Radio History

[Radiohead]

@tvcl

Have they ever promoted their 88.3/99.1 frequencies on air?

Not to my knowledge.

[dxnerd]

From memory 88.3/99.1 just appeared one day around 1999-2000. I wasn’t following media matters closely at that time so can’t say for sure when they first went to air, nor if there were any ABA discussions on the matter.

Let’s not kid ourselves of course- despite what the LAP says, WS stopped being a Western Sydney station long ago. The other operators would be within their rights to cry foul, but given the obscurity of these translators, are unlikely to care.

[ozbark]

@tvcl

With RDS AF they’d probably get more usage – but then they don’t even have RDS running on the translators.

I vaguely recall reading or hearing that they did have RDS on one or two translators in the early days, but was switched off due to complaints.
Oddly enough, depending on what software one uses you can still see the 88.3 & 99.1 AF entries in one of the 101.7WSFM RDS Encoder’s data output.

[Mechsta]

99.1 first went to air in mid 2001. I can’t remember the exact date but it was around that time.

[tvcl]

@ozbark

I vaguely recall reading or hearing that they did have RDS on one or two translators in the early days, but was switched off due to complaints.

Yep, my car radio used to pick up RDS on all three of their frequencies.

I think the for a while the 88.3/99.1 frequencies weren’t on their AF list and it was a recent readdition? Not sure why they added them as AFs since it wouldn’t do anything without the RDS signal on the translators anyway.

[ozbark]

@tvcl

I think the for a while the 88.3/99.1 frequencies weren’t on their AF list and it was a recent readdition? Not sure why they added them as AFs since it wouldn’t do anything without the RDS signal on the translators anyway.

The RDS AF’s have been there for a long time. I strongly suspect it’s an oversight in the RDS encoder programming that they weren’t removed. Also sometimes we don’t see the AFs when the TX site staff switch between the main & standby txers (and encoders).

[ron12]

@TV-Expert

Apparently, before the FM conversion occurred, there was an original proposal for a new FM transmitter to be built in Prospect for 2WS, which would involve putting in power lines and building access roads. Also, its original proposed frequency of 97.7 MHz would interfere with the TCN9 signal,

Did they also bid for one of the two AM-FM conversions for Sydney in the 80’s, get deemed ineligible because they were a Western Sydney station rather than the Sydney station, took the then ABA to court, and won? Then I can’t remember whether 2WS was awarded the conversion automatically or if there were new bids called they won one of them along with 2UW. I believe this was why the two Sydney AM stations didn’t convert to FM until 1994 as opposed to 1990 like other mainland state capitals.

[ron12]

There are other instances where a transmitter for a station licenced to one area are near a transmitter for a station licenced to another. For example, Power FM serving Nowra has a transmitter around 30-40m from the Wollongong commercial FM station transmitters.

[Radiohead]

And Gunnedah and Moree also being on the same tower but are servicing towns that are 200 km apart!

[RFBurns]

@ron12

There are other instances where a transmitter for a station licenced to one area are near a transmitter for a station licenced to another. For example, Power FM serving Nowra has a transmitter around 30-40m from the Wollongong commercial FM station transmitters.

Actually those ones aren’t 30 - 40m apart, they’re on the same tower but opposing sides of it, one antenna beams it’s power towards Wollongong & the other beams it’s power towards Nowra.

[dxnerd]

@RFBurns

other beams it’s Power towards Nowra.

Fixed

(I’ll ignore the possessive error on ‘it’s’).

[RFBurns]

Auto insert word on phone, saves typing every letter.

[Karen_Cee1]

I remember when the Courier Mail in Brisbane used to have a radio guide.It would be interesting to see one from about the same time,mid to late 80s ,featuring call signs and stations that don’t exist anymore

[Radiohead]

A couple more Newcastle Herald radio guides.

This one includes early days of NEW FM (12 May 1989). One name that caught my eye was Gavin Morris at 10pm. Wonder if this is the same Gavin Morris currently reading NBN News? Also added is 2NM.

And now 9 January 1992. Also new in this one is 2MC, 2UH, Coast Rock FM (launched Sept 1990), Triple J (which launched locally in July 1990) and Hospital Radio. Also has 2NX as a re-launched X13.

[ron12]

2NX must have converted to FM shortly after that in early 1992? I remember listening to it from Melbourne around the time it converted because it was a hit music station, one of the few if not the only one of its kind in this country.

[Radiohead]

Yes, May 1992.

2KO converted in October 92.

For a period of about 8 months, Newcastle had more commercial FM radio stations than Sydney! And more than Brisbane for about 9 years!

I think Adelaide had X102 with a similar format around the same time?

[hatdj]

@Radiohead

Wonder if this is the same Gavin Morris currently reading NBN News

Yes & He was Spiz as part of Penno & Spiz in the mid 90’s

[Radiohead]

Here is an article on the launch of NEW FM from 15 April 1989, the day after first commenced transmission. The full time license was issued 7 days later.

[Laoma]

Sports Broadcasting History

The NRL.com have a good achieve of games. I think I am late to the party. So as a loyal Parra Fan in my spare time watch the matches and highlights from round 1 in 1988 to feel like I am in 1988, I should put some on 88 KIX ion in background too. Relive my childhood memory. I am hoping Parramatta does a lot better in 1988 if I rewatch the games we did have some great players still leftover from the early 80s. I love the old coverage of Ten and the ABC. And I think Nine did the …

Remember this ? If only there were more radio recordings too. I could just press play on listening to a full 2GB/2UE/2BL show on Sundays and Saturday

Let’s hope my eels do better in 1988 as I am in my time machine now.

[TelevisionAU]

Some Melbourne radio news as covered in Listener in-TV of 7 November 1970, including a feature on Ward Everaardt, then Ward Everard of 3XY. IIRC he was later at Beautiful Music 3AK and then even later at 3XY’s successor Magic 693/1278?

And some more news around Ken Sparkes, 3AK’s ‘Baby’ John Burgess and a sideburned Dennis Cometti at 3DB. And 5AU Whyalla is looking for an afternoon announcer…