Another transmitter that could be converted is 2DU Cobar, which uses 972 kHz. There is a case for retaining AM as in Broken Hill but this is not a wide coverage transmitter; I’ve never heard a squeak of it in Sydney. Thus the calculus should be similar to Katherine. Zoo FM has had a Cobar translator on 103.7 MHz for many years; there is no repeater for Star FM.
I daresay 2WEB Bourke would attract a lot of Cobar listeners given its coverage. 2WEB haven’t got an FM repeater in Cobar as with Nyngan, presumably due to the presence of 2DU/Zoo FM.
I think it’s also a smaller population than Katherine too, so less incentive to spend $$$ and this is a Caralis station too we are talking about - not known for their spending.
And that I don’t think Hit 93.5 Dubbo have ever put their 102.1 Cobar translator to air either.
Good old 4AK, with the processing sounding good it ain’t so bad
2BH works well as AM in my view due to the long flat areas out that way that AM just works so well with.
Also of note is the fact that in my last trip out to Broken Hill the transmitter was restricted quite a lot… only doing 250w @ 60% mod… It is now doing 500w @ 125% Mod… The feedback about the extra coverage has been crazy
972 Cobar is 300w
Not just Cobar but right across that area of the state I dare say, that thing has crazy coverage. I think they would be crazy to ever covert to FM only… The coverage they get on the AM band is far to good to limit it by moving to FM.
I’ll almost be a bit sad to see 7BU and 7AD go - they are like semi-locals across a lot of coastal Victoria and sparked my interest in AM DX. But I guess it’s good progress for these towns to have two FM stations locally
I take it there are no plans to reuse the AM frequencies once they’ve switched?
Unless Jacqui Lambie wishes to start her own radio network, probably not. Consider that 711 kHz (ex 7NT) has been vacant for years now and it’s a prime AM channel.
No reason, other than the likely cost of maintaining the broadcast infrastructure
From previous comments here, the old 7BU and 7AD masts aren’t in great condition so any potential future user would likely have to invest significant funds into their repair, or a new transmitter and site. I suspect neither would be a particular cheap option on AM