UTS was the only university in the country apart from the library based at the defence department who stocked some quite technical books regarding amateur radio.. with the four corners episode which aired and the commercialisation of higher education I’ll say that it’s likely the licence will be surrendered..
Worst to think of it, the last time this happened in Melbourne the frequency wasn’t even put back to tender even though a replacement had popped up and is broadcasting online.. before that it got given given to a council to rebroadcast ABC Melbourne
Is 2SER a Sydney wide licence? If so the ABC will probably snatch that to move 702 across… still not a good outcome considering SER is a highly regarded broadcaster
Yes. But 2SER’s frequency is designated as a community frequency, and I’d dare say only a community station can have that frequency. The ABC just can’t come barging in and say we want 2SER’s frequency. National ≠ community.
Only the licence is categorised as a community station, the allocation can go to anyone as happened when the JAir timeshare ceased on 96.1 on Melbourne. It got left vacant for a few years and then the allocation was given to Yarra Ranges Shire for their self help transmitter.
The ABC could ask the ACMA and then if they think it’s appropriate based on frequency planning (which is very conservative in Australia) and there won’t be any conflicts from co channel interference or frequent ducting then they’ll consider it.
The ACMA these days have softened where as long as it’s technically feasible, there’s no objections from legislation or there’s a precedent then they’re happy.
You would probably have it interfering with 107.3 Taree within the Great Lakes district which only has a relay for 2RE on 100.3 while having none for Max FM.
Even during normal traditions, it may interfere with 107.1 Bowral and you would need a Frequency change for Bowral prior to the switchover a bit like how 2BRW switched to 88.9 before 2EC switched to FM or what happened recently with the frequency changes in Lancelin before the Perth ABCs converted to FM.
1 - It’s an actual piece of legislation, and probably needs to go before federal parliament for it to be changed. If you have an anti-ABC vibe in there, good luck.
2 - the actual frequency is legally designated as community - the allocation would need to be changed from community to national, with a very good justification for doing so.
3 - one could argue the ABC should use one of its existing National FM allocations for 2BL to go FM instead of taking a community frequency away from the community. But then you’d piss off the JJJ and Classic FM fans.
4 - one could also argue that the 2BL doesn’t need to go FM like 6WF did. Perth AM had its issues. Sydney doesn’t. You’ve got DAB (as laughable as it sounds), DTV audio and streaming as options.
5 - the costs of conversion. Do you see the ABC wanting to spend any more money than it has to?
7 - the optics. The big bad old ABC taking over a poor little community station’s frequency. Taking away the voice of the battler…and so on… I don’t think the ABC wants that on its hands.
8 - finding a spare frequency anywhere that doesn’t screw someone else around. I don’t think there is space in Sydney and surrounds for a new FM frequency, nor is there a clamouring for one.
9 - at least let 2SER try and find a way to survive. Separate from Macquarie and UTS if they have to.
If you really wanted 2BL on the FM band, with our pissing off the CBAA or anyone else, the only two options are,
1 - they convince ARN to sell CADA’s 96.1 frequency, or one of the GOLD relays, get ACMA and the government to change those to Sydney wide licenses.
2 - swap with SBS FM - SBS Radio FM moves to 702 and 2BL moves to 97.7FM.
Sometimes I feel like on this forum there is so much appetite for any change to happen to radio just to have something to talk about. If 2SER goes away it would be a really sad outcome that would negatively affect not just the current generation but future generations of musicians, journalists and organisers who won’t benefit from all the flow-on effects the station has. It’s not KIIS, it actually does matter and contributes to society. I really hope they find some solution.
Vision Australia Radio has announced they will be ceasing AM transmission of their radio stations from July 1st in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. They will continue on DAB+ and through online streaming.
Wonder what this could mean in terms of licencing? Would they hand the AM licences back to the ACMA? And if so, would anyone be wanting to start up a new community radio station on the vacated frequencies?
I’ve been waiting for someone to try this. I will be fascinated to see what happens with the DAB legislation. Presumably if there’s issues they can just keep running AM at 1W or something token.
VA CEO David Williamson issued the following statement.
Community radio is operating in an increasingly challenging economic environment – and Vision Australia Radio is no exception. To ensure the future viability of Vision Australia Radio, we have made this decision to transition away from AM broadcasting in these locations. Transitioning away from AM broadcasting will significantly reduce operating costs. However, our program offerings will remain the same.
Cant blame them tbh but it is a shame. My theory is they downgraded the transmitter recently because it’s been hard to get a signal, and now they are just going for a switch off. They do really important work, I’m not vision impaired but often will tune in just to hear the wide range of random interesting things being read.
I know 4RPH in Brisbane has just done a fundraiser. Wonder how long they will survive with their AM service? I’m not sure why but it’s always had a poor signal in Brisbane. Is it even running full power?
Yeah I feel like it’s been running on low power for a while now. It’s never been a great signal, not since 4BK left it. Even when 4BK had it, it was never as strong as 1008, 693 or 882 for some reason.
I wonder if the decline in AM radio and ‘perceived’ signal strength is being accelerated by EMF interference. Especially indoors with so many solar inverters around, cheap power adapters and a multiplicity of electronic devices in homes.
I struggle to receive even local AM radio inside my home these days, but out on the road in rural areas it’s fine. Ie. Even in daytime I drag in interstate AM stations, no worries.