Radio reception in Outback Australia.

Nearly every small town has an ABC Local Radio transmitter, even if it only covers a few kilometers radius and is on the FM band. Larger centres will have AM stations although some do have FM stations. At night time you can receive many ABC stations although the majority of them suffer from selective fading

If you go to www.abc.net.au/radio/localradio/ and look down the LHS you will see the heading "Tuning in" - under that there are the states listed - each of these link to a complete list of ABC stations in each state (including TV which is at the top of the list.)

If you purchase a satellite setup you will get all four ABC networks.

PeterD

Ring Caama radio, tell them that you need to know when Carry is on...
Its all you need!!!

Rob,

It all depends how 'remote' is remote. If you really 'go bush' then we'll cal that REMOTE!

I spend a lot of time out in the deep bush, prospecting for gold, and like you I just have to have my news and especially my stock market reports and gold bullion prices.

To save all the faffing around with different frequencies and satellite dishes, just get a long piece of copper wire - I've used all sorts from mains cable to speaker wire - the longer the better. Put a crocodile clip on one end and clip it onto your car radio aerial. Then throw the other end over the highest tree you can park next to. Alternatively, just throw it out over your tent/camper/caravan roof. It's a dirt cheap solution that will get you all the news you need on just about any AM wavelength in 'Oz'. FM radio is mostly pop music anyway. Not all but mostly.

Shame about the cricket, but welcome anyway,

Bilbo - the ex-Pom ;)

Hi Rob4al, I have used a small (palm of hand) 'off the shelf' AM transistor radio through out Australia during the night time. A bit limited on the number of stations but reception was good.

Remember that there are different time zones across the country but the radio anouncer will give the time from where the programme is broadcast from. So, if you are listening in the wee small hours in WA don't rely on the time given by an anouncer in NSW or your early start may be very early ! :-))

A "decent" AM/FM car radio with long wire antenna extension as suggested above would work reasonably well, but a bit hard whilst actually mobile (could attach a kite, ha, ha!). I seriously doubt most campervans woud have other than an el-cheapo car radio. The ones you get in Nissan Patrols (which I don't have) seem to work a lot better than the one we used to have in our previous Holden Jackaroo.
What we found satisfactory was a good quality "transisitor" radio, with a PLL (Phase Loop Lock) circuit in it. In our case this was also a Sony, model ICF-M260 which is "palm" sized an about 3/4" thick, takes 2 AA (R6) sized batteries, has a digital tuning read-out, and 5 programmable AM (10 FM) station buttons, an a clock. Unfortunately the clock does not include an alarm function. Cost about $70 which is about 4x more expensive than a standard transistor radio. We have found this little radio has always been able to pick up an AM ABC transmission from somewhere, anywhere we have been outback (with no long wire extension as the antenna is for FM transmissions, and the AM works off an internal ferrite rod core).
Speaking of somewhere, the ABC produce a little booklet about 2.5" square multiple folding guide to all ABC frequencies AM & FM throughout Australia. They used to be free but I think they are now a couple of dollars. You can get them at any ABC shop in capital cities, and from the local ABC radio station front office in country areas.
Rob4al, if it means anything to you, I am an OW (went to secondary school in the U.K. for 4 years).
Enjoy!

G'day Rob - re the choice of radios - much good advice already here - re the ABC ? Re your comment "so your domestic radio would be enough to keep me informed I think" - Think ? Rest assured Rob, our world class (nay - world leading) public broadcaster keeps we devotees fully informed on everything !! (even the things we don't need to be informed on, and more). May I recommend Radio National ? (considered by many commentators as the jewel in the ABC crown)- available just about everywhere - mostly am in the cities and FM in the regions - breakfast and PM timeslots are awash with national and world news - the middle of the day is a little 'dry' but then you will be out doing the tourist things !

Hi Rob,
If you are planning to use an HF transceiver for emergency comms, then you can program in whatever shortwave stations you like to receive. ABC has only three shortwave stations left at Darwin, Katherine and Tenant Creek and are relatively low power, but Radio Australia can be received virtually any time of the day or night. And of course, your favourite Beeb. Just check their websites for schedules and frequencies.
If you are heading to remote places, then emergency comms, either HF, using the VKS737 network or a satellite phone are really recommended.
Of course, you can also get a cheap traveller's satellite TV kit if you want to watch The Bill!
For AM and FM bands on the ABC, as said, check their website, but they also sell a credit-card sized fold-out guide for a couple of bucks which covers all their stations in Australia.
Cheers,
Gerry

If your really way outback normal am radio will be useless during the day but at sunset it will improve for the night, other than that you could purchase an HF Codan or Barrett then you can listen to ABC, BBC London Voice of America , NZ etc and have the added safety of being able to call for help if you happen to be in the deserts.. Sorry about the Cricket Old Chap.

have a look at this link for our 4x4 radio network
www.vks737.on.net/

and this one for tourism info
www.walkabout.com.au/index.shtml

Doug