BLU FM
Encyclopedia
BLU FM is a community radio
station based in Katoomba
and broadcasting to the surrounding Blue Mountains region in New South Wales
. The station is licensed to broadcast FM within the area stretching from Mount Victoria
to Woodford
and on the Internet.
The mission of BLU FM is to promote access and involvement from all sections of the local community to produce material for broadcast. BLU FM is a volunteer run organisation and is funded through listener support, grants and limited commercial sponsorship.
in 1985. The society conducted test transmissions at various times between 1986 and 1992. These are fully operational and programmed broadcasts, but are usually limited to one or two weeks at a time. In June 1992, the then Australian Broadcasting Tribunal granted a full time community broadcasting licence to the society.
When BLU FM started it was on air for just four days a week. By the end of its first year this had increased to seven days a week. In 1994 the station purchased a satellite dish
to enable it to receive the CBAA
Community Radio Network
program feed, allowing BLU FM to broadcast 24 hours a day. The Society celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2007.
In August 2008 BLU FM obtained a license to broadcast on the Internet and began implementing Internet streaming systems. The Internet stream and web hosting for the BLU FM website was provided by a sponsor.
. As well as its on air presence, BLUyouth organsies local gigs and fundraising for the station. Because BLU FM is the only locally based broadcaster, it has agreements with local emergency services
to broadcast information in times of natural disaster
such as flood
ing and bushfires. BLU FM is a key supporter of the local music industry both on air and in the community, helping to organise and run the Battle of the Bands every May and Blue Mountains Music Week in November.
, rock
, dance
and blues as well as coverage of local issues and events. The weekly Mountains of Music features only local bands and musicians.
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
station based in Katoomba
Katoomba, New South Wales
Katoomba is the chief town of the City of Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia and the administrative headquarters of Blue Mountains City Council. It is on the Great Western Highway 110 kilometres west of Sydney and 39 kilometres south-east of Lithgow. Katoomba railway station is on the...
and broadcasting to the surrounding Blue Mountains region in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. The station is licensed to broadcast FM within the area stretching from Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria, New South Wales
Mount Victoria is a small township in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is the westernmost village in the City of Blue Mountains, located approximately 120 kilometres via road from Sydney and 1043 metres above sea-level...
to Woodford
Woodford, New South Wales
Woodford is a village in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, approximately 90 kilometres west of Sydney. Its elevation is above sea level. It is situated on the Great Western Highway and has a railway station on the Main Western railway line served by CityRail's Blue Mountains...
and on the Internet.
The mission of BLU FM is to promote access and involvement from all sections of the local community to produce material for broadcast. BLU FM is a volunteer run organisation and is funded through listener support, grants and limited commercial sponsorship.
History
The Blue Mountains Public Broadcasting Society was set up at a public meeting in KatoombaKatoomba, New South Wales
Katoomba is the chief town of the City of Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia and the administrative headquarters of Blue Mountains City Council. It is on the Great Western Highway 110 kilometres west of Sydney and 39 kilometres south-east of Lithgow. Katoomba railway station is on the...
in 1985. The society conducted test transmissions at various times between 1986 and 1992. These are fully operational and programmed broadcasts, but are usually limited to one or two weeks at a time. In June 1992, the then Australian Broadcasting Tribunal granted a full time community broadcasting licence to the society.
When BLU FM started it was on air for just four days a week. By the end of its first year this had increased to seven days a week. In 1994 the station purchased a satellite dish
Satellite dish
A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...
to enable it to receive the CBAA
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is a peak body and the national representative organisation for community radio and television stations in Australia. The CBAA provide leadership, advocacy and support for members to actively provide independent broadcasting services and to build...
Community Radio Network
Community Radio Network (Australia)
The Community Radio Network in Australia is a satellite program feed available to subscribing community radio stations. It was created and is managed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia . The CRN does not produce the programs that are broadcast on the feed, but acts as a...
program feed, allowing BLU FM to broadcast 24 hours a day. The Society celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2007.
In August 2008 BLU FM obtained a license to broadcast on the Internet and began implementing Internet streaming systems. The Internet stream and web hosting for the BLU FM website was provided by a sponsor.
Current
BLUyouth is a recent initiative set up as part of BLU FM, to help the young community of the Blue Mountains . It runs in three components: youth shows on BLU FM, attracting youth listeners and BLUyouth onlineONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
. As well as its on air presence, BLUyouth organsies local gigs and fundraising for the station. Because BLU FM is the only locally based broadcaster, it has agreements with local emergency services
State Emergency Service
A State Emergency Service is an Australian volunteer organisation that provides emergency help during and after declared disasters. The SES is also the primary or secondary agency for emergencies, such as storm damage,flood damage, building damage, traffic hazards and road crash rescue...
to broadcast information in times of natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
such as flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing and bushfires. BLU FM is a key supporter of the local music industry both on air and in the community, helping to organise and run the Battle of the Bands every May and Blue Mountains Music Week in November.
Programming
The station’s current programs cover a range of music styles including jazz, countryCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and blues as well as coverage of local issues and events. The weekly Mountains of Music features only local bands and musicians.