The ABC Perth Radio has, this morning, switched to FM.
The AM stations will simulcast for a short period.
Note also there are some alterations to other FM station frequencies.
https://radiotoday.com.au/join-abc-perth-as-they-launch-on-fm-where-to-find-community-stations-displaced-by-the-move/
Chris Martin, Qld Gold Coast, Australia (2026-02-23)
The Medium Wave radio station in Larkana has been off air since January 2026, while the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) headquarters has failed to respond to repeated requests and correspondence from local officials.
Sources at PBC House Larkana told Dawn on Wednesday that the 100-kilowatt transmitter installed at Chuharpur village has been lying idle due to a fault. Transmission on 1053 kilohertz Medium Wave has remained suspended.
In a letter dated Jan 14, 2026, the In-charge of the High Power Transmitter (HPT) in Larkana informed PBC headquarters that the Medium Wave transmitter developed a fault during routine operation at 9pm on Jan 12, 2026.
The main power supply from the grid station tripped, which caused the transmitter to go off air. Sources said the transmitter had already been facing continuous faults, reducing its output from 100kW to between 15 and 20kW.
The Frequency Modulation (FM) transmitter, installed in Larkana in 1995, has also been affected after the shifting of its tower from PBC Larkana to the High Power Transmitter relay station in Chuharpur in 2025. A PBC official described the Medium Wave transmitter as being “on ventilator”.
Sources said the relocation of the Studio Transmission Link (STL) from its original site in Larkana to the HPT had also disrupted FM 101.4 transmissions.
Another source at the HPT said the transmitter’s motherboard developed a fault in 2021 and has not been replaced since. No spare parts have been supplied since 2017 to handle emergencies, the sources added.
“We do not have the funds to set things right,” a radio official told this correspondent.
In a written communication to the Deputy Controller HPT Landhi, the Deputy Controller HPT Larkana stated that on Jan 13, 2026 voltage fluctuations were observed in the main power supply, causing noise in the three-phase AVR system. A complaint was lodged with the Line Superintendent of SEPCO Larkana Subdivision. The fault was resolved after sunset and voltage stabilised. However, when attempts were made to restore transmission, the transmitter failed to remain on air.
He further stated that no power supply readings were available in the circuit, and the matter was reported to the Regional Coordinator (Sindh).
The communication added that the main AUI system of the transmitter has remained out of circuit since 2021 due to the faulty motherboard, resulting in a complete loss of transmitter monitoring.
Listeners have urged the federal government to intervene and ensure the early restoration of the Medium Wave transmission of PBC Larkana.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1974203/larkanas-medium-wave-radio-station-off-air-since-january
Published in Dawn (2026-02-19)
ABC Radio moves from AM to FM signals the end of an era for Perth listeners
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-15/perth-am-to-fm-switch-goes-ahead/106343336
Alokesh Gupta to WOR iog (2026-02-15)
720 ABC has reduced their TX power or radiation pattern significantly in preparation for the FM switchover on 23rd Feb. With reports of much weaker reception east of Perth. No change to 810 ABC RN TX levels.
Alek Zapara via ICDX-AM iog (2026-02-10)
Peter Jackson (VK6KXW) emailed the following Perth ABC MW to FM transition article:
ABC Radio move to FM signals the end of an era for Perth listeners.
With the ABC’s three Perth radio stations switching from AM to the FM band, it is the end of an era for the 94-year-old transmitter in Hamersley.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-15/perth-am-to-fm-switch-goes-ahead/106343336
Todd Emslie to ICDX-AM iog (2026-02-10)
Closure of Radio Guernsey and Radio Jersey on medium wave/closure of 5 Live from the Bexhill transmitter.
Posted today on BBC Reception, Latest Works and Warnings
“We are closing Radio Guernsey and Radio Jersey on MW on the 31st March 2026. This will not affect listeners who use FM, DAB, digital TV or the internet to listen.”
Goes on to give alternatives for both stations.
FAQ’s include:
Why have these particular transmitters been chosen?
We assessed the coverage of each BBC Local Radio station on FM, MW and digital radio which highlighted stations where medium wave transmitters duplicated good FM or digital radio coverage. Following the roll-out of DAB across the Channel Islands in 2021, there is duplication between medium wave, FM and DAB. With the ability to listen via FM, DAB, Freeview and online, medium wave transmitters are unlikely to be value for money in the longer term.
Is the BBC switching off medium wave?
Several services have been removed from Medium Wave over the past 10 years as the audience has moved to alternative ways of listening. Newer platforms provide an improved listening experience which medium wave cannot provide such as stereo audio. The medium wave estate will continue to be reviewed periodically to review value for money.
Is this the start of a digital switchover for radio?
No. This is a limited switch-off of medium wave transmitters to ensure the BBC maintains a balanced distribution portfolio, including FM.
Does the BBC plan to remove Local Radio from FM?
There are no plans to remove BBC Local Radio from FM.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/latest-updates/mw-closures
The closure of the Bexhill transmitter announcement gives no date, says to retune to 909 or used DAB, TV, online or smart speaker.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/latest-updates/closure-bexhill
Mike Barraclough to MWCircle iog (2026-02-12)
Silent Notifications
Brantley Broadcast Associates’ 1390 WWTM Mooresville AL (Winter storm damage)
De La Hunt Media’s 1570 KAKK Walker MN (No reason given)
Roser Communications’ 1570 WVTL Amsterdam NY (Operation costs/to be sold)
Delmarva Educational Association’s 1110 WTJZ Norfolk VA (Re-evaluate relocation options)
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/339044/fcc-report-2-8-orlando-area-am-proposes-frequency-change/
Radio Insight (2026-02-08)
ABC Perth, West Australia, news for c/o date.
The ABC has confirmed the date for its switch to FM, according to the following post from the ABC Perth Facebook page:
ABC Radio listeners in Perth will experience significantly improved audio quality, from February 23, when ABC Radio Perth switches from 720 AM transmission to 102.5 FM (100 Kw).
ABC AM services will continue in regional and remote WA areas and the move to FM in Perth will not have an impact on the ABC’s commitment to emergency broadcasting or Parliament broadcasting.
Radio National 810 AM, will also make the switch, to 103.3FM (100 Kw) and ABC NewsRadio will be found on 104.1FM (100 Kw).
The ABC Radio Perth and Radio National AM services will cease shortly after our FM broadcasts are fully operational.
Chris M to IRCA iog (2026-02-03)
I notice 6PB, 10kW on 585 is co-located and multiplexed on the same Hamersley Mast as both ABC 720 and 810.
I wonder if they will also go silent? Could they afford to take on all mainatinance cost of that mast alone with out ABC?
Steve ve6wz to IRCA iog (2026-02-03)
Bretagne 5 could be heard on 1593 kHz across a significant part of western Europe during the night, until early november 2023 when they suddenly dissapeared from MW and were never heard again. Only an extremely weak carrier could be detected, probably (DF bearing) from the Romanian stations that also transmit on 1593 kHz.
Some months later, Bretagne 5 was no longer listed on MWlist.org. However, their website made no mention of the failure and still advertised 1593 kHz MW as their frequency. In september 2024, the Arcom (French broadcast authority) renewed Bretagne 5’s MW license for 5 years, starting on April 20th, 2025 (source: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000050475774).
The Twente WebSDR waterfall archive (http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/fullday/) shows that, on every date until November 1st, 2023 (inclusive), a strong signal is present all night long on 1593 kHz. On November 2nd, 2023, such a signal is initially present but stops at 3:19 UTC, leaving only another, very faint signal visible. Then a strong signal starts at 3:44 UTC, fades out with sunrise, fades back in with sunset and stops at 2003 UTC. On all the following nights, a strong signal fades in with sunset, goes off around 2000 UTC and back on around 3:45 UTC; this matches the Romanian transmitters’ schedule.
But the disappearance of a signal at 0319 UTC on November 2nd is a unique pattern, and no station is scheduled to sign off at that time. This is however constistent with the date of disappearance of Bretagne 5’s signal. Furthermore, no issue with the Romanian transmitters was reported at this period.
On that night, there was storm Ciaran, winds up to 207 km/h were observed in Brittany (Pointe du Raz), the peak of the storm occuring between 3 and 4 UTC (source: https://www.ouest-france.fr/meteo/tempete/la-tempete-ciaran-commence-fort-en-finistere-des-rafales-de-vent-a-150-km-h-deja-relevees-b6cf9680-78e0-11ee-8fc9-410e7fd09adf – times in this source are UTC+1). This storm is known to have caused considerable damage.
We can conclude that Bretagne 5 went “silent key” on November 2nd, 2023, 3:19 UTC, due to that damage. However, on the the satellite images of Saint-Gouéno transmitter taken in May 2025 and published in January 2026, the 45 m tall antenna is still standing and apparently intact compared with the previous images from 2021. Therefore, the nature and extent of the damage cannot be determined from this sole information. The current images can be seen at https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/carte?c=-2.5494402106407525,48.30548507974305&z=19&l0=ORTHOIMAGERY.ORTHOPHOTOS::GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes
Are there any other examples of a station unexpectedly closing down against their own will, by accident?
Bretagne 5 was the last French MW station. There is a 1467 kHz transmitter in Roumoules, but it is extraterritorial and the programmes are not in french. Therefore, the only French station broadcasting in AM is now Radio France International (RFI) on shortwave.
Since the closedown of Bretagne 5 was not scheduled, it is very unlikely to have been recorded as audio. However, I have an audio clip that I recorded in October 2023; please let me know if you are interested.
Vincent F4HPZ (2026-02-02)
WTOC-1360 Newton NJ to go dark.
WTOC-1360 Newton NJ informed the FCC on Friday that it will take the station silent on Monday, February 2, with the intention of surrendering the license before the end of February. If you need them, time is running out!
David Yocis to IRCA iog (2026-02-01)
At November 7th 2013 (Broadcaster`s Day) President Dilma Rousseff signed the decree 8.139 – The migration from AM to FM started.
The first station to close AM and start FM was Rádio Progresso FM in Juazeiro de Norte from 1310 kHz to 97.9 MHz. At the end of 2025 there are 1214 stations that have migrated from AM to FM and that physically pulled the plug. (tudoradio.com)
Arctic Radio Club mw-eko via WOR iog (2026-01-20)