2RPH
 | |
| Broadcast area | Sydney |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1224kHzAM 100.5MHzFMEastern Sydney |
| Programming | |
| Format | Radio reading service |
| Affiliations | Radio Print Handicapped Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Radio 2RPH Co-operative Ltd |
| History | |
First air date | 18 April 1983 |
Call signmeaning | 2= New South Wales Radio for the Handicapped |
| Technical information | |
| Class | Community radio |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Sydney Newcastle and Lower Hunter Wollongong and Illawarra (direct MP3 streams) |
| Website | Official website |
2RPHis an Australianradio reading servicethat reads newspapers and magazines for the benefit of those who have difficulties reading for themselves.[1]It is theSydneystation of theRPH Network.[2]
The 2RPH Sydney and 3RPH Melbourne were available free to air (no smartcard required) on theOptus Auroraradio platform viaOptus C1before the switch over to the more restrictiveVASTplatform. Now only the3RPHMelbourne service is the onlyRPHservice available free-to-air onOptus C1.
History
[edit]The need for a radio reading service was realised inNew South Walesin 1983 with the establishment of 2RPH as aCommunity Benefit Organisation,incorporated as a Co-operative Society. The station began operating on 18 April 1983.
The first broadcast frequency was off the main broadcast band (1629 kHz), and was thus unsuitable, as many people could not receive the station. The problem was partly resolved by a move to a more suitable band location (1539 kHz, in 1991), and further in 1993 when theCommonwealth Governmentprovided the station with transmission facilities previously used by commercial station2WS.These facilities are still in use and provide a strong signal to most parts of Greater Sydney and some suburbs outside the metropolitan area.[3]
In 2023, the station changed its name fromRadio for the Print Handicapped NSW Cooperative LimitedtoRadio 2RPH Co-operative Limited.This was in response to the wordhandicappedbeing no longer acceptable in current Australian and global usage.
Audience
[edit]Though specifically designed for the vision-impaired, elderly, and infirm, its accessibility and clear announcers are used byEnglish as a second languageinstructorsto help their students understand the printed materials read from.
Programming
[edit]Volunteers prepare, produce, and present all the programs, including readings from magazines and other publications, which are pre-recorded. Many of these recorded programs are re-broadcast by RPH stations in other parts of Australia and theRadio Reading Servicein New Zealand. 2RPH is the largest supplier of programs to the national network feed.
Applicants for on-air work must pass an audition carefully designed to demonstrate their skills at reading aloud. Volunteer positions are often available for behind-the-scenes duties.
See also
[edit]- List of radio stations in Australia
- Radio Print Handicapped Network
- Community Radio Network (Australia)
References
[edit]- ^Tory Maguire (7 April 2008)."Radio brings blind into focus".The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).Retrieved4 August2008.
- ^"Value our Voices"(PDF).CBAA.2007. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 25 July 2008.Retrieved4 August2008.
- ^"About 2RPH".2RPH. 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 19 July 2008.Retrieved4 August2008.