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Nokomis is a mountain trail radio site, 400 feet (120 m.) above the water on the east shore of Lake Superior. The site is the only Great Lakes bandscan site on a mountain trail and the only site requiring a long hike to access. Nokomis Trail is located at the northern extent of the massive Lake Superior Provincial Park just 15 minutes south of Wawa and ten miles southwest of the Michipicoten bandscan site. It lies 90 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, 145 miles northeast of Marquette, and 200 miles across the water from Thunder Bay. Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, and Northwoods Wisconsin are all common at this site.
NOKOMIS / OLD WOMAN BAY, ONTARIO BANDSCAN
July 25, 2018 1345-1415 / 20°C
Location: 47°47’44.6″N 84°53’36.0″W (Nokomis Trail)
994 feet (394 feet above beach level)
91 stations total / Average distance: 178 mi.
* station was received on seek
88.1 CBON-18 ON Sault Ste. Marie / Ici Première / 3.59kw / 5dBµ, mono (88 mi.)
*88.3 CBLJ ON Wawa / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 4.807kw / 30dBµ, stereo (17 mi.)
88.5 WIAB MI Mackinaw City / Classical IPR //88.7 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (154 mi.)
88.7 WIAA MI Interlochen / Classical IPR //88.5 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (246 mi.)
88.9 WCRR MI Manistique / K-Love / 24.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
89.1 –
89.3 WSHN MI Munising / K-Love / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
89.3 WPNE WI Green Bay / WPR News & Classical / 97kw / 5dBµ, mono (277 mi.)
89.5 CBSM ON Sault Ste. Marie / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 46kw / 20dBµ, mono (88 mi.)
89.7 WHND WI Sister Bay / WPR News & Classical / 22kw / 10dBµ, mono (205 mi.)
89.9 WLJN MI Traverse City / Christian / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
90.1 WNMU MI Marquette / Public R. 90 / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (172 mi.)
90.3 –
90.5 WPHN MI Gaylord / The Promise FM / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (187 mi.)
90.5 WPFF WI Sturgeon Bay / K-Love / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (232 mi.)
*90.7 CBON-27 ON Wawa / Ici Première / 890w / 20dBµ, mono (17 mi.)
90.9 WUPJ MI Escanaba / Strong Tower R. / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (180 mi.)
91.1 WGGL MI Houghton / Minnesota Public R. / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (185 mi.)
91.3 –
91.5 WJOH MI Raco / Smile FM / 5.5kw / 10dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
91.5 WUPX MI Marquette / Radio X / 1.7kw / 10dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
91.7 WCML MI Alpena / CMU Public R. / 92kw / 5dBµ, mono (187 mi.)
91.9 WHDI WI Sister Bay / WPR Ideas / 11kw / 5dBµ, mono (205 mi.)
92.1 –
92.3 WJPD MI Ishpeming / Big Country / 100kw / 15dBµ, stereo (150 mi.)
92.5 –
92.7 WRPP MI Manistique / Cl. Rock / 51kw / 10dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (221 mi.)
93.1 WIMK MI Iron Mountain / 93 Rock / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (202 mi.)
93.3 W227CJ MI Marquette / ESPN UP //970 / 250w / 5dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
93.5 WKMJ MI Hancock / Mix 93.5 / 25kw / faint (179 mi.)
93.7 –
*93.9 WNBY MI Newberry / Oldies 93 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (93 mi.)
94.1 WUPK MI Marquette / 94 Rock / 4.4kw / 10dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
94.1 CKNR ON Elliot Lake / Moose FM / 90kw / 10dBµ, mono (188 mi.)
94.3 CJSD ON Thunder Bay / Rock 94 / 90kw / 10dBµ, mono (201 mi.)
94.5 WYPV MI Mackinaw City / WJML News R. //1110 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
94.7 –
*94.9 WUPZ MI Chocolay Twp. / The Bay / 100kw / 25dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
95.1 WUPN MI Paradise / Eagle 95.1 / 25kw / 10dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
95.1 WLST WI Marinette / Cat Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (230 mi.)
95.3 WWSS MI Tuscarora Twp. / The Bear / 17kw / 5dBµ, mono (169 mi.)
95.5 WGFE MI Glen Arbor / Rock 105 & 95.5 //105.1 / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
*95.7 WHWL MI Marquette / Gospel Opportunities / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (149 mi.)
95.9 WMQA WI Minocqua / Kool 95.9 / 22kw / 5dBµ, mono (266 mi.)
96.1 –
96.3 WSFQ WI Peshtigo / Hits 96 / 49kw / 10dBµ, mono (232 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (171 mi.)
96.5 –
*96.7 WMJT MI McMillan / Eagle 96.7 / 50kw / 20dBµ, stereo (93 mi.)
96.9 –
*97.1 WGLQ MI Escanaba / Magic 97 GLQ / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (150 mi.)
97.3 WHDG WI Rhinelander / Hodag Country / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (263 mi.)
97.5 CBCE ON Little Current / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 21kw / 3dBµ, mono (188 mi.)
97.5 W248BU MI Ishpeming / Good Time Oldies //WQKS HD-3 / 250w / 3dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
97.7 WOLV MI Houghton / The Wolf / 6.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (177 mi.)
*97.9 WIHC MI Newberry / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 25dBµ, stereo (93 mi.)
98.1 WEUL MI Kingsford / Gospel Opportunities / 1kw / 5dBµ, mono (203 mi.)
98.3 WCMZ MI Sault Ste. Marie / CMU Public R. / 25kw / 5dBµ, mono (96 mi.)
98.5 WQLH WI Green Bay / Star 98 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (267 mi.)
98.7 WGLI MI Hancock / The Rockin’ Eagle / 52kw / 5dBµ, mono (178 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / KLT The Rock Sta. / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (160 mi.)
99.1 WIKB MI Iron River / True Country / 60kw / 5dBµ, mono (208 mi.)
99.3 –
99.5 WNGE MI Negaunee / Oldies 99.5 / 3.6kw / 15dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
99.7 WIMI MI Ironwood / The Storm / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (269 mi.)
99.9 WHAK MI Rogers City / The Wave / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
99.9 W260AG MI Ishpeming / Fox Sports //WKQS HD-2 / 250w / 3dBµ, mono (153 mi.)
100.1 WRHN WI Rhinelander / Jack FM / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (260 mi.)
*100.3 WUPT MI Gwinn / The Point / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
100.5 –
100.7 WOBE MI Crystal Falls / Radio Now / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (202 mi.)
100.9 –
101.1 WUPY MI Ontonagon / Superior Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (213 mi.)
101.3 WSUE MI Sault Ste. Marie / Rock 101 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (97 mi.)
101.5 WJNR MI Iron Mountain / Frog Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (202 mi.)
101.7 –
101.9 WKQS MI Negaunee / Sunny FM / 13kw / 10dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
101.9 WDEZ WI Wausau / Country / 98.5kw / in null (303 mi.)
102.1 –
102.3 WHKB MI Houghton / K-Bear 102 / 6kw / 3dBµ, mono (177 mi.)
102.5 WCMM MI Gulliver / The Moose / 60kw / 10dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
102.7 WRVM WI Suring / V. of the Master / 98kw / 10dBµ, mono (255 mi.)
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (159 mi.)
103.1 –
*103.3 WFXD MI Marquette / 103-FXD / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (234 mi.)
103.7 WHYB MI Menominee / Cl. Hits 103.7 / 13kw / 3dBµ, mono (230 mi.)
103.9 WNOA-LP MI Marquette / Northern Apostle R. / 100w / 2dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
104.1 –
*104.3 WVCN MI Baraga / VCY America / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (181 mi.)
104.5 –
104.7 WYKX MI Escanaba / Kix Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (171 mi.)
104.9 –
105.1 WGFM MI Cheboygan / Rock 105 & 95.5 //95.5 / 43kw / 5dBµ, mono (181 mi.)
105.1 W286BC MI Marquette / Fox Sports //WKQS HD-2 / 250w / 3dBµ, mono (152 mi.)
105.3 CKTG ON Thunder Bay / Country 105 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (201 mi.)
105.3 WRLO WI Antigo / Rock 105.3 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (262 mi.)
*105.5 WGKL MI Gladstone / Kool 105.5 / 20kw / 5dBµ, mono (175 mi.)
105.7 WCUP MI L’Anse / Eagle Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (178 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (181 mi.)
106.1 –
*106.3 WWMK MI Onaway / Mac FM / 31kw / 20dBµ, stereo (150 mi.)
106.5 WYTE WI Marshfield / Y106.5 / 100kw / faint (322 mi.)
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Michigan / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (190 mi.)
106.9 –
*107.1 CJWA ON Wawa / JJAM FM / 210w / 20dBµ, stereo (17 mi.)
107.3 WUPF MI Powers / Eagle 107.3 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (185 mi.)
107.5 WCCW MI Traverse City / The 70’s Station / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (213 mi.)
107.5 WDUZ WI Brillion / The Fan / 3.6kw / faint in null (280 mi.)
*107.7 WMQT MI Ishpeming / Q107 / 98kw / 25dBµ, stereo (157 mi.)
107.9 WBCV WI Wausau / Big Cheese / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (287 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: 93.5, 97.5, 103.9, 105.1
RDS was not monitored
Station notes:
95.3 WVVE MN Grand Marais is off the air with future sign-on in August //106.7
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
106.7 KZJZ MN Babbitt is off the air with future sign-on in August //95.3
Recommendations for this radio site: Nokomis Trail is, as the name suggests, a trail. For that reason, it is suggested that anyone wanting to take this trek properly prepare for it.
Though the hike isn’t especially difficult, there are steep inclines, large rocks, and slippery surfaces. It is suggested you wear proper footwear at the least, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and of course, bring your radio. Though it should go without saying, make sure you double check your supplies before leaving, as it is a 40-60 minute hike to this location and you wouldn’t want to have to turn back. (Full disclosure: I actually forgot to bring paper for my bandscan notes and ended up using a fast food napkin I found in my bag). If you’re in the mood for some exercise or in a rush, it is possible to jog this section in 30-35 minutes, as I did on this day. I wouldn’t suggest this.
Because Nokomis is part of Ontario Parks, there is a day fee, which is typically rather steep if you are using an area for a short period. It is possible to pay for a day pass at the park offices if you are arriving from the south, but because of the sheer size of this park, coming from the north, it is not feasible to visit the park office and return to this location. Follow the posted instructions by enclosing payment in an envelope, placing it in the box, and displaying the receipt on your windshield. As park officials seem to rarely check receipts or empty the boxes, the box may be full with no possible way to insert your payment, as was my case at most sites in this area. Take the pay envelope, fill out the information, display it on your windshield, and keep your money. Alternatively, if you are continuing on to other provincial park-owned areas, insert it into another box.
To access this particular site, park at the Old Woman Bay lot on the lake side of the highway. Cross the highway on foot to the trail entrance, noted by a small marker. The entrance features a guide sign (seen here below). For quickest access to the radio site, take a left at this sign and follow the trail along the road and then up the mountain. The second, third, or fourth lookouts are all at a suitable elevation to utilize the Lake Superior ducts and take in differing views of the bay or the long extent of the Trans-Canada Highway heading south. The lookout with the best view is very cramped due to its location along the trail with a quick drop-off beside it and you therefore will likely encounter other hikers, so choose one of rocky lookouts, which has ample space for radio work. You could turn back to the trailhead from here or else continue onward along the trail to experience more nature, though both the best views and favourable elevation is on this immediate stretch of the trail.
For those who enjoy taking photos, this area is best in the late afternoon hours as the sun shines on the cliffs over the bay. Late morning and early afternoon (at the peak of summer) will have the sun shining in your face, the reason my radio photo is not included with some bandscan descriptions, this one included.
Services in this area can be found just 15 minutes to the north in Michipicoten and Wawa. Recommendations for these services and accommodations can be found listed with the Michipicoten bandscan site, ten miles up the shore.
Heading south, Nokomis and Old Woman Bay are the last sight of Lake Superior for nearly a half hour. Aside from the stronger Marquette stations, most of the radio dial will go quite silent.
Location rating: Nokomis has a great view and potential for great reception, both due to its higher elevation. It also has the ability to compare reception in the parking area below at lake level.
The site is in close proximity to services and accommodations just 15-20 minutes up the road in Wawa and is part of the large Lake Superior Provincial Park with numerous other natural attractions such as trails, lakes, campgrounds, waterfalls, and coastal views.
The site, like many in this area, can be negatively impacted by weather or fog off the lake which may develop with little to no warning, especially in the spring or fall. This can be especially concerning due to the fact it requires a hike to access the site. Haze at times when the lake breeze is active (between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the summer) is common and merely affects the clarity of the view. Because it is part of the provincial park, the parking area also requires rather high day fees, though they can be avoided with some luck. However, if you are planning stops at other areas within the park, the parking pass is good at all other park locations for that day.
While all sites have their drawbacks, the benefits of the Nokomis site far outweighs the disadvantages. Nokomis is an amazing and peaceful spot with fantastic vistas. It’s a must-see along this stretch of shore.