The ACE Radio Network will transition its 3WM AM station to FM frequency next month meaning listeners in the Ararat district can tune into 96.1FM after Friday, August 12.
ACE Radio Network content director Adam Roche says ‘the switch’ had been a long time in the works.
He says,“As we continue to strive to entertain and inform our listeners, we are always looking at ways to enhance the listening experience.
“ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has issued us an FM license in the Ararat region, allowing us to provide all our 3WM programming on the new FM frequency of 96.1.”
ACE Radio Network owner Rowly Paterson, General Manager Brendan O’Loughlin, Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Dr Tim Harrison and deputy mayor Bob Sanders will join Roche to flick the switch at 2.30pm.
There have been many articles on rural radio stations converting from the AM band to the FM band. This is another one.
The "horse may have bolted" in respect to DRM tests conducted in the Wangaratta district as reported on this site, https://radioinfo.com.au/news/australia-successfully-tests-drm-in-am-fm/ .
This is because the radio industry is in favour of AM stations converting to FM and due to a lack of legislative initiative to encourage DRM+. After spending money on replacing AM transmitters with FM transmitters and the ubiquitous presence of AM/FM and FM-only receivers, why buy DRM+ receivers which don't exist on the market.
Unless there is a legislative impetus to encourage and facilitate DRM+ broadcasting, DRM+ broadcasting will never see "...light of day...".
Thank you,
Anthony, where there is no demand for something superior, Belfield in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.