ACMA Australian Communications and Media Authority. Formerly two separate bodies - the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA). Merged in July 2005.
AM Amplitude Modulation. A method of broadcasting
radio signals.
APPARATUS LICENCE issued by ACMA and authorises
the operation of a radio communications transmitter.
AURORA The satellite distribution system used by
Cable and Wireless Optus to deliver the bulk of the ABC's state and
regional programs for TV and radio services across Australia.
BROADCAST AUSTRALIA formerly known as ntl Australia, Broadcast Australia provides the ABC's terrestrial transmission network.
BROADCASTING Using radio waves to distribute radio
or TV programs which are available for reception by the general public.
COMMUNITY In terms of Self-help,
this can be a group of households, from two right up to hundreds.
COMMUNITY BROADCASTING SERVICES Radio and TV services
broadcast by a licenced community broadcaster.
DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA A transmitting
aerial in which the energy radiated by a TV or radio station is concentrated
in a particular direction.
DCITA Department of Communications, Information Technology
and the Arts.
EARTH STATION Used to receive signals from a satellite.
Consists of a small 'dish' antenna, with an outdoor electronics unit,
connected by cable to an indoor electronics unit. Also known as a satellite
receiver.
FM Frequency Modulation. A method of broadcasting
radio and TV signals.
INTERFERENCE An effect in which the quality of reception
of a radio or TV service is degraded by an unwanted signal.
ITU-R International Telecommunications Union - Radio
communications Bureau.
LICENCE AREA The geographic area that contains the
community or communities which a radio or TV station is licensed to
serve.
NATIONAL SERVICES Radio and TV services broadcast
by the ABC or SBS.
OFF-AIR RECEPTION The reception
of broadcast signals directly from a radio or TV transmitter.
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA A transmitting
aerial in which the energy radiated by a radio or TV station is transmitted
uniformly in all directions.
OPTUS Cable and Wireless Optus Communications Ltd.
RABS Remote Area Broadcasting Services. Provides
national, commercial and community TV and/or radio programs to remote
areas by satellite.
RCTS Remote Commercial TV Service.
Provides commercial TV programs to remote areas via satellite.
RCRS Remote Commercial Radio Service.
It is the commercial radio equivalent of the Remote Commercial TV Service.
REBROADCAST Redistribution of radio and TV services
through the atmosphere.
REBROADCAST TRANSMITTER
A station of low operating power designed for the immediate rebroadcast
of signals received from an originating radio or TV station, usually
on a different frequency. Sometimes called a translator.
SBS Special Broadcasting Service Corporation.
SIGNAL BOOSTER A low-powered transmitter which rebroadcasts
incoming UHF TV signals without changing the frequency.
TERRESTRIAL LINK A radio communications system which
may be used to directly connect an originating TV or radio station and
the rebroadcast transmitter used to rebroadcast the signal.
TRANSMITTER Equipment used to send a radio or TV
program over the air using radio waves.
UHF Ultra High Frequency. A frequency
in the range 300-3000MHz. (Includes TV channels 28 to 69).
VHF Very High Frequency. A frequency in the range
30-300MHz. (Includes TV channels 0 to 12 and FM Radio stations in the
frequency band 88-108 MHz).
