The Sound Alternative
RTRFM is The Sound Alternative: an independent, non-profit community radio station in WA that provides an alternative voice for Boorloo and beyond through innovative music and talks programming. Founded in 1977, we take pride in being a platform for local news and issues, with a strong focus on the arts, culture, social justice, politics and the environment. We especially champion local music and support musical diversity through 50+ specialist music programs and a huge program of events.
About us
RTRFM broadcasts to the wider Perth metropolitan area via 92.1FM and online 24/7 via rtrfm.com.au.
Our programs range from talks programs to specialist, genre-specific music programs covering everything from jazz to hip-hop, punk, rock, metal, pop, ambient, avant-garde compositions and everything in-between. These programs are presented by more than 400 passionate, dedicated volunteers, and supported by 10 core staff members.
RTRFM has been an outlet for people in the community who might not otherwise have access to broadcasting. This allows us to transmit music and information (locally and globally via our online stream) that cannot be found anywhere else. But RTRFM doesn’t just reflect the community by giving its members a voice; we are also funded by the community. Through subscriptions, donations, sponsorship and attendance at RTRFM fundraising events, the community is what keeps us on air.
In addition to its broadcast programs, RTRFM hosts more than 20 live fundraising events annually, which rely on volunteers and bring the community together to celebrate music and the arts, including In the Pines, Neon Picnic and the Fremantle Winter Music Festival. RTRFM has been delivering quality, locally-produced radio since 1977, and has an established (and growing) base of listeners and supporters, not to mention an enthusiastic, diverse and involved community of volunteers.
RTRFM is self-funded, and with 10 staff and 2 regular contractors, the station is reliant on its extensive volunteer base of more than 400 people to remain operational. RTRFM raises funds through a major donor/subscriber drive each August called Radiothon. We seek to raise approximately $300,000 each Radiothon; or, roughly a quarter of our annual revenue. RTRFM typically sources the remaining revenue through the development of partnerships with stakeholders and sponsors (primarily local businesses and organisations). We also offer free Community Service Announcements.
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, RTRFM operates on a tight budget that focuses on ensuring the sustainable delivery of its services to the community. However, it seeks to be an industry-leader in community radio, and considers itself uniquely positioned to make strides on accessibility and public/volunteer engagement in radio production.
Staff members
Governance
How you can listen to RTRFM
Analogue and Digital Radio
Listen to RTRFM the old-fashioned way by tuning your radio to 92.1FM, or by searching for RTRFM 92.1 on your digital radio device.
Online Streaming
Listen to RTRFM live from your computer via the online streaming function at rtrfm.com.au. Simply click the play button in the top right-hand corner of the RTRFM homepage menu.
Mobile Devices
Listen to RTRFM live from your mobile device (iPhone, iPad etc) by opening your browser and heading to rtrfm.com.au. We also have an app, so search RTRFM wherever you get your apps.
You can also listen via iHeart Radio on your smart speakers.
Restreaming Past Programs
Restream your favourite show by heading to the program page at rtrfm.com.au. Simply select the episode you wish to listen to, and click listen to program in the playlist. You can restream any show that has aired in the past four weeks.
Our History
On April 1, 1977, a switch was flicked and a radio station was born – Perth’s first ever FM radio station, no less. It was called 6UWA and broadcast from studios on the grounds of the University of Western Australia. However, shortly afterwards, Murdoch University also got involved in the funding of the station and it changed its name to 6UVS.
Sadly, in late November 1990 a decision was made by the UWA Senate to close the station and the transmitter was turned off that same night. 6UVS remained off air for six months while negotiations took place between the University, the 6UVS volunteers and the Australian Broadcasting Authority (now the Australian Communications and Media Authority).
The ABA held a public hearing in Perth, which was the point at which it was legally determined that Universities Radio Ltd (a joint company of UWA and Murdoch) could become Arts Radio Ltd with the call sign RTRFM. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the name RTRFM is a play on “aRTy Radio”.
The involvement of committed volunteers passionate about alternative music and viewpoints has seen RTRFM become one of Perth’s most diverse and forward-thinking broadcasters. It is home to more than 50 different programs, with a strong focus on the arts, local musicians, community issues and politics, as well as specialist music genres.
The next big change for the station came in January 2005 when RTRFM relocated from its previous home on the second floor of the Sanders Building at UWA to its current premises in the heart of the thriving Mount Lawley strip, on the first floor of 642 Beaufort Street.
Over the years the station has diversified and changed, from being a little known radio station to one of Australia’s most respected and popular community radio stations. Alongside other metro alternative stations such as Sydney’s FBI Radio, Melbourne’s Triple R and PBS and Brisbane’s 4ZZZ, RTRFM is proud to promote and broadcast a wide range of music giving independent audiences an outlet from homogenised and increasingly distant commercial stations.
RTRFM was one of the first stations in Australia (commercial and community) to offer restream options for past programs and we are proud of our live-streaming capabilities. Who knows what RTRFM will become in the future but we hope you can come with us on the journey.
