2ARM
Encyclopedia
2ARM FM is a community radio
station broadcasting to Armidale, NSW on a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL). The station has been broadcasting for over 31 years to Armidale, Walcha
, Uralla, Guyra and all areas in between. It is volunteer based, and is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
(CBAA).
It became an Incorporated Association in June, 2009.
Professor Neville Fletcher, a lecturer at the University of New England presented
the idea of a campus radio station to the students, and this led to letters to the Postmaster-General requesting a licence.
The station was established through 1968-69, and utilised a “closed loop” system. Basically AM radio induction within buildings of the university.
The system allowed the broadcasts to be heard only inside the residential colleges at the
University.
The licence holder was to be the University, but the station was established under the
auspice of the Students’ Representative Council.
After a number of hurdles, a licence was granted to use this innovative system, and the
station went to air as Radio UNE on 27 April 1970.
In 1975 a letter was sent to the station, by the then Minister for the Media, Dr. Moss Cass,
regarding the expansion of the Community Broadcasting trial. The station was to be
offered an Experimental FM licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act. The letter
concluded that all members of the community should be allowed to join in the broadcasting
activities of the station.
Radio UNE was then formed into a co-operative, the Radio UNE Co-Operative Ltd, which
would hold the licence. After some initial tests as 2UNE-FM, the station eventually went to
air in 1976 as 2ARM-FM, reflecting a wider community involvement.
The service that was provided by 2ARM was different to that provided under the closed loop licence, but the Co-
Operative ran both services.
In 1979, after much disagreement, Radio UNE returned to the operations of the SRC,
while the Co-Operative moved, with the 2ARM Community Licence, into the City of Armidale.
The radio station applied to have its licence renewed in 2007, but was rejected by the ACMA for failing to show community participations in both the operations and the decision making of the station. The then Station Manager was also the main on-air presenter, and resigned. (See notes below.)
The station was then allowed to remain on-air with a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL). The station has been investigated for failing to allow community participation in accordance with the Codes of Practice, and still remains on a temporary licence, until it is able to provide sufficient proof to the ACMA of compliance. (See investigation report link below.)
In 2009 the station became an Incorporated Association, and moved to a new location in Kentucky Street in February 2010.
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
station broadcasting to Armidale, NSW on a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL). The station has been broadcasting for over 31 years to Armidale, Walcha
Walcha
Walcha can refer to* Walcha, a town and Local Government Area in the north of New South Wales, Australia.* the German organist Helmut Walcha...
, Uralla, Guyra and all areas in between. It is volunteer based, and is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is a peak body and the national representative organisation for community radio and television stations in Australia. The CBAA provide leadership, advocacy and support for members to actively provide independent broadcasting services and to build...
(CBAA).
It became an Incorporated Association in June, 2009.
History
The history of 2ARM is closely linked with that of 2UNE, and in fact with the beginning of the commuity broadcasting sector of Australia.Professor Neville Fletcher, a lecturer at the University of New England presented
the idea of a campus radio station to the students, and this led to letters to the Postmaster-General requesting a licence.
The station was established through 1968-69, and utilised a “closed loop” system. Basically AM radio induction within buildings of the university.
The system allowed the broadcasts to be heard only inside the residential colleges at the
University.
The licence holder was to be the University, but the station was established under the
auspice of the Students’ Representative Council.
After a number of hurdles, a licence was granted to use this innovative system, and the
station went to air as Radio UNE on 27 April 1970.
In 1975 a letter was sent to the station, by the then Minister for the Media, Dr. Moss Cass,
regarding the expansion of the Community Broadcasting trial. The station was to be
offered an Experimental FM licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act. The letter
concluded that all members of the community should be allowed to join in the broadcasting
activities of the station.
Radio UNE was then formed into a co-operative, the Radio UNE Co-Operative Ltd, which
would hold the licence. After some initial tests as 2UNE-FM, the station eventually went to
air in 1976 as 2ARM-FM, reflecting a wider community involvement.
The service that was provided by 2ARM was different to that provided under the closed loop licence, but the Co-
Operative ran both services.
In 1979, after much disagreement, Radio UNE returned to the operations of the SRC,
while the Co-Operative moved, with the 2ARM Community Licence, into the City of Armidale.
The radio station applied to have its licence renewed in 2007, but was rejected by the ACMA for failing to show community participations in both the operations and the decision making of the station. The then Station Manager was also the main on-air presenter, and resigned. (See notes below.)
The station was then allowed to remain on-air with a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL). The station has been investigated for failing to allow community participation in accordance with the Codes of Practice, and still remains on a temporary licence, until it is able to provide sufficient proof to the ACMA of compliance. (See investigation report link below.)
In 2009 the station became an Incorporated Association, and moved to a new location in Kentucky Street in February 2010.
External links
- http://www.2arm.net.au 2ARM FM 92.1 Website
- http://www.cbaa.org.au/ CBAA website
- http://www.armidaleindependent.com.au/pages/2007101002.pdf 2ARM Gains TCBL
- http://armidale.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/stations-call-out-for-presenters-sponsors/356290.aspx Call for more members