4RPH 1296 AM

4RPH is a specialist radio provider for the print handicapped

4RPH is a radio station that aims to bring the printed word of books, newspapers and magazines to handicapped listeners through radio. For reasons such as age, literacy problems and disability, many Brisbane residents experience problems accessing information available in print. 4RPH alleviates this problem and moves to close the information gap experienced by this group of people. 4RPH is also an important resource for people who have never been taught to read, and those who are learning to speak and write English as a second language. 4RPH is transmitted on the 1296 AM band.

Voluntary work and assistance is an integral element to the continued operation and success of 4RPH. It is also committed to providing opportunities for the vision impaired persons of the greater Brisbane area by providing training and employment programs at the station.

As a community radio station, 4RPH relies heavily upon sponsorship, membership and community donations to remain financially afloat. The Federal Government , through the Community Broadcasting Foundation, provides 25 per cent of the station’s funding. The other 75 per cent of funding is attained through sponsorships and community donations. Whilst Broadcast Australia Pty Ltd controls the radio transmitter used by 4RPH, it does not have sole control of the station.

During the late 1970s, the American-based idea of an on-air reading service was introduced to Australian shores. In 1978, a public meeting was held to discuss the viability of a print handicapped radio station in Brisbane. It was eventually decided that the radio station 4MBS would host the inaugural Radio Readings, which was simply an hour of on-air newspaper reading on a weekday basis.

In 1984, radio 4RPH was granted a licence and began broadcasting on February 13 for three hours a day. The station’s first presenter was Brian Rowell, remains an announcer, presenter and supporter of 4RPH .

4RPH has grown to become a significant component of the Brisbane community radio scene, whilst providing an invaluable service to a specific group of people. In addition to the Brisbane station, 4RPH is now transmitted Australian wide in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

Last updated by Barbra Kurkowski (2009-10-20)