Celebrating 50 years since 2JJ launched.
2JJ – Double Jay – was Australia’s first non-commercial, 24-hour rock radio station for young people, launching on 1540 kHz AM in Sydney on 19 January 1975.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the station’s launch, the first 12 hours of 2JJ’s day on air now are being rebroadcast on the Double J digital station which is also available online through ABC Listen at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej
Poor transmitter quality limited the station’s each across Sydney, and actuallt led to threats of industrial action by staff. Nothing was done to improve the transmitter until 1980 when the station switched to 105.7 FM and became 2JJJ – Triple J. The station expanded into a national FM network during the 1990s.
Matt Francis, Bilgola Plateau, NSW, Australia to ICDX-AM iog (2025-01-19)
I remember hearing 2JJ Sydney testing on 1540kHz and later the opening. Back then I was living in Marrickville, south west of Sydney.
Just prior to 2JJ coming to air, they had to move 2CN Canberra ACT, which was then using 1540kHz, to 1440kHz to allow space.
Here is a recording that I made of the 2JJ test broadcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAcHqVvTWnY
I remember there were some “intellectual’ listeners, who complained about the station’s “horrific music format” as it was referred. One electronic store even advertised 2JJ blockers for sale. Not sure if they actually worked or how many were sold at the time. Grin!!!
Robert Copeman to ICDX-AM iog (2025-01-19)