We have a solution in the form of a clever workaround.
What has been discovered.
Where we are in the South West of WA does not have good AM radio reception. Ours has been adequate, 1044 from Bridgetown, but the signal is weak and we have to tune it carefully at the best of times to get good reception.
NBN Fixed Wireless Broadband introduced a source of interference which in areas having a strong radio signal would have had negligible effect, but for those of us in marginal strength areas the effect was instant and substantial. For much of the time the radio was unlistenable. See the image below or go to the web site. http://reception.abc.net.au/Reception.aspx
We are in the red area for ABC Local Radio which means that reception is not very good.
When we realized we had a problem of interference to the AM ABC Local Radio station we contacted Telstra who are the telecommunications Retail Service Providers ie of the broadband set up. It took a while to organize as outlined in previous posts, but it is essential to go through the RSP that residents use. It is quite a technical process because the request has to be couched in technical terms using the proper protocols. Telstra, once they realized there was a problem, have been very supportive and I would recommend them to everyone in country Australia.
After changes to both the indoor unit (IDU) and the outdoor unit (ODU) that only gave a slight improvement, NBN Co and Ericsson, decided on another approach. This was to boost the radio signal by the use of an external antenna and to use a recent radio that was designed to make the best of difficult conditions. Last Thursday, 17 December, the Loop Antenna was installed at the edge of a gable and connected by cable to the radio in the kitchen. The radio is digitally tuned so it is definitely on the station. The PK Loop Antenna is connected to a box next to the radio which can be tuned to screen out the interference. The setup has worked beautifully.
For the first time for five months we have been able to listen to the radio normally including for bushfire alerts.
The radio comes with batteries which are charged up when the power is on. So it can work as a portable radio. Once away from the house and the Fixed Wireless Broadband and without its connection to the Loop Antenna it works satisfactorily picking up 1044 from the Bridgetown transmitter to the south of us.
The antenna can be sourced from the site listed here.
http://www.amradioantennas.com/Leaflets/PK's%20Loop%20Antennas%20Catalogue.pdf
The two components would cost about $400 plus installation and incidentals. The antenna is called C-LOOP-HDLRAM
This set up would be applicable for other installations of NBN Fixed Wireless Broadband where AM radio reception is not very strong.
It could also be used in those areas, of which there are many in the South West of WA, who can't receive AM Radio. The antenna and radio combination might make a difference and give greater safety by being able to listen to bushfire and other emergency alerts.