Investigate low power FM

Problems of ABC Radio National reception have been reported to the Federal MPs Lloyd and Ticehurst many times by the FABC and others, to no avail.

Reception of Radio National is provided by a medium wave (AM) transmitter located in Sydney (576kHz AM).

The quality of the signal varies widely for a population of 300,000.

A low power transmitter at Newcastle (1512kHz AM) does not provide adequate coverage for most of the area.

While most of the Central Coast RN listeners use Sydney this station is deficient in many respects.

Reception of ABC FM Radio is also not adequate, either from Sydney or Newcastle transmitters, even with high quality radio receivers., except if a dedicated external antenna is used employing a masthead amplifier.

The ABC has provided high quality local VHF FM transmitters at Gosford for ABC Regional Radio and News Radio.

Submissions have been made to the MPs as well as to ABC Management that similar facilities for RN and ABC FM be provided.

An FABC member with spectrum research experience has examined the VHF FM band in the Central Coast and believes that there is ample space for a low-power FM station in the Central Coast area.

He argues that many very small populations in rural and outback areas benefit from local VHF FM coverage for RN and ABC FM programs.

The Central Coast region could benefit likewise - for a much larger population.

This area deserves serious consideration by the ABC and Central Coast federal MPs who should take these requests for reception improvement on board.

Klaas Woldring Pearl Beach