ABC radio services are broadcast on three radio wavelengths - AM, FM and HF.
A three waveband radio covering the FM, AM and HF is needed to hear all ABC services - though for most people in Australia, a radio that can receive both AM and FM will allow reception of all.
ABC radio is broadcast across Australia on a network of over 650 transmitters. The Frequency section of this website contains a complete list of ABC Radio frequencies.
ABC Radio services include:
FM or Frequency Modulation is a mode of radio broadcasting in which the frequency of the transmitted wave is modulated or varied with the amplitude or pitch of the signal. Radio frequencies for FM broadcasts are expressed in megahertz (MHz).
Since the inception of FM Radio in Australia in 1974, the number of ABC, SBS and commercial radio stations operating in this band has grown to over 1200. ABC Classic FM and Triple J are both national stereo FM networks and many Radio National and Local Radio services are also broadcast in FM.
FM radio signals have good immunity to electrical interference and provide consistent quality reception during the day and night. The geographical coverage area for a high power FM transmitter can be up to 100 kilometres, but much less from less powerful FM transmitters.
AM or Amplitude Modulation is a method of radio broadcasting where the frequency is modulated or varied by its changing amplitude. Radio frequencies for AM broadcasts are expressed in kilohertz (kHz).
AM radio signals travel large distances and can achieve very wide coverage areas. ABC NewsRadio is a national AM station and many Local Radio and Radio National services are also broadcast in AM.
AM radio stations operate on two frequency bands:
The immense coverage area of short wave broadcasts is achieved by transmitting the radio waves upwards, which are then reflected downwards by the ionosphere (the upper layer of the earth’s atmosphere) to a planned area on the earth’s surface.
The primary coverage area for Radio Australia broadcasts is outside continental Australia and although reception within Australia is possible, the quality may vary significantly. However, listeners in North Queensland and north west Western Australia should be able to obtain reliable reception of Radio Australia in the 13, 15 , 17 and 21 MHz bands which are broadcast from Shepparton and Brandon.
The ABC also uses short wave to broadcast ABC Regional Radio to Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek. Listeners in the Northern Territory will need a radio receiver capable of tuning to frequencies between 2 MHz and 26 MHz.
Radio is broadcast in either monophonic (mono) or stereophonic (stereo) sound.
Stereo radio gives greater realism because it contains two channels of sound signals - left and right - whereas mono contains one channel.
To receive stereo broadcasts, the listener must have a stereo receiver. Stereo broadcasts can still be captured by a mono receiver, but the sound will be monophonic.
Where radio signal strength is low, stereo sound can be distorted. Reception can often be improved by switching the receiver to mono mode.
