The Smart Radio Network – owner of Radio 4VL in Charleville, has invested “a considerable amount of money” to buy a brand new 2.5 KW transmitter for the outback station.

Over the years the station has been plagued by transmission problems, including a flood some years ago which flooded the transmitter and toppled the tower, closing the station at that time.

Network General Manager Damien Fisher believes this new transmitter will be a big improvement for the station.

He told radioinfo:

“Since the beginning of the year we have been sitting on low wattage, which has meant some of our listeners have had problems listening to 4VL, but from November 3rd 4VL should be booming across South West Queensland.

“We currently have repeaters in Cunnamulla and Quilpie, however with the new transmitter we will be able to reach Tambo in the North, Mitchell in the East and possibly down to Cunnamulla in the South on our normal 918AM frequency.”

Fisher, who has been General Manager for 12 months, says that, while it has been “a big challenge,” he and the staff have “turned the radio station around to provide better programming and we have now got more local advertisers using 4VL to promote their business.”

“Our independent network is growing rapidly with the expansion of the Hot Country Network in Emerald, Roma and St George,” says Fisher, signaling increased competition for other stations in the area.

“Another factor that I am extremely proud of is that 4VL is Local. The only network program we take off satellite is the John Laws Show. There aren’t too many regional stations doing that these days… Local all day and all night.”