ABC Radio Perth begins broadcasting on FM frequency 102.5 after a century of AM
After more than a century of broadcasting on AM, the ABC moved to a brand new FM frequency in Perth, a move executives attributed to transmission failures.
ABC Radio Perth currently airs on 102.5 on the FM band, with the former 720 AM channel expected to be permanently closed in late April.
Station manager Danielle Benda said the change would result in a “markedly improved listening experience.”
“Radio listeners in Perth are familiar with the shortcomings of AM radio broadcasts in the metropolitan area where there is a lot of electrical interference,” he said.
ABC presenter Jo Trilling is on air from ABC studios. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
FM provides “a richness and clarity not possible on the AM band,” Ms. Benda said.
The switch to FM follows the 102-year-old ABC Radio Perth broadcasting on the AM band.
ABC Radio Perth, originally branded as 6WF, was founded by Westralian Farmers (now Wesfarmers) and has been broadcasting since June 1924.
The station has undergone many frequency changes over the years and has been broadcast via a large transmission tower on a bush block in Hamersley since the 1930s.
The switch is part of a series of changes announced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to the FM band; this will also see ABC Radio National move from 810 AM to 103.3 FM and News Radio begin simulcasting on 104.1 FM.
NewsRadio will continue to broadcast on 585am to meet its obligations to broadcast Federal Parliament proceedings on medium wave under Commonwealth legislation.
The move to 102.5 FM will not affect ABC Radio’s regional services, which will continue to broadcast on the AM band, or the broadcaster’s digital and TV services.
Take a dive into the world of ABC Radio Perth with seven videos exploring the move to FM, presented by ABC correspondent Pip Waller.
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