Thanks to a couple of dedicated 'Radio Buffs'
feeling the need for a local community radio station in the Woy Woy Peninsular
area, Radio Five-O-Plus first went to air during
Seniors Week in March 1993. Regular broadcasting two days per week
from a small room above a chemist shop in Umina began
in August 1993.
Due to the great response from listeners in this
area it was decided to move to the Gosford area, so in March 1994, through the
help of Gosford Council we were able to set up a transmitter on Rumbalara at
East Gosford with increased power of 200 watts, giving us a much wider listening
area. At the same time, the studio was relocated to Mann Street, to
be more central within the demographic area.
For some years broadcasts were on weekends only
until our broadcasting time was extended to three days and Mondays were then
included. Since 1999 we have been granted the right to broadcast seven days a
week and 24 hours per day.
Live broadcasting takes place from 6.45am until
10.00pm every day and after 10.00pm until 6.45am the jukebox plays easy
listening music continuously
to entertain night time listeners.
February 2001 saw a new transmitter installed
which increased the power of our signal to 1000 watts. From a very small beginning by the five founding
members, we now have some 40 presenters and 45 support staff to handle the phones and
conduct the considerable routine office work required to keep the station
running non-stop seven days per week. All of our staff are volunteers and give
up their valuable time to help us.
A survey conducted by the Department of
Communications found that in a 12-month period over 5,000 people received
training in radio broadcasting at community stations. It is generally believed
that one third of media professionals initially gained their broadcasting skill
at community radio stations. 
Radio Five-O-Plus was granted a
Permanent Broadcasting Licence by the Australian
Communications Media Authority on the
22nd November 2002 with the call sign of 2SNR on the frequency of 93.3Mhz
FM.
30th June 2005 saw the relocation of
our transmitter and the installation of a new antenna system to Somersby and
the commencement of broadcasting
in Stereo at 2000 watts, from a Mixed
Polarised antenna.
From the 16th February 2005 Radio Five-O-Plus began
broadcasting the National Radio News six times per day on week days, and three
or four times
per day on weekends.
Radio Five-O-Plus now covers the
whole Central Coast area from the Hawkesbury River to Lake Macquarie with
Sweet Sounds and Marvellous Memories. We often also receive many calls
from Blue Mountains listeners.
Thanks go to some wonderful staff members who not only
donated, but fitted out, a caravan to create our very own mobile studio
which we call 'Little Bippy'. 'Little Bippy' can be seen at our outside broadcasts around
the Central Coast promoting Radio Five-O-Plus for the discerning listener.
On Friday the 12th June 2009, Radio Five-O-Plus ,after
presenting many programs for our listeners' enjoyment from our Mann Street
address, relocated the offices and studio to new premises at Unit 13 / 31 Dwyer
St, North Gosford
