97.5/99.9 - 3BBB FM RADIO BALLARAT
LIVE-TO-AIR MUSIC HISTORY

Some of the early equipment used for Triple B Live to Air Music Broadcasts

Click below to link to:
Live To Air Broadcasts 1988-96

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The Live Broadcasting Story
3BBB FM began full time broadcasting on 97.5Mhz in Ballarat on May 2nd 1986.
(In July 1998, 3BBB's frequency changed to 99.9mhz and
in November 2000, sadly, the station was re-named VOICE FM)

During the early exciting weeks and months several local performers played acoustically on the air, in front of the studio microphones. The sound was sometimes a bit thin, but it added a 'real' dimension to Ballarat's new Community Broadcasting enterprise.

Two of Triple B's 'fresh out of school' volunteers, Rex Hardware and Graeme Stables were developing a passion for sound engineering and recording, and it was during the planning for the 1988 Radiothon that the opportunity arose to 'produce' some live music from Studio 2. The Radiothon Live To Air involved guitars being plugged into a 6 channel mixer, and the Studio 2 interview mike for vocals.

Patrick McCabe and Chris Morris were the first local performers to be produced 'LiveToAir on 3BBB FM', commencing eight years and over 250 hours of Live To Air Music from the Lydiard St Studios, Ballarat hotels and Outside Broadcast Locations like Lake Wendouree, Sturt St Cafes' and The Botanical Gardens, sometimes using an Outside Broadcast van with a microwave link back to Mt Warrenheip.

3BBB FM is no longer on the air. The Ballarat Community Radio CoOperative is now broadcasting as VOICE FM on 99.9 FM from newly constructed studios in Dawson Street, after a brief home in the Old YMCA building in Camp Street. A huge change has occurred in the station in this time.
More anecdotes and stories from the Live To Air Unit will be posted soon.

Below is a basic timeline of the Live To Airs. Some, like the 1st Live Music Weekend, are difficult to include due to documentation being lost. We are hazy on some small Outside Broadcasts (precise dates and performers!!) but the following list indicates the wide range of Australian performers who have been supported throught Live To Air Broadcasts by Ballarat's First FM Staion - 3BBB FM - 99.9mhz

Click below to link to:
Live To Air Broadcasts 1988-96