Radio EMFM sponsorship volunteer John Vincent and president Roger Peake asking if the station’s new mast is a bird or a plane. Photos: Ryan Bellingham.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Community radio station EMFM 104.7 has installed its new mast after years in the making.
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Three days of hard work from Wednesday, December 18 to Friday, December 20 saw the 20 metre tall mast unloaded, built and erected outside their Echuca East studio.
Sponsorships director John Vincent worked hard on its installation from start to finish, a task that began two years ago when the station relocated.
During this period, EMFM has been using the ACE Radio mast to broadcast.
“At the time, we were a bit concerned about the budget for putting our own mast up,” he said.
“The technical guy, Graeme Stevens, who worked for ACE for many years, asked them about the fact that we could use their mast.
“I thank them very much for helping us out, because we just didn’t have the budget at the time.”
Over the past two years, the EMFM crew has saved up for their own mast, also receiving a $15,000 grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal towards the structure.
By having their own mast, they can broadcast directly from their transmitter to the post on-site, not relying on computerisation or outside infrastructure.
“There’s no technical stuff to look after,” Mr Vincent said.
“So it’s less work for volunteers in the future.”
Within the next few weeks, the station will be officially hooked up to the new mast, though Mr Vincent does not expect this to change any transmission capabilities.
EMFM broadcasting can currently be picked up from a radius of about 20km.
A range of support was needed to install the mast, including a crane.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
The process of installing the new mast was complicated, with the EMFM team liaising with Campaspe Shire Council, town planners, Australian Communications and Media Authority, surveyors, transport drivers, manufacturers and crane operators.
“It looks good,” Mr Vincent said.
“(There was) a lot of work in the background.”
Volunteers are always welcome at EMFM including presenters, alongside an IT helper, a particular need currently.
The crew is after support in areas like software uploading, networking abilities and cybersecurity.
EMFM sponsorship volunteer John Vincent and president Roger Peake are thrilled with the new aerial.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
To learn more about volunteering with Radio EMFM, whether over the airwaves or behind the scenes, reach out to info@radioemfm.org.au
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