The ACMA is considering a proposal to see Hot 100 (8HOT) swap from 765AM to FM transmission in Katherine.
Darwin listeners already enjoy 8HOT in FM.
ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin, says ”FM radio provides improved audio quality for listeners in regional areas and can be more cost-effective to operate than AM radio.
“A number of regional commercial radio stations are seeking to convert their services to FM under an industry-led conversion program. The ACMA will facilitate a conversion after taking a number of issues into account. These include availability of suitable spectrum and being satisfied that audiences in regional areas do not lose radio services under that proposal.”
The ACMA is keen to take submissions from the local Katherine audience on their views regarding the conversion proposal.
Submissions on the Katherine proposal are due by 28 February 2019.
More information about the AM-FM conversion is available here.
If the ACMA approves the conversion, the timing of the transition would be up to the broadcaster.
This makes sense for population pockets in the tropics.
The spectrum below 2 megs (including the MF broadcast band) is plagued by lightning static for much of the year.