Triple B volunteers have been rolling up their sleeves to restore the station’s 93.3 FM signal after the Mt Francis transmitter was decommissioned, leaving parts of the Dorrigo Plateau and surrounding valleys without their usual FM service.
The move marks the end of an era for the community radio station. Established in 1986, the Mt Francis transmitter was a major step forward for local media, helping 2 Triple B reach listeners right across the Shire.
Now, the station is working to keep that legacy alive.
Over the last month, volunteers have been on the ground dismantling the old transmitter site and preparing a temporary site in Dorrigo, while longer-term options are explored.
It is a big job for an all-volunteer organisation, and it is not as simple as moving the transmitter and switching it back on. The relocation involves dismantling equipment, preparing the temporary site, sorting through power and technical requirements, and covering the costs needed to get the service back on air.
The volunteer team will continue working over the coming weeks to get the temporary transmitter operating and restore 93.3 FM to the areas currently without signal.
In the meantime, some parts of the Plateau, particularly around Dorrigo township, may still be able to tune in to 2 Triple B on 107.3 FM. Listeners affected by the loss of the 93.3 FM signal can also stream the station through 2bbb.net.au, iHeart Radio or the Community Radio Plus app.
For more than 40 years, 2 Triple B has shared local voices, music, interviews, community news, outside broadcasts and emergency information across Bellingen Shire. The station is locally owned, locally run and powered by volunteers, with local people giving their time to keep the Shire connected.
The transmitter relocation has created significant unexpected costs for the station, and 2 Triple B is asking listeners, local businesses and supporters of community radio to help keep the signal alive.
Every donation, sponsorship offer or show of support helps the station continue bringing local programs, local music and local emergency information to the Plateau, the valleys and the wider Shire.
Donations can be made through the station’s GoFundMe campaign, with funds going towards the work needed to restore the Plateau signal:
www.gofundme.com/f/933fm-needs-a-new-home-your-support-keeps-the-signal-alive
