Yes Britain is very restrictive when it comes to broadcasting and I guess that's why pirate radio has always been around.
When I lived in Britain it was even more restrictive and I still remember hearing the initial test transmissions of LBC and Capital Radio back around 1973/1974.
Capital Radio beginnings..
?si=RHu8cBysm3IQZ3FP
Two great British pop songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway wrote the original Capital Radio jingles.
Roger Greenaway Interview.
?si=lU74-cGdcYYPIusO
I think the situation over here comes largely because of the high multi ethnicity immigration with groups/individuals wanting a voice over the air as most of the stations operating in these VHF bands are foreign language..
The real hotbed of activity is largely concentrated in Sydney.
Actually I noticed there's a few stations who haven't renewed their licences, so there's a number of channels available for others who may want to get on the air.
Here are the application forms to apply for a licence.
https://www.acma.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/Form%20R057%20-%20Application%20for%20apparatus%20licence.pdf
Additional station Information
https://www.acma.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-11/Additional%20Station%20Information%20-%20For%20the%20purpose%20of%20section%2099%20of%20the%20Radiocommunications%20Act%201992.pdf
Channel bandwidth 25 kHz 16K0F3E
Standard Power 50 watts pY / 83 watts EIRP
in High Density area (i.e. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane etc)
annual fee Au$2070.00 + $4 tax
If you're in a medium density area it's half that amount and if you're in a low density area it's approximately a tenth of this amount.
If you halve your bandwidth to a 12.5 kHz channel 10K1F3E then the amounts are halved again. I think all the VHF Narrowband stations are using 25 kHz bandwidth 16K0F3E emissions.
So I hope that shines some light on the oddity of 77, 151-152, 173 MHz narrowband broadcasting in Aus.
Message Thread Free Radio - Man of Action theme 151.850 MHz VHF - david au June 2, 2025, 11:08 am
« Back to index
Please post or reply to any Radio-related subject / topic or question, all are welcome, Pirate, Legal, Web, Etc.