Some radios don’t tune past 1602, so Radio 1629AM started selling radios that do.

The humble narrowcast radio station in Newcastle NSW, which broadcasts from the beachside suburb of Cooks Hill, started selling radios in July 2015, and after two and a half years has sold its 400th radio to  avid listener, Keith Hampton, of Wallsend.

The radio sales are one of the ways to raise funds to keep the station on air.
 
Radio 1629AM – with the slogan “Unforgettable Music” – is staffed by 22 on-air volunteer broadcasters, enthusiastic about the specialised music they present and feedback they get from the listeners, both locally and internationally.
 
Radio1629AM also streams at radio1629am.net, and is heard by listeners from all over the world including the US, England, and Europe and around Australia. 

Cecily Waters, announcer, who sold the 400th radio to Keith, has told radioinfo: “I like broadcasting live, as it lets people know I’m human!”

Cecily has been in both community and commercial (3AK Melbourne), radio for the past 35 years. Her main topic is jazz, but her real passion is interviewing and promoting local talent.

Cathy Williams delivers and tunes the radios for those who have bought one. She loves meeting and chatting with listeners, and usually ends up sharing a cup of coffee and biscuit. It also gives Cathy an opportunity to get a feel for what style of music listeners like to hear.

Keith and his wife Donna were delighted when Cathy and Cecily knocked on their door, bearing the radio and a certificate of congratulations for being the 400th person to purchase a radio from 1629AM.