2RPH

2RPH (aka Radio for the Print Handicapped) is an Australian radio reading service that reads newspapers and magazines for the benefit of those who have difficulties reading for themselves. It is the Sydney station of the RPH Network.

The 2RPH Sydney and 3RPH Melbourne were available free to air (no smartcard required) on the Optus Aurora radio platform via Optus C1 before the switch over to the more restrictive VAST platform. Now only the 3RPH Melbourne service is the only RPH service available free-to-air on Optus C1.

History

The need for a radio reading service was realised in New South Wales in 1983 with the establishment of 2RPH as a Community Benefit Organisation, incorporated as a Co-operative Society. The station began operating on 18 April 1983.

The first broadcast frequency was off the main broadcast band (1629 kHz), and was thus unsuitable, as many people could not receive the station. The problem was partly resolved by a move to a more suitable band location (1539 kHz, in 1991), and further in 1993 when the Commonwealth Government provided the station with transmission facilities previously used by commercial station 2WS. These facilities are still in use and provide a strong signal to most parts of Greater Sydney and some suburbs outside the metropolitan area.