Switch 1197
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| Broadcast area | Brisbane |
|---|---|
| First air date | 2002 |
| Frequency | 1197 kHz AM |
| Format | Dance, Pop |
| Owner | Switch 1197 |
| Website | http://www.switch1197.com |
Switch 1197 is operated by Brisbane Interactive Radio Group Inc (BIRGI). BIRGI are a broad-based community minded youth focussed broadcasting organisation based in Brisbane Queensland, Australia. Switch 1197's official licensed callsign is 4BI however it is identified on air as Switch 1197. Originally test broadcast under this name in late 2002, it changed to i1197 for a period before permanently returning to its original identifier Switch 1197 in early 2005.
[edit] History
Previous to 2002, BIRGI operated on government issued temporary licences for short periods on the FM broadcasting band at 97.3 MHz. This frequency was auctioned to commercial broadcaster MIX-FM (Australian Radio Network in association with DMG Radio Australia).
In 2002, the government broadcasting regulator, the Australian Broadcasting Authority, granted a high powered FM community licence to Christian broadcaster 96five Family FM on 96.5 MHz, and a high powered AM community licence to BIRGI on 1197 kHz which broadcasts under the name Switch 1197.
In 2004, Switch 1197 was the first radio station in Australia to stream with Orban Opticodec aacPlus technology - this allows better than FM quality at only 32kbps. You can listen to the aacPlus stream if you have Winamp here, or alternatively you can download the free Orban Opticodec plugin for Windows Media Player here and click here to play. A CD quality 128kbps MP3 stream is also available here.
In 2006, Switch 1197 added a PIPE Networks relay of the 128kbps and aacPlus streams that certain ISPS provide as unmetered traffic, allowing extended listening without impacting download allowances. This stream is available here.
One of the station's longest serving members is Scott Mitchell, known on-air as Smitchie. For the last three years, Mitchell has presented the drive program (3-6pm) as well as Outside Broadcasts and guest spots in other programs.
[edit] Statement
From their own website, Switch 1197, states:
Switch 1197 is owned and operated by Brisbane Interactive Radio Group Inc. (BIRGI) and was founded in 1999. The original founding members included Matthew Boyd, Andrew Stephens, Tim Casey and Cassandra Myles. After a year of trying to make it happen, the Australian Broadcast Authority gave them permission to hit the Brisbane Airwaves, and ironically enough, the news came in on Matty's birthday (of all days!). So after completing 6 test transmissions as Switch FM along side other fellow aspirant broadcasters on the 97.3 FM frequency, BIRGI was given a full time community radio broadcasting licence by the Australian Broadcast Authority in early 2002. Switch 1197 began test transmissions in late 2002 and began full time broadcasting at 8am on April 7th 2003, identifying as i1197. Then, after popular demand, we decided to 'Make the Switch' in January 2005. Since then, we have supplied the youth of Brisbane, with our specially oriented mix of music. Our prime musical format includes Upbeat Pop, Dance and Top 40, to all those favourite Classic 80s Hits. Switch 1197 is non-profit organisation, which solely relies on Sponsorships, Memberships and the generosity of the Brisbane community to keep us going. Our aim is to offer the youth of Brisbane an opportunity to get into the radio industry, as well as get in touch with the wider Brisbane community.
