OKR FM

OKR FM 98.3

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Broadcast area	Kilmore, Northern Victoria, Australia
Branding	OKR FM
Frequency	98.3 MHz FM
Format	Community Radio - Various
Power	30W
Owner	Mitchell Community Radio Inc

OKR is a radio station transmitting on 98.3 MHz (Previously on 97.1 until 1 December 2009) from Kilmore, Victoria, in Australia. It is controlled by an incorporated not for profit association known as "Mitchell Community Radio". The station itself operates under a Temporary Community Broadcasting License issued by the Australian Communications Authority.

Meaning of OKR

OKR refers to "Old Kilmore Radio", itself referring to the heritage and history of the town. As one of Victoria's oldest inland towns, Kilmore features a collection of historic buildings including the post office (built in 1863), court house (1864) and former police barracks (1892).^[1]

Establishment

The radio group was established under the name OK RADIO, and in 2001 was successful in being granted a limited power Narrowcast licence of 10 Watts in Kilmore.

In the following years, the licence was surrendered, in return for a Community licence, to permit greater greater depth in programming otherwise not permitted under a Narrowcast licence. The station has within the past few years adjusted its branding from OK Radio to "OKR".

Frequency Change

However, the 98.3 MHz frequency used by OKR is shared with Melbourne sub-metropolitan radio station 3RPP. The coverage radius of the service from central Kilmore is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi). The change of frequency from 97.1 to 98.3 has provided the opportunity for OKR FM to increase transmission power from 10 W to 30 W (although 100 W was originally applied for)

Programming

The OKR FM radio station airs a mix of music programming, with a selection of specilist music programs (including country music, rock, jazz and hiphop) and community programs presented by various community organisations in the township and surrounding areas, including local council information, local sport, local youth programs (as part of the OKR "Young Presenters Quest") and other specialty programs and features.

Coverage Area

OKR FM aims in the longer term to provide a community radio service for the southern Mitchell Shire ^[2]. The half of the Shire south of the Great Dividing Range. The population of this area is increasing rapidly due to the extensive subdivisions and greation of business and residential estates, especially in the neighbouring town of Wallan. The characteristics of the southern Mitchel Shire include it's closer proximity to Melbourne, and its population base, to an increasing extent, consisting of people from Melbourne Proper buying new homes in estates or land to build new homes.

Media Choices

Kilmore and the Southern Mitchell Shire, with the area being in close proximity to the Melbourne metropolitan area, receives all metropolitan-wide television and AM/FM radio services. Until the establishment of OKR (FM 98.3), there was no specifically local community radio service in the region, however reception is available from neighbouring sub-metropolitan service North West FM 98.9 (based in Broadmeadows and Craigieburn), along with regional community radio services from Bendigo and Seymour.

Community and Local Programming

OKR FM, though not widely known in its broadcast area, has established a working group is tasked to increase public awareness and participation in the service, with the aim to increase public awareness and listenership to the station. In the forst half of 2010, OKR commenced a poster campaign in the Kilmore area, and distributed promotional material to community groups and schools in the area.

As a result, a greater of program hours are presented by members of the local community, which is demonstrating a place for the radio station in the Kilmore and Wallan communities.

Emergency Service Broadcasting

OKR-FM is establishing relationships with the emergency services, mainly the CFA (Country Fire Authority) to provide local information at a time of bushfire. This is also to be promoted as part of the radio station's key local responsibilities. Members from the local community are being encouraged by the management of OKR to participate in emergency broadcast training.

References

1. ^ http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/kilmore/
2. ^ http://www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=460&p=1

http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_531.pdf

External links

• Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
• OKR FM Official Website