2CA

2CA is a commercial radio station on the AM band in Canberra, Australia, which originally began broadcasting on 1050 kHz changing to 1053 kHz in 1978. 2CA has had many owners since its inception and is currently jointly owned by regional radio operators the Capital Radio Network and Grant Broadcasters. The station's current format is classic hits music and targets a mature audience aged 45+.

History

Established by Albert John (Jack) Ryan, an AIF veteran and former signaller during the first World War, Canberra's first commercial radio station - 2CA - began broadcasting with just a small 50 watt transmitter from the back of Jack's electrical repair shop in the Canberra suburb of Kingston on 14 November 1931. By 1933 the station had increased its transmitter to 500 watts and moved to a small purpose built studio on a low hill close to the Queanbeyan - Canberra road (near what is now the intersection of Hindmarsh Drive and Canberra Avenue). The hill quickly became known as "Radio Hill". By the late 1930s the 2CA studios were moved from Radio Hill to a new building in Mort Street, Canberra City, next to the Civic theatre. The transmitter power was increased again from 500 watts to 2,000 watts and moved to Gungahlin.