Phoenix FM goes digital

COMMUNITY radio station Phoenix FM is now broadcasting in digital quality, with a new state-of-the-art console going live last month.

The American-made Wheatnet equipment was bought with the help of a $50,000 State Government grant and fundraising by the station, in a total project cost of about $75,000.

Phoenix FM committee member and technical adviser Peter Williams said the equipment was installed and prepared for use over about 10 days.

“It’s worldwide industry standard broadcast equipment, so it’s what all the big players are using,” Mr Williams said.

“The audio becomes completely lossless, and that means that whatever the audio quality is that you put in is what you hear on your radio.

“The clarity and depth of the music will be exactly equal to the original.”

Mr Williams said the decision to go digital was made because lots of equipment was old, combined with the fact that the company from which existing equipment had been sourced was no longer in business.

The new desk, he said, is very easy for presenters to use, and is among about 300 now in operation around Australia.

The upgraded studio will be officially commissioned at an open day, the date for which has not yet been set.

Phoenix FM’s second studio remains an analog system and is being used now mainly for pre-recording of programs, which Mr Williams said was the method some presenters preferred in preparing their shows.

Mr Williams paid tribute to Vision Australia Radio engineer Dale Simpson, who he said had been instrumental in helping to set up the equipment.

And now, it’s on with business.

Mr Williams said while a core group of volunteers kept the station running, more help in various roles was always welcome.

The station has a membership of more than 100 people and Phoenix FM volunteers will continue to offer programming for as wide a range of interests as possible.

“We’re not trying to be a hits and memories station,” he said. “Our demographic is as wide as we can possibly make it.”

Phoenix can be found at 106.7 on the FM band.