Go back to the Lake Huron bandscan series | Return to the coastal bandscans index 
Ipperwash Beach, Ontario, the southernmost bandscan site on Lake Huron, is along the lake between Sarnia – 25 miles away – and London – 35 miles away. Typical reception here includes London and Sarnia locals along with semi-local Detroit (80 miles), plus Barrie, Toronto, Bay City, Northern Michigan, and the typical big lake signals from Erie, across Lake Erie to the south, and Rochester, across Lake Ontario to the east.
The scan performed here was affected by an E-skip opening into the Carolinas at the time, which later progressed to be the most intense opening of the season lasting past sunset across the entire dial. Due to this fact, and Lake Huron’s rather usual tropo scatter conditions, the bandscan needed to be pieced together over the course of a few hours as E-skip died down at times enough to accurately monitor to the lower FM band. The scan was also affected by light rain from a low-pressure system that lingered far longer than what was predicted, making for an even more difficult experience.
IPPERWASH BEACH, ONTARIO BANDSCAN
June 20, 2018 1145-1530 / 20°C, sprinkles, N wind
plus heavy Carolinas E-skip interference
Location: 43°12’37.7″N 81°58’36.7″W
590 feet (13 feet above lake level)
158 stations total / Average distance: 103 mi.
* station was received on seek
*88.1 CBEE ON Chatham / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 1.43kw / 25dBµ, stereo (53 mi.)
88.1 WHYT MI Goodland Twp. / Smile FM / 400w / 3dBµ, mono (55 mi.)
88.3 WNFA MI Port Huron / Power 88-3 / 1.3kw / 15dBµ, mono (29 mi.)
88.3 WEJC MI White Star / Smile FM / 55kw / 10dBµ, mono (111 mi.)
88.5 WCTP MI Gagetown / Christian / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (68 mi.)
88.7 WIAA MI Interlochen / Classical IPR / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (200 mi.)
88.7 CIMX ON Windsor / 89X / 100kw / good in car (88 mi.)
88.9 WGZR MI Alpena / Baraga R. //91.3 / 1.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
*89.1 WLKB MI Bay City / K-Love / 50kw / 25dBµ, stereo (103 mi.)
89.1 CBLA-2 ON Paris / CBC R. 1 Kitchener / 10.4kw / good in car (77 mi.)
89.3 CKGW ON Chatham / UCB Canada / 18.7kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (54 mi.)
89.3 WSMB MI Harbor Beach / Smile FM / 12kw / 10dBµ, mono (61 mi.)
*89.5 WCMU MI Mt. Pleasant / CMU Public R. / 100kw / 25dBµ, stereo (143 mi.)
89.7 –
89.9 WLJN MI Traverse City / Christian / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (213 mi.)
89.9 CBE ON Windsor / CBC Music Windsor / 100kw / good in car (88 mi.)
90.1 WUCX MI Bay City / Q90.1 FM / 30kw / 15dBµ, mono (89 mi.)
90.3 CBEG ON Sarnia / CBC R. 1 Windsor / 1.8kw / 5dBµ, mono (28 mi.)
90.5 CKXM ON Exeter / myFM / 2.95kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (22 mi.)
*90.7 WNFR MI Sandusky / Hope FM / 42kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (31 mi.)
90.9 WRCJ MI Detroit / Classical & Jazz / 22.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (80 mi.)
90.9 CIYN-2 ON Port Elgin / MyFM //95.5 99.7 / 3.1kw / 5dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
91.1 CJRT ON Toronto / Jazz.FM91 / 40kw / 5dBµ, mono (133 mi.)
91.3 WGJU MI East Tawas / Baraga R. //88.9 / 20kw / 5dBµ, mono (112 mi.)
91.3 WQLN PA Erie / NPR Public / 35kw / weak in car (126 mi.)
91.5 CKBT ON Kitchener / The Beat / 10kw / 10dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
91.5 WXXI NY Rochester / Classical 91.5 / 45kw / 10dBµ, mono (221 mi.)
91.5 WMHW MI Mt. Pleasant / Mountain 91.5 / 9.1kw / in null (143 mi.)
*91.7 CIBU-1 ON Bluewater / Cl. Rock 94-5 //94.5 / 6kw / 35dBµ, stereo (30 mi.)
91.7 WCML MI Alpena / CMU Public R. / 92kw / 15dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
91.9 –
92.1 CKPC ON Brantford / Jewel 92 / 80kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (84 mi.)
92.1 WIDL MI Cass City / i-92 / 25kw / 5dBµ, mono (62 mi.)
92.3 CJOS ON Owen Sound / The Dock / 9.4kw / 10dBµ, mono (103 mi.)
92.3 WMXD MI Detroit / Mix 92.3 / 45kw / 10dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
*92.5 WFDX MI Atlanta / The Fox FM / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
92.5 WBGV MI Marlette / Country 92.5 / 3kw / 15dBµ, mono (50 mi.)
*92.7 CJBX ON London / BX93 / 50kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (49 mi.)
92.7 WDZZ MI Flint / Z92.7 / 3kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (87 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (187 mi.)
93.1 CHAY ON Barrie / Fresh Radio 93.1 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
93.3 WKQZ MI Midland / Z-93 / 39kw / 10dBµ, mono (115 mi.)
*93.5 CBCL ON London / CBC R. 1 London / 100kw / 40dBµ, mono (36 mi.)
93.7 CKYC ON Owen Sound / Country 93 / 22kw / 15dBµ, mono (103 mi.)
93.9 CIDR ON Windsor / The River / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (88 mi.)
94.1 CKZM ON St. Thomas / myFM / 4.37kw / 10dBµ, mono (50 mi.)
94.1 CKNR ON Elliot Lake / The Moose / 90kw / 5dBµ, mono (188 mi.)
94.1 CBL ON Toronto / CBC Music Toronto / 98kw / good in car (133 mi.)
94.3 CKSY ON Chatham / Adult Contemp. / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (54 mi.)
*94.5 CIBU ON Wingham / Cl. Rock 94-5 //91.7 / 75kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (72 mi.)
94.7 WCSX MI Birmingham / Classic Rock / 13.5kw / perfect in car (80 mi.)
94.9 WKJZ MI Hillman / Hits FM //103.3 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (158 mi.)
94.9 CKGE ON Oshawa / The Rock / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (167 mi.)
95.1 CKUE ON Chatham / Cool FM / 42kw / 10dBµ, mono (54 mi.)
95.1 WFBE MI Flint / Nash FM / 34kw / 10dBµ, mono (86 mi.)
95.1 CBON-17 ON North Bay / Ici Première Sudbury / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (248 mi.)
95.3 CING ON Hamilton / Fresh Radio 95.3 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (111 mi.)
95.3 WCFX MI Clare / CFX 95.3 / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (146 mi.)
*95.5 CIYN ON Kincardine / MyFM //90.9 99.7 / 5.66kw / 20dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
*95.7 WCMB MI Oscoda / CMU Public R. / 25kw / 20dBµ, mono (127 mi.)
95.7 CFJB ON Barrie / Rock 95 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
*95.9 CFPL ON London / FM96 / 300kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (40 mi.)
*96.1 WHNN MI Bay City / My 96.1 / 100kw / 25dBµ, stereo (89 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (204 mi.)
96.3 CFMZ ON Toronto / New Classical 96.3 FM / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (134 mi.)
96.3 WDVD MI Detroit / Hot AC / 20kw / very good in car (80 mi.)
96.5 CJBC-3 ON Penetanguishene / Ici Première Tor. / 15.3kw / 10dBµ, mono (146 mi.)
96.7 CHYM ON Kitchener / Adult Contemp. / 80kw / 15dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
96.7 WRGZ MI Rogers City / Country / 42kw / 10dBµ, mono (173 mi.)
*96.9 WBTI MI Lexington / Hot AC / 3kw / 35dBµ, stereo (28 mi.)
96.9 WWCM MI Standish / CMU Public R. / 3kw / 10dBµ, mono (116 mi.)
97.1 CBL-4 ON Owen Sound / CBC Music Toronto / 20.22kw / 15dBµ, mono (118 mi.)
97.1 WXYT MI Detroit / The Ticket / 15kw / 10dBµ, mono (80 mi.)
97.3 WMJO MI Essexville / Joe FM / 3kw / 10dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
97.3 W247CU MI Ft. Gratiot Twp. / Smile FM / 25w / 5dBµ, mono (27 mi.)
*97.5 CIQM ON London / Virgin Radio / 50kw / 30dBµ, stereo (36 mi.)
97.5 WKLT MI Kalkaska / KLT The Rock Sta. //98.9 / 32kw / 10dBµ, mono (195 mi.)
97.7 WTGV MI Sandusky / Classic Hits / 3kw / 15dBµ, mono (45 mi.)
*97.9 CFPS ON Port Elgin / The Beach / 8.95kw / 25dBµ, stereo (79 mi.)
*98.1 CKLO ON London / Cl. Rock 98-1 / 40kw / 20dBµ, stereo (46 mi.)
98.3 WCMZ MI Sault Ste. Marie / CMU Public R. / 25kw / 5dBµ, mono (252 mi.)
98.5 WUPS MI Harrison / 98.5 UPS / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (157 mi.)
*98.7 CBCB ON Owen Sound / CBC R. 1 Toronto / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
98.7 WDZH MI Detroit / Amp Radio / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (82 mi.)
98.9 CHCD ON Simcoe / MyFM / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (90 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / KLT The Rock Sta. //97.5 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (215 mi.)
99.1 CBLA ON Toronto / CBC R. 1 Toronto / 98kw / 10dBµ, mono (134 mi.)
99.1 WFMK MI East Lansing / Adult Contemp. / 28kw / good in car (133 mi.)
*99.3 CJBC-4 ON London / Ici Première Toronto / 22.5kw / 30dBµ, mono (36 mi.)
99.5 WYCD MI Detroit / Country / 17.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (80 mi.)
99.5 CFBG ON Bracebridge / The Moose / 12kw / 5dBµ, mono (185 mi.)
*99.7 CIYN-1 ON Goderich / MyFM //90.9 95.5 / 750w / 20dBµ, mono (38 mi.)
99.7 WUGN MI Midland / Family Life R. / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (131 mi.)
*99.9 CFGX ON Sarnia / The Fox / 50kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (32 mi.)
99.9 WHAK MI Rogers City / The Wave / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (179 mi.)
100.1 = 99.9 + IBOC (WNIC)
100.3 CJLF ON Barrie / Life 100.3 / 32.8kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
100.3 WQON MI Grayling / Q100.3 / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (165 mi.)
100.3 WNIC MI Dearborn / Adult Contemp. / 32kw / near perfect in car (82 mi.)
*100.5 CBBL ON London / CBC Music Toronto / 15.34kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (36 mi.)
100.7 WWTH MI Oscoda / Thunder 100.7 / 20.5kw / 15dBµ, mono (117 mi.)
100.7 WITL MI Lansing / Country / 26.5kw / 3dBµ, mono in null (133 mi.)
*100.9 CBLA-3 ON Wingham / CBC R. 1 Toronto / 30kw / 20dBµ, mono (68 mi.)
101.1 WRIF MI Detroit / The Riff / 27kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (82 mi.)
*101.3 CKOT ON Tillsonburg / Easy 101 / 26kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (59 mi.)
101.5 CBEF-3 ON Sarnia / Ici Première Windsor / 1.886kw / 10dBµ, mono (28 mi.)
101.5 WMJZ MI Gaylord / Eagle 101.5 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (174 mi.)
*101.7 CKNX ON Wingham / The One / 100kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (72 mi.)
101.9 CKFX ON North Bay / 101.9 Rock / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (248 mi.)
101.9 WDET MI Detroit / Public Variety / 48kw / RDS / 3dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
*102.1 WLEW MI Bad Axe / Cruise 102.1 / 50kw / 20dBµ, stereo (74 mi.)
102.3 WGRT MI Port Huron / Adult Contemp. / 3kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (27 mi.)
102.3 CHST ON London / Jack 102.3 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
102.5 WIOG MI Bay City / CHR / 86kw / 15dBµ, mono (96 mi.)
102.5 CJTK-3 ON Elliot Lake / KFM / 865w / 10dBµ, mono (222 mi.)
102.7 WPZR MI Mt. Clemens / Praise 102.7 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (66 mi.)
102.9 CKLH ON Hamilton / K-Lite / 40.3kw / 10dBµ, mono (106 mi.)
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (218 mi.)
102.9 CFMO ON Collingwood / Classical 102.9 / 23kw / 7dBµ, mono (120 mi.)
102.9 WFUR MI Grand Rapids / Christian / 50kw / weak in car (189 mi.)
*103.1 CFHK ON St. Thomas / Fresh Radio 103.1 / 50kw / 25dBµ, stereo (49 mi.)
103.3 WQLB MI Tawas City / Hits FM //94.9 / 15kw / 5dBµ, mono (117 mi.)
103.5 CIDC ON Orangeville / Z103-5 / 30.7kw / 15dBµ, mono (113 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (204 mi.)
103.5 WMUZ MI Detroit / The Light / 50kw / RDS / perfect in car (86 mi.)
103.7 WCZE MI Harbor Beach / Positive Country / 43kw / 10dBµ, mono (61 mi.)
103.7 WRTS PA Erie / Star 104 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (129 mi.)
*103.9 CKDK ON Woodstock / Country 104 / 51kw / 20dBµ, stereo (61 mi.)
103.9 CHOK-1 ON Sarnia / News Sports Info //1070 / 200w / 5dBµ, mono (27 mi.)
104.1 WSAG MI Linwood / The Bay / 4.6kw / 15dBµ, mono in IBOC null (105 mi.)
104.1 CICZ ON Midland / The Dock / 20kw / 10dBµ, mono in IBOC null (147 mi.)
104.3 WOMC MI Detroit / Classic Hits / 190kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (77 mi.)
104.5 CHUM ON Toronto / Hot AC / 40kw / 5dBµ, mono in IBOC null (133 mi.)
*104.7 WKJC MI Tawas City / Country / 50kw / 20dBµ, mono, dominant (117 mi.)
104.7 CIHR ON Woodstock / Heart FM / 20kw / 15dBµ, mono (61 mi.)
*104.9 CHWC ON Goderich / Country 104.9 / 12.55kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (35 mi.)
105.1 WMGC MI Detroit / The Bounce / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (80 mi.)
105.3 CFCA ON Kitchener / Virgin Radio / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
105.5 WBMI MI West Branch / Cl. Hit Country / 6kw / 5dBµ, mono (137 mi.)
105.5 W288BT MI St. Clair / Rock 105.5 //1450 / 49w / 5dBµ, mono (29 mi.)
105.5 WWCK MI Flint / CK-105.5 / 25kw / good in car (86 mi.)
105.7 WZTK MI Alpena / News Talk Sports / 4.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
105.7 CJMI ON Strathroy / myFM / 1.75kw / very good in car (24 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (206 mi.)
105.9 WDMK MI Detroit / Kiss-FM / 20kw / 5dBµ, mono (80 mi.)
105.9 CICX ON Orillia / KICX 106 / 20kw / 5dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
106.1 WTZM MI Tawas City / The Point / 25kw / 15dBµ, mono (112 mi.)
106.1 CIMJ ON Guelph / Magic 106 / 50kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (89 mi.)
*106.3 CHKS ON Sarnia / K106.3 / 50kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (32 mi.)
*106.5 CIXK ON Owen Sound / Mix 106.5 / 28kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (103 mi.)
106.7 WDTW MI Detroit / Alt 106.7 / 61kw / RDS / 5dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Michigan / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (190 mi.)
106.9 CIXX ON London / The X / 3kw / 10dBµ, mono (41 mi.)
106.9 CBL-1 ON Huntsville / CBC Music Toronto / 70kw / 10dBµ, mono (203 mi.)
107.1 WSAQ MI Port Huron / Q Country 107 / 6kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (29 mi.)
107.3 CJDL ON Tillsonburg / Country 107.3 / 7.8kw / 10dBµ, mono (59 mi.)
107.5 WGPR MI Detroit / Hot 107.5 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (81 mi.)
107.5 CKMB ON Barrie / Kool FM / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
*107.7 CKTI ON Kettle Point / The Eagle / 420w / 45dBµ, stereo (2 mi.)
107.9 WCRZ MI Flint / Cars 108 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono, dominant (82 mi.)
107.9 CJXY ON Burlington / Y108 / 26.1kw / 10dBµ, mono in null (106 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: 97.7
seek was not monitored but is simulated
Station notes:
99.5 WYSS MI Sault Ste. Marie is at 1.3kw from a backup tower instead of 100kw
105.5 WMKD MI Pickford is at 700w from a backup tower instead of 100kw
Recommendations for this radio site: Ipperwash Beach lies along a stretch of shoreline with an orientation facing toward Northern Michigan, meaning that signals from the northwesterly direction are further enhanced. The site is one of few free public access points along this stretch of Lake Huron as Ontario’s shore is largely privately-owned residential properties.
There are a few public access points in the Ipperwash area. These include one with a small dirt east-west parking lot and short stretch of beach at the end of Ipperwash Road (though not the similarly-named West Ipperwash Road) which was used for this scan. Cars are allowed on the beach, but only for the purpose of boat launching and not for parking. Just down the shore to the east is a similar area at the terminus of Army Camp Road. Cars can park facing east-west on the beach in an area shared with a boat launch. A similar arrangement exists at the end of West Ipperwash Road.
For those willing to spend some money for a park day use pass, which runs from $11-20 per vehicle, Pinery Provincial Park lies just 5 miles to the east. The park has miles of Lake Huron beaches and dunes, walking trails, and over 1,000 campsites and would be highly recommended for anyone planning to spend the night in the area as opposed to Ipperwash Beach which may be better suited for those merely passing through. Pinery offers more freedom and open space for radio purposes while Ipperwash is very constricted with little privacy and space.
Location rating: Ipperwash has few services and is a rather quiet location somewhat distant from both Sarnia and London. Parking is available, but is largely confined to facing a single direction, which is not ideal for directional antennas for those using car radios, especially given the fact that parking is shore-parallel instead of facing over the water. Privacy is extremely limited at all access points and the areas are bordered by residential properties on all sides.
However, the location is far enough from major markets – especially Detroit – that conditions are open enough to make Ipperwash worthwhile. I’d instead recommend spending the day or night at Pinery Provincial Park for a little money, which solves most of the shortcomings of neighbouring Ipperwash Beach.