Road Trip to Montana 4/4-4/8/2023

[crainbebo]

Hi everyone! I am on the road again for spring vacation (just like last year). But I am now expanding my travels to include northwestern and western Montana this time around. I am making a loop between Sandpoint, Kalispell, Missoula, and Kellogg ID via US-2, 93, and 90. I'm back tonight at the Hotel Ruby in Ponderay, like I was last year around this time. Started by traveling from Yakima to Wenatchee, then east via Hwy 28 to Odessa WA, up to Wilbur on SR-21 and then US-2 to Spokane, north to Idaho. Will be DXing the AM band periodically, but mainly focused on FM. Some interesting signals and distances...

On 89.9, KPLW Wenatchee was noted as far as Creston WA on Hwy 2, some 91 miles from the transmitter. Then KYMS Rathdrum ID took over (Today's Christian Country)
KYRS-88.1 is completely OFF the air, and nothing was noted in eastern WA or north ID on this frequency. The 92.3 translator near Spokane was loud static, on the other hand.
Not noted on the last trip, but heard today were KLGG-89.3 Kellogg (// KPBX) and KZNP-90.7 Mullan (Your Network of Praise), each heard in the Spokane Valley area. KZNP is about 90 miles away over several mountains, 1250 watts, and the transmitter is at 6000' near Lookout Pass Ski Area. Not bad! KLGG is only 100 watts, too.
Heard signals on 94.9 and 95.7 that didn't ID, but were very likely CBTA and CJAT-FM in Trail BC, in between Odessa and Wilbur on Highway 21. These are around 125 miles to the NE. The SE WA stations weren't helping either.
93.7 KDRK is on low power and does not have RDS on currently. It wasn't noted until east of Davenport on US-2. It seems to be a 300 watt aux on Krell Hill (where several TV stations are located), thus the decreased signal area.
Sandpoint has a new station on 91.7, KKEH. It's a 100 watt station relaying KEEH-104.9 in Spokane, Christian contemporary. The 101.7 that was relaying KPBX is not on the air. There's also KQFR on 90.7, another new station to north Idaho, relaying LifeTalk Radio. It's licensed to Moyie Springs, near Bonners Ferry. 140 watts. The 100.9 Bonners Ferry translator for KKZX is nothing but dead air tonight, unlike last April.
103.3 in Sandpoint is Rock 103, active rock relayed from an HD2 or 3 of KIBR/KTPO. 102.9 is now Boss Radio, K275CF, classic rock relayed from KIBR-HD2. 106.7 is still "Idaho's Greatest Hits, MAX-FM" and has absolutely no information regarding the format change anywhere on the web, other than what I've said and told WTFDA.

Tomorrow's itinerary is Bonners Ferry, Troy/Libby MT, and into Kalispell. Staying very busy tomorrow too. Cheers!

 

[crainbebo]

AM side of things...
It's noisy in this Sandpoint hotel, but plenty of Canadian action is in.

680 CJOB Winnipeg hammering KNBR
1050 CJNB and 900 CKBI from SK both in well
1210 CFYM Kindersley SK with oldies, 250W
1100 KFAX and KNZZ about equal
880 is a real jumble here, sounds like CHQT, KRVN and one other
600 CKSP Vancouver strong with Punjabi programming and little sign of nearby KGEZ Kalispell (~100 mi)

Next post will be from the next night's hotel, in Whitefish MT (15 mi N of Kalispell).

 

[crainbebo]

I am in the next hotel tonight, the Hampton Inn and Suites in Whitefish, MT. This is the first time I've been to Montana (thus, Mountain time zone!)

FM was rather interesting the whole way, so I am recapping the scans that I made from Sandpoint on towards the Flathead.

88.1 nothing until 20 mi W of Kalispell, K201EY Kalispell (KAWZ)
88.3 wisps of KJCG Missoula around Happys Inn/Thompson Lake
88.5 KRFY Ponderay until 5 mi into MT, then nothing
88.7 KLKM Kalispell, one of the earliest to show up from this market - noted just E of Bonners Ferry.
88.9
89.1 wisps of KUFM Missoula in the Sandpoint area, much stronger and even 5 bars at times along US-2 in between Libby and Kalispell. RDS "MTPR A1". From Naples ID to the MT border, it was a *pirate*! "89.1 Grace Christian Radio" with no callsign, apparently from nearby Creston, BC. I'm guessing 100-250 watts in power, it was nice and strong in Bonners Ferry, slightly below 94.1 Juice FM
89.3 KLGG Kellogg (KPBX) in ID, nothing in MT
89.5 A very weak KEWU Cheney until Bonners Ferry, a very weak KPJH Polson MT (Montana Public Radio) 20-25 mi W of Kalispell
89.7
89.9 KYMS Rathdrum through to Troy MT, static and HD hash afterwards
90.1 KUKL Kalispell, showed up in Moyie Springs ID and most of the way at varying level
90.3 K212EY Sandpoint (KAWZ) fading to a very weak K212AO Thompson Falls MT (// KMBI) along the lakes west of Marion MT, later a very weak KJFT Arlee MT
90.5 KUFL Libby from Moyie Springs to 25-30 mi E of Libby, nothing until nearly to Kalispell, K213DF Kalispell (WPCS) RDS "REJOICE", it's part of the Rejoice Broadcasting Network
90.7 KQFR Moyie Springs, later a weak KMBM Polson MT, Moody Broadcasting
90.9 KSPL Kalispell, about 40 mi W of town
91.1 KPBX-FM Spokane lasted until Middle Thompson Lake, 99 mi from the tower. After it faded out, a very weak KMZL Missoula replaced it (an SOS Radio station)
91.3 K217FR Bonners Ferry (KMBI), later heard KFLF Somers MT (Family Radio), starting 25 mi W of town
91.5 KUBS Newport WA gone before Bonners Ferry. KPLG Plains MT most of the last 60-70 miles before Kalispell
91.7 KKEH Sandpoint on 100 watts as far as 2-3 mi into Montana. Much later, K219BN Whitefish (KUKL-90.1)
91.9 A very weak KUFN Hamilton MT in the Kalispell area
92.1 KIBX Bonners Ferry fading past Troy MT, then nothing
92.3 IBOC from KIBX faded to KKMT Ronan around Middle Thompson Lake
92.5 only K223AN Coeur D'Alene heard here (KVNI), until Naples ID
92.7 K224DV Kalispell (KLKM) 25 mi W of town
92.9 KZZU Spokane out to Troy MT, but at Marion MT I did hear KLFM Great Falls briefly with a local ad for a real estate agent. 162 miles
93.1 KHRU-LP Libby through NW MT, and gone 15 mi E of town
93.3 KGGL Missoula, at 4-5 bars in the Middle Thompson Lake/Marion area
93.5 very weak UNID at Happys Inn/Middle Thompson Lake (KZXT?) then K228FM Whitefish (KALS-FM)
93.7
93.9 a surprisingly weak signal of K230BC Polson (KERR-AM) throughout the Kalispell area.
94.1 CKCV Creston BC, Juice FM, great signal until nearly Libby MT. 2.8KW. Something else was in very weakly near Kalispell, either KOPR or CJOC
94.3 KOLK Lakeside (30 mi W of Kalispell) RDS "THE LAKE"
94.5 KHTQ Hayden, until nearly to Middle Thompson Lake. Nothing since
94.7
94.9 K235CP Coeur D'Alene (KEEH) to Bonners Ferry, very weak. KYSS-FM Missoula afterwards, variable signal strength. RDS "KYSS-FM"
95.1
95.3 KPND Deer Park until east of Libby. K237GF Kalispell (KKMT) later.
95.5 nice signal in Kalispell from CHLB Lethbridge AB "Wild Country" 124 mi away. I heard this station via Ms in Yakima in 2015.
95.7
95.9 KHNK Columbia Falls MT RDS "OUTLAW COUNTRY"
96.1 KFOO Opportunity until Libby-ish
96.3 KBAZ Hamilton MT in the Flathead, nothing else heard
96.5 K243CM Missoula (KGEZ-AM) 35 mi W of town
96.7 interesting catch - VF2528 in Creston BC! It's a travelers' information station operated by TranBC. Mono tape loop lasts 2-3 minutes with information on winter driving conditions and passes. This was heard in Naples ID and up to Moyie Springs, then it faded. Looks like 32 watts of power.
97.1 K246CU Bonners Ferry (KBFI-1450) into Troy MT, KALS Kalispell E of Libby. RDS "YNOP - Your Network of Praise www.ynop.org"
97.3
97.5
97.7 KTAQ-LP Sandpoint faded S of Bonners Ferry
97.9 K250BP Evergreen MT (KQDE-AM) 35 mi W of Kalispell
98.1 KISC Spokane very faintly into Montana, nothing else heard
98.3
98.5 KBBZ Kalispell at Naples ID (south of Bonners Ferry!) A flamethrower of a signal, heard nearly 100 miles away and all the way to town.
98.7
98.9 K255CH Kalispell (KLKM) 15 mi W of town
99.1
99.3 Well after the Bonners Ferry translator (K257DH // KXLY-99.9) faded out, I had an unid here - not sure if it was Castlegar BC or St. Regis. The KALS translator at Polson barely shows up in Kalispell - a trace.

 

[crainbebo]

99.5
99.7 KQRK Pablo, much weaker than other Kalispell FMs and badly multipathed even here in Whitefish
99.9 KXLY-FM Spokane lasted until after Libby at a very weak signal.
100.1 KZOQ Missoula in the later half of the US-2 trip
100.3 CBTS Creston BC from Naples ID to Libby MT. 140 watts
100.5
100.7 K264CH Spokane (KXLY-AM) from Sandpoint to Naples ID, KIBG Bigfork weakly popping up 40 mi W of Kalispell and still quite weak here in town - they use translators
100.9 K265AV Bonners Ferry (KKZX) finally working today, but nothing else heard after
101.1 KEYF Cheney until 10-20 mi into Montana
101.5 weak KFGM Frenchtown MT 10 mi W of Kalispell, nothing else
101.7 here's the kicker. Nothing until KTNY Libby popped up. IN LIBBY CITY LIMITS. They were in and out as I drove through Libby. 3 kilowatts? Heh, probably 3 watts. In downtown Libby they were only 2 bars of 5. KTNY has a soft oldies format as said on their website. The music mix is 1960s to late 1990s. You'll hear "Just My Imagination" Temptations go into "Name" by Goo Goo Dolls, a lot of oh wow's. America's Best Music-type mix, but it's a local jukebox. No local ads as I checked today, just the 5 minute ABC Entertainment News and vintage 1980s jingle IDs.
101.9 very weak KTSL Medical Lake until the MT border. Then KXZI-LP Kalispell well later. This station is a non-profit with a variety format. They got as far as 25 mi W of Kalispell, not bad!
102.1
102.3 K272EZ Bonners Ferry (KIBR), eventually KANB-LP Kalispell (3ABN)
102.5 KIBR Sandpoint fading to nothing
102.7 K274CY Whitefish (KSAM-AM) 20 mi W of Kalispell and local here in Whitefish
102.9
103.1 KCDA Coeur D'Alene, later KRVO Columbia Falls MT (local here)
103.3 K277CQ Sandpoint (Rock 103) into Montana! Not bad! Very weak KDTR Stevensville MT at times on US-2 in rural NW MT
103.5 very, very weak KTWD Wallace ID, here it's K278BI Bigfork (KIBG)
103.7
103.9 KBBD faded out and it was a long while before traces of KZMN Kalispell showed up
104.1
104.3 K282BP Kalispell (KOFI-AM), but they are one of the weaker translators in town. Very noisy 15 mi N in Whitefish.
104.5 KJYR Newport fading to static, then a very weak KKVU Stevensville in the Flathead
104.7
104.9 nothing after KEEH faded
105.1 KWOL Whitefish, as far W as the Moyie Springs ID convenience store.
105.3
105.5
105.7 KZBD Spokane, traces out to Libby MT. Then K289CF Kalispell (classic rock station).
105.9
106.1
106.3 KDBR Kalispell
106.5
106.7 once KTPO faded out, nothing, until 20 mi W of Kalispell when K294CK Whitefish (KZMN) faded in.
106.9
107.1 nothing after the Bonners Ferry translator faded, with KEYF. No sign of the YNOP translator at Eureka MT
107.3 haven't found the Mighty Mo *yet*! (KIMO Helena, that is)
107.5 very weak K298BR Coeur D'Alene N of Sandpoint (Air 1, KTSL). No sign of the big signal from KENR Superior MT yet.
107.7
107.9 KMBI-FM Spokane, last Spokane FM to fade out, east of the Middle Thompson Lake (100 mi+), then K300DK Whitefish with KJJR 880.

 

[crainbebo]

Correction - K289CF Kalispell is // KIBG-100.7 'The Big 100'. Day 3 of the trip. I'm at the Best Western in Missoula just above Interstate 90 and US-93. Spent the whole day shopping and sightseeing in the Flathead region. By the way, the AM last night at Hampton Inn was full of noise and RF. I wasn't able to pick out much except strong AB/SK/MB stations, KSL, KOA, some Californians, and I had no reason to go outside in below-freezing temperatures. We'll see tonight.

FM throughout the Flathead region and down through Arlee and Missoula looked like this:
88.1 K201EY Kalispell (KAWZ), now a very weak K201IN Hamilton (also KAWZ)
88.3 KJCG Missoula
88.5
88.7 KLKM Kalispell, eventually mixing with KXEH Victor (YNOP) around St. Ignatius on 93. Here in Missoula, just KXEH at 40 miles south.
88.9
89.1 KUFM Missoula
89.3
89.5 KPJH Polson until Arlee area, then K208EF Missoula (KMBI) took over
89.7
89.9 KBGA Missoula 20-30 mi N of town, operated by the University of Montana
90.1 KUKL Kalispell, but gone now
90.3 KJFT Arlee
90.5 nothing after K213DF Kalispell faded
90.7 KMBM Polson (Catholic station, has "KMBM" on RDS), later fading to KMZO Hamilton (SOS) they are solid here in Missoula
90.9 KSPL Kalispell eventually faded out around Ronan
91.1 KMZL Missoula starting around Bigfork, local here. Has SOS RDS, song/artist, KMZO has the same thing
91.3 KFLF Somers / nothing in Missoula
91.5 KPLG Plains most of the way, K218AI Rattlesnake Valley (KUFM) as I came into Missoula. RDS "MTPR"
91.7 K219BN Whitefish, then gone
91.9 nothing in the Flathead. In Missoula, KUFN Hamilton is beating out K220JX Missoula, supposedly a local, with KEFX!
92.1
92.3 KKMT Ronan most of the way, but just static here in Missoula
92.5
92.7 K224DV Kalispell eventually faded out, here it's K224AA Missoula (KGRZ) RDS says "GRIZ"
92.9
93.1
93.3 KGGL Missoula
93.5 After Whitefish faded, it was a whole lot of nothing
93.7 K229BU Missoula (K-LOVE), showing up plenty early, out along Flathead Lake. Great range for a translator.
93.9 K230BC Polson (KERR-AM) with muffled mono audio
94.1 bits of KOPR Butte north of Missoula
94.3 KOLK lasted until St. Ignatius area. Now it's K232CI Missoula - The Ride, // one of KDXT's HD subcarriers
94.5 KHTQ Hayden ID popped up briefly south of Ronan MT. 83KW 133 miles Nothing here in Missoula
94.7
94.9 KYSS-FM Missoula
95.1
95.3 K237GF lasted for a ways down Flathead Lake and into Polson/Ronan. Then K237DZ Missoula took over. (THIS STATION HAS FLIPPED FORMATS...it is now Radio By Grace, // KRBG-88.7 Umbarger TX, per their website.)
95.5 tentative KMBR Butte MT at St. Ignatius...mixing with CHLB Lethbridge! That's 174 miles to the N. Incredible range for this station.
95.7 K239AP Missoula (ALT-FM, via KGGL-HD2)
95.9 KHNK faded down the hill past Arlee
96.1
96.3 KBAZ Hamilton
96.5 K243CM faded after Polson/Ronan
96.7
96.9 K245CM Missoula (relaying KENR 107.5)
97.1 KALS Kalispell until Ravalli/Arlee, gone after that, can't get a trace in Missoula
97.3
97.5 KYMI Charlo
97.7
97.9 KDXT Lolo, very weak compared to other Missoula FMs. Not a trace until Ronan or so.
98.1
98.3 K252FP Missoula (KGVO-AM 1290), traces started around Lakeside/Somers, stronger in southern Lake County and beyond. Has RDS as well
98.5 KBBZ Kalispell, but even this big signal can't make it into Missoula. Other Kalispell FMs can. See below...
98.7 KHKM Hamilton (Today's Christian Country)
98.9
99.1
99.3 Polson translator is not on the air. Traces of KQEZ St. Regis started near Ronan/St. Ignatius. In Missoula it's an amusing mix of KQEZ and KQEZ-FM1. They are slightly behind by 1 second or so. RDS "KQEZ". Satellite Westwood One AC format. Boring, unlike KTNY and KIBG earlier today/yesterday...
99.5
99.7 KQRK Pablo, and faded to K259DD East Missoula (KMPT-AM) at the transition zone near Arlee. Does have RDS
99.9
100.1 KZOQ Missoula RDS "Z100"
100.3
100.5
100.7 KIBG Bigfork, The Big 100. This station doesn't stream and it's a darn shame. I *loved* this station. Much better playlist than KWOL 105.1. 1960s-1990s music, including plenty of oh wow's. Heard Richard Marx "Keep Coming Back," Toto's "Without Your Love", REO Speedwagon's "One Lonely Night," Eagles' "Love Will Keep Us Alive," and plenty of the staples too...guaranteed a playlist in 1000+ song range or more. This is one of only two Kalispell FMs that are still getting into Missoula, albeit noisy. USA Radio News at the top of the hour.
100.9
101.1 K266BI Polson (KJFT) fading to the same station! Uhhh...K266BK Missoula (also KJFT-90.3)
101.3 K267BJ Ferndale (KUFM), gone heading south of Ronan
101.5 KFGM Frenchtown, locally-operated community station. This used to be a KGVO simulcast.
101.7
101.9 KXZI-LP Kalispell, traces past Big Arm and Polson (not bad for an LPFM!) Then KSMZ-LP Missoula, Catholic religion.
102.1
102.3 nothing after Kalispell LPFM faded
102.5 KMSO Missoula
102.7 K274CY Whitefish (KSAM) out to Polson/Ronan
102.9 K275BS Missoula (ESPN Radio) about 15 mi N of town
103.1 KRVO went out nearly to Missoula, but they are mostly gone
103.3 KDTR Florence (Trail 103.3 - Montana's Quality Rock)
103.5 nothing after the KIBG translator faded
103.7 K279CP Missoula (KHDV) found this one near the MT-200/93 intersection. The Drive
103.9 KZMN Kalispell most of the way
104.1 K281CH Missoula (Boomer 104 - oldies) heard this one as far as Big Arm!
104.3 nothing after KOFI translator faded in the Polson area
104.5 KKVU Stevensville
104.7
104.9 KWLY-LP Missoula not getting out very far north
105.1 KWOL Whitefish still hanging on here in Missoula, but very weak
105.3 K287AW Hamilton (KKVU) very weak in the hotel room
105.5
105.7 nothing after the other KIBG translator faded
105.9 KYJK Missoula (JACK FM, does NOT stream. RDS "105-9 JACK FM")
106.1
106.3 after KDBR faded, K292GH Hamilton faded in (KMSO-102.5)
106.5
106.7 KXDR Pinedale is NOT top 40 anymore, it is a rock format. RDS has the call sign.
106.9
107.1 K296FM Missoula (KDXT) traces to Big Arm
107.3 (still can't find the 'Mighty Mo' in Helena)
107.5 KENR Superior with the booster KENR-FM1 also a second or so behind each other
107.7
107.9 KJJR translator lasted to Ronan/St. Ignatius. KHDV Darby only faded in when I made the drop in elevation towards the National Bison Range.

 

[crainbebo]

Noise-free hotel for AM tonight! (Still Missoula) 1210 KRSV Afton WY over CFYM Kindersley and an unknown English station (KGYN?)
1220 CJRB MB on top with classical music.
1110 KFAB and KBND about even.
Nice TOH ID from 1550 KZDG San Francisco.
1530 ESPN mixed with KFBK - WCKY Cincinnati!
1270 has a mix of KTFI Twin Falls and KIML Gillette WY. Seattle and Vancouver AMs strong, including 1380 KRKO way on top of others. CJDC-890 Dawson Creek strong. No sign of Chicago.

 

[crainbebo]

Last night of my road trip, spending it in the Silver Inn at Kellogg ID. Earlier I did some sightseeing/shopping in the Bitterroot valley, and then went back on I-90 from Missoula to this hotel (well, not before getting a St. Regis huckleberry shake and a dinner at the 50,000 Silver Dollar). The band stayed stationary in most of the Bitterroot Valley. A 91.5 KMZL translator in Darby started coming in around Victor MT. Darby was as far south as I got on the trip.

Notables
KIBG-100.7 Bigfork stayed in until Florence MT, with traces at Victor (98 miles away)
KAAR-92.5, KOPR-94.1 and KMBR-95.5 in Butte showed up here and there between Victor and Darby. Lots of mountains in the way
CHLB-95.5 Lethbridge AB strong near Haugan and DeBorgia MT - 175 miles or so
Lookout Pass was nothing special (Missoula, Spokane, Moscow ID) except for a 90.1 that sounded like KOLU Pasco WA (~180 mi)
At Stevensville MT, I heard KMON-94.5 Great Falls with country music and "Max Country" IDs. 150 miles NE, also a lot of mountains in the way!