Presumably driven by operating costs of AM vs FM, but yes, could impact on revenue if there is less coverage.
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DAB+ would probably see a market like Coffs co-channeled with Brisbane/SEQ, so even those FM gains like 96.5 and 94.9 would probably be impossible (side note but it is impressive how far out River 949 gets to the south)
That NZ during the daytime is fantastic, as is that list of AM stations overall - well done @Mechsta! Makes me wish I lived by the coast
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Yes, when traveling to QLD along the Pacific Hwy, River 94.9 is usually the first QLD FM station to be received (at around Woodburn), though not very strong.
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Will have to see if I can hear NZ during the day from the South Coast once this lockdown is lifted in June. I did faintly hear 567 Wellington from Green Cape (near Eden) in August; June would be better since it’s the month of the winter solstice.
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Often on the Grafton bridge and high spots at South Grafton, also many streets of Grafton itself, usually where there’s legacy band three tv aerials pointing to Brisbane, good gap through the border ranges from either The Knobby or Mt Coot-tha.
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Different log in Renmark today. 96.5 Flow FM Pinnaroo/Lameroo
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How can you tell between the logs?
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heard a station running a tone this morning on 855khz. A new station perhaps? Was strong & dominant over the ABCs + 3CR.
Also noted Gosford 801khz off air - 5RM received clear on my car radio
The 2XL tower on Polo Flat Rd has been demolished - gone!
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I noticed 801 Gosford was off air yesterday, don’t know why or how long it’s been like that? There was a power outage around the site a week or so ago, I never bothered checking to see if was or has been off air since then, until yesterday.
Shame about the 2XL mast, another bit of radio history gone, I never got why they pushed to go FM, they only replaced the AM 918kHz transmitter 3-4 years ago at most, which wouldn’t have been cheap, & likewise for 2GN which is on the cards to do the same.
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The land was sold to Snowy Hydro to build a concrete processing plant - hence why the tower & TXer had to go. That’s why the AM - FM conversion was fast tracked.
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Given the current economic climate, if building hasn’t yet begun & parts already bought, I wonder if the 2GN conversion will be put off for 12-24 month or indefinitely. I can’t see any networks doing anything unessential, & 2GN being on FM isn’t what I’d call essential.
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same for the 2EC conversion. Nothing heard in relation to that.
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Don’t forget the ABC has to move its RN Crookwell service from 107.7 to 104.5 before 2GN can convert to FM. From what I can gather on the ABC Reception page set to Crookwell, that hasn’t happened yet.
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That’s on hold due to the current inquiry, 2EC and ABC on AM is expected to get a mention as to the value of AM broadcasting during natural disasters.
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It depends where the AM transmitter. I wonder if Sydney ABC local radio got converted to FM… Then 702 AM can be redeployed to the south coast? Given Sydney FM transmitters are easily accessible. It will need a “restack” of the FM band to squeeze in ABC Local Radio.
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When 2EC converts to FM, that will leave 765 free, so no need to move/redeploy 702 ?
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Maybe it won’t get to the same reach as 702 ? Although being further south it could cause problems with 3aw on 693 AM.
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I personally can’t see 702AM being switched off anytime in the foreseeable future.
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also remember that 702khz can’t just be used willy nilly - you have to factor in harmonics that could cause interference to other services - or eg the LW beacons or even HF services (not necessarily radio stations but 2 way comms & radar or data TXers on HF).
Plus there is the additive effect of 702 + 810khz could also cause issues
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