Wollongong Radio

[Moasaica]

Yes, here in Brisbane there are a few good community stations. I'm usually a MMM listener but at times i like to venture onto Bay FM from Redland Bay (100.3FM) or 101 Classic Hits FM from Logan (101.1FM). Both can be quite good at times, but sometimes they play music thats really old (40's)

Bay FM & 101FM (Classic Hits) are both streaming on the net, so anyone outside of Brisbane can understand what datvman is talking about.

Here are the audio links for both stations:

Bay FM - http://www.quicknet.com.au/netshow/bayfm.asx

101FM - http://www.quicknet.com.au/netshow/radio101fm.asx

The program guides for both stations:

Bay FM - http://www.bayfm.org.au/programs.asp

101FM - http://www.101fm.asn.au/guide.htm

Yes community radio is like that. People tune in a certain times (a bit like TV) specifically to listen to a certain show then tune out again, while people who listen to commercial radio usually listen to a particular station all the time.

I emphasize the usually.

I agree that it is the case. If I get sick of listening to repetitive music playlists on commercial radio (which happens to me from time to time in Sydney & Wollongong), and given that there is a good program on a community radio station that plays mainstream music from the 60s, 70s & 80s, if I tune in a right time, I would listen to community radio. (Sorry if I confused you on what I just said )

More talk about Community Radio can be posted on the "Community Radio" forum that I created.

[Moasaica]

One oddity on the music played on Wave FM at 3pm today. They were playing Alcazar's "This Is The World We Live In", which is a dance track from 2004!!!

To get the "Wollongong Radio" thread back into topic:

More oddities are being heard on Wave FM lately.

I've been listening to them around Sydney and I notice that they are playing the odd modern pop songs from the 2000s.

Songs like:

"Rich Girl" Gwen Stefani

"La La" Ashlee Simpson

"My Happy Ending" Avril Lavigne

That's the kind of music you would hear on i98FM, which Wave FM competes with.

I sometimes don't understand Wollongong commercial radio.

It needs a major shake-up!!!

As I said on "Central coast more competition for 2GO" thread, Wollongong is terribly underserved locally for the 40+ audience. From the music they play, Wave FM sounds more like a 25-39 station than a 40-54 station IMHO. In the last ratings survey, i98FM wins the under 40s and Wave FM wins the 40-54 age group (although only 2% ahead of i98FM).

If you look at the Central Coast, that I pointed out in the other thread that I quoted here, they are better serviced for the 40+ audience. 2GO is a very decent station to listen to, and plays a great mix of music that is well suited for the 40+ audience. The Essential 2006 countdown that they're currently having consists mainly of 70s & 80s music (BTW, a very good countdown). Community stations 2SNR & 2CCC also caters for the 40+ audience.

[Moasaica]

I heard on Wave FM today that they're doing a radio renovation, which is set to be revealed at 9am on Monday morning.

This could mean that Wave FM's music format could be given a major overhaul which IMHO is long overdue.

It's interesting to note when going to the Wave FM website, it is closed for renovations and telling us when it will be revealed. It's funny because its new look website was unveiled last month & it's been closed down again.

I wonder if Wave FM will go down the 2GO path of a 'Jack FM' adult hits type format?

As billybob_chider said on "Central coast more competition for 2GO" thread, 2GO's current format is trendy.

If anyone here is able to tune to Wave FM from 9am on Monday morning and give us the input of the change, that will be greatly appreciated. I know I'll be checking out.

[billybob_chider]

I hope its classic rock. Nothing would thrill the 'Gong more to wake up to 'Stairway to Heaven', 'Black Night', 'Wish You Were Here' again. Knights Hill needs some ROCK bursting out of its transmitters again! I've been listening to the Jays alot around the Hottest 100, don't listen to crazy frog commercialism radio much now. But I might tune in on the odd occasion if Wave goes Classic rock. I can't see it going modern rock. Also, they might have to change the 'Wave' to DUMP FM to reflect the change in mood. 'Wave' is a sticky for an easy listening format.

[Moasaica]

'Wave' is a sticky for an easy listening format.

Wave FM was pretty much an easy listening station back in the 90s, with a bit of 'Classic Hits' thrown in. It had a positioner "Best Songs Of All Time" and its music was softer than rival station i98FM.

Nowadays, in its current form (until Monday at least), Wave FM isn't much of an easy listening station anymore.

You're likely to hear some rock songs from John Mellencamp, The Eagles & INXS more than you would from 'sleepy' easy listening artists that you would normally hear on 2CH.

We'll just to wait and see on 9am Monday morning on how much change Wave FM had undergone over the 'radio renovation'.

[billybob_chider]

Can confirm its another "Jack FM" station like KO,Triple M and 2GO. The slogan is "Playing whatever we feel like".

[mgaleano]

Can confirm its another "Jack FM" station like KO,Triple M and 2GO. The slogan is "Playing whatever we feel like".

This the new trend on radio at the moment! What sort of songs do they play?

[Moasaica]

Can confirm its another "Jack FM" station like KO,Triple M and 2GO. The slogan is "Playing whatever we feel like".

Why are you unhappy about Wave FM's new format?

I reckon it is way way better than their previous format, which was similar to MIX 106.5.

This the new trend on radio at the moment! What sort of songs do they play?

I've recorded the list between 9am & 11am on the following songs:

"TNT" AC/DC

"Breathe" Kylie Minogue

"Goodbye My Lover" James Blunt

"Cradle Of Love" Billy Idol

"Bent" Matchbox 20

"I Touch Myself" Divinyls

"When I'm With You" Sparks

"Just Feel Better" Santana w/ Steve Tyler

"Beautiful Day" U2

"Riders On The Storm" Doors

"Politicians Are Dancing" David Bowie (I think, not too sure)

"Advertising Space" Robbie Williams

Some Rolling Stones song from the 70s (could not catch the title)

"What A Girl Wants" Christina Aguilera

"Copperhead Road" Steve Earl

"How Do I Feel" Jennifer Love Hewitt

"Heart Of Gold" Neil Young

"Walk Away" Kelly Clarkson

"My Happiness" Powderfinger

"Louise (We Get It Right)" Jona Lewie

"November Rain" Guns 'n' Roses

After 11am, I noticed a few songs that weren't played on Wave FM before or in a long time. They even played the original version of "Cats In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin just then and also heard Barry White's "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe". They even played Sugarbabes "Push The Button"!

Wave FM now plays two 70s songs an hour, EVERY hour, not just every COUPLE hours. The Awesome 80s at Midday has been dropped.

Wave FM's website has been reopened but stayed with the same design before the 'reno'.

It's good that Wave FM has gone down the same path as 2GO, Triple M & KO-FM, as Wave FM was very different to the other 'adult hits' stations in & around Sydney, and is closely aligned to WS/MIX. When compared with the Gosford stations, Wave FM is now a mix of 2GO & Star 1045.

IMO, I think that Wave FM would come close to the #1 position with their new format, or even steal the #1 spot from i98FM, as their new format would have more broad appeal than i98FM.

Speaking of i98FM, not much has changed on the station, and continued on with its "Today's Best Music" from the 90s & 2000s. I did hear two 80s songs between 9:30 & 11:30am on the station though, which was "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears & "Hammerhead" by James Reyne.

[mgaleano]

Why are you unhappy about Wave FM's new format?

I reckon it is way way better than their previous format, which was similar to MIX 106.5.

I've recorded the list between 9am & 11am on the following songs:

"TNT" AC/DC

"Breathe" Kylie Minogue

"Goodbye My Lover" James Blunt

"Cradle Of Love" Billy Idol

"Bent" Matchbox 20

"I Touch Myself" Divinyls

"When I'm With You" Sparks

"Just Feel Better" Santana w/ Steve Tyler

"Beautiful Day" U2

"Riders On The Storm" Doors

"Politicians Are Dancing" David Bowie (I think, not too sure)

"Advertising Space" Robbie Williams

Some Rolling Stones song from the 70s (could not catch the title)

"What A Girl Wants" Christina Aguilera

"Copperhead Road" Steve Earl

"How Do I Feel" Jennifer Love Hewitt

"Heart Of Gold" Neil Young

"Walk Away" Kelly Clarkson

"My Happiness" Powderfinger

"Louise (We Get It Right)" Jona Lewie

"November Rain" Guns 'n' Roses

After 11am, I noticed a few songs that weren't played on Wave FM before or in a long time. They even played the original version of "Cats In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin just then and also heard Barry White's "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe". They even played Sugarbabes "Push The Button"!

Wave FM now plays two 70s songs an hour, EVERY hour, not just every COUPLE hours. The Awesome 80s at Midday has been dropped.

Wave FM's website has been reopened but stayed with the same design before the 'reno'.

It's good that Wave FM has gone down the same path as 2GO, Triple M & KO-FM, as Wave FM was very different to the other 'adult hits' stations in & around Sydney, and is closely aligned to WS/MIX. When compared with the Gosford stations, Wave FM is now a mix of 2GO & Star 1045.

IMO, I think that Wave FM would come close to the #1 position with their new format, or even steal the #1 spot from i98FM, as their new format would have more broad appeal than i98FM.

Speaking of i98FM, not much has changed on the station, and continued on with its "Today's Best Music" from the 90s & 2000s. I did hear two 80s songs between 9:30 & 11:30am on the station though, which was "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears & "Hammerhead" by James Reyne.

Sounds like an OK format! There looks like maybe a 60s or two!

Sigh I really miss the old i98 of the early 90s :-(.

[Moasaica]

Sounds like an OK format! There looks like maybe a 60s or two!

About 60s music on Wave FM, not very likely, although I did hear some early 70s tracks like "Lola" by The Kinks & "Layla" by Derek & the Dominoes (feat. Eric Clapton). Wave FM haven't really played anything from the early 70s in its previous format.

Sigh I really miss the old i98 of the early 90s :-(.

Yeah, I'm with you. Wave FM was a good station in the 90s with its "Best Songs Of All Time" format. I know I'm talking about Wave FM, not i98FM, but anyway....

i98FM these days is nothing but a typical pop station with not enough broad-appeal music playlist, similar to 2DAY & Nova. All they play is music from the 90s & 2000s.

Watch out i98FM, you could get smashed in the ratings by Wave FM's new broad-appeal music format!!!

I'm slowly beginning to think that Wave FM is a good 'adult hits' alternative station to listen to in Sydney apart from the Sydney stations.

[mgaleano]

About 60s music on Wave FM, not very likely, although I did hear some early 70s tracks like "Lola" by The Kinks & "Layla" by Derek & the Dominoes (feat. Eric Clapton). Wave FM haven't really played anything from the early 70s in its previous format.

Yeah, I'm with you. Wave FM was a good station in the 90s with its "Best Songs Of All Time" format. I know I'm talking about Wave FM, not i98FM, but anyway....

i98FM these days is nothing but a typical pop station with not enough broad-appeal music playlist, similar to 2DAY & Nova. All they play is music from the 90s & 2000s.

Watch out i98FM, you could get smashed in the ratings by Wave FM's new broad-appeal music format!!!

I'm slowly beginning to think that Wave FM is a good 'adult hits' alternative station to listen to in Sydney apart from the Sydney stations.

i wonder why FM stations choose not to play 60s music. The babyboomer is a big demographic and with the advent of ipods the younger generations may stop listening to radio. Not as many people 50 or over have ipods

I find this in china (where I am now), there are some radio stations here but not as many as oz. People watch TV instead. In the house I live in now there are no radios! The problem is in china and asia talkback isn't really allowed like in western countries. Half the market is talkback in Australia. Sorry a bit off topic.

Do you think this is a problem?

[billybob_chider]

I don't like Wave FM's new format, but it is better than the old one. I never listen to the station except to check its strength in tropo. There are way too many 'Jack FM' clones in this country, but its to be expected given that we have not deregulated the industry. All the stations follow trends to undercut the market. It's enough to make you cross the Tasman, although they do have a great variety of commercial networks they are lacking a youth network. Channel Z has become Kiwi FM (all kiwi music), so there is no station for the Triple J type audience.

[Moasaica]

i wonder why FM stations choose not to play 60s music. The babyboomer is a big demographic and with the advent of ipods the younger generations may stop listening to radio. Not as many people 50 or over have ipods

I don't know why FM station don't play 60s music here in mid-2000s. Maybe it's a generational thing and that FM listeners demanded that they don't want 60s music on the airwaves, with the exception of Vega which plays a greater range of 60s music than WS-FM & Gold 104.

I don't like Wave FM's new format, but it is better than the old one. I never listen to the station except to check its strength in tropo. There are way too many 'Jack FM' clones in this country, but its to be expected given that we have not deregulated the industry. All the stations follow trends to undercut the market.

I take it that you don't like stations that has a 'Jack FM' type format.

It's enough to make you cross the Tasman, although they do have a great variety of commercial networks they are lacking a youth network. Channel Z has become Kiwi FM (all kiwi music), so there is no station for the Triple J type audience.

You are right. I have never experienced NZ Radio, let alone been to NZ, but I'll take your word for it. I've never picked up NZ FM stations because I live in around Campbelltown and I have doubts that I would pick them up.

Anyway, from what I read somewhere, NZ has them good when it comes to radio. They've got, nationally, focussing on commerical music stations:

The Rock - Modern Rock

ZM - Hit Music

More FM - Hot AC

Solid Gold - 60s/70s music

Kiwi FM - NZ Music

The Edge - Hit Music

Classic Hits - 70s/80s/90s/Today music

Radio Hauraki - Classic Rock

And in some centres:

Flava - Hip Hop/RnB (similar to The Edge in Sydney)

Coast - Timeless Music (Easy Listening)

I know talking about NZ Radio on "Wollongong Radio" is a bit off-topic but that's how our radio is being compared with the ones across the Tasman.

[billybob_chider]

dtv_campbelltown,

I don't mind a few "Jack FM's" around the place but from Sydney you can get:

Triple M

VEGA

2GO

KO FM (some locations and in tropo)

Wave FM

They all play the same format! In case you don't know the history of "Jack FM" stations, basically it all started in Canada with Jack FM Vancouver and Toronto. Similar stations in Canada followed, some with the Jack moniker and some with ripoffs, like Joe FM Edmonton and Bob FM. The stations branded themselves "Adult Hits". I have listened to Joe FM Edmonton in the past online and quite liked what I heard, their slogan was "Playing anything". I heard everything from Alanis Morrissette to Bob Seger to the Tea Party.

The moment the format took the radio world by storm was when KCBS "Arrow FM" in Los Angeles got taken over by a Jack FM. This was the first major city in the US to have a Jack FM. Now they are in lots of metro centres over there and its no surprise that Triple M picked up on the trend. Jack FM's have a history of cannibalising rock stations, KCBS was a Classic Rock station before it became Jack. Once Triple M saved its flagging ratings by implementing the Jack FM format, well that was the trigger for the madness we see now.

I have been to NZ on two occasions, the latest of which was in Jan 2004. You are spot on with all the formats there. It's a shame you don't get the odd burst of them where you are. Aside from the national networks mentioned, there are a great variety of local commercial stations (similar to C91.3) to complement. One such station is More FM Northland, which I receive at Oatley every summer. Although it is networked from Auckland music wise, it has ALL local announcers with a good news service from what I've heard. They run their own promotions (the last FMDX opening they gave away a getaway for two to a spa resort in Northland). On the whole, I think NZ radio is tops and you should definitely take a holiday there (in summer).

[mgaleano]

dtv_campbelltown,

I don't mind a few "Jack FM's" around the place but from Sydney you can get:

Triple M

VEGA

2GO

KO FM (some locations and in tropo)

Wave FM

They all play the same format! In case you don't know the history of "Jack FM" stations, basically it all started in Canada with Jack FM Vancouver and Toronto. Similar stations in Canada followed, some with the Jack moniker and some with ripoffs, like Joe FM Edmonton and Bob FM. The stations branded themselves "Adult Hits". I have listened to Joe FM Edmonton in the past online and quite liked what I heard, their slogan was "Playing anything". I heard everything from Alanis Morrissette to Bob Seger to the Tea Party.

The moment the format took the radio world by storm was when KCBS "Arrow FM" in Los Angeles got taken over by a Jack FM. This was the first major city in the US to have a Jack FM. Now they are in lots of metro centres over there and its no surprise that Triple M picked up on the trend. Jack FM's have a history of cannibalising rock stations, KCBS was a Classic Rock station before it became Jack. Once Triple M saved its flagging ratings by implementing the Jack FM format, well that was the trigger for the madness we see now.

I have been to NZ on two occasions, the latest of which was in Jan 2004. You are spot on with all the formats there. It's a shame you don't get the odd burst of them where you are. Aside from the national networks mentioned, there are a great variety of local commercial stations (similar to C91.3) to complement. One such station is More FM Northland, which I receive at Oatley every summer. Although it is networked from Auckland music wise, it has ALL local announcers with a good news service from what I've heard. They run their own promotions (the last FMDX opening they gave away a getaway for two to a spa resort in Northland). On the whole, I think NZ radio is tops and you should definitely take a holiday there (in summer).

I agree. The radio market needs to be deregulated like NZ. I think radio stations have it too easy in Australia. When I was in NZ I was impressed too by the music. However I think they lack an ABC local radio. In some more remote areas I could not hear anything where in Aus most likely you could hear ABC local radio. Nothing better than driving in the country and listening to cricket. Sports AM is only in the bigger cities.

[billybob_chider]

Good point, but there aren't too many 'remote' areas in NZ. From Auckland to Wellington you can always pick up something. The only real remote areas are in Fijordland and I haven't been there so I can't comment.

[mgaleano]

Good point, but there aren't too many 'remote' areas in NZ. From Auckland to Wellington you can always pick up something. The only real remote areas are in Fijordland and I haven't been there so I can't comment.

You should go its beautiful country side. Yes "Fijordland" is the place. Not sure if thats the right spelling. Am in China can't pick any aussie AM stations here :-). I think no FM in tropo too.

[Moasaica]

Whilst twiddling the AM band, I found that 1035kHz has foreign language programming, which I'm assuming is SBS Radio from Wollongong. I found this out this morning in the Campbelltowm area.

SBS Radio wanted to move their Wollongong service from 1485kHz to 1035kHz to improve reception in the Wollongong area, and being able to transmit on a higher power.

Quoted from an ABA news release back in November 2003:

The current 2EA frequency (1485 kHz) will continue to be reserved for for a national radio service for the foreseeable future.

Maybe ABC Newsradio can use 1485kHz until 90.9FM is available.

See that ABA news release about SBS's move to 1035kHz here: http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.65640:STA...230:pc=PC_91465

[mgaleano]

No more ZB from wellington!!

Oh well. Yes great idea. Give the old freq to news radio They don't need an FM freq. Give it to another commerical player.

[Moasaica]

No more ZB from wellington!!

Pity.

Oh well. Yes great idea. Give the old freq to news radio They don't need an FM freq. Give it to another commerical player.

Yes, I agree with you that the 90.9FM frequency (when WIN3 stops transmitting) should be given to another commercial player as Wollongong needs a 3rd commercial radio station. Having 2 commercial radio stations is not enough, especially when they compete with each other, therefore making Wave FM & i98FM sounding similar at times, and that is not on. Wollongong deserves a better commercial radio market, that is as good as in Gosford where they get 3 commercial radio stations.

Looking at the FM band spectrum, using the spacing that is used in the Illawarra region:

107.7 - 2GO-FM - Gosford (can be picked up in the Wollongong region)

106.9 - VOX-FM - Wollongong

106.1 - ABC Classic FM - Newcastle (Can Be Possible For A New Commercial Service)

105.3 - Mac FM - Wollongong

104.5 - 2UUU - Nowra

103.7 - 2KY - Nowra

102.9 - 2ST - Bowral

102.1 - Triple J - Newcastle (Can Be Possible For A New Commercial Service)

101.3 - Sea FM - Gosford (can be picked up in the Wollongong region)

100.5 - FREE

99.7 - Narrowcast - Wollongong

.......- 2UUU - Ulladulla

98.9 - Triple J - Illawarra

98.1 - i98FM - Wollongong

97.3 - ABC Illawarra - Illawarra

96.5 - Wave FM - Wollongong

95.7 - ABC Classic FM - Illawarra

94.9 - Power FM - Nowra

94.1 - ninefouronefm - Wollongong/Nowra

93.3 - FREE

92.5 - MVH-FM - Moss Vale

88-92 MHz - WIN3 (Wollongong & Narooma) & NBN3 (Newcastle)

So as you can see, before WIN3 ceases transmission, there is two spare frequencies for an additional commercial station for Wollongong. The issue with 93.3 is that it can interfere with 2SNR Gosford at times.

[Guest tm77]

Pity.

Yes, I agree with you that the 90.9FM frequency (when WIN3 stops transmitting) should be given to another commercial player as Wollongong needs a 3rd commercial radio station. Having 2 commercial radio stations is not enough, especially when they compete with each other, therefore making Wave FM & i98FM sounding similar at times, and that is not on. Wollongong deserves a better commercial radio market, that is as good as in Gosford where they get 3 commercial radio stations.

Looking at the FM band spectrum, using the spacing that is used in the Illawarra region:

107.7 - 2GO-FM - Gosford (can be picked up in the Wollongong region)

106.9 - VOX-FM - Wollongong

106.1 - ABC Classic FM - Newcastle (Can Be Possible For A New Commercial Service)

105.3 - Mac FM - Wollongong

104.5 - 2UUU - Nowra

103.7 - 2KY - Nowra

102.9 - 2ST - Bowral

102.1 - Triple J - Newcastle (Can Be Possible For A New Commercial Service)

101.3 - Sea FM - Gosford (can be picked up in the Wollongong region)

100.5 - FREE

99.7 - Narrowcast - Wollongong

.......- 2UUU - Ulladulla

98.9 - Triple J - Illawarra

98.1 - i98FM - Wollongong

97.3 - ABC Illawarra - Illawarra

96.5 - Wave FM - Wollongong

95.7 - ABC Classic FM - Illawarra

94.9 - Power FM - Nowra

94.1 - ninefouronefm - Wollongong/Nowra

93.3 - FREE

92.5 - MVH-FM - Moss Vale

88-92 MHz - WIN3 (Wollongong & Narooma) & NBN3 (Newcastle)

So as you can see, before WIN3 ceases transmission, there is two spare frequencies for an additional commercial station for Wollongong. The issue with 93.3 is that it can interfere with 2SNR Gosford at times.

100.5 couldn't be used because it would cause too much adjacent channel interference to 100.3 Campbelltown. 93.3 is a possibility, but we already have enough problems with 98.1 without adding this to it. 93.3 could be used as a temporary frequency for Newsradio.

Edited February 4, 2006 by tm77

[dkint3]

I don't think 102.1 and 106.1 in Wollongong would be suitable for use at medium-high power..

Up here in Newcastle, there is the potential for interference to the local ABC services (and vice versa) during 'tropo'... on some days, WAVE and i98 can be clearly heard in parts of Newcastle (even over-powering 98.1 News Radio at Gosford and community radio CHR on 96.5 at Cessnock, 40kms west of Newcastle, which can ordinarily heard in Newcastle).

NewsRadio on AM could be an option, however, I think the ABC want FM for News Radio because only low power AM freqs appear to be available (like 1485) and won't give the same coverage as the proposed 150kw 90.9 service would - to cover the Highlands, Shoalhaven and Wollongong like 95.7, 97.3 and 98.9 do.

1431 Radio National (2kw) in Wollongong currently has to be supplemented by 603 in the Shoalhaven, and I'm guessing the Highlands has to rely on 576 from Sydney.

[mgaleano]

I don't think 102.1 and 106.1 in Wollongong would be suitable for use at medium-high power..

Up here in Newcastle, there is the potential for interference to the local ABC services (and vice versa) during 'tropo'... on some days, WAVE and i98 can be clearly heard in parts of Newcastle (even over-powering 98.1 News Radio at Gosford and community radio CHR on 96.5 at Cessnock, 40kms west of Newcastle, which can ordinarily heard in Newcastle).

NewsRadio on AM could be an option, however, I think the ABC want FM for News Radio because only low power AM freqs appear to be available (like 1485) and won't give the same coverage as the proposed 150kw 90.9 service would - to cover the Highlands, Shoalhaven and Wollongong like 95.7, 97.3 and 98.9 do.

1431 Radio National (2kw) in Wollongong currently has to be supplemented by 603 in the Shoalhaven, and I'm guessing the Highlands has to rely on 576 from Sydney.

This option sounds good the AM one. 630 AM should be good enough to cover the highlands. Anyways it will be 100 years before 90.9 is avail :-)

[Moasaica]

Anyways it will be 100 years before 90.9 is avail :-)

Actually, make that 4 years.

Why?

According to a government report titled "Digital Television – Who's Buying It?", one of the recommendations is that analogue is set to be switched off nationwide on 1st January 2010. (See http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...0entry351206)

That includes WIN3 & NBN3 being switched off, which means some more room on the FM spectrum in the Wollongong region from 2010.

That means ABC Newsradio would start broadcasting on 90.9FM, finally providing Illawarra listeners on getting ABC Newsradio without having to tune to 630AM from Sydney.

I think 2ST could be moving to a higher-power FM transmission on 91.7, to be transmitted from Knights Hill, even though they currently have translators for Kangaroo Valley & Bay/Basin on this frequency, but they might as well make them obsolete when the right time has come. Along the way, get rid of the 999AM service, as well as the 106.7FM translator for Ulladulla. Keep the 102.9FM translator for the Southern Highlands, which I have explained a bit, earlier in this thread.

Interesting times ahead.

[Moasaica]

Just had a small listen to Wave FM just now & what is supposed to be Club 965 at this time on Saturday night.....is apparently no more!

That means Wollongong is left without a party program from a local commerical radio station!!!

As a result, the people of Wollongong who want to party on a Saturday night via a radio station, have to tune to either WS-FM's Jukebox Saturday Night or MIX 106.5's Saturday Night Partymix. Plus there's 80s ipod shuffle on Triple M on a Saturday night as well (except when the Sydney Swans are playing on a Saturday night during the AFL season).

Wollongong radio never ceases to amaze me.

BTW, Wave FM has changed its logo.

See it here: http://www.wavefm.com.au/