ABC Riverina
| Company type | Public broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Headquarters | Wagga Wagga , Australia |
Area served | Riverina and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, New South Wales |
| Products | Radio broadcasting |
ABC Riverina operates as an ABC Local Radio outlet situated in Wagga Wagga, serving the Riverina and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area districts, including the towns of Griffith, Leeton, and Hay.
Originally launched in 1931 under the call sign 2CO, the station was initially located in Albury. Its AM transmission tower near Corowa provided coverage across south-western New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria. Prior to 1987, 2CO functioned solely as an opt-out service based in Wagga Wagga. That year marked a significant change with the establishment of new studios and transmitters, dividing the service area into two distinct regions: 2CO concentrated on the Riverina area, while the Albury station relocated to Wodonga and rebranded as 3MRR, which is currently known as ABC Goulburn Murray.
The initial 2CO transmitter was an STC 6.5/7 kW unit assembled in Sydney from imported components. Its final amplification stage utilized water-cooled 4220-B triodes operating at a 12,000-volt supply, supported by air-cooled type 4015-A triodes at 5,000 volts. The power system employed a three-phase supply featuring water-cooled 4222-A vacuum diodes. Cooling was maintained by circulating 37 litres of water per minute through a 450-litre reservoir and an external heat exchanger.
Broadcasting occurs on primary frequencies supplemented by several low-power FM repeaters:
- 2CO 675 AM
- 2RVR 89.9, 100.5, and 102.7 FM
During the seasons for Australian rules football and rugby, ABC Riverina implements a split broadcast approach: AFL matches are transmitted via the main AM frequency, whereas NRL and Super Rugby fixtures are aired on FM repeaters. This arrangement reflects the station’s position along the Barassi Line, which delineates regions traditionally favoring Australian rules football or rugby.