Background
In the early 1980s, the Aboriginal communities and non-indigenous populations in the outback areas of the Northern Territory had been vigorously advocating for improvements to the existing regional radio broadcasting services available in their region.

Consequently, in 1985, the Australian and Northern Territory Governments, and the ABC, established shortwave services from three  new transmitters located at Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine, carrying relays of ABC and other programming originating from Alice Springs and Darwin.

These SW transmitters use vertical-incidence antenna configurations, known as "shower propagation", intended to limit low-angle long-distance propagation.

 

The primary service area is radially 500 km to 600 km.

 

The initial schedule, which survives to the present time, was for 24-hr broadcasting,. using frequencies in the 2 MHz (120 metre)band during the night, and on 5 MHz (60 metres) during daytime.

 

The transmitters are not staffed, and the changeover from day to night channels is done automatically.

 

The original installations were actually 100 kW, but output is limited to 50 kW.

 

Responsibility for technical management of these facilities is undertaken by Broadcast Australia, the National transmission carrier, under contract from the ABC.