LEFT: Ron Barrasi throws the switch to send the signal from 1278 to 693. 7:15am, Monday May 1st 2006
3AW has endured since the early days of radio, to become the most influential and informative talk radio station in Australia.
The A.W. comes from Allans and J.C. Williamsons: the radio station was started as a tool to promote their music publishing and theatre businesses. 3AW began broadcasting from her Majesty's Theatre in Exhibition Street in 1932.
3AW’s original transmitter power was 300 watts in 1932. It’s now 5,000 watts.
In 1932 3AW began transmission at 1425 on the AM dial. After just three years, it moved to 1280 in September 1935, then moved again in November 1978 to 1278.
On May 1st 2006 3AW moved to where you’ll find it now, at 693 on the AM dial.
Over the years, 3AW has kept listeners informed and entertained by some great names of radio, including Norman Banks, Martha Gardener, Mary Hardy, Harry Beitzel, Claudia Wright, John Blackman, Uncle Roy, Dean Banks and Steve Price.
Today Ross Stevenson, John Burns, Neil Mitchell, Rex Hunt, Ernie Sigley, Denis Walter, Derryn Hinch, Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady maintain the 3AW tradition of great broadcasting.