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 AM Music stations
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 9:17:40 PM on 18 February 2020.
Robbbert's avatar
 Location: Hill Top, NSW
 Member since 18 September 2015
 Member #: 1801
 Postcount: 2014

I think it might be a good idea to keep this thread for the current known list of music stations on AM. As we all know, there aren't that many.

So, firstly, 2CH, which has been a music station for as long as I can remember, although the music was a bit more sombre when I was a kid.

Surprise! Since the Big Bash cricket ended, 2UE (with simulcast stations 882-4BH(Brisbane) and 1278-Magic(Melbourne)) have turned into music stations. Have a listen.

Please list all other music stations on AM in Australia, with their locations and frequencies. If it's talk during the day, and music at night, that's ok too, just say that.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 9:27:53 PM on 18 February 2020.
Vintage Pete's avatar
 Location: Albury, NSW
 Member since 1 May 2016
 Member #: 1919
 Postcount: 2048

Good idea and perhaps state what type of music.
As most of you know I'm in Albury.
The only 2 music stations I listen too here are.
2CA Canberra , it tends to be a bit of 50s 60s.
70s .
2CH in Sydney is much the same as you all know.

Pete


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 11:08:18 PM on 18 February 2020.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7301

Out of all the original Sydney AM stations, 2RN (2FC), 2BL, 2GB & 2SM have all adopted or carried on with talkback formats. 2KY is pretty much sport only and dedicated mostly to the broadcast of horse racing. 2UE & 2CH play music and 2UW & 2WS have shifted to the FM band and play music. Being on FM rules out receiving their broadcast outside the listening area.

One thing to ponder on is that radio broadcasting in Sydney is just over 96 years old, making our oldest radios the same age. When the century comes up, we need to celebrate.


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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 9:57:24 PM on 4 March 2020.
Skymaster's Gravatar
 Location: Lalor Park, NSW
 Member since 7 April 2018
 Member #: 2237
 Postcount: 57

I'm curious to know how long 2CH will last in the AM band.
With the Nine-Entertainment takeover of Macquarie National News, all the news has been rebranded. I've also noticed that they are not advertising the station as '2CH 1170' on air anymore, it's only 'Classic Hits 2CH'
Every second ad is about DAB+.
So I wonder if the AM days are numbered.
Which would be rather sad.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 11:05:05 PM on 4 March 2020.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6687

I've also noticed that they are not advertising the station as '2CH 1170' on air anymore, it's only 'Classic Hits 2CH'

Keeps changing. At one point they were calling it Magic. Thankfully that didn't last too long.

Every second ad is about DAB+. So I wonder if the AM days are numbered

The two large users of AM have always been America and Australia, for the same reason: vastness. FM and DAB can't do vast. My guess is that broadcast commercial radio will disappear entirely one day as kids stop using it. Reminds me of that 70's song 'Who Listens to the Radio?'


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 2:24:08 AM on 5 March 2020.
Vintage Pete's avatar
 Location: Albury, NSW
 Member since 1 May 2016
 Member #: 1919
 Postcount: 2048

Commercial Radio disappear ?
On the cards!
The young ones don't listen to radio at all .
I grew up glued to Triple J, in the car , At work , parties...jjj !

Commercial TV is dead in the bag ! Who would of ever guess that !!! TV once dominanted the house. The general conversation of millions people would revolve around the telly, At home ,work , school. On the bus and on the train.
The topics would range from a British comedy you had watched the night before to the late late late movie with bill and 4 corners dad likes to watch. I would turn up to work and the kettle would go on and the boss would say , you watch Minder last night Pete?

All gone ! I have not watched commercial TV in years and years and I own about 20 TV sets !
It's a shame really because years ago TV was a magical thing with great shows we all loved to watch and talk about "lots of laughs"
Plus all the movies and it all appeared to be free ! All you needed was a Set !!

Pete


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 2:48:13 AM on 5 March 2020.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6687

I emphasised broadcast commercial radio, as opposed to Internet radio which for me is alive and kicking. I listen to American radio online, particularly LA Oldies (1260 K-SURF): http://player.listenlive.co/35971

If I were a kid to day I'd probably be getting radio over the Net. Probably the only broadcast radio I'd hear would be the one in my parents car -- playing their music.

I haven't watched TV for many years either. My TV set is used to view DVDs -- that's all.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 5:47:28 AM on 5 March 2020.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7301

AM radio will be around for a while yet. There's no room to shift it all to the FM band and the Commonwealth Government is idle on plans to expand DAB+ beyond the capital cities.

I don't think 2CH is owned by Maquarie anymore. Its branding is very independent these days and Macquarie's parent company, the Nine Network, already owns two other stations in Sydney, 2UE and 2GB, both which run news bulletins branded as Nine News.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 9 · Written at 8:22:48 AM on 5 March 2020.
Vintage Pete's avatar
 Location: Albury, NSW
 Member since 1 May 2016
 Member #: 1919
 Postcount: 2048

I think the majority of people who listen to AM would be over 60.
I'm 50 and I listen to AM because I like old music from the 40s 50s 60s.
But I feel I would be a minority at 50.
Most young people store music on devices . Now I live in Albury all my music has to be via the computer and fed into my Radiograms.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 10 · Written at 11:27:08 AM on 5 March 2020.
Fred Lever's Gravatar
 Location: Toongabbie, NSW
 Member since 19 November 2015
 Member #: 1828
 Postcount: 1250

At least 2CH got rid of the "tag team" duo attempt with one lady that mumbled and some guy with a third idiot popping in for comedy.
That just made it like any other radio station format with "stars".
Back to being a music only station with a steady presenters, back staffers and techs who have been in the bizz for a long time and competent.
We don't want smart arse stars full of opinions flapping their lips, just play the music!
Fred.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 11 · Written at 3:36:01 PM on 5 March 2020.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7301

Despite my relatively young age, I like Bob Rogers. May he be there for a long time yet. Bob is like Richie Benaud when he used to host the cricket - he can talk properly and doesn't carry on with BS.

Comedy skits, loud music and the Kyle Sandilands types are the last thing I need before midday.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 12 · Written at 7:09:41 PM on 5 March 2020.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6687

Kyle Sandilands types are the last thing I need before midday.

I have zero need for them at any time of day.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 13 · Written at 7:20:22 PM on 5 March 2020.
Ian Robertson's Gravatar
 Location: Belrose, NSW
 Member since 31 December 2015
 Member #: 1844
 Postcount: 2371

Surprised he's still going!

My favourite story about an old radio stager was about John Pearce.

Apparently he was doing some voiceover work when he fluffed a line. He turned to the producer and said "Sorry guys I don't feel so well". Then he keeled over and died!

By all accounts that's the way he would have wanted it. Not a bad way to go, doing what you like.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 14 · Written at 9:15:33 PM on 11 March 2020.
Skymaster's Gravatar
 Location: Lalor Park, NSW
 Member since 7 April 2018
 Member #: 2237
 Postcount: 57

Brad- Definitely concur with the radio broadcasts by Bob Rogers. His Saturday night reminiscing segment is fantastic.
As a kid born in the early 80s, pretty much everything played is before my time, but the older tracks just light up with great sound on the old valve sets.
One of my first restorations was a HMV 61-51, which I took around to my fathers place one evening as a bit of a show off of my restoration achievement.
My wife, brother, sister (all 1980's and 1990s born) & brother in law, as well as my father (1950s) and his wife all sat around it, listening to Bob's segment, and just enjoying it. No TV, no gizmos and gadgets. It was very pleasant.

And with all that in mind, I'm not really one for radio - it is all way too commercialised and there are too many idiots spewing their useless opinions. It used to be just the iPod in the car. But when I 'downgraded' my car (the wife got the good one), I was stuck to radio only. 2CH was the clear winner here.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 15 · Written at 9:47:55 PM on 11 March 2020.
Vintage Pete's avatar
 Location: Albury, NSW
 Member since 1 May 2016
 Member #: 1919
 Postcount: 2048

In the 70s Bob Rogers use to own Many Lodge my mum ran it for awhile and we lived there at the lodge. I was only very young and I don't remember meeting him , but my mum only ever had good things to say about him.
The lodge is still there ,but I'm not aware who owns it now , it may still be him.
It looks the same as it did when I was a boy of about 5 .
Pete


 
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