7au

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7AU    Sept 1995

       Syd Medford mentioned the mural at Sheffield about radio, so I 
       went and looked at it on the side of Slater's store.

       Caption says:
                    "Wireless Studio 1926
       As a young man in Melbourne, Jesse Slater became interested in 
       wireless telegraphy.   He settled in Sheffield, married the 
       daughter of local storekeeper, Thomas Clarke and became the third 
       person in Northern Tasmania to own a wireless.   He built a 
       wireless studio in the rear section of this shop - to get 
       reception he needed an aerial fifty yards long strung between two 
       poles fifty five feet high.   Local people were invited in to put 
       on earphones and hear the static transmissions.
       Artist   John Landis
       Sponsor  Alan Dyer"

       From the estate of Trevor Watkins there are two photos from 7AU in 
       Sheffield, one showing a shed and two tall masts and the other a 
       radio receiver.   On the backs are written "7 A.U. Sheffield" and 
       "we added another V24 to this   Very poor photo  7AU  J F Slater".
       [a V24 is a type of radio valve]

       I must get a photo of the mural and contact the Kentish Museum 004 
       911861

       From Trevor Watkins' log (7AA, West Hobart)
       2nd August, 1923    "called 7AU"
       10th August, 1923   "Sheffield was a good distance on phone"          
       (his radiotelephony obviously had been heard in Sheffield) 
       11th August, 1923   "supposed to carry out tests with 7AU 
       Sheffield but home too late"

       Note that all experimenters both transmitting and receiving at 
       this time were issued with number-letter identification.   In a 
       hand-written list from Trevor Watkins, J.F.Slater is 7AU.   In the 
       list of experimenters in the February 7th, 1924 issue of the 
       Illustrated Tasmanian Mail, J.F.Slater has a receiving license 
       only.

       Alan Dyer, 2 High St, Sheffield   ph 004 911477   age 65
       Nephew of Frank?
       Jesse introduced Frank (born 1904) to wireless
       used morse?   talked Launceston & mainland?
       1930's store distributed wireless sets
       Alan remembers going on trips to install sets - big aerials