Australian Broadcast Radio

AM & FM Broadcasting Standards

AM 520-1700KHz:

Frequency Range: 525KHz(0.525MHz)-1700KHz(1.700MHz)

Channel Frequencies: 531, 540, 549…627…774….1278KHz each station is 9KHz apart (I.e. 9KHz Step)

Stereo Signal: Compatible quadrature amplitude modulation (C-Quam) 25Hz +/--0.1Hz with a deviation of between 3 to 5% of the quadrant channel

Frequency Response: Within 2db (50Hz-7.5KHz)

THD: Not exceeding 4% at 80% modulation (400Hz-5KHz)

Stereo Separation: 18 db minimum

 

FM 88-108.0000MHz:

Frequency Range: 88.0000MHz to 108.0000MHz

Channel Frequencies: 88.1000, 88.3000…91.7000, 91.9000, 101.1000, 101.3000…107.9000 each station is 2000KHz (0.2000MHz) apart

Deviation: 75KHz

Pre Emphasis/De-Emphasis: 50 microseconds

Stereo Channel Sub Carrier Frequency: 38KHz

Stereo Channel Pilot Frequency: 19KHz

 

Notes:

Ancillary communications services may be included in the main program channel, using the following specifications

Sub Carrier Frequency: 67KHz

Maximum Deviation: 7.5KHz

Modulation: FM or FSK*

Pre-emphasis: up to 150 microseconds (150us)

 

This allows radio stations to use part of their own frequencies for car-to-studio link ups etc and for information and other ‘feeds.’ Either Wide or Narrow FM can be used [it will be NFM for two-way comms and WFM for any links].

 

The Frequencies between 87.6000 and 88.0000 have been set aside for community radio, tourist radio and other Low Power Narrowcasting Services.

 

FM radio transmissions can only be received on scanners with a wide fm mode. This is because normal two-way radio is in narrow, mono fm, wheras tv audio and fm radio are in wide stereo fm.

 

ageelan@bigpond.com

A VicNews Publication

The Australian Scanning Encyclopedia ©Copyright 2003

Information correct as at Tuesday, October 7, 2003.