2YOU

88.9 FM Tamworth

City	Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Broadcast area	Tamworth, New England and The Northwest
Branding	Tamworth's 88.9FM
Slogan	We Are Family
Frequency	88.9 mHz FM
First air date	16 July 1983[1]
Format	'60s, '70s, '80s and the best in Country
ERP	3,000 watts
Class	Community radio
Former callsigns	2YOUFM (1983–2014)
Former frequencies	95.5 mHz (1983–1999)[2]
Owner	Tamworth Broadcasting Society Inc
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	889fmtamworth.com.au

2YOU FM also known as RADIO 88.9FM is a licensed community radio station broadcasting from Tamworth, NSW, Australia. The station has been broadcasting for over 30 years across New England and Northwest NSW. It is, and is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). The station aims to be a local voice for the Tamworth New England and Northwest area, offering regional news, outside broadcast and coverage of major events.

2YOUFM Beginnings

2YOUFM started in tiny studios out back of the old computer fiscal building in Marius street in Tamworth, although the studio, administration and library were actually in the rear off Dowe Ave in the old laundry rooms. The studio was lined with egg cartons for insulation it had two B&W turntables, a cassette player, a six slider panel and a microphone. From such humble beginnings 2 YOU FM had moved twice more, to 324A Peel street in 1984 and to current Darling Street Tamworth.^[3]

After over 20 years of operation it moved into the National Trust Railway Gatekeeper's Building in East Tamworth, in 2013 2YOUFM faced serious financial issues created by increase running costs and lack of sponsor support. The newly appointed directors faced some serious considerations on the stations future.They appointed a senior radio broadcast manager and he implemented a previous conducted survey of what the market both thought and required of the station. Management implemented a robust plan that was put into place to correct the stations financial problems including implementing the research. The station adopted an aggressive new image and station format early 2014.

Changement to 88.9FM

2YOUFM now became 88.9 FM this included music formats, contracted a national voice-over production studios to compliment a strong music format.

The previous format was changed from numerous music genres and "ad hoc programs" that had poor listening audience into a format of '60s, '70s, '80s and the best in country.^[4] Regular shifts across the board were implemented, new image jingles, regional news from 88.9fm newsroom plus Macquarie National News cross promotion with Prime 7 Television, and major sponsors. The reaction from across the broadcast area was almost immediate and revenue increased from sponsors following the stations aggressive marketing plus funds on hand allowed a complete overhaul of new digital production studios, to meet growing sponsor needs, upgrades of main studio, new formats and computer program schedules, utilising the Maximation broadcast system. An upgrade of the transmission tower, antenna array and a new and more powerful transmitter to allow the station to now broadcast clearly to its broadcast licensed area.

Tamworth Buslines No. 11 Displaying Tamworth's 88.9FM Advertisement (May 2017)

The station broadcasts from its own building and tower from Bald Hill at 956-meter's 5 kilometres east of Tamworth with 3,000 watts ERP and reaches over 90,000 people in its broadcast coverage, including Tamworth City, Tamworth Regional, Gunnedah, Manilla, Quirindi and various towns in New England and The Northwest of New South Wales.^[5]

Programme

There is a mixed listening program format '60s, '70s & '80s and the best in country.^[4] 88.9FM operates Locally from Tamworth 24/7. Including, Breakfast, Morning, Afternoon, Drive, Night's and Weekends.

Popular programmes on 88.9 FM include: [[James Wright (doctor), Howdy's Dateline, Cactus, The Passing Parade, Nashville Access and Regional News. 6 O'clock specials

Income

The station earns income mainly from sponsors, outside broadcasts and membership. Sponsorship takes the form of payment for on-air promotions of local business from a set Rate Card.

88.9 FM has a full-time staff of 14. Including administration, production, engineering, two full time sales personnel, five permanent casuals, and five volunteers.

Technical data

• Frequency – 88.9FM
• Licensed Power – 3 Kw.
• Broadcasts Site – Bald Hill, 938 Metres high, 5 kilometres east of Tamworth City
• Effective Radiated Power (ERP) – 3000 watts / 3 Kilowatts
• Transmitter 1 – 1,500 watt 2016 BWTX 21,000 FM Transmitter into twin array omni antennae
• Transmitter 2 – 1,000 watt BWTX 1,000
• Full emergency backup power
• Automation System – Studio's A,C,D Newsroom all interfaced through automation;"Maximation 7"
• Production; "Adobe Audition"
• Desk; Elan 'Kestral 12'Studio in A, Studio B custom auditron news/producers desk, C Studio Elan "Merlin" Studio C set up with full digital editing facilities.

Related links

• 88.9FM Official website
• CBAA website

Coordinates: 31°05′30″S 150°55′51″E / 31.091743°S 150.930821°E / -31.091743; 150.930821

References