After more than a century broadcasting on AM, the ABC has moved to a brand new FM frequency in Perth, in a move executives have attributed to transmission failures.
ABC Radio Perth is now on air at 102.5 on the FM band, with the old 720 AM channel expected to be switched off permanently in late April.
Station manager Danielle Benda said the change would result in a “markedly improved listening experience”.
“Radio listeners in Perth would be familiar with the shortcomings of AM radio transmissions in the metropolitan area where there is a lot of electrical interference,” she said.
ABC presenter Jo Trilling on air in the ABC studios. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
Ms Benda said FM provided a “richness and clarity that simply hasn’t been possible on the AM band”.
The switch to FM comes after 102 years of ABC Radio Perth broadcasting on the AM band.
Initially branded as 6WF, ABC Radio Perth was established by Westralian Farmers (now Wesfarmers) and has been broadcasting since June 1924.
The station has undergone several frequency changes over the years and has been sent to air via a large transmission tower on a bush block in Hamersley since the 1930s.Â
The switch is part of a suite of changes the Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced on the FM band, which will also see ABC Radio National move from 810 AM to 103.3 FM and NewsRadio commence a simulcast on 104.1 FM.
ABC Radio move to FM end of an era
NewsRadio will continue to broadcast at 585 AM to fulfil its obligations to broadcast the proceedings of Federal Parliament on a medium wave under Commonwealth legislation.
The switch to 102.5 FM will not impact ABC Radio’s regional services, which will continue to broadcast on the AM band, nor the broadcaster’s digital and TV services.
Take a dive into the world of ABC Radio Perth with seven videos exploring the switch to FM, presented by ABC reporter Pip Waller.
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