Would this be a reliable assumption of Detroit FM regular reception in SW Ontario. As far north as Sarnia and as far east as Chatham, I suspect WOMC's 190,000 watt signal might go much further.

Saul wrote:

Might depend on factors such as terrain, other neighbouring 104.3 stations, day to day conditions. And also on the condition of the transmitter, it's height. I'd expect it to be at least semi-regular in, say, London. In north Kawarthas, it's in and out, more often not in than in, but I think if I cared enough I could conjure it up on any given day and possibly within the hour. 102.7 is one of my most open channels, and lately I record a lot there for meteor scatter. The K-Love Detroit usually doesn't stay absent for more than an hour. Despite power differences I would equate the two as very roughly comparable. Same with 97.9 WJLB.

Speaking of 102.7, I finally pulled in CJFB Bolton. It wasn't easy but a few days ago I reviewed a recording of something that IDed on the channel but was having trouble. With fresh ears, I was able to make out the word Bolton after 'FM 102'. It was alone on the channel. The reception was JUNE 8. I actually thought it would be CHOP Newmarket, which recently increased to 100 watts. I've heard that one here a couple times, and East FM in Scarborough is a regular here. But I was beginning to wonder if Bolton might be too elusive. Anyhow, two IDs, by the same announcer as the one I found online, and the exact same ID. Nondescript pop music of some kind. I also hear Jon Pole's Kingston-market station in NY State from time to time, and also a French station from Val d'Or QC.

104.3 would be Sault Ste Marie, Detroit, Utica, Val d'Or (yes, on both channels), Kingston - somewhat in that order.
 

Since CHUM FM went HD the DX opportunity for 104.3 is pretty much dead in Toronto and that's the same for much of the FM dial since the last HD expansion. Not sure of the impact of a strong tropo or E-Skip on HD adjacent channel obliteration. Each strong HD signal takes out two adjacent frequencies.

Two days a ago I was able to pull in very faintly and briefly, Windsor 93.9 and oddly a bit later 93.9 from Ottawa.
 

Last edited by Fitz (August 1, 2025 1:08 pm)

turkeytop wrote:

mace wrote:

Would this be a reliable assumption of Detroit FM regular reception in SW Ontario. As far north as Sarnia and as far east as Chatham, I suspect WOMC's 190,000 watt signal might go much further.

Here in London we get occasional FM from Detroit but, you're right. It isn't reliable.

Oddly, when I lived up on the Bruce Peninsula, we got more reception from Detroit than we do down here.
 

Could be the Lake Huron water path. I remember when I was in California in 1986, while driving up the coastal highway to San Francisco, once I reached Santa Barbara most of the San Diego FM's were loud and clear. They lasted for the next hour or so until the highway turned back inland. Poof! They were gone.

Fitz wrote:

Some unusual tropo patterns today. Getting lots of stations  where other less distant stations are regulars.
88.5 -Got WRUR Triple A Rochester
88.5 - Also The Lake Grimsby 
92.5 Received WBEE  HD1 and HD2 seemed to take over local Kiss 92.5,  HD hijack. This lasted a long time.
93.3 - usually My FM was brining in Fickle FM from NY state
101.3 - usually a weaker ethnic HD was brining in WARM 101.3 from Rochester
93.1 - usually CHAY had 93Q from Syracuse
103.9 - usually CBC FM had WBKX Rochester
WBEE signal had RDS see pic and audio clip below:
DX Aug 5/25



 

WDKX on 103.9? Impressive. I think they transmit only 800 watts. When I lived in Oakville, they were a regular tropo catch, until CBC Peterboro arrived.

Fitz wrote:

The central NY directed pattern is still on. I am still getting WBEE HD right now. That's amazing given the HD impacts on DX'ing. I also got a very clear French station on 90.7 perhaps Radio Canada from Ottawa. Also K-Love may be off as I was getting Mix 102.5 from Utica/Rome very clearly and also a French station which was less clear.

You heard CBOF-FM Ottawa (more or less //CJBC 90.3). Where are you that you're getting WBEE?

Fitz wrote:

Saul wrote:

Fitz wrote:

The central NY directed pattern is still on. I am still getting WBEE HD right now. That's amazing given the HD impacts on DX'ing. I also got a very clear French station on 90.7 perhaps Radio Canada from Ottawa. Also K-Love may be off as I was getting Mix 102.5 from Utica/Rome very clearly and also a French station which was less clear.

You heard CBOF-FM Ottawa (more or less //CJBC 90.3). Where are you that you're getting WBEE?

I am in west Pickering near the scar border and still very surprised that WBEE over took Kiss 92.5. The pattern seems to be fading but last time I checked K-Love was still out and I got a French station on that as well.
 

French on 102.5 is likely CBOX Ottawa.

Receiving CKLP FM 103 Parry Sound in Barrie today clearly which is about 116kms straight line.  Local Tropo I assume 

I was heading over to 401/Port Union Road that morning and CISS 92.5 became unlistenable due to WBEE. Also heard WTSS 96.1 and WCMF 96.5 over the very strong HD sidebands of 96.3. Also noted CHAY was quite impaired, though I've experienced this before in that area.