4EB

Specialised Radio to suit people who speak a language other than English as well as those of you who have a keen interest in culture. Brisbane's only multilingual radio station broadcasting 24/7 'Sharing the World with you' in over 50 different languages including a variety of programs in English. 4EB FM 98.1 has studios located at 140 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane under the Story Bridge with a sound proof digital recording studio.

HISTORY:

Ethnic Radio in Brisbane has come a long way. From its humble beginnings above a Greek Bakery in West End, Radio 4EB has made its mark as one of the more successful ethnic radio stations, and probably one of the better community broadcasters in Australia. But 4EB's story starts well before its days in West End. The First test broadcast of the Ethnic Broadcasting Association of Queensland (EBAQ), formed by a group of Brisbane residents interested in creating an ethnic radio station, took place from the top floor of the Ridge Motel, Spring Hill in 1977.

In August 1978, the EBAQ applied for an "S" class public broadcasting license. The license was granted, and on 1 December, 1979, Radio 4EB commenced broadcasting above the now legendary bakery. The studio, if it could be called that, was hardly bigger than a domestic pantry, but the members of 4EB were proud of it! At this stage there were around 20 language groups involved and approximately 800 members. Broadcasting took place after 4pm and before 11am, the rest of the time was spent training panel operators to keep up with the demand for on air programming.

Emmy Stephan was a volunteer with 4EB for 27 years who also did the "Dutch" program and was well known for her "Hello! Beautiful Brisbane" call sign. She organised the R.A.T.S. "Mum" (Radio Active Teenage Show), which included people such as Anthony Frangi, Scott Maimen and Damian Currie who have gone on to Careers in Radio and Television. By 1981, 4EB moved to new larger premises in Montague Road, West End, and commenced full time broadcasting, 24 hours a day. But 4EB's sights were set on bigger and more permanent things, and in 1984 fundraising began in earnest to raise enough money for the station to buy its security in land and a building. At the same time the frequency was changed from 1485am to 1053am and the power was increased from 107 watts to 500 watts, ensuring the sound of 4EB truly serviced the ethnic communities of greater Brisbane. In 1988, a new beginning for 4EB began when a purpose built heritage style building was completed at 140 Main Street in Kangaroo Point and the station finally had secured a permanent home and its future.

Today, 4EB has over 4500 members and facilitates over 50 language groups from around the world, providing them with state of the art technology to broadcast information, entertainment and education out to listeners, both to their community members, and to the wider community who may be interested in the richness of our multicultural society. To many listeners, 4EB is their only source of information recent arrivals to Brisbane, it is the primary source of local community information and settlement advice. Wolfgang Kreuzer who has been with 4EB prior to the first broadcast 1979, is still involved broadcasting today alongside many long term volunteers who have dedicated themselves to the community through 4EB.

On 1 December, 2001 at 12.01 pm Radio 4EB commenced broadcasting in stereo at 98.1FM. The progress at 4EB has taken place with large amount of hard work and dedication by staff, the board and volunteers and funding. As 4EB FM has grown, so too has the listenership: 4EB FM is the only full time local ethnic broadcaster based in Brisbane, Queensland. Over 300,000 people living in Brisbane were born overseas Queensland's population is continually increasing as more people migrate to the region 4EB FM offers programs that many people from English speaking backgrounds prefer as an alternative to commercial radio As well as these language groups, 4EB broadcasts a variety of entertainment and information programs including Brisbane Spectrum, news from the Queensland University of Technology, Women's Profile and more.

4EB FM 98.1 was previously known as Radio 4EB 1053am and then changed to 4EB FM 98.1 on the Fine Music Band. Broadcasting from AM to FM On 1 December 2001 at 12.01am, 4EB 98.1 commenced broadcasting in the FM band. After many years of planning, 4EB's move to the FM band was well within sight. The ABA (Australian Broadcasting Authority) released their final LAP (Licence Area Plan) for Brisbane which recommended a change in frequency for 4EB from 1053kHZ AM to 98.1Mhz FM. The official process of submitting a form for a change of "technical operating conditions" was completed and the ABA forwarded the much coveted FM licencewithin a few weeks. At the time, we have to buy 2 new transmitters - one main and one standby, negotiate a place on Mt Coot-ha and organise a way of getting our signal there. This was a long process of careful planning, followed by a long process of implementation. We have listeners from as far away as Gympie in the North, over the border in New South Wales and west to Toowoomba.