After a century on the AM band, ABC Radio stations in Perth will move to FM in 2026. This marks a significant milestone for Perth listeners, as the transition promises a major improvement in audio quality. The shift follows a decision by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to adjust the Perth and Remote Western Australia radio licence area plans, allowing for a smoother and more reliable listening experience.
The ABC's managing director, Hugh Marks, expressed excitement about the opportunity to enhance the quality of services for Perth audiences. He highlighted the challenges of AM reception in the city, particularly due to Perth's sandy soil, which affects signal propagation. AM transmission relies on ground waves, and the city's geography makes it difficult to maintain strong signals.
ABC director of audio, Ben Latimer, emphasized the cost-effectiveness of the FM transition. He explained that FM licences offer better audio quality at a significantly lower cost, providing better value for taxpayers as the demand for AM declines in capital cities. This change reinforces the ABC's commitment to delivering high-quality radio services across the country.
The switchover date and new frequencies for ABC Radio Perth, Radio National, and News Radio will be announced in the new year. The move to FM is not just about improved sound quality; it's also about land use. Unlike FM, which requires a tower or mast on a hill with line-of-sight propagation, AM needs a much larger area, often several acres, due to its infrastructure requirements.
The Perth AM transmitter has been located in a large bushland reserve in Hamersley since 1939, but the expansion of the Perth railway network in the 1990s, running along the Mitchell and Kwinana freeways, caused significant interference for AM radio listeners. Electrified train lines disrupt the signal, making it nearly impossible to listen to AM radio in cars while driving on the freeway. This has led many commuters to permanently switch off AM stations when on the freeway.
ABC Radio Perth, initially named 6WF and later 720, began broadcasting in 1924, just over a century ago. It was founded by the Westralian Farmers Co-operative (now Wesfarmers) to reduce isolation in rural areas. The station's history is intertwined with the development of radio in Australia, and its transition to FM is a natural evolution in the industry.
Mr. Latimer assured that the move to FM in Perth would not impact the ABC's regional radio services or its commitment to emergency broadcasting. The ABC has existing high-powered AM transmitters in areas adjacent to Perth, ensuring emergency broadcasting coverage for all areas outside the metropolitan area currently served by the Perth AM signal.
