2BAR 93.7 FM
93.7 EDGE FM
Email: info@edgefm.org.au | Phone: 02-6492-4202
2BAR, broadcasting as 93.7 EDGE FM, is the Bega Valley's Community Radio station.
Bega Access Radio Incorporated was initially formed as two separate community groups, Bega Valley Community Radio Inc, which was formed in 1992 and Sapphire Stereo Radio, formed in early 1993.
Test broadcasts commenced in March of 1993, transmitting for two weeks from a studio in Upper Street, Bega, on a frequency of 93.7 Megahertz. A second test of three weeks occurred in June.
A merger of the two groups was undertaken as an efficient method of achieving similar aims. In August 1993, the studio and transmitter were moved to the current location, the old nurses quarters at the Old Bega Hospital Cultural Centre.
The Old Bega Hospital was a derelict set of buildings when taken over by a number of community groups. In return for renovating half of the old nurses quarters, which was done by working bees, Edge FM was given permanent use of the premises for a nominal rent which is paid annually.
In late 1994, a competition was held for a new name for the station and the change was made from Sapphire Stereo Radio to Edge FM. The merged groups were incorporated as Bega Access Radio in January 1995.
Test transmissions of two and five week duration were carried out before changing to a policy of broadcasting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In January 1998, EDGE FM was granted permission to extend its test broadcasts to twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
In 2000 a full time licence was issued to the group and in 2001 transmission was moved to a much better site 6km N.E. of Bega
EDGE FM receives its funding from membership subscription, fundraising activities, donations, grants, studio maintenance fees and sponsor ship by local businesses. Our main costs are rent, electricity, telephone, equipment hire and purchase, insurance, office needs and repair and maintenance of equipment.
As a result of following these policies and constantly engaging in fund raising activities, Edge FM has never gone into the red and we see no reason to go into debt in order to improve our broadcast quality. Such things will come in time and we have plenty of that. We don't need to go all high tech as the majority of our presenters are not technical whizzes and more basic equipment is more than suitable for their needs.
Committee meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at the Bega RSL club. . All meetings are open to the public.
The committee consists of:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Station Co-ordinator
Two station members
Our programs are varied including Blues, Country, Jazz. Old Time, Christian, World, Techno, Rock, Grunge, Classical, Easy Listening, Pop and many stops inbetween.
As we are in a regional area, our target audience is very broad. Our broadcasters vary in age from teenagers to retirees and the programs we broadcast are just as varied. We target pop, country and blues listeners and those who like non commercial music or want a break from wall to wall talk.
New presenters are put through the Edge FM training module so that they are comfortable with the equipment before they go to air. We give our presenters a wide brief so they can develop their broadcast skills as such skills are not only useful for entertaining listeners but assist with character development and confidence building that can be used in many areas of normal.
Bega Access Radio Incorporated was initially formed as two separate community groups, Bega Valley Community Radio Inc, which was formed in 1992 and Sapphire Stereo Radio, formed in early 1993.
Test broadcasts commenced in March of 1993, transmitting for two weeks from a studio in Upper Street, Bega, on a frequency of 93.7 Megahertz. A second test of three weeks occurred in June.
A merger of the two groups was undertaken as an efficient method of achieving similar aims. In August 1993, the studio and transmitter were moved to the current location, the old nurses quarters at the Old Bega Hospital Cultural Centre.
The Old Bega Hospital was a derelict set of buildings when taken over by a number of community groups. In return for renovating half of the old nurses quarters, which was done by working bees, Edge FM was given permanent use of the premises for a nominal rent which is paid annually.
In late 1994, a competition was held for a new name for the station and the change was made from Sapphire Stereo Radio to Edge FM. The merged groups were incorporated as Bega Access Radio in January 1995.
Test transmissions of two and five week duration were carried out before changing to a policy of broadcasting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In January 1998, EDGE FM was granted permission to extend its test broadcasts to twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
In 2000 a full time licence was issued to the group and in 2001 transmission was moved to a much better site 6km N.E. of Bega
EDGE FM receives its funding from membership subscription, fundraising activities, donations, grants, studio maintenance fees and sponsor ship by local businesses. Our main costs are rent, electricity, telephone, equipment hire and purchase, insurance, office needs and repair and maintenance of equipment.
As a result of following these policies and constantly engaging in fund raising activities, Edge FM has never gone into the red and we see no reason to go into debt in order to improve our broadcast quality. Such things will come in time and we have plenty of that. We don't need to go all high tech as the majority of our presenters are not technical whizzes and more basic equipment is more than suitable for their needs.
Committee meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at the Bega RSL club. . All meetings are open to the public.
The committee consists of:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Station Co-ordinator
Two station members
Our programs are varied including Blues, Country, Jazz. Old Time, Christian, World, Techno, Rock, Grunge, Classical, Easy Listening, Pop and many stops inbetween.
As we are in a regional area, our target audience is very broad. Our broadcasters vary in age from teenagers to retirees and the programs we broadcast are just as varied. We target pop, country and blues listeners and those who like non commercial music or want a break from wall to wall talk.
New presenters are put through the Edge FM training module so that they are comfortable with the equipment before they go to air. We give our presenters a wide brief so they can develop their broadcast skills as such skills are not only useful for entertaining listeners but assist with character development and confidence building that can be used in many areas of normal.
Postal Address:
PO Box 771 Bega
NSW 2550
Licence Type: Full Licence
Area Served: Rural |
Community Served: General
Web: http://www.edgefm.org.au/