I suspect the ABC will be looking very closely at audience reaction to an AM to FM in Perth, for advice on a further AM to FM conversion plans for the capitals and bigger regional sites.
I reckon BAI may also have some part to play in planning as some of the AM equipment must be getting very old, plus what they might charge for service conversions and managed services.
And also if there’s actually free FM licences from the ACMA available.
I think Perth is a special case because of the AM propagation issues due to the sandy soil and that they have suitable FM frequencies available (with a bit of shuffling). Other cities don’t have that issue and the FM spectrum is more congested there.
All stations will probably move off AM eventually, but probably more due to them being unsuitable for use in electric vehicles and also due to cost of being on AM as you said. Not sure how they’ll do this though.
All this does is underscore that our regulatory framework in this space is about protectionism rather than good outcomes.
Could 6IX and 6PR take the other commercial stations to the ACCC?
Doubtful I’d say. They should complain to the government that the ACMA is abrogating their responsibility, as usual.
I think Leeman is too close to Perth to be co-channelled with the proposed 100 kW FMers, especially given that ducting is extremely strong on the west coast in the warmer months. They are upping the power of Leeman so that it doesn’t get ‘mudded’ by Perth as much but I reckon that’s very much a band-aid solution. Leeman is well south of Geraldton.
It’s a pity 6KCR is moving to 88.9- there goes possible 2Es reception of 2BRW into Quokka City 
They could always move Leeman in the future if needed.
Makes you wonder no way Melbourne & Sydney couldn’t convert as there’s too many stations taking up spectrum.
I remember him on the old Austech forums. Is he still active on a forum somewhere?
Yeah I remember him, a blast from the past!
Well given Perth’s population growth it is good there are some free FM channels in case there is a proposal for a new commercial radio station. Rather that than drag boomer talk/sports 6PR and boomer music 6iX to FM. After all they are both on DAB+ and have the highest bitrates compared to their FM counterparts there, good for the zoomers (if any listen to these stations).
In the proposal I noticed that ABC NewsRadio (6PB) will operate/simulcast on AM and FM, unlike ABC Perth (6WF) and Radio National (6RN) which will cease to operate on AM. Why? Because the Broadcasting Act needs to be updated especially the 1946 one which states “requires the ABC to broadcast the proceedings of the House of Representatives, the Senate or joint sitting from a medium-wave national broadcasting station in the capital city in each State and Newcastle” and FM is not medium-wave (in fact it is shorter than short-wave). Looks like AM is here is to stay!
And what about 6iX and 6PR? They are not mentioned in the Proposal at all other for the 6iX FM Wanneroo service “As 6iX is not vacating 105.7 MHz at this time” when discussing whether it would be affected. The ACMA has not made any ruling on the fate of 6PR or 6iX, maybe hoping somebody else will do that for them?
this will have to be changed surely, one way or the other - i can see the law being changed e so DAB will carry it too.
I would actully prefer a parliment mux on DAB that can carry HOR, Senate and state parliment
Found this in the proposal document:
While the 6EBA service is no longer operating, the ACMA is proposing to proceed with changes to technical specifications as this would be relevant to the potential allocation of a new community broadcasting licence in the future. The proposed changes would provide this service with the same technical specifications as the other wide-area Perth community radio broadcasting services
So the ACMA is reserving 95.3 MHz for a new wide-area community license. Would there be any takers? Why not reserve the space for either a commercial or community service depending on who gets there first?
It’s a consultation, so hopefully someone tells them that.
you know the happy clappers will take it if they can
Looking over the existing wide-area community stations Perth needs something like Groove FM to target the local youth market, especially given Curtin and Capital target the boomer markets. Given you have MMM on 92.9, Nova on 93.7, Mix on 94.5 and 96fm on 96.1 a youth station on 95.3 would be a nice fit in!
Perth already has Sonshine on 98.5 … probably not enough room for a 2nd Christian station?
If you’re a happy clapper, there’s always room for another God Squad Station. 
vision will definitely want it
Are you talking about Vision Australia as in RPH already on 990 AM here on Perth and on DAB+ as VA Radio/IRIS or Vision Christian Radio barely audible on 87.6 FM and 88.0 FM (LPON?)