FM Bandscan at Round Mountain, near White Pass WA (elevation 5,970ft) 7/30/21

[crainbebo]

My first Cascades hike of the season (well, I did Manastash Lake again earlier in the month and had close to 10 mosquito bites that time!) But this is a new spot for me, Round Mountain, W of Clear Lake, and SE of White Pass near US-12. The elevation was 5,970 feet, and I could see the Goat Rocks, Mt. Adams, Rimrock Lake, Clear Lake, and a variety of mountains to the north (including Shellrock Peak at 6800+ feet which I hiked up last August!) Pics coming later, but I saw two pikas (not pictured), multiple chipmunks and squirrels, two vultures flying around, a small Western fence lizard, and *fresh* bear scat about 3/4ths up the mountain. I kept my eyes peeled, but no bear sightings today. Thank God! Not to mention a multitude of butterflies, and horseflies/bees/house flies that were annoying me at the summit while I was eating lunch! Radio reception report follows - some interesting finds...

88.1 - KWAO Vashon (76KW 89mi) / KYTR Union Gap (52w 38mi) / CBU-2-FM Vancouver BC (97.6KW 202mi)
88.3 - KMLW Moses Lake (4KW 93mi) / tentative KBVM Portland OR (3.5KW 102 mi)
88.5 - KLRF Milton-Freewater OR (7.4KW 159mi) / KYVT Yakima (135w 40mi)
88.7 - KDMB Moses Lake (4.6KW 90mi) / plus a station running CCM, can't ID this one, either Oregon or Ocean Park, or even The Effect translator in Kennewick
88.9 - K205FT Yakima (KOLU, 15.5W 45mi W/ RDS!!) / KCSH Ellensburg (380w 45mi) / CBUX-FM1 Victoria BC (6.7KW 170mi) / KSWS Chehalis (1KW 82mi)
89.1 - KFAE Richland (100KW 108mi)
89.3 - KAOS Olympia (1.25KW 79mi)
89.5 - KSOH Wapato (9.5KW 39mi) / something else chewed on it, likely KNHC
89.7 - KWWS Walla Walla (16KW 156mi) / CJSU-FM Duncan BC (3.47KW 191mi)
89.9 - K210CX Yakima (KHRI Air 1, 19W 40mi) / KQAC Portland OR (5.9KW 102mi) / KXIR Freeland (1.8KW 114mi)
90.1 - KOLU Pasco (39KW 110mi)
90.3 - KNWY Yakima (1.9KW 40mi) / KEXP Seattle (4.7KW 82mi)
90.5 - KQBC Benton City (200W 88mi) / KACS Chehalis (6KW 81mi) / CBCV-FM Victoria BC (6.3KW 170mi) / unid 4th station running blues music, most stuff was coming in from the east at the level I was at, about 5100 feet. Maybe KBLU-FM Pilot Rock OR?
90.7 - KNWR Ellensburg (4.6KW 62mi) / KSER Everett (5.8KW 102mi NEW to Yakima logbook)
90.9 - KVTI Tacoma (51KW 69mi) / KRBM Pendleton OR (24.5KW 133mi)
91.1 - KYPL Yakima (26KW 45mi)
91.3 - KGTS College Place (7KW 157mi) / KBCS Bellevue (1.8KW 73mi also NEW to Yakima logs)
91.5 - K218CX Yakima (KAWZ, 11W 44mi) / KOPB Portland OR (70KW 102mi)
91.7 - KBLD Kennewick (1.8KW 110mi) / KYFQ Tacoma (4.3KW 94mi)
91.9 - KDNA Yakima (18.5KW 39mi) / a second station with public radio talk was heard at the summit, either KPTZ or KMUN, can't ID this one
92.1 - KUMA-FM Pilot Rock OR (6.9KW 133mi) / CBU-FM-1 Victoria BC (87KW 178mi)
92.3 - KGON Portland OR (97KW 102mi) / KZUS Ephrata (26KW 94mi) / K222BP Prosser (KOLU, 23W 81mi)
92.5 - KZHR Dayton (54KW 157mi) / KQMV Bellevue (56.8KW 67mi)
92.7 - KMSW The Dalles OR (3.4KW 68mi) / K224EW Othello (EWTN Spanish - 28W 94mi!)
92.9 - KDBL Toppenish (17KW 45mi) / tentative KISM Bellingham at summit (50KW 158mi)
93.1 - CKYE Vancouver BC (8KW 202mi - very strong for power and distance!) / KRYP Gladstone OR (1.55KW 102mi)
93.3 - KRKL Walla Walla (42KW 157mi) / KUBE Seattle (98KW 73mi)
93.5 - KWDR Royal City (210W 85mi - amazing strong signal for this distance) / KACI-FM The Dalles OR (2.2KW 65mi)
93.7 - K229AD Yakima (KDYK - 250W 45mi) / KLSY-FM Montesano (28KW 107mi) / KQFM Hermiston OR (5.3KW 110mi) / CJJR-FM Vancouver BC (70KW 202mi)
93.9 - KTAC Ephrata (18KW 96mi)
94.1 - KSWD Seattle (69KW 67mi)
94.5 - KATS Yakima (100KW 40mi)
94.9 - KIOK Richland (100KW 109mi) / KUOW Seattle (100KW 82mi)
95.1 - KITI-FM Winlock (410W 80mi)
95.3 - K237GY Prosser (KZXR-AM - horrible audio, garbled and sometimes going silent - 205W 81mi) / K237DP Kennewick (KLKY, 34W 109mi) / CKZZ Vancouver BC (66KW 202mi) / likely K237FR Tumwater with oldies ('KGY', KYYO-HD2, 220W 79mi) - NO SIGN OF KXLE WHATSOEVER
95.5 - KBFF Portland OR (97KW 102mi)
95.7 - KKSR Walla Walla (94KW 157mi) / KJR-FM Seattle (98KW 73mi)
95.9 - KRSX Goldendale (2.2KW 65mi) / KZML Quincy (11KW 86mi)
96.1 - KXXO Olympia (37KW 89mi) / KLKY Stanfield OR (8.5KW 120mi) / CHKG Vancouver BC (100KW 202mi)
96.3 - KRCW Royal City (19.5KW 97mi)
96.5 - KJAQ Seattle (49KW 67mi) / K243CK Pendleton OR (KUMA-AM - 250W 150mi!!)
96.7 - KMMG Benton City (820W 99mi)
96.9 - KZTA Naches (14KW 22mi)
97.1 - KXRX Walla Walla (100KW 157mi)
97.3 - KIRO-FM Tacoma (52KW 67mi)
97.5 - KOLW Basin City (50KW 94mi) / KNLR Bend OR (97KW 176mi)
97.7 - KOMO-FM Oakville (69KW 107mi) / CBUF-FM Vancouver BC (100KW 202mi, notable under KOMO with French talk)
97.9 - KZTB Milton-Freewater OR (100KW 162mi) / KLVP Aloha OR (52.35KW 102mi) / KYYR-LP Yakima (100W 37mi)
98.1 - KING-FM Seattle (66KW 67mi)
98.3 - KEYW Pasco (25KW 110mi)
98.5 - KEYG-FM Grand Coulee (100KW 139mi) / KNBQ Central Park (1.6KW 89mi)
98.7 - KMNA Mabton (11.5KW 57mi) / KUPL Portland OR (24KW 102mi)
98.9 - KNUC Seattle (63.9KW 67mi)
99.1 - KUJ-FM Burbank (52KW 111mi)
99.3 - KMGW Naches (790W 22mi) / CFOX Vancouver BC (100KW 202mi - notable rock under KMGW, counting this one)
99.5 - KZLY Ione OR (1.8KW 120mi) / KWJJ Portland OR (50KW 102mi)
99.7 - KHHK Yakima (4.1KW 48mi)
99.9 - KISW Seattle (67KW 67mi) / unid country station, either KRKT or KXLY scattering in
100.1 - KQFO Pasco (8.4KW 111mi)
100.3 - KBWN-LP Buena (100W 50mi) / CKKQ Victoria BC (100KW 170mi)
100.5 - KWIQ Moses Lake (50KW 104mi)
100.7 - KKWF Seattle (67KW 67mi) / KHSS Athena OR (6.3KW 157mi) / KMGX Bend OR (50KW 176mi)
100.9 - KARY-FM Grandview (7.8KW 64mi)
101.1 - KXL-FM Portland OR (97KW 102mi) / CFMI Vancouver BC (100KW 202mi)
101.3 - KGDN Pasco (2.75KW 109mi)
101.5 - KPLZ Seattle (99KW 73mi) / unid with old religious country song and some folk music. Did not match the Jive Radio stream, but still suspecting KJYV-FM The Dalles OR, 480 watts at 65 miles.
101.7 - KZXR-FM Prosser (3.5KW 81mi)
101.9 - KZIU Weston OR (13.4KW 162mi - huge signal for this distance and full RDS) / KINK-FM Portland OR (99KW 102mi)
102.1 - KPQ-FM Wenatchee (35KW 61mi)
102.3 - KYYT Goldendale (2.1KW 69mi - tentative, but could also be K272ED in Kennewick, country music) / KWRL La Grande OR (25KW 200mi - confirmed!)
102.5 - KZOK Seattle (68KW 67mi)
102.7 - KORD-FM Richland (100KW 111mi)
102.9 - KZTM Centralia (70KW 89mi)
103.1 - KYKV Selah (5.4KW 44mi) / tentative K276GF Pendleton OR, with classic country music in tight KYKV null at summit. Would be 190 watts at 150 miles
103.3 - KWLN Wilson Creek (25KW 119mi) / K277BG Grandview (KGTS - 23W 81mi - and tried to cue RDS!)
103.5 - KWHT Pendleton OR (100KW 152mi) / CHQM Vancouver BC (100KW 202mi - RDS!! 'Move 103.5' ex-QM/FM)
103.7 - KHTP Tacoma (67KW 67mi)
103.9 - K280GI Richland (KGTS, 15.5W at 99mi!) / unid 2nd station at summit, may be KVAS.
104.1 - KXDD Yakima (100KW 45mi)
104.3 - KMNT Chehalis (2.35KW 82mi) / CHLG Vancouver BC (10KW 202mi)
104.5 - K283BX Wapato (KBBO-AM, 250W 42mi) / KLSW Covington (6.7KW 73mi)
104.7 - KCMB Baker OR (100KW 200mi) / KKRV Wenatchee (6.5KW 78mi) / KDUK Florence OR (66KW 194mi)
104.9 - KYXE Union Gap (680W 45mi)
105.1 - KRSK Molalla OR (21KW 102mi)
105.3 - KONA-FM Kennewick (100KW 109mi)
105.7 - KRSE Yakima (100KW 34mi)
106.1 - KBKS Tacoma (68KW 67mi)
106.3 - KLOO-FM Corvallis OR (100KW 166mi)
106.5 - KEGX Richland (100KW 111mi)
106.7 - KLTH Lake Oswego OR (96KW 102mi)
106.9 - K295BT Wapato (KTCR-AM, 250W 42mi) / KRWM Bremerton (49KW 73mi)
107.3 - KFFM Yakima (100KW 44mi)
107.7 - KWVN-FM Pendleton OR (72KW 150mi)
107.9 - K300AP Sunnyside (KRKL, 50W 63mi) / KYRF-LP Yakima (100W 40mi - Spanish religion, distorted audio) / KHPE Albany OR (100KW 166mi)

 

[radioman148]

Glad you didn't run into any bears. Thanks for the report.

 

[Greg Strickland]

Apologies for not researching your posts to know. You mention nulls and to the east etc. did you use a directional antenna such as a Yagi or Log Periodic? Also did you have a clear shot to the horizon in all directions? I mean were you blocked by a close-in ridge or largely clear except for peaks miles away? I'm sure park rangers know the drill, but did other hikers look at you funny?

 

[crainbebo]

There were NO OTHER hikers at this mountain. On a Friday afternoon with everyone heading for Rimrock and Clear Lake to camp out, this was a surprise. I was all alone, no worries about people. The next day wouldn't have mattered because yesterday (Saturday), the sky was foggy, hazy, and smoky, with worse visibility. I lucked out being there Friday afternoon.
Nulls, 'to the east', etc - there were points on the trail where the west was blocked as I was climbing towards the end of the trail. East horizon was open. All I had was my ATS-909X and the telescopic whip. The summit is quite roomy, so certain points I could point it one way and have Vancouver, and another way and have Olympia. Of course I didn't keep the radio on from the lowest point to the highest point, I just pulled it out and scanned at a few spots along the way, then again at the summit while eating lunch.
The clearest shot to the horizon seemed to be E to SE, and a little bit to the NW surprisingly, as Rainier should be in the way. These Vancouver signals were over 200 miles away and some of them came in at incredible levels for a portable. But that's what 5,970 feet elevation does in the Pacific NW.

 

[davideduardo]

But that's what 5,970 feet elevation does in the Pacific NW.

At my transmitter site for HCTM1, 95.1 in Quito around 1968, I had one occasion where I had a moment after doing transmitter work but before sunrise where I could check out the FM dial on my car radio. The site was at a bit over 4000 meters AMSL, and the zig-zag road up could not be safely driven in the dark.

Looking at the same location on a map today, it says the elevation is 15,696 feet.

It was a couple of hours after sunrise in Lima, Perú and I got FM 100 at around 750 miles. I was entertained, and listened a while. At that point, I scanned the dial and found an FM from San José, Costa Rica coming in nicely at 800 miles.

At that point, I had finished by container of coffee and eaten my entire food supply that I brought from the prior afternoon drive up and was getting sleepy and cold, so I drove back down to the city.

At the time, Quito only had two reasonably powered FMs and one of them was not on the air until noon, so just my main FM was operating. Quito also had 3 FMs used as STL's, and the were 1000 meters lower and directional away from where I was. Ecuador had no other FMs at the time. Colombia, to the north, had many FM STLs, but they were 10 to 15 watts with yagis pointed at AM transmitter sites, and I never heard any of those on repeated tries from the mountaintop. But the Lima and San José stations were often heard; each of those was the first commercial FM in its country, too.

 

[The New Chico]

From the looks of things, it seems like Rainier was perhaps blocking the Bellingham Class Cs but not Vancouver. Might have been partially blocking Victoria as well.

 

[crainbebo]

Keep in mind...
"1968", "15,696 feet", and "Quito only had two reasonably powered FMs". Mt. Rainier is the highest mountain in the Pacific NW at 14,410 feet, and I doubt I'd get anything over 250 miles or so if I were to summit that (which is likely never!) 225 miles seems to be the limit around here at 6K feet for FM reception. Low-power translators have been heard at crazy distances on the other hand. Seven years ago I hiked Bear Creek Mountain in the nearby Goat Rocks Wilderness. Several Bend FMs were loud and clear on the 7,350-foot summit, including the KBNW-AM translator on 104.5...150 watts at 170 miles. This was BEFORE the Yakima translator went on with The Fan, sports radio.

Also for The New Chico...
It wasn't all Rainier causing the Bellingham blockage. Those Yakima stations were extremely strong being at nearly a line-of-sight elevation. 104.1 and 106.5 Richland are both 100KW, 92.9 is 18KW. I was able to take out KDBL slightly at the summit in a couple of spots only, and heard what sounded like classic rock, likely KISM. No bueno on the other channels.

 

[crainbebo]

Finally have pictures attached for y'all...I have been so busy with other things. Much of the area to the N of Hwy 12 has been devastated by the recent Schneider Springs Fire. I made it up to Round Mountain four days before that fire started. Round was saved because it's not on the Highway 410 side, but forest north of Burnt/Shellrock, Timberwolf Mountain, Edgar Rock (hiked in 2014, near Cliffdell and Whistlin Jack Lodge), Little Bald and Old Scab Mountain are all gone, as is the forest near the Rattlesnake drainage, known for being the filming site for Gary Cooper's 1959 western 'The Hanging Tree.' All in all 100K acres in total gone, and Yakima has had terrible air quality daily for weeks.

Forest walk - File sharing and storage made simple
Shellrock Peak (on the left of the picture) - which I hiked on 8/14/20! - File sharing and storage made simple
View from Round Mountain summit towards Rimrock Lake, Russell Ridge - File sharing and storage made simple
Mt. Adams + Goat Rocks - File sharing and storage made simple
KSWS RDS on radio - File sharing and storage made simple
CHQM RDS at over 200 miles - File sharing and storage made simple
Lovely Townsend's Chipmunk (one of two spotted in a group) - File sharing and storage made simple
Bear poop - File sharing and storage made simple
Douglas or red squirrel towards the end of the hike - File sharing and storage made simple

There's one more hike planned for me tomorrow - before a rainy cold front comes in and causes possible flooding in the mountains. Planning on hitting Merritt Lake tomorrow, which is west of Leavenworth near Hwy 2. I've never been in this area and while the hike is steep with 2000 ft elevation gain, the hike is short as well. 5.5 miles round-trip. There should be some late-season huckleberries per trip reports as well. Really hoping for one more outing before the berries disintegrate and the snow starts falling in the high country...which means one thing - fall foliage in the shrub-steppe pine forests, and a lot of winter exercise down in the valley. I love having the Palouse-to-Cascades trail available to us. Many times this past winter I did exercise power walks along the east Kittitas portion where it follows I-90. I'm away from Ellensburg - and most of the crowds!