 12.7kw / 15dBµ, mono, IBOC in null (156 mi.)
104.5 WQKT OH Wooster / Country / 52kw / 10dBµ, mono, IBOC in null (103 mi.)
*104.7 CIHR ON Woodstock / Heart FM / 20kw / 20dBµ, stereo (78 mi.)
104.7 WKJC MI Tawas City / Country / 50kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
104.7 WKKY OH Geneva / Country / 6kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (51 mi.) †
*104.9 CHWC ON Goderich / Country 104.9 / 12.55kw / 25dBµ, stereo (97 mi.)
*104.9 WRKT PA North East / Rocket 105 / 4.5kw / 20dBµ, mono (98 mi.) †
*105.1 WQXK OH Salem / K-105 / 88kw / 20dBµ, stereo (110 mi.)
105.1 WMGC MI Detroit / The Bounce / 50kw / RDS / 5dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
*105.3 CFCA ON Kitchener / Virgin Radio / 100kw / RDS / 30dBµ, st. (99 mi.)
*105.3 WYHT OH Mansfield / Y105 / 50kw / 25dBµ, mono (110 mi.) †
105.5 WGOJ OH Conneaut / Religious / 6kw / 5dBµ, mono (74 mi.)
105.5 W288BT MI St. Clair / Rock 105.5 //1450 / 49w / 5dBµ, mono (58 mi.)
105.5 WQQO OH Sylvania / Q105.5 / 4.3kw / 5dBµ, mono (101 mi.) †
*105.7 WMJI OH Cleveland / Majic 105.7 / 16kw / 30dBµ, stereo (62 mi.)
105.7 CHRE ON St. Catharines / EZ Rock / 50kw / weak in null (142 mi.)
105.7 WSRW MI Grand Rapids / Star 105.7 / 265kw / weak in null (190 mi.) †
105.9 WDMK MI Detroit / Kiss-FM / 20kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
105.9 WGWE NY Little Valley / Classic Hits / 7kw / 10dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
106.1 CIMJ ON Guelph / Magic 106 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (116 mi.)
106.1 WVNO OH Mansfield / Mix 106 / 40kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (112 mi.)
*106.3 CHKS ON Sarnia / K106.3 / 50kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (49 mi.)
*106.5 WHLK OH Cleveland / The Lake / 11.5kw / 20dBµ, stereo (63 mi.)
106.5 WYRK NY Buffalo / Country 106.5 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (157 mi.)
*106.7 WLLZ MI Detroit / Detroit’s Wheels / 61kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (62 mi.)
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Michigan / 100kw / 5dBµ, m. in null (243 mi.)
106.9 CIXX ON London / The X / 3kw / 15dBµ, mono (60 mi.)
106.9 WRQK ON Canton / Rock 106.9 / 27.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (103 mi.)
*107.1 WSAQ MI Port Huron / Q Country 107 / 6kw / 25dBµ, stereo (58 mi.)
107.1 WTLZ MI Saginaw / Kiss 107.1 / 4.9kw / 10dBµ, mono (129 mi.) †
107.1 CILQ ON Toronto / Q107 / 40kw / 5dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
*107.3 WNWV OH Elyria / The Wave / 20kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (70 mi.)
107.3 WCOH PA DuBois / Family Life Network / 18.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (179 mi.)
107.5 WGPR MI Detroit / Hot 107.5 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (63 mi.)
107.5 WFXJ OH N. Kingsville / The Fox / 3.6kw / 10dBµ, mono (67 mi.)
107.7 WHSB MI Alpena / The Bay / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (214 mi.)
107.7 WXXF OH Loudonville / The Fox / 4.2kw / 15dBµ, m., IBOC in null (114 mi.)
*107.9 WENZ OH Cleveland / Z 107.9 / 16kw / 25dBµ, stereo (63 mi.)
107.9 CJXY ON Burlington / Y108 / 26.1kw / 5dBµ, mono (125 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: None
Ms reception heard during this bandscan:
102.5 KKCV KS Rozel / Bott Radio / 100kw / brief in car (973 mi.)
Station notes:
87.75 WLFM-LP OH Cleveland was intermittently off-air or at low power at the time
Recommendations for this radio site: Rondeau Park is a nice quiet getaway on a stretch of shore that isn’t especially populated. Like with most Ontario Provincial Parks, day use fees are extraordinarily high, so it’s a far better deal to go camping for the night instead of coming and going during the daytime. While my trip to Rondeau was plagued by the highest water levels the Great Lakes had seen in a few decades with washed out trails and non-existent beaches that were barely even accessible, a trip to the park during more normal times should yield a much more enjoyable outing. Hiking trails are plentiful and will allow access to both sides of the peninsula as well as the southernmost tip, all which were inaccessible to me. This allows for maximum radio reception in all directions. Mosquitoes were an issue here, perhaps due to the standing water, but a full mosquito head net and gloves – all of which the locals were wearing – any time from dusk onward is an absolute must. With literally hundreds of mosquitoes swarming at any given time, there is no listening to be had without this gear.
Aside from the mostly-forested park, there is the small marina town of Erieau nearby. Though it is right beside the park, it is only accessible via a 25-minute trip around the bay. The area surrounding the park is rather rural and remote. The nearest limited services can be found in Blenheim, 15 minutes away, while full services and accommodations are available in Chatham, a half hour away.
Location rating: Rondeau doesn’t have a great deal of things to do or see, aside from nature trails, birdwatching, and beaches. But usually places that lack population and are off the beaten path are good on the radio dial, and Rondeau is certainly among them. While the dial is quite full due to the proximity of larger urban centers, reception moves from one area to the next depending on conditions, so a single listening session can provide everything from Toronto to Toledo and up to Alpena in a matter of a few hours with morning enhancement inland and into Grand Rapids almost 200 miles to the west. The flat terrain is beneficial in all directions, the park’s position on a peninsula even more so. The distance to services is a downside, but it’s the price to pay for a more open dial. Overall, the radio possibilities far outweigh any disadvantages this site offers.