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Miners Castle is a radio site on Lake Superior’s south shore in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The site is 7 miles northeast of Munising in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at one of the most well-known cliff formations of the Pictured Rocks. Miners Castle is 40 miles east of Marquette, 100 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie, 125 miles northwest of Traverse City, 180 miles southeast of Thunder Bay, and 265 miles east of Duluth. The site, unlike most with any elevation on the south shore, is readily accessible by car. Because of its location, Miners Castle can also receive stations from across Lake Michigan in addition to those from across Lake Superior.
MINERS CASTLE, MICHIGAN BANDSCAN
August 20, 2018 1855-1945 / 68°F & dense lake fog
Location: 46°29’38.0″N 86°33’00.2″W
775 feet (175 feet above lake level)
102 stations total / Average distance: 117 mi.
* station was received on seek
88.1 –
88.3 WKPK MI Michigamme / Smile FM / 15kw / 20dBµ, mono (51 mi.)
88.3 CBQT ON Thunder Bay / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 23.73kw / 15dBµ, mono (189 mi.)
88.5 WPVM WI Sturgeon Bay / V. of the Master //102.7 / 15kw / 5dBµ, mono (117 mi.)
88.7 WIAA MI Interlochen / Classical IPR //88.5 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (158 mi.)
88.9 WCRR MI Manistique / K-Love / 24.5kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (37 mi.)
89.1 –
89.3 WSHN MI Munising / K-Love / 100kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
89.5 WCLQ WI Wausau / 89Q / 90kw / 10dBµ, mono (186 mi.)
89.7 WHND WI Sister Bay / WPR News & Classical / 22kw / 10dBµ, mono (91 mi.)
89.7 WLSN MN Grand Marais / MPR News / 6kw / 5dBµ, mono (199 mi.)
89.9 WHSA WI Brule / WPR News & Classical / 92kw / 5dBµ, mono (238 mi.)
90.1 WNMU MI Marquette / Public R. 90 / 100kw / RDS / 45dBµ, stereo (63 mi.)
90.3 WHBM WI Park Falls / WPR Ideas / 35kw / 10dBµ, mono (182 mi.)
90.5 –
90.7 WTIP MN Grand Marais / N. Shore Comm. R. / 25kw / 10dBµ, mono (199 mi.)
90.7 WMVM WI Goodman / V. of the Master //102.7 / 9.3kw / 10dBµ, mono (102 mi.)
90.9 WUPJ MI Escanaba / Strong Tower R. / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (61 mi.)
91.1 WGGL MI Houghton / Minnesota Public R. / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (108 mi.)
91.3 KUWS WI Superior / WPR Ideas / 83kw / 5dBµ, mono (264 mi.)
91.3 WRMW WI Peshtigo / Radio Maria / 5.4kw / 5dBµ, mono (117 mi.)
91.5 WUPX MI Marquette / Radio X / 1.7kw / 35dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
91.5 CKPR ON Thunder Bay / Hot AC / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (184 mi.)
91.7 WCML MI Alpena / CMU Public R. / 92kw / 10dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
91.9 WMTU MI Houghton / Michigan Tech Univ. / 4.4kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
92.1 –
*92.3 WJPD MI Ishpeming / Big Country / 100kw / RDS / 55dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
92.5 = 92.7
92.7 WRPP MI Manistique / Cl. Rock //98.3 / 51kw / 10dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
*93.1 WIMK MI Iron Mountain / 93 Rock / 100kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
*93.1 CFNO ON Marathon / Hometown Sound / 50kw / 20dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
*93.3 W227CJ MI Marquette / ESPN UP //970 / 250w / 35dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
93.5 WKMJ MI Hancock / Mix 93.5 / 25kw / 30dBµ, stereo (105 mi.)
93.7 WCYE WI Three Lakes / Coyote 93.7 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
93.9 WNBY MI Newberry / Oldies 93 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
93.9 WAVC MI Mio / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (161 mi.)
*94.1 WUPK MI Marquette / 94 Rock / 4.4kw / RDS / 45dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
94.3 CJSD ON Thunder Bay / Rock 94 / 90kw / 20dBµ, mono (184 mi.)
94.3 WZNL MI Norway / Star 94.3 / 2.4kw / 15dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
94.5 WRJO WI Eagle River / Cl. Hits / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (136 mi.)
94.5 WYPV MI Mackinaw City / WJML News R. //1110 / 50kw / faint in null (108 mi.)
94.7 –
*94.9 WUPZ MI Chocolay Twp. / The Bay / 100kw / 60dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
95.1 WLST WI Marinette / Cat Country / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (112 mi.)
95.3 WVVE MN Grand Marais / 106.7 & 95.3 / 63kw / 15dBµ, mono (211 mi.)
95.5 WGFE MI Glen Arbor / Rock 105 & 95.5 //105.1 / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
*95.7 WHWL MI Marquette / Gospel Opportunities / 100kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (41 mi.)
95.9 WMQA WI Minocqua / Kool 95.9 / 22kw / 5dBµ, mono (159 mi.)
96.1 WHNN MI Bay City / My 96.1 / 100kw / faint (246 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (114 mi.)
96.5 WHOH WI Rhinelander / Sports R. 96.5 / 6.6kw / 5dBµ, mono (139 mi.)
*96.7 WMJT MI McMillan / Eagle 96.7 / 50kw / 30dBµ, stereo (46 mi.)
96.9 CBON-23 ON Manitouwadge / Ici Première / 143w / 5dBµ, mono (186 mi.)
*97.1 WGLQ MI Escanaba / Magic 97 GLQ / 100kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (31 mi.)
97.3 CBON-19 ON Nipigon / Ici Première / 2kw / 10dBµ, mono (190 mi.)
*97.5 W248BU MI Ishpeming / GTO //WQKS HD-3 / 250w / RDS / 35dBµ, mono (51 mi.)
*97.7 WOLV MI Houghton / The Wolf / 6.5kw / 25dBµ, stereo (105 mi.)
97.9 WIHC MI Newberry / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
98.1 WGFN MI Glen Arbor / The Bear //95.3 / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
*98.3 WRUP MI Palmer / Cl. Rock //92.7 / 2.6kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
98.5 WUPS MI Harrison / UPS 98.5 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (176 mi.)
98.5 WQLH WI Green Bay / Star 98 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (149 mi.)
*98.7 WGLI MI Hancock / The Rockin’ Eagle / 52kw / 30dBµ, stereo (104 mi.)
98.9 CBQY ON Nipigon / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 2kw / 10dBµ, mono (190 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / KLT The Rock Sta. / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
*99.1 WIKB MI Iron River / True Country / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
99.3 W257CZ MI Houghton / The Lift //1400 / 250w / 5dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
*99.5 WNGE MI Negaunee / Oldies 99.5 / 3.6kw / RDS / 45dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
99.7 WIMI MI Ironwood / The Storm / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (176 mi.)
*99.9 W260AG MI Ishpeming / Fox Sports //WKQS HD-2 / 250w / 25dBµ, mono only (38 mi.)
99.9 WHAK MI Rogers City / The Wave / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (147 mi.)
100.1 WRHN WI Rhinelander / Jack FM / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono + 99.9 (149 mi.)
*100.3 WUPT MI Gwinn / The Point / 100kw / RDS / 60dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
100.5 = 100.3
*100.7 WOBE MI Crystal Falls / Radio Now / 100kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
100.9 –
101.1 WUPY MI Ontonagon / Superior Country / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (126 mi.)
101.3 WSUE MI Sault Ste. Marie / Rock 101 / 100kw / faint (103 mi.)
*101.5 WJNR MI Iron Mountain / Frog Country / 100kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
101.5 WMJZ MI Gaylord / Eagle 101-5 / 50kw / faint in null (145 mi.)
101.7 CBQ ON Thunder Bay / CBC Music Thunder Bay / 25kw / 15dBµ, mono (189 mi.)
*101.9 WKQS MI Negaunee / Sunny FM / 13kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
102.1 –
102.3 WHKB MI Houghton / K-Bear 102 / 6kw / 15dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
*102.5 WCMM MI Gulliver / The Moose / 60kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (37 mi.)
102.7 WRVM WI Suring / V. of the Master / 98kw / 10dBµ, mono (136 mi.)
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (100 mi.)
102.9 WHQG WI Milwaukee / The Hog / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (248 mi.)
103.1 –
*103.3 WFXD MI Marquette / 103-FXD / 100kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (146 mi.)
103.7 WHYB MI Menominee / Cl. Hits 103.7 / 13kw / 2dBµ, mono (112 mi.)
103.7 WWIB WI Hallie / Christian / 100kw / weak in car (242 mi.)
*103.9 WNOA-LP MI Marquette / Northern Apostle R. / 100w / 25dBµ, stereo (43 mi.)
104.1 –
*104.3 WVCN MI Baraga / VCY America / 100kw / 30dBµ, stereo (88 mi.)
104.5 WZTC MI Traverse City / Bob FM / 1.75kw / faint (126 mi.)
*104.7 WYKX MI Escanaba / Kix Country / 100kw / 30dBµ, stereo (52 mi.)
104.9 –
*105.1 W286BC MI Marquette / Fox Sports //WKQS HD-2 / 250w / 30dBµ, mono only (51 mi.)
105.3 CKTG ON Thunder Bay / Country 105 / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (184 mi.)
105.3 WRLO WI Antigo / Rock 105.3 / 100kw / 15dBµ, stereo (147 mi.)
105.5 WGKL MI Gladstone / Kool 105.5 / 20kw / very good in car (56 mi.)
105.7 WCUP MI L’Anse / Eagle Country / 100kw / 35dBµ, stereo (104 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (114 mi.)
105.9 WEGZ WI Washburn / VCY America / 98kw / 5dBµ, mono (211 mi.)
106.1 –
106.3 WGMV MI Stephenson / Maverick 106 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
106.5 –
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Michigan / 100kw / perfect in car (129 mi.)
106.9 WUPM MI Ironwood / Stereo 106.9 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (165 mi.)
107.1 WCKC MI Cadillac / The Drive / 2.75kw / 5dBµ, mono (171 mi.)
107.3 WUPF MI Powers / Eagle 107.3 / 50kw / 2dBµ, mono (66 mi.)
107.5 CBLM ON Marathon / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 3.935kw / 10dBµ, mono + 107.7 (156 mi.)
*107.7 WMQT MI Ishpeming / Q107 / 98kw / 50dBµ, stereo (52 mi.)
107.9 –
Inconclusive signals: None
Station notes:
96.7 WUPG MI Republic is at 800w instead of the licensed 50kw
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
MINERS CASTLE, MICHIGAN BANDSCAN
July 4, 2019 1045-1200 / 80°F (86°F inland)
conditions change as lake breeze starts at 1150
Location: 46°29’38.0″N 86°33’00.2″W
775 feet (175 feet above lake level)
109 stations total / Average distance: 119 mi.
* station was received on seek
88.1 –
*88.3 WKPK MI Michigamme / Smile FM / 15kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
88.3 CBLJ ON Wawa / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 4.807kw / 15dBµ, mono in null (135 mi.)
88.5 WGNV WI Milladore / The Family / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (204 mi.)
88.5 WIAB MI Mackinaw City / Classical IPR //88.7 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (96 mi.)
88.7 WIAA MI Interlochen / Classical IPR //88.5 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (158 mi.)
*88.9 WCRR MI Manistique / K-Love //89.3 / 24.5kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (37 mi.)
89.1 –
*89.3 WSHN MI Munising / K-Love / 100kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
89.5 = 89.3 (overload)
89.7 CBEB ON Manitouwadge / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 4.78kw / 10dBµ, mono (186 mi.)
89.7 WHND WI Sister Bay / WPR News & Classical / 22kw / 5dBµ, m. in null (91 mi.)
89.9 WHSA WI Brule / WPR News & Classical / 92kw / 5dBµ, mono (238 mi.)
*90.1 WNMU MI Marquette / Public R. 90 / 100kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (63 mi.)
90.3 WHBM WI Park Falls / WPR Ideas / 35kw / 5dBµ, mono (182 mi.)
90.5 WPFF WI Sturgeon Bay / K-Love / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (117 mi.)
90.7 WTIP MN Grand Marais / N. Shore Comm. R. / 25kw / 10dBµ, mono (199 mi.)
90.7 CBON-27 ON Wawa / Ici Première / 890w / 10dBµ, mono (135 mi.)
90.9 WUPJ MI Escanaba / Strong Tower R. / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (61 mi.)
*91.1 WGGL MI Houghton / Minnesota Public R. / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (108 mi.)
91.1 W216AI MI Newberry / Public R. 90 //90.1 / 16w / 5dBµ, m. in null (49 mi.)
91.3 WRMW WI Peshtigo / Radio Maria / 5.4kw / 7dBµ, mono (117 mi.)
*91.5 WUPX MI Marquette / Radio X / 1.7kw / 30dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
*91.5 CKPR ON Thunder Bay / Hot AC / 100kw / 25dBµ, stereo in null (184 mi.)
91.7 WCML MI Alpena / CMU Public R. / 92kw / 10dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
91.9 WMTU MI Houghton / Michigan Tech Univ. / 4.4kw / 15dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
92.1 –
*92.3 WJPD MI Ishpeming / Big Country / 100kw / RDS / 45dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
92.5 WFDX MI Atlanta / The Fox FM / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
92.7 WRPP MI Manistique / Real Cl. Rock //98.3 / 51kw / 5dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / RDS / 7dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
92.9 WSCD MN Duluth / Classical MPR / 70kw / 5dBµ, mono (265 mi.)
93.1 CFNO ON Marathon / Hometown Sound / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
93.1 WIMK MI Iron Mountain / 93 Rock / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
*93.3 W227CJ MI Marquette / ESPN Radio //970 / 250w / 25dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
93.5 WKMJ MI Hancock / Mix 93.5 / 25kw / 10dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
93.7 –
93.9 WNBY MI Newberry / Oldies 93 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
93.9 WAVC MI Mio / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (161 mi.)
*94.1 WUPK MI Marquette / 94 Rock / 4.4kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
*94.3 CJSD ON Thunder Bay / Rock 94 / 90kw / 25dBµ, stereo (184 mi.)
94.5 WRJO WI Eagle River / Cl. Hits / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (136 mi.)
94.7 –
*94.9 WUPZ MI Chocolay Twp. / The Bay / 100kw / 40dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
95.1 WUPN MI Paradise / Eagle 95.1 / 25kw / 7dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
95.1 WLST WI Marinette / Cat Country / 100kw / faint in null (112 mi.)
95.3 –
95.5 WGFE MI Glen Arbor / Rock 105 & 95.5 / 21kw / 10dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
*95.7 WHWL MI Marquette / Gospel Opportunities / 100kw / RDS / 45dBµ, st. (41 mi.)
95.9 WLJW MI Fife Lake / Fuel FM / 19kw / 5dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
95.9 WMQA WI Minocqua / Kool 95.9 / 22kw / 5dBµ, mono (159 mi.)
96.1 WJMC WI Rice Lake / Country / 50kw / faint (256 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (114 mi.)
96.3 WSFQ WI Peshtigo / Hits 96 / 49kw / 5dBµ, mono (114 mi.)
96.5 WNWX WI Rhinelander / Mix 96 / 6.6kw / 10dBµ, mono (139 mi.)
96.5 WKLK MN Cloquet / K96.5 / 36kw / 5dBµ, mono, brief (279 mi.)
96.7 WMJT MI McMillan / Flash FM / 50kw / 7dBµ, mono (46 mi.)
96.7 WJJH WI Ashland / Real Rock J96 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (205 mi.)
96.9 CBON-23 ON Manitouwadge / Ici Première / 143w / 5dBµ, mono (186 mi.)
*97.1 WGLQ MI Escanaba / Magic 97 GLQ / 100kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (31 mi.)
97.3 CBON-19 ON Nipigon / Ici Première / 2kw / 10dBµ, mono (190 mi.)
97.3 WHDG WI Rhinelander / Hodag Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
*97.5 W248BU MI Ishpeming / GTO //101.9 HD-3 97.7 / 250w / 30dBµ, m. only (51 mi.)
*97.7 W249DR MI Munising / GTO //1400 97.5 / 250w / 50dBµ, mono only (8 mi.)
97.9 WIHC MI Newberry / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (69 mi.)
97.9 WSPT WI Stevens Point / Classic Hits / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (200 mi.)
98.1 WGFN MI Glen Arbor / The Bear //95.3 / 21kw / 7dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
*98.3 WRUP MI Palmer / Real Cl. Rock //92.7 / 2.6kw / RDS / 25dBµ, st. (51 mi.)
98.5 WQLH WI Green Bay / Star 98 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono + overload (149 mi.)
98.5 WUPS MI Harrison / UPS 98.5 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono + overload (176 mi.)
98.7 WGLI MI Hancock / The Rockin’ Eagle / 100kw / 25dBµ, stereo (104 mi.)
98.9 CBQY ON Nipigon / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 2kw / 7dBµ, mono (190 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / KLT The Rock Sta. / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
99.1 WIKB MI Iron River / True Country / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
99.3 –
*99.5 WNGE MI Negaunee / Oldies 99.5 / 3.6kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
99.7 WDKF WI Sturgeon Bay / Duke FM / 46kw / 7dBµ, mono (138 mi.)
99.7 WIMI MI Ironwood / The Storm / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (176 mi.)
99.9 W260AG MI Ishpeming / Fox Sports //101.9 HD-2 / 250w / 15dBµ, m. (38 mi.)
99.9 WHAK MI Rogers City / The Wave / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
100.1 WRHN WI Rhinelander / Jack FM / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono + 100.3 (149 mi.)
*100.3 WUPT MI Gwinn / The Point / 100kw / RDS / 45dBµ, stereo (44 mi.)
100.5 = 100.3
100.7 WOBE MI Crystal Falls / Radio Now / 75kw / 10dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
100.9 –
101.1 WUPY MI Ontonagon / Superior Country / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (126 mi.)
101.1 WIXX WI Green Bay / 101 WIXX / 96kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (160 mi.)
101.3 WSUE MI Sault Ste. Marie / Rock 101 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (103 mi.)
101.5 WJNR MI Iron Mountain / Frog Country / 52kw / 7dBµ, mono (85 mi.)
*101.7 CBQ ON Thunder Bay / CBC Music Thunder Bay / 25kw / 15dBµ, st. (189 mi.)
*101.9 WKQS MI Negaunee / Sunny.FM / 13kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
102.1 = 101.9
102.3 WHKB MI Houghton / K-Bear 102 / 6kw / 7dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
*102.5 WCMM MI Gulliver / The Moose / 60kw / 30dBµ, stereo (37 mi.)
102.7 WRVM WI Suring / Voice of the Master / 98kw / 5dBµ, mono (136 mi.)
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (100 mi.)
103.1 IBOC (WFXD)
*103.3 WFXD MI Marquette / 103-FXD / 100kw / RDS / 55dBµ, stereo (51 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, m. in IBOC null (146 mi.)
103.7 WHYB MI Menominee / Cl. Hits 103.7 / 13kw / 3dBµ, mono (112 mi.)
*103.9 WNOA-LP MI Marquette / Northern Apostle R. / 100w / 15dBµ, mono (43 mi.)
104.1 –
*104.3 WVCN MI Baraga / VCY America / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (88 mi.)
104.5 WAXX WI Eau Claire / Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (248 mi.)
*104.7 WYKX MI Escanaba / KX Country / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (52 mi.)
104.9 –
105.1 W286BC MI Marquette / Fox Sports //101.9 HD-2 / 250w / 30dBµ, m. only (51 mi.)
*105.3 CKTG ON Thunder Bay / Country 105 / 100kw / 30dBµ, stereo (184 mi.)
105.5 WGKL MI Gladstone / Kool 105.5 / 10kw / 5dBµ, mono (56 mi.)
105.5 WSRJ MI Honor / ESPN N. Michigan //106.7 / 17kw / 3dBµ, mono (131 mi.)
105.7 WCUP MI L’Anse / Eagle Country / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
105.7 WAPL WI Appleton / Rock / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (163 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (114 mi.)
105.9 WEGZ WI Washburn / VCY America / 98kw / 5dBµ, mono (211 mi.)
106.1 –
106.3 WGMV MI Stephenson / Maverick 106 / 50kw / 7dBµ, mono (71 mi.)
106.5 WYTE WI Marshfield / Y106.5 / 100kw / faint (204 mi.)
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Mich. //105.5 / 100kw / RDS / 10dBµ, m. (129 mi.)
106.9 WUPM MI Ironwood / Mix 106.9 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (165 mi.)
107.1 CJWA ON Wawa / JJAM FM / 210w / 7dBµ, mono (135 mi.)
107.3 W297CD MI Hancock / Talk & Sports //920 / 250w / 3dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
107.5 WCCW MI Traverse City / The 70s Station / 50kw / RDS / 15dBµ, m. (126 mi.)
*107.7 WMQT MI Ishpeming / Q107 / 98kw / 45dBµ, stereo (52 mi.)
107.9 WBCV WI Wausau / Big Cheese / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (171 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: 93.7
Station notes:
95.3 WVVE MN Grand Marais signed on //WGMO a few days before the scan, then off
96.7 WUPG MI Republic is at 1kw instead of the licensed 50kw
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: The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a national park in the central Upper Peninsula. Like most sights on the south shore of Lake Superior, access tends to be limited mainly to kayak, tour boat, and/or a long hike. Miners Castle is one of two sites in the national lakeshore that is accessible by car, the other being Grand Marais to the east.
Miners Castle is a desirable radio site for the fact that it has some elevation. At 175 feet above the water, it is at the bottom end of many lake ducts, enough to pull in distant stations but not as beneficial as higher sites along the shore. The site has bathroom facilities, numerous picnic tables, and has both an upper overlook and lower overlook.
Most sights and activities in the Munising area are related to this national lakeshore. There are places to see, but many of them are visible only from out over the water and not from land. Pictured Rock Cruises in downtown Munising has an offering of boat trips along this shoreline. For $20, Grand Island Ferry Service will take you to Grand Island, a 7½ by 4-mile island that makes up the Grand Island National Recreation Area just a half-mile off the coast of downtown Munising. You can also rent bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, and more from the ferry service, not to mention book a bus tour of the island to see all the sights.
Accommodations in this area – anything from cabins, hotels, or campgrounds – can be found in nearby Munising and Christmas with a KOA campground just east of town. Basic services, such as a supermarket and a limited selection of restaurants, can be found in Munising with additional services in Marquette, 45 minutes to the west, or Gladstone and Escanaba, an hour to the south along Lake Michigan.
Location rating: The Pictured Rocks is a rough place to tune the radio due largely to its inaccessibility. There are few locations with the proper elevation along the shore that are accessible by car; these locations instead require miles of hiking and there’s no saying the results will be worthwhile in the end.
However, Miners Castle is readily accessible. It’s close to accommodations and services, only a moment’s walk from your car, has bathroom facilities, picnic tables, two scenic overlooks just a few minutes’ walk away, and plenty of space to roam. It has just enough elevation above the lake to be relevant for cross-lake reception; reception here for the initial scan was actually surprising despite the dense coastal fog during this strong low pressure system that dropped more than a foot of rain on Wisconsin as it passed through.
Miners Castle’s only disadvantage is that its open space makes it difficult to avoid the sight of visitors. While there is space and it is possible to find an isolated spot in the woods with a bit of hiking, the most comfortable areas are always within the sight of people, even if they are at a distance.
At the end of the day, though it was a rushed effort on a fog-filled evening with poor atmospheric conditions the first time around, I was quite satisfied with this site. Returning on a clear and sunny day, it performs even better with even more beautiful scenery.