About Us
Station Profile
2CHR (Central Hunter Community Broadcasters Inc.) is a community radio station based in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia.
The station was formed in 2000 through the amalgamation of two aspirant stations: Cessnock Community Radio (CKRFM) and Radio Maitland (RMFM).
We serve as voice media for the community of the Central Hunter area. The station is operated completely by volunteers from the non-profit organisation - Central Hunter Community Broadcasters Inc.
Training courses in basic radio skills for would be presenters are provided. Other volunteers receive training in production, office and computer skills.
Sponsorship is welcomed and actively sought as a fundraising medium for this non-profit local media outlet.
We broadcast what you, the people of the Central Hunter Valley, told us you want to hear on your local community radio station. We have interviews with local people, local news and weather, sports updates & community announcements.
A Community Station has enormous advantages over a national or commercial station. It provides a service to meet the needs of the local community rather than presenting programs aimed at producing profits.
The whole community therefore benefits rather than just one particular sector. With over 200 Community Stations already operating around Australia, Community Radio has become the largest sector of the broadcast industry.
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Our Goal
To inform and entertain the community of the Central Hunter district through the broadcast of music, entertainment and pertinent local and outside information.
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History
Cessnock Community Radio (CKRFM) was formed in the early 1990's, and in the mid 1990s Radio Maitland (RMFM) came into being. Both were broadcasting on temporary licenses and bidding for a permanent license to broadcast full time.
After years of this it was decided that the best way to get a full time community radio station in the area would be to amalgamate into a single station covering the whole district.
Many meetings were held and the two associations were combined into Central Hunter Community Broadcasters Inc. broadcasting as 2CHR. Combining the two stations provided two studios and the ability to broadcast from either Maitland or Cessnock.
In early 2000, Central Hunter Radio (2CHR) was granted a full time license and continued to broadcast from both Maitland and Cessnock studios. However, in 2001 funding issues made it difficult to operate both studios. Operations were limited to Cessnock studio until two studios might again become viable.
The studios are centrally located at the corner of Maitland Rd. and Vincent St. Cessnock. The transmitter is situated on Bimbadeen to the west of Cessnock.
Amalgamating the two stations into a new one provided access to a much larger audience. A greater area of the community could now be reached and serviced by the one larger organisation.
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Technical Information
Broadcast Frequency: |
96.5 MHz |
Power: |
2KW Directional |
Transmitter Location: |
Bimbadeen, NSW, Australia |
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Contact: |
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Postal Address: |
PO Box 421, Cessnock, NSW, 2325, Australia |
Office Address: |
School Of Arts, 2 Vincent St., Cessnock, NSW, 2325, Australia |
Office Telephone: |
(02) 49911286 |
Studio Telephone: |
(02) 49905965 |
Fax: |
(02) 49911757 |
E-Mail: |
secretary@chrfm.org.au |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is 2CHR?
2CHR is a radio station operating on a full-time community radio
license issued by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) to transmit on
96.5 MHz on the FM band to the Central Hunter Valley area of New South Wales in
Australia. This serves the cities of Maitland and Cessnock and surrounding
districts.
How does it operate?
The members of the non-profit organisation "Central Hunter Broadcasters
Inc." run 2CHR. It is operated, maintained and managed voluntarily by
these members - local people of the Central Hunter Valley - for their
community.
How can I hear 2CHR?
When in the area, tune your radio
to 96.5 MHz on the FM band. Can I work at 2CHR?
Yes - as a volunteer. Become a member and volunteer your time and skills to this valuable community utility.
Training is provided where required.
Volunteers are always needed in the areas of:
Presenter; Administration; Technician; Production; Fundraising; Sponsorship.
Can anyone become a DJ and do they need experience?
Firstly, we call our DJs "Presenters" and no, experience is not necessary.
Most of our presenters had no radio experience when they began. We provide
training in basic radio skills to enable our members to go to air.
If you would like to become a presenter on 2CHR, please contact the
station during business hours through the relevant numbers on our Contact page
Where is 2CHR located?
The office and studios of 2CHR are located in the School of Arts at 2
Vincent St., Cessnock, NSW 2325, Australia.
Where does 2CHR transmit from and where does it cover?
2CHR transmits from the mountain at Bimbadeen, NSW, Australia to the
Central Hunter Valley which includes Maitland and Cessnock metropolitan
areas.
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If 2CHR is a community station, how does it raise money?
Because 2CHR is a community based station the work of volunteers removes
staffing costs. Still, even as a non-profit organisation, there are still
many operational costs.
The station raises money through:
Membership subscriptions - Individuals, families or groups join as members of organisation
Sponsorship - Businesses or organisations who wish to use us as promotional media can sponsor the station and receive on-air acknowledgement.
Fundraising - More hardworking volunteer members run events to raise funds for the station.
Donations and Grants - Funds are sometimes provided by or can be applied for from government and other organisations such as the CBF (Community Broadcasters Foundation). Cessnock and Maitland City Councils are particularly strong supporters of the station.
How does 2CHR promote the station other than on-air?
2CHR regularly does promotions outside the station to raise awareness of
the station and also to encourage the public to become members. These events
usually aim to benefit the station through fundraising and the people of
Central Hunter Valley culturally or as support for a worthy cause such as a
charity. They may be in the form of sponsored concerts at local clubs or
voluntary media support at local events such as the annual "Show" or the
"Budburst Festival".
Quality merchandise is also available from the office - T-shirts,
sweatshirts and bumper stickers, etc...
How long has 2CHR been running?
2CHR has been running in its present form since 2001 when it was granted
its full time license. Please consult our "History" for more information.
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How do I become a member?
To become a member of 2CHR, you should contact the station for a
Membership Application Form. Visit the office during business hours or ring,
write or E-mail us - details are on our Contact page.
Membership is annual and there are various types to suit your needs -
Individual, Family, Concession, etc....
How can I sponsor 2CHR?
Becoming a sponsor of the radio station is similar to becoming a member of
the station, except - sponsors choose the period of their sponsorship, pay
accordingly and receive a regular on-air acknowledgement of their choosing.
Contact the Sponsorship officer through the station office - details are on
our Contact page.
What type of programs does 2CHR present?
All types! 2CHR broadcasts 24-7 with a wide variety of programs to suit
everybody's tastes with a focus on the Community. Consult the
Program Guide to see what time slot, style of show or presenter suits
you.
As presenters are volunteers, they mainly present music and other content
suited to their personal taste. Offensive and socially contentious material
is prohibited.
Of course there are as many items of community interest as possible -
regular local News & Weather, Community Profile, Sport, Focus Groups,
School Talk and Interviews.
Have you any other questions? Send us an e-mail:secretary@chrfm.org.au
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