The Australian Broadcasting Authority is proposing to vary the technical specifications of four Gold Coast community FM radio services.

The proposed changes will:

· change the technical specifications for community radio service 4MET to reflect a change of site from Lower Beechmont to Mount Tamborine;

· correct a minor radiation pattern discrepancy in the technical specifications for commercial radio service 4HTB and community radio service 4RHI;

· and revise the technical specifications for community radio service 4CAB to reduce the effective radiated power (ERP) of the service to minimise interference.

Before reaching a final decision on the proposals, the ABA is interested in receiving comments on the draft variation to the Gold Coast radio licence area plan by 3 December – Freecall 1800 226 667.

Just up the road in Brisbane, 4BC has been given the go-ahead to continue with day/night power switching.

The ABA has changed the technical specifications of 4BC Brisbane, to allow it to continue to operate its service at a higher power during the day time and switching to a lower power at night.

Acting ABA Chair Lyn Maddock says: ‘The change follows lengthy testing by 4BC of day/night transmitter power switching and follows a request from the licensee. ’

4BC has been testing the operation of the service using day/night transmitter power switching since late 2001.