Yeah doesn’t make sense? Especially a great deal of commerical radio don’t really do as much for the community as what they may have once did.
… it’s what happens when politicians get involved to make it easy on their “mates” … the 1992 Broadcasting Services Act essentially threw out most of the regulatory control that had previously existed on the commercial broadcasting industry …
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It was consistent with the broader government policy of deregulation under Hawke and Keating…but yes definitely some truth in that.
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If the Government wants some of that telco green for the spectrum, then I think applying similar rules for commercial broadcasters would be a good idea (as per @RFBurns 's post).
Make all broadcasters aware that their golden ride can and should come to a end eventually.
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Came across what appears to be a TCBL down at Merimbula.
97.5 Sapphire FM - in stereo, doesn’t appear to have RDS.
Not heard of this before.
Doesn’t sound too bad.
Puts out a reasonable signal, I first picked it up north of Bega.
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It’s been on for a few years. I think they now have a permanent licence after operating as a TCBL. They transmit from the water tower at Merimbula I believe.
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Thanks, I couldn’t find it in the ACMA January 2021 PDF Stations Book however.
Whilst I’ve received the low power Eden stations during tropo before, this will give me something to try for next summer, though I don’t recall getting it when at Narooma or further north on the way down. I should be able to null out 2HD enough to get it.
Muddy to the north as the water tower hill faces south.
Glanced at ACMA records, still listed as TCBL until 21/4/2022 unless some other recent announcement has subsequently been made re perm lic.?
Keeping with the community radio theme; 2TEM 106.9 Ariah Park transmitter became active this month.
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I think I read something about ACMA making available a permanent community licence at Merimbula, maybe when they were redrafting the Bega LAP to accommodate the 2EC FM conversion. Perhaps that proposal hasn’t yet been accepted.
Spot on. 
You’ve got a good memory.
Found this:
Preliminary View 7—Merimbula licence area
Licence area description and designation – Merimbula RA1
Licence area – Proposed Merimbula community service
The ACMA proposes to plan a long-term community radio broadcasting service in the Bega LAP to serve Merimbula (see preliminary view 2 ).
The ACMA has formed the preliminary view that a new Merimbula RA1 licence area should be determined in the LAP based on the proposed coverage of the new service, which is the same as the licensed coverage of the existing temporary community broadcasting licence.
The proposed Merimbula RA1 licence area is detailed at Attachment B at B9 and at the map at Appendix E.
Licence Area Designation (LAD)
Under subsection 29(1) of the BSA, before the ACMA may allocate a new community radio broadcasting licence the ACMA must designate one of the licence areas set out in a licence area plan the applicable licence area for the service.
Should the ACMA vary the Bega LAP to make spectrum available for a long-term community broadcasting service at Merimbula, the ACMA proposes to designate the Merimbula RA1 licence area to the service licence SL1180025 (the community radio broadcasting service licence that would be available for allocation for Merimbula) in the Licence Area Designation (LAD) for Bega radio.
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I think @TV-Expert has a better memory than I do…not to mention a better research ethic. Thanks for digging that up. My excuse is that I’m on a smartphone and it’s a pain to load ACMA documents…
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Geraldine Hickey is finishing up with 3RRR’s Breakfasters, with comedian and MC Bobby Macumber joining the team from June 21.
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Hawkesbury Radio 89.9 is back using their higher powered transmitter.
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Yep… and in stereo 
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Yes very strong signal here in Stanhope Gardens, in full stereo. I assume they are broadcasting from their main site at Burralow rd Kurrajong Heights
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Darwin’s Territory FM turns 40 this weekend, love the 8TOP FM logo on the jumpers in the first pic… very 1980s!
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Can confirm 
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Up in Port Macquarie, 2CHY Coffs Harbour, which is normally receivable in the higher parts of town, but getting no signal at all today
Is it off air, or maybe lower power, doesn’t appear to be anything on their website about it. @Mechsta might know?
Sunny weather, and getting Lismore ABCs, so doesn’t appear to be weather related.
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CHY still on air as per normal here in town.
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