2KA
Encyclopedia
2KA was an Australian radio station
, licensed to Katoomba
, New South Wales
, and serving the Blue Mountains area of western Sydney
. It was launched on 7 September 1935.
In December 1937 the station moved from 1160kHz to 780kHz. The station transmitted on 783 kHz on the AM
band, with a translator station on 1476 kHz at Emu Plains
.
Before the station launched its Emu Plains based translator in the late 1970s, it was exclusively a Blue Mountains based licence. The new frequency, 1476 kHz, enabled programmers to extend the audience reach to Penrith
, and draw revenue from businesses in the area. To combat the potential damage to their Sydney
audiences at the time, a number of Sydney radio stations bought the licence and experimented with various automated technologies, none of which were seriously designed to draw mass audiences.
Australian television personality Mike Walsh bought the licence in 1983, and worked to advance his vision of developing a successful business model and innovative entertainment product.
The station, which had been broadcasting from a studio in Borec House, at the corner of Station Street and Henry Street in Penrith, developed a new studio at the intersection of Henry and Lawson Streets. It adjoined a cinema complex, which was also owned by Walsh.
On 23 October 1992 at 1:00 PM, it converted to the FM band and became One FM, and later 96.1FM. The station had paid just $46,000 dollars to convert to the FM band, which was considered a bargain, noting it covered a considerable area of Sydney, and the record amounts of money being paid by other AM stations to convert to FM. In order to be granted the licence the owners, 'Hayden Nepean Broadcasting', had to agree to comply with regulations regarding local content and the stations overall focus on the local community.
The licence for the station was sold by Walsh in 1997 to the Australian Radio Network (ARN).
The 1476 kHz translator is now a standalone station in its own right, as Cool Country Radio. In October 2006, they were re-branded Cool Country 2KA, resurrecting the defunct call sign.
The original station is now known as Edge 96.1
, owned by Australian Radio Network
since 1997.
From 1967 until 1993, 2KA broadcast all of the Penrith Panthers rugby league games live. By far the longest serving of the commentators was the late Frank Ley, who broadcast the games from the mid-1970s until his retirement in 1991. Brian Sanders took over the calling from Frank, and appointed former Penrith
and Canterbury
player Darryl Brohman
as his expert analyst. Brohman is now with 2GB
's Continuous Call Team
.
Former announcers include:
Current announcers include:
Newsreaders that have worked at 2KA:
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
, licensed to 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...
, 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...
, and serving the Blue Mountains area of western Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. It was launched on 7 September 1935.
In December 1937 the station moved from 1160kHz to 780kHz. The station transmitted on 783 kHz on the AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
band, with a translator station on 1476 kHz at Emu Plains
Emu Plains, New South Wales
Emu Plains is a town, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Emu Plains is located 58 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Penrith and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
.
Before the station launched its Emu Plains based translator in the late 1970s, it was exclusively a Blue Mountains based licence. The new frequency, 1476 kHz, enabled programmers to extend the audience reach to Penrith
Penrith, New South Wales
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is located west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Penrith...
, and draw revenue from businesses in the area. To combat the potential damage to their Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
audiences at the time, a number of Sydney radio stations bought the licence and experimented with various automated technologies, none of which were seriously designed to draw mass audiences.
Australian television personality Mike Walsh bought the licence in 1983, and worked to advance his vision of developing a successful business model and innovative entertainment product.
The station, which had been broadcasting from a studio in Borec House, at the corner of Station Street and Henry Street in Penrith, developed a new studio at the intersection of Henry and Lawson Streets. It adjoined a cinema complex, which was also owned by Walsh.
On 23 October 1992 at 1:00 PM, it converted to the FM band and became One FM, and later 96.1FM. The station had paid just $46,000 dollars to convert to the FM band, which was considered a bargain, noting it covered a considerable area of Sydney, and the record amounts of money being paid by other AM stations to convert to FM. In order to be granted the licence the owners, 'Hayden Nepean Broadcasting', had to agree to comply with regulations regarding local content and the stations overall focus on the local community.
The licence for the station was sold by Walsh in 1997 to the Australian Radio Network (ARN).
The 1476 kHz translator is now a standalone station in its own right, as Cool Country Radio. In October 2006, they were re-branded Cool Country 2KA, resurrecting the defunct call sign.
The original station is now known as Edge 96.1
Edge 96.1
The Edge 96.One is a music radio station based in outer Sydney, Australia but licensed to Katoomba. It is operated by the Australian Radio Network.-History:...
, owned by Australian Radio Network
Australian Radio Network
The Australian Radio Network is a group of commercial radio stations around Australia and New Zealand. A joint venture of Australian media conglomerate APN News & Media and United States radio company Clear Channel Communications, the group is the largest radio company in Australasia...
since 1997.
From 1967 until 1993, 2KA broadcast all of the Penrith Panthers rugby league games live. By far the longest serving of the commentators was the late Frank Ley, who broadcast the games from the mid-1970s until his retirement in 1991. Brian Sanders took over the calling from Frank, and appointed former Penrith
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
and Canterbury
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
player Darryl Brohman
Darryl Brohman
Darryl Brohman is an Australian former rugby league footballer, commentator and media personality. Brohman is best known for his time playing for the Penrith Panthers and the Queensland rugby league team...
as his expert analyst. Brohman is now with 2GB
2GB
2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926...
's Continuous Call Team
Continuous Call Team
The Continuous Call Team is an Australian radio sports program, covering the news and live games of the National Rugby League. It is produced and broadcast by 2GB Sydney, and is relayed to stations in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and Papua New Guinea.The team have...
.
Former announcers include:
- Peter HandPeter HandPeter Hand is an Australian radio personality and journalist, known for campaigning for reform in Australian radio, particularly commercial talk stations.- Early life :...
- Greg Evans (95 3SRFM Shepparton)
- Ian Maurice (4BC Brisbane Nights)
- Leon BynerLeon BynerLeon Byner in an Australian broadcaster who started his radio career in 1966 in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia. Byner currently hosts a morning talk show on radio station 5AA FIVEaa in Adelaide. During his career Byner has worked on radio in every Australian state capital since...
(5AA Adelaide Mornings) - Ron CaseyRon Casey (Sydney broadcaster)Ronald Arthur Casey, OAM, was a former colourful television presenter, sports journalist and talk-back radio host based in Sydney, Australia. His nickname was The Case....
- Mark Condon (voice overs and documentaries)
- Selwyn Jones
- Glen O'Brien
- Peter Saxon (Radiowise)
- Mike Stanley
- John O'Callaghan (son of 2UE legend Gary)
- Richard Perno (2DU Dubbo)
- Walter Williams (4BC, Brisbane)
- Rob Gooda (Wave FM, Wollongong)
- Richard Mercer (MIX 106.5 Nights)
- Mal Lees (ex Club VegClub VegClub Veg was a popular Australian radio show and comedic partnership consisting of Mal Lees and Vic Davies on Triple M.-Career:...
and now on 102.9 Hot Tomato Gold Coast) - Vic Davies (ex Club VegClub VegClub Veg was a popular Australian radio show and comedic partnership consisting of Mal Lees and Vic Davies on Triple M.-Career:...
(deceased) - Brian Sanders (2Day & Triple M Traffic Reporter "Sando")
- Jason Bouman (Australian Traffic Network & Vintage 87.6)
- Reg Dowton (Bay FM 99.3)
- Tad Pierson (http://www.thedarknebula.com & sometimes at 2GN, Goulburn)
- Kerry Denten (voice overs)
- David Archer (c91.3 & Vintage 87.6)
- Adrian Zorec (heard as an imaging voice on 2UE)
- Ian Taylor
- Warren Purchase (traffic reporter with NXFM and KOFM Newcastle plus 2CA & 2CC Canberra)
- Pete Wagstaff (UK Radio)
- Mark Wyman
- Tim Williams
- Ward Austin (deceased)
Current announcers include:
- John Bond
- Cameron Syrett
- Dean Mackin
- Aleta Tulk
- Deb Porter
- David Bunt
- Julie Talbot
- Kix Brooks
Newsreaders that have worked at 2KA:
- Allan Rawson (deceased)
- Peter Hand
- Shon Walker (ABC NewsRadio)
- Jenny Tallmen
- Kerryn Banks (News Anchor for WIN TV)
- Paul Bentley
- Lindsay Bennett
External links
- http://www.coolcountryradio.com.au Official Website