https://idyllwildtowncrier.com/2025/11/14/wnki-am-1610-returns-to-the-air/
Members of Mile High Radio Club notified us early Friday morning, November 14, that Radio WNKI 1610 AM is back on the air after a silence of about 6 weeks. The station is licensed to Idyllwild Fire Protection District and had been operated by members of MHRC under an agreement signed by the previous IFPD Chief, Patrick Reitz, in 2014.
... .. IFPD Chief Mark LaMont took issue with last week’s headline about a “rift” between MHRC and IFPD. “I do not feel that there is a “rift” between MHRC and IFPD. There was a disagreement about the requirements to be a volunteer in any capacity with IFPD. MHRC had chosen not to meet all the requirements.”
LaMont also clarified that WNKI was never “down” or off the air. “WNKI is an EMERGENCY Radio Broadcast Frequency which is operated on 1610am within our area by the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Staff. There is no regulation nor rule stating that “something” or “anything” must be broadcast on that frequency at all times. Therefore, the IFPD makes determinations as to necessary content and broadcast of information on that emergency radio frequency. From time to time no broadcasting on that frequency may occur which in no way should imply that WNKI is not operable or down.”
... funding has been secured for a “ribbon network” of small transmitters to allow travelers to pick up the station from Pinyon Pines to Poppet flats. The plan, approved in 2015, called for transmitters to be installed at Ranger Peak (about 2 miles southeast of Diamond Zen Center) and CalFire Stations 23 (Pine Cove), 53 (Garner Valley), and 30 (Pinyon).