What Frequency do you Broadcast radio On?

I think you'll find across the country it will change on your location. If all the major commercial stations can't be on the same frequency in every state, then that tells you that smaller local stations take up all the frequencies in between.
When I started a few years back my frequency (98.5FM for those playing along at home) was not being used. I notice this year that it's still not, but once you drive away from our house, you can now pickup a very static talkback station.
 
burnt said:
i like to use the top end at 108.0
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Have you had any issues using a .0 ending? We had an .even number for one year only and had people suggesting they couldn't tune in on their digital radios in the their cars. Changed to a .odd ending now with no issues.
 
Jamie said:
Have you had any issues using a .0 ending? We had an .even number for one year only and had people suggesting they couldn't tune in on their digital radios in the their cars. Changed to a .odd ending now with no issues.
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FM frequencies should be tuned to odd numbers as there are a lot of radios that won't be able to tune correctly.
You will find that a radio will tune to 107.9 so will be a little distorted. While we have a bandwidth of 88 to 108, that is just the spread so go for 107.9 if you want the top end.
 
I transmit on 98.5fm I get on my radio before choosing what frequency i want and see if there is any other transmission i can hear
 
I good rule of thumb is to first identify occupied frequencies, and then try to give yourself at least a 400kHz buffer either side of them when choosing an odd-numbered frequency (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9).

To work out occupied frequencies, check the ACMA website for licenced frequencies in your area (click @Benslights link above for a national list by frequency. Alternatively, you could use ACMA's postcode search for a localised list and then click on each of the results to see their frequency.

And as @roo says, actually surfing through the fm band with a radio receiver is a good idea too. Perhaps you have a pirate radio station in your area that won't be on ACMA's site. Other factors could make certain 'vacant' frequencies undesirable. E.g. Perhaps a station from a neighbouring town can be picked up in your area.

After doing all this then you should have an idea of some possible FM frequencies you could use. If you're close to another animated display (but not too close as to cause interference) and they broadcast on a frequency you've identified as vacant, then perhaps you may like to jump on it as well - an unofficial local 'Christmas lights station' of sorts :).

I broadcast on 88.9 FM here, north of Adelaide. South of Adelaide CBD there is a community broadcaster on 88.7 FM, but their licenced transmission zone doesn't cover my area. At the other end on 89.1 FM, there is a community broadcaster well north of here, beyond Adelaide suburbia. I'm not able to receive the 88.7 or 89.1 transmissions here but that is a good thing. So this gives me the 400kHz buffer around 88.9 FM :). Another animated display within walking distance from me also uses 88.9 ... I get the odd question asking how both these two houses use 'the same radio station' ;)
 
I have often thought about this question and wondered if each state could pick a frequency and everyone on the forums could use that frequency.

For example, all people in Northern SA could use 88.9fm (Like Ryan suggested) and then people can drive around the northern suburbs and visit Ryan's display, Deblens, Karob, Darylc, The Grinch, and My Display (Sorry Adski never sure if your display is running) all without having to change station. then down south they could pick their own frequency and people would be able to drive around to all those displays without changing radio stations.

This could also work for other places like NSW and VIC...
 
Yeah it is a nice idea @Kitman. Ideally if everyone participating had a small enough transmitter (no 1.5W, 7W etc..) it might be workable :).

The EDM units would be ideal as their power is fully adjustable up/down between 1mW and 100mW. Too powerful of a transmitter with another animated display nearby and it is going to dominate the frequency in areas where it shouldn't. Even forgetting the legal issues for the time being, there's no need to buy/use a transmitter that broadcasts for ages and ages past the viewable area of a Christmas display, IMO.
 
ryanschristmaslights said:
Yeah it is a nice idea @Kitman. Ideally if everyone participating had a small enough transmitter (no 1.5W, 7W etc..) it might be workable :).

The EDM units would be ideal as their power is fully adjustable up/down between 1mW and 100mW. Too powerful of a transmitter with another animated display nearby and it is going to dominate the frequency in areas where it shouldn't. Even forgetting the legal issues for the time being, there's no need to buy/use a transmitter that broadcasts for ages and ages past the viewable area of a Christmas display, IMO.
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Does anyone know how much it costs for a license? The other option could be that we find a frequency that isn't used across all of Australia and then get a license for that exact frequency and then everyone that broadcasts chips in for the fee.

Benslights said:
Derf is to close to me and has a transmitter that would wipe me out so we are on different freq
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The above idea might not work in your case and it may not work for every situation where people are very close to each other, however, if everyone limited the range of their transmitter then it could be workable??
 
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