It must be a logistical nightmare to change the frequency of a well-established radio station. 3AW changed this morning, from where they’d been (more or less) since 1935. They say they’re doing it so they can provide better reception across Melbourne.

I did actually tune-in to 3AW this morning for the changeover. It consisted of Ron Barassi making an announcement and supposedly pulling a switch, and a sound effect of a changeover… but in actual it did nothing, as 3AW kept going on 1278, and had already been broadcasting on 693 (I tuned there 10 minutes earlier).

The actual change would have been at 10am when Magic 693 took over 1278. Because it wasn’t really a move, it was actually a swap with their stablemate, who presumably drew the short straw, since they’re not only getting a poorer reception frequency, but they also were off-air while 3AW had a three-hour overlap period. Magic specialises in nostalgic music, as proven by their web site, which features a supposed Cheapest Fuel Prices update claiming you can buy petrol for 89.5 cents per litre.

As for the station itself, I don’t really like 3AW. Someone must, as it rates highly, but I find the announcers too shouty, the coverage too sensationalist, and the ads… my God, the ads… the ads are monotonous. Why would you put up with that when there are ABC talk stations with (almost) no ads?

Now, I wish ABC TV channel 2 would switch frequency, since theirs is subject to so much interference. I still have a plan to upgrade my TV antenna to the super-dooper one I got several years ago (currently sitting on the back porch) and/or get a digital set top box (since ABC TV digital is on the much better channel 12).

In 2004 the water company reported I was using an average 300 litres per day (at the old house). A year later, I was using an average 347 litres per day.

Another bill arrived last week which said I’m now using an average 239 litres per day. Woo hoo!

Perhaps having a much smaller garden and a dishwasher has helped cut my water usage?

(Dunno about the new bill design. It has a lot of orange on it, which is way too close to red — I felt nervous scanning it, making sure I wasn’t late with a previous payment.)