3CR is a community radio station that broadcasts on the AM band and on the digital spectrum as 3CR Digital in Melbourne, Australia. It features mainly talk-based programmes with political trade unions and environmental themes, as well as some music and community language-based programmes. Today the station hosts over 130 programmes presented by over 400 volunteers.
The radio station is located in Smith Street, Fitzroy. Initially broadcast on 837 kHz, 3CR now broadcasts on 855kHz at 2kW into a directional aerial, from a site at Hoppers Crossing about 15km west of Melbourne
The station’s broadcasting licence was approved on 10 October 1975, by the Minister for the Media, Dr Moss Cass. Test broadcasting begun on 1 May 1976, full operation began 3 July 1976 from studios in High Street, Armadale. The station was Melbourne’s first such community radio station to obtain a licence.
3CR began digital broadcasting in 2010. In 2013 the station was part of the “Commit to Community Radio” campaign which successfully convinced the federal government to extend funding for community radio digital broadcasting until 2016. Over 30 shows now publish a podcast on the website