Radio World, June 2, 2025
Four FM stations serving Geelong join forces with the NV5-LT
Read online at Radio World Magazine.
In Drysdale, Victoria, Australia, Grant Broadcasters and local community broadcasters have upgraded four stations with Nautel NV5-LT transmitters.
Four 56 kW ERP stations on 93.9, 94.7, 95.5 and 96.3 broadcast from a 122-meter (400-foot) tower on Murradoc Hill. Numerous links and radio communications services also use the tower, and it is the major transmission facility for Australia’s Geelong and Surf Coast regions.
John Sandles, the head of technology at Grant Broadcasters, built the facility in 1990 and has overseen it since. For the last 35 years, the FM stations used valve output-type transmitters.
Seeking greater energy efficiency, he oversaw the rebuilding of the Murradoc Hill site this year with electrical and cooling systems and six new Nautel transmitters.
Sandles highlighted the unique cooperation between the two commercial FMs — Bay 93.9 and K Rock 95.5, owned by Grant — and 94.7 The Pulse and 96three FM, which are Geelong community stations. The four stations combined funds to purchase power-efficient air-cooled solid-state transmitters.
He identified the Nautel NV5-LT model. Preparation for the switchover took several weeks, with electrical work completed and cooling systems installed.
John Sandles, Grant Broadcasters’ head of technology, with the four new Nautel NV5-LTs.
Sandles said that the Murradoc Hill site was converted from a through-air system, suitable for valve technology, to a closed-air system.
When the NV5-LTs were in the final leg of their freight journey, the old valve transmitters were decommissioned and removed from the site. This allowed for quick unpacking, electrical connection and RF plumbing installation of the new Nautels upon arrival.
“From freight arrival to on-air took just over a day,” Sandles said.
The transmitters went on the air March 13, just prior to his departure for the NAB Show. Sandles was the initiator and facilitator of the collaboration between all of the stations and worked with Karen Olliver, the Australian Nautel agent at Sonifex.
Dean Gray, the broadcast engineer at Grant Broadcaster’s Geelong stations, assisted with the installation, which included changes to the audio rack, RF switching, dummy loads and telemetry. The facility uses WheatNet IP for sending audio directly to the site via multiple IP links.
Bay 93.9 and K Rock 95.5 also installed two additional Nautel VX2 transmitters as auxiliaries.
The power output of the previous valve transmitters matched that of the new solid-state Nautels, so listeners might not notice a huge change, but Sandles said they represent a significant technological improvement.
