Extended Mediumwave AM Radio Broadcast Band, Extended AM. MF NAS Narrowband AM broadcasting segment 1611 - 1701 kHz (186 - 176 meters). VHF NAS Narrowband FM broadcasting bands 77, 151-152, 173-174 mHz. Useful links about broadcast radio licensing for Australia, USA and International. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the the USA Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plus many more links.
Mediumwave Extended AM Radio Broadcast Band 1611 - 1701 kHz
MF NAS Narrowband AM Broadcast Frequencies (11 channels in 9 kHz steps) 1611, 1620, 1629, 1638, 1647, 1656, 1665, 1674, 1683, 1692, 1701 kHz
Shortwave HF Domestic Broadcast Frequencies 2355, 2368.5, 3210, 5050 KHz
in the 120, 90 and 60 meter (tropic) broadcast bands
FM Low Power Open Narrowcasting (LPON) Frequencies 87.6, 87.8, 88.0 mHz VHF FM
VHF NAS Narrowband FM Broadcast Bands 77, 151, 152, 173 mHz (most assignments in the 151.425 - 152.475 mHz band)
Welcome to Australia Narrowband Broadcast Radio -
Australia Narrowband Broadcast Radio Facebook Page
Our messageboard forum is located at the bottom of the page
This is the place for people interested in the Australian Radio "off-band" sector
as well as providing a resource for sharing useful information on broadcast radio licensing options in Australia.
The main categories of broadcast radio licensing that we focus on are:-
VHF Narrowband Area Service (NAS) stations
MF Narrowband Area Service (NAS) stations
VHF FM LPON Low Power Open Narrowcast stations
HF Domestic shortwave stations
Included are many useful Links to information pages located within the ACMA website.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulates broadcasting services in Australia.
VHF NAS Narrowband FM
VHF NAS (Narrowband Area Service) frequency bands
70.00000 to 70.24375 MHz
77.29375 to 77.49375 MHz
151.39375 to 152.49375 MHz
173.29375 to 174.00000 MHz
The technical parameters that apply to VHF NAS stations are:
a) a maximum Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) of 83 watts; (50 watts transmitter power)
b) an emission bandwidth of 16 kHz and
c) Radiocommunications Standard (Analogue Speech (Angle Modulated) Equipment) No. 1 of 1995.
Understanding how ACMA manage Frequency Assignment in the Land Mobile space.
ACMA Frequency Assignment in the Land Mobile space
VHF NAS station transmitters, in a technical sense, operate under similar arrangements to land stations in the Land Mobile licence type.
MEDIUMWAVE AM
MF Narrowband Area Service (NAS) stations operate in the
Extended AM band over 11 channels in 9 kHz channel steps
Mediumwave Extended AM Radio Broadcast Band
1611 kHz 186 meters - 1701 kHz 176 meters
MF NAS (Narrowband Area Service) AM frequency channels
1611, 1620, 1629, 1638, 1647, 1656, 1665,
1674, 1683, 1692, 1701 KHz
Mediumwave Extended AM radio broadcast band 1611 kHz - 1701 kHz
MF AM transmitter power 400 watts, bandwidth limited to 6 kHz.
400 watts pZ Carrier Power 'pZ' means the average power supplied to the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one radio frequency cycle taken under the condition of no modulation.
The co-channel separation distance between transmitters is 160 km
and the 9 kHz adjacent channel separation distance between transmitters is 30 km.
Frequency assignments as of January 2012
1611 kHz 60 licences
1620 kHz 44 licences
1629 kHz 45 licences
1638 kHz 15 licences
1647 kHz 20 licences
1656 kHz 12 licences
1665 kHz 7 licences
1674 kHz 9 licences
1683 kHz 6 licences
1692 kHz 9 licences
1701 kHz 7 licences
Total 234 licences assigned in the 1611 - 1701 kHz extended AM band
in Australia
Learn more by clicking on this link
ACMA - NAS Narrowband Area Service Link
FM 87 - 88 MHz
VHF FM LPON stations
1 watt transmitter power (10 watts in low density areas)
87.6, 87.8, 88.0 MHz
ACMA LPON VHF FM Link
SHORTWAVE
HF Domestic Broadcasting stations
Shortwave AM - 6 KHz bandwidth 1000 watts transmitter power
Bands that may be used for HF domestic broadcasting
Frequency range (kHz)
2 300 - 2 495
3 200 - 3 400
3 950 - 4 000
4 750 - 4 995
5 005 - 5 060
Currently ACMA have allocated the following frequencies to HF Domestic stations:
2355, 2368.5, 3210, 5050 KHz.
"SPECIAL EVENTS" - Short run radio licensing in the broadcast bands
ACMA Special Events Radio Licensing
The ACMA check-list for Special Events radio licenses
ACMA Special Events Radio Licensing check-list
ACMA Scientific Radio Licensing
ACMA Scientific Radio Licensing
The L.I.P.D. Class Licensing
The LIPD Class Licence authorises users to operate a wide range of low
power radiocommunications devices operating in various segments of the radiofrequency spectrum.
The LIPD Class Licence sets out the conditions under which many types of short range devices may operate.
These conditions always cover frequency bands of operation and radiated power limits.
Low Interference Potential Devices are small low power radio transmitters that can be used without a licence
on certain frequencies because they are unlikely to interfere with other users.
Details of frequencies and power limits here:
Low Interference Potential Devices
Some of the bands allocated to LIPD are as follows:-
70.0000 – 70.24375 mHz 100 mW max RF power
77.29375 – 77.49375 mHz 100 mW max RF power
150.7875 – 152.49375 mHz 100 mW max RF power
173.29375 – 174.0000 mHz 100 mW max RF power
LIPD TRANSMITTERS for legal use in Australia
LIPD transmitters are authorised under an ACMA Class Licence -
This Class Licence authorises a person to operate a transmitter included in a class of transmitters
mentioned in an item in Schedule 1, subject to the following conditions:
(i) The transmitter must be operated: on a frequency, or within a range of frequencies, mentioned in the item; and
(ii) at a radiated power that does not exceed the maximum EIRP mentioned in the item; and
(iii) within the limitations (if any) mentioned in the item;
For the full details of the LIPD Class Licence please click on the following link
ACMA "The ACMA LIPD Class Licence"
SRK Electronics can build to order a fixed frequency LIPD VHF transmitter for use in one of the VHF NAS LIPD bands
VHF NAS LIPD Bands
70 mHz (4.2 metre band), 77 mHz (3.8 metre band), 151-152 mHz (1.9 metre band), 173 mHz (1.7 metre band)
Transmitter RF power output: 100 milli watts (LIPD max legal output)
Transmitters for the 100 milli watt VHF NAS LIPD bands -
go to
SRK Electronics VHF NAS LIPD Transmitters
Latest reports from the ACMA’s Field Operations staff
ACMA "In The Field"
Broadcast Licensing
ACMA Broadcast Licensing Link
ACMA Spectrum Search Register
ACMA Spectrum Search Link
ACMA Apparatus License Fee Calculator
ACMA Apparatus License Fee Calculator
Related Links:
ACMA Licensing application forms and fee schedule.
R057 Apparatus License R077 Additional Station Info ACMA Apparatus License Fee Schedule 2012
New Zealand Low Power FM Information
NZ Low Power FM Broadcasting Link
Low Power FM Broadcasting in the USA
Learn more about Low Power FM Radio broadcasting in the USA
The new LPFM licenses in the United States may only be issued to nonprofit educational
organizations and state and local governments. Also, the one and so far only "window"
for applications closed in 2003, and at present, the FCC is not entertaining any new broadcast license applications, instead conducting auctions of frequencies for
full power uses only.
FCC Information - Low Power FM Broadcasting USA Low Power FM Broadcasting USA - ownership restrictions and other info More info on LPFM licensing in the USA
FCC Information on Low Power Broadcasting
FCC Information on Low Power Broadcasting
FCC FAQ Low Power FM Radio
FCC AM Radio Search Tool 530 - 1700 kHz
FCC AM Radio Frequency Assignment search tool
FCC FM Radio Search Tool 87.9 - 107.9 mHz
FCC FM Radio Frequency Assignment search tool
FCC Low Power AM and FM radio licensing
including Travellers' Information Service information
FCC Low Power AM and FM Radio Information
Travelers' Information Stations Search
FCC Travelers' Information Stations Search
SHORTWAVE BROADCASTING IN THE USA...
The next few links provide a gateway into how to apply for an HF/Shortwave
radio broadcasting station construction permit / license in the USA.
FCC Fact Sheet - HF (Shortwave) Broadcasting Licensing USA
List of FCC licensed HF Shortwave radio stations in the USA FCC Form 309 -Application for a FCC Construction Permit to operate an International Shortwave Broadcasting Radio Station from the USA FCC Form 310
Application for a construction permit should be filed on FCC Form 309 and application for license, upon completion of construction, on FCC Form 310.
FCC Frequency Schedule for Shortwave Broadcasters
For those of you who are interested in what Shortwave broadcast licenses looks like - Here's a couple for you -
Radio WJHR FCC license Radio WBCQ FCC license
HF/Shortwave ITU regional band allocations
The ITU list of broadcast band allocations and regional spectrum assignments
Radio Regulations and Frequency Assignments region by region from the ITU
ACMA Embargo / DRM
The ACMA Embargo on Shortwave Broadcast Licensing
More Links of interest -
Pirates Week Glen Hauser's World Of Radio
Australian Shortwave Radio Journal UVB-76 podcast Pirate / Free Radio Media Network Vintage Vault
Top Loaded "T" vertical antenna suitable for Mediumwave transmitting
Radio documentary about the retro land based pirate radio statins of the UK Numbers Stations Radio Eric - recordings of London's Land Based Pirates stations Radio Northsea International audio stream Radio Atlantis offshore recordings Yesterdays Radio - lot's of offshore recordings
July 5, 2011 VHF NAS Update
(As of April 2013 some of these figures are no longer accurate -
there has been new frequency assignments (licences) issued increasing the overall number of licences in total)
Sydney is Australia's number 1 hot spot for VHF NAS stations with 36 licened stations
More VHF stations operate in the VHF 151 - 152 MHz & 173 - 174 MHz bands
in Sydney than anywhere else in Australia.
Melbourne comes a close second with 18 stations in the 151 - 152 MHz &
173 - 174 MHz VHF bands
36 channels assigned to Sydney (post code 2000 - 2199) in the VHF NAS bands
of 151 - 152 MHz and 173 - 174 MHz
MELBOURNE VHF Narrowband Stations
18 channels assigned to Melbourne (post code 3000 - 3999)
in the in the VHF NAS bands of 151 - 152 MHz and 173 - 174 MHz
QUEENSLAND VHF Narrowband Stations
1 station on 77.4 MHz (now ceased transmissions) + 4 stations in the 151 mHz band
In Australia there is just 1 mid band VHF NAS license for 77.4 MHz
the station is located in South Australia.
UPDATEL April 2013:
Things are hotting up in the extended AM broadcast band 1611 - 1701 kHz Mediumwave AM
and on the VHF NAS bands 77 mHz, 151-152 mHz and 173 mHz.
3 new frequency assignments in 2013 in the 77 mHz / 3.8 metre band. 77.325 & 77.350 mHz (16K0F3E) wideband comms FM
& 77.4 mHz (10K1F3E) narrowband comms FM, all in NSW.
1656 kHz 181 metres Mediumwave AM in Melbourne has now gone live
with Rythmos Greek Radio from a transmitter site in Altona North Vic.
Look up stations using ACMA's search register
ACMA Spectrum Search Register
ACMA Spectrum Search Link
Tuesday Jan 16, 2012 - This is a look at the NAS Narrowband Broadcasting situation in Melbourne:
NAS Narrowband Broadcasting status in Melbourne
MF AM Melbourne and greater Melbourne areas:
Out of 11 Mediumwave MF NAS channels that are all assigned, 6 are on the air and active
1611, 1620, 1629, 1638, 1674, 1701 kHz
Assigned MF NAS frequencies not on air.
1647, 1656, 1665, 1683, 1692 kHz
MF NAS status in Melbourne and greater Melbourne area
VHF NAS assigned licenses in the State of Victoria:
151.450, 151.600, 151.675, 151.750, 151.800, 151.850,
151.875, 151.950, 152.050, 152.075, 152.125, 152.300, 152.425 mHz
all are active and carry programming.
Assigned VHF NAS frequencies not on air.
151.775, 152.250, 152.350, and 173.525 mHz
17 VHF NAS licenses assigned in Melbourne Victoria
13 active
4 in-active
The Melbourne area has 28 NAS Narrowband (MF and VHF combined)
broadcasting licenses of which 19 are active and on-air
TRANSMITTING APPARATUS for VHF and MF NAS STATIONS
Transmitters for VHF NAS stations -
go to
SRK Electronics VHF NAS Transmitters
APRIL 2013 Update:
SRK Electronics are currently developing a new VHF NAS transmitter
that can be configured for use in the 77 mHz / 3.8 metre band,
151 - 152 mHz / 1.9 metre band
and 173 mHz / 1.7 metre band VHF FM with a choice of comms bandwidth 16K0F3E (25 kHz channel) or 10K1F3E (12.5 kHz channel).
The SRK Electronics 100 watt VHF NAS Transmitter (this model no longer available)
The SRK Electronics 100 watt VHF NAS Transmitter PDF file
GME VHF Land Mobile Radio Equipment
This equipment can be modified for use in the VHF Narrowband
broadcasting segments 151-152 mHz and 173 - 174 mHz
GME Pty Ltd / Standard Communications Pty Ltd VHF Land Mobile transceivers
GME Pty Ltd / Standard Communications Pty Ltd main web page
Transmitters for MF AM NAS stations
Fordray Electronics MF AM Transmitters
This web page was last updated April 27, 2013
Extended Mediumwave AM Radio Broadcast Band, Extended AM. MF NAS Narrowband AM broadcasting segment 1611 - 1701 kHz (186 - 176 meters). VHF NAS Narrowband FM broadcasting bands 77, 151-152, 173-174 mHz. Useful links about broadcast radio licensing for Australia, USA and International. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the the USA Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plus many more links.
