SWR FM

Infobox Radio station
name = SWR FM


city =
area = Part of Greater Western Sydney
branding =
slogan =
frequency = 99.9 mHz FM
repeater =
airdate = September 27, 2003
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format = Community radio
power =
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coordinates =
callsign_meaning = 2 = New South Wales
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Wave
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affiliations =
owner = SWRFM Community Media Association Inc.
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webcast =
website = official|http://www.swrfm.org

SWR FM (callsign 2SWR) is a community radio station based in Blacktown in Sydney. The station broadcasts to parts of Greater Western Sydney, mainly to the City of Blacktown, City of Fairfield and the City of Holroyd.

The mission of SWR FM is to offer the community a voice and an opportunity for anyone to access the airwaves regardless of age, gender, nationality or experience. SWR FM is a volunteer run organisation and is funded through listener support, grants and limited commercial sponsorship.

History

What is now SWR FM grew out of a group of people who had initially started in the 1980s as aspirant broadcaster WOW FM. Eventually forming as SWR FM, in 1992 the station started conducting regular test transmissions on 88.3 FM and later on 100.3 FM. These are fully operational and programmed broadcasts, but are usually limited to one or two weeks at a time. [cite web |title=Allocation of Temporary Community Radio Licences |url=http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/aba/licplan/broadcasting/types/community/documents/tcbl_guide_oct07.pdf |date=October 2007 |accessdate=2008-07-15 |publisher=ACMA ] In 1994 the then Australian Broadcasting Authority agreed that SWR FM could use its 90 days per year of temporary transmission time by broadcasting every weekend, rather than using up all the time in one or two blocks. This enabled the station to have a continuous presence within the community.

In 1999 the station was able to broadcast full time under new "Temporary Community Broadcasting Licences". However it spent much of 2001 and 2002 off the air due to problems encountered in sharing the frequency with another temporary broadcaster. [cite web |title=Investigation Summary
url=http://internet.aca.gov.au/webwr/aba/newspubs/radio_tv/investigations/broadcast_operations/documents/radio/2001/1007.pdf |date=2001-09-24 |accessdate=2008-07-31 |author=Andree Wright |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Authority ] In 2003 a licence was issued to SWR FM and they commenced full time broadcasting on Saturday September 27 2003. In 2008, SWR FM further extended their broadcasting licence for a further five years (until 2013). [cite web |title=The history of SWR FM
url=http://www.swrfm.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=69
date=2008 |accessdate=2008-07-31 |publisher= [http://www.swrfm.org SWR FM] ]

Current

Using its own outside broadcast unit SWR FM regularly broadcasts from local shows and festivals including the Blacktown and Holroyd festivals, Blacktown Show, Horsley Park Carols and Rooty Hill Australia Day celebrations. The station has a long history of giving air time to local bands. Its "Small Day In" programs feature live gigs of local musicians and bands. SWRtember was launched on Saturday September 20 at Blacktown Showground to promote local upcoming talent. [cite web |title=DRED - live gig on SWR
url=http://www.dred.com.au/archive.php |date=2007-12-01
accessdate=2008-07-31 |publisher= [http://www.dred.com.au DRED] ]

Programming

The station’s current programs cover a wide range of music styles including adult contemporary, jazz, country and heavy metal. SWR FM also broadcasts programs that are presented by special interest groups or in languages other than English. [cite web |title=Linwood House on SWR FM |url=http://www.linnwood.holroyd.nsw.gov.au/minutes/050710.htm |date=2005-07-10
accessdate=2008-07-31 |author=John McKenna |publisher= [http://www.linnwood.holroyd.nsw.gov.au Friends of Linnwood] ] [cite web |title=Voice of Bangladesh on SWR FM |url=http://www.vob-sydney.com/ |date=2008 |accessdate=2008-07-31 |publisher= [http://www. vob-sydney.com VoB] ] It also simulcasts the National Nine News 6pm bulletin. [cite web |title=SWR FM On Air Guide
url=http://www.swrfm.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=70|date=2008 |accessdate=2008-07-31 |publisher= [http://www.swrfm.org SWR FM] ]

References

External Links

*official|http://www.swrfm.org
*yt|FzFBwNt_--I|SWR Dodec at Holroyd and Blacktown Fetsivals

=See also=
* List of Australian radio stations