Gold Jubilee AR enlarged
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Tasmania celebrates its
GOLDEN JUBIL By the late Lon Jensen, B.Sc.,
Dip. Ed., M.I.R.E.E. VK7LJ.
Mr. A. Harold Masters, Architect, Electr
ician and Lecturer The Tasmanian Division of the Wirele
in Electrical Engineering at the Launceston ss Institute of The Companies Act 19 20. The Hobart Radio
Technical College Australia was first established in Hobart slightl Research Club
is credited with being the first in Tasma y before June continued to flour ish in Hobart although most
nia
communication by means of Wireless Teleg to demonstrate 1923 and a branch was formed in Launceston
two ofthe transmit-
periments took place prior to 1900, proba raphy. These ex- in August. There is little documented eviden months later ting members were alsc » members of the Institu
te. For some
bly in late 1898 or ce of the early reason (possibly lack of willing workers) the
1899. Later, in 1906 he carried out two years of the Division, but a receipt dated Headquarters
way 19th June 192; , has were transferred suddenly to Hobart in June or July
H.M.S. Pioneer both in the Tamar Riverexperiments with been preserved and indicates that Mr. J. (. Milne
ofGretna, 1929. Pop
northwest coast of Tasmania using Telef and along the VK7AG, was a member at that time Medhur st VK7AH became President, and Lon Jensen
VVK71.J
unken equipment ob- and that Mr. W. [.. Secretary/Treasurer. The Headquarters of the Division has
tained from Melbourne. There are few Scanlon was secretary. Probably Mr. F. W. Medhurst,
details available but VK7AH, was President and Mr. W. T. remained in Hobart ever since.
apparently there was no two way conta Watkin
s, VK7AA, the
ct along the coast. Mr. leading experimenter. In those days the
Master’s signals were, however, heard Instit The officers of the Division have chan
when
Devonport. Some of the frame aerials belon the ship was near ed as being more of a nationwide association ute was regard- ged over the years but
ging to this equip- rather than a many of the early members are still
active. Presidents of the
ment are being held for the Institute’s local one. Some strong dissension arose
among Division have been Mess rs. A. H.
of copper birdcage wire netting attached
Museum. They consist members and the Institute fell into disrep st some of the Masters (1925), W. Judd
to ute. lLocal clubs (1926), T K. Jebb (1997), P. 0.
3 feet across and were apparently mount a metal cross about then sprang up in the two centres - the
Hobart Radio Ex- Medhurst VK7AH (1929-30-3
Fysh 7PF, (1928), F. W
ed horizontally one perimenters’ Club (later the Hobart Radio 4-37-
above the other.
Hobart, and the Launceston Radio
Research Club) in VK7MM (1931-3) , W, T. Hooker VK7 38), W. E. Masters
Experimenters’ Club in JH (1935-6), A. E. Allen
VK7PA (1939 - end of war), L. R. Jens
Launceston. en VK7LJ (1945 19 and
1959), .J. Brown VK7RJ ( 1950), R.
D. O'May VK70M (195]-
In Hobart other active members of the 2), L. W. Edwards VR7LE (1953-4),
HR.R.C. were F. J. Evans VK7FJ (1955-
Messrs. G, W. Larsson, T. Green, W. . 6), G. Aschman VK7GA (1957
Dufty, H. Lovett 7HL., ), P. E. L. Dunne VK7PD
C. Oldha (1958), T. A. Allen VRK7AL (1960
m 7XA, L. R. Jensen 7L, K. Lester, F. Dodder (1968-9), (. D’Emden VK7ZAS -67), T. Connor VK7CT
C. Johnson 7ARE, Kirby, R. . O’May idge, (1970-1), E. J. Cruise VK7E.)
7OM, G. Fraser, C. A. (1972).
Walch 7CW, R. Buring 7KRB, .J. Heine 7JK,
™M, W. Bousfield, C. Harrisson 7CH
W.
E. Masters
and many others whose Secretaries were Messrs.
names are not available. P, (). Pvsh 7PF (1925-7), C. Scott
7CS (1928)., L. R Jensen VK7L J
In Launceston Mr. W. B. McCabe TAQ (1929 - Jlyiz i R, Buring (1929 ). C. Harrisson VK7CH
VK7RB (1933
was Patron of [.. R Moorhouse (1933 until the end ). H. M.
E. C., Mr. P. O. Fysh 7PF was President of the war), J. Brown VK7R.
and Chairman, Mr. (1945-8), R. D. O’May VK70M (1949
C. Scott 7CS was Secretary, and Mr. L. -50), L. W Edwards
.J. Crooks 7BQ was VK7LE (1951). F. .J. Kvans VK7F
Treagsurer. Other members v ‘e Messrs. W. Turne .J (1952-3), W. G. Tait (1954
Reynolds, . Ferral, R. Ferral, N. Cave r, R. 5), M. Hurburgh VK7HM -
7BC, H. Graham, E. (1956), K. E. Millin VK7K A (1957-
Scheldrick 7BT, N. Symmons, A. Smith 62), K. Spiegel \ 'K7KS (1963
7AB, W. Scanlon -5), C. Russel-Green VK7CR
7AL, G. King, A. Flounders, . A Hope TLLA, (1966), K. Beard V K7EB
( 1967-8), 1. Eadie VK7ZIE ( 1969-70),
R. S. Hope 7RS, M. L. Conway V1l LTCL (1 971-2
A. S. Gill 7S, - Thompson, M. Graver, ).
- Newton, - Wolfe, E.
E. Cooper TMK, - Phillips, and others. Patrons of the Division have been Messr
s. F. W. Medhurst
VK7AH and L. J. Crooks, VK7BQ, who
A convention of the Wireless Institute is still patron. The ac-
of Australia was held rcompanying photo shows this ‘grand
in Perth in August 1925 at which all States were old man' of radio in
represented. Launceston.
The Tasmanian delegate was Mr. P. (. Fysh 7PF
who stressed The group photograph (taken in Dec 1972)
on his return the need for greater partici shows six old
pation in the timers all of whom are act ive on the air
Institute’s affairs by Tasmania. Accordingly - many
held in Launceston on the 3rd of September 1925
a meeting was The dates show the date when first licens of them on CW.
to discuss the ed.
Other old timers w ho are still active
re-organisation of the Tasmanian Div on alone
the lineg VK7RM(ex VK5 include R. M. Barker
RM 192 7), R. Conrad VK7TR (1930). F E
suggested at the Convention. As a result the Tasmanian Divi- Nicnolts V(Y (1932), L. F. Clark VK7CK (1932). N.
sion was re-constituted with headquarters in Launceston. The Campbell VKTNC (1932), C. P. Wright VK7LZ (1933). D. H
Launceston Radio Experimenter’s Club continued to function Fisher VK7AB (1934), T. Connor VK7CT (1977). M L. D).
for another year but it gradually faded out in favour of the Conway VK7CIL. (197?), etc.
Institute which was incorporated in 1925 as a company under
(Continued on Page 20)
A group of VK7 Old Timers (with dates originally licensed
— left
) to right —
L. J. CROOKS, VK7BQ back rovy, C. Harrisson VK7CH (1927), J. Batchler VK7JB (1932), R. D.
O'May
Patron of the Tasmanian Division VK70M (1923); front row, C. A. Walch VK7CW (1926), J. C. Milne VK7AG
First licensed in 1925.
(1921), the late L. R. Jensen VK7LJ (1925)
Mr. F. W, Medhurst (“Pop™). who was later VK7AH was
experimenting with 12" and 14" spark coils in Hobart. On
2nd 1901, Mr. Medhurst and Mr. Hallam, who were both
members of the P.M.G's Department in Hobart were
successtul in communicating with H.M.S. St. George which
was one of the ships accompanving the Duke of York on his
visit to Australia to open the first Federal Parliament. A
number of suceesstul contacts were carried out with the ship
both in the Derwent estuary and on the cast coast of
Tasmania. The greatest distance over which communication
was carried out was about 60 miles. This vessel had previously
been contacted by Mr. H. W. Jenvey, (father of Bill, VK2Z0)
al the entrance to Port Philip heads on May 6th 1901. These
achievements are all the more noteworthy when it is
remembered that they took place some six months before Mar-
cont successtully spanned the Atlantic
The Marconi Company erected stations at East Devonport,
Tasmania, and Queenscliff, Victoria, in 1905-6. The stations
were opened for traffic on July 12th 1906 with the exchange of
messages between the Prime Minister, Governors of the States
and other dignitaries. It is probable, however, that the first
contact across Bass Strait took place during experiments con-
ducted by the engineers late in 1905.
By 1913 there were about a dozen experimenters in
Launceston and Hobart who were conducting experiments
with spark equipment. The outbreak of war in 1914 put an end
to the experiments until about 1920. *Pop” Medhurst was still
active and was assisted by Mr. W. T. Watkins (“Watty'") who
was given the call sign 7AA, and later still VK7DX. He was
one of Tasmania’s most successful experimenters in the early
twenties and was the first to demonstrate telephony in
Tasmania, in association with Mr. H. G. Lewis in 1923. It was
about this time that groups of enthusiasts began gathering
together to discuss their experiments and equipment. These
gatherings led to the formation of clubs in both Hobart and
Launceston.
Amateur Radio, April, 1973
Mavi da 1 v SUTIVILL pPliliapn viiL daeavr i Sbaapnsss con v pess
much of the interference pr()hl(’m\ wehd\t
Sangamo Electric Time Clock. Hardly used. $11.00 incl.
postage. VK2AAY. P.O. Box C184, Clarence St., Sydney.
VU-LAND 80 mx BAND.
Yaesu Type *‘F*’ sideband exciter. never used, $35. VK3ZTA, “The Indian Radio Amateur™ of Oct *72 announces that their
D. J. Laidlaw. 2 Simon Ct.. Mulgrave, 3170. Ministry has allotted 3650-3700 KHz 1o VU Grade 1 amateurs
in addition to their existing 80 mx allocation of 38390-3900
Trio YR-59D Comm. Rx. Good order. $120. Offers wanted KHz.
Heath Monitor Scope, Morse Kev PMG type. Bob Guthberlet,
3 Hay St., Kadina, 5554. Ph. 21 1085. MAIL DELAYS.
Some publications posted in the U.S.A. on 8th November
Collins 75A2Rx, double conversion. 80/40/20/15/11/10 Mx arrived on 16th February.
bands, AM and CW: superb Rx in excellent cond. $195.
Heathkit HW17A transceiver 143-148 MHz AM/FM., 10w out-
put. as new cond., includes DC mobile PSU $185. G. Scott, RECEIPTS.
VK3ZIP, 30 Mitchell Rd.. Mont Albert Nth., 3127. Ph. (03) “Why do I not get a receipt when I pav my subscription to the
89 4645. Executive Office” is a common complaint. The short answer is
that receipts are not issued unless requested. This is in line
11AVQ Ant. $40. Honda 600 Watt 230v AC. Generator in new with modern commercial practice. The other reason is that if
condition $195. VK3ZT QTHR. Ph. (03) 88 2897. a receipt had to be issued for every pavment the Executive Of-
fice would need either more staff or more time. Both of these
Collins Rx 7583. Mint condition. used as standby Rx only. are in verv short supply indeed.
$385. VKIBH. Ph. (062) 54 1369 or QTHR.
Galaxy III transceiver. excellenj condition mech. and elec. TOWER FOR A BEAM.
with VOX and AC PS/speaker unit. $260. Andrew Davis VK3BBB/T passes across a page out of the American
VKIDA, Ph. (062) 63 3039 Bus. Hours, 32 Kalgoorlie Cres.. Telephone Engineer & Management which describes the TV
Fisher, A.C.T. 2611. tower cum TV centre at Ostankino in N-E Moscow. This little
monster weighs 45.000 tons and is 533 metres high which is
near enough to 1749 feet. An intriguing detail is that the foun-
dations are only 11 feet deep on a diameter of 230 feet. Could
WANTED be a useful skv-hook for a repeater or maybe some mobile work
from the restaurant at the 1116 foot level.
ARS8 Receiver in working order. VK2ALZ QTHR. Ph.
(0694741) 498. ] ]
ITU PREFIX BLOCKS.
In the ITU latest listings Australia has the blocks ANA-AXZ,
Viking II Transmitter AM. Not necessary to be working —
but intact. No fancy prices. VK4LN QTHR. Ph. (071) 82 2675.
VHA-VNZ and VZA-VZZ
T
Vertical movement type ‘Bug’ key. Commercial or
AR POSTINGS
“l am not sure if A.R. comes from Melbourne or the VK3
h;)mebre\« Partics. to A. Shawsmith, VK4SS QTHR. Ph. Division™ writes a memberin N.T. Yes OM. ARis postedin
(072) 44 6526. Melbourne — Cheltenham to be exact — in bulk bundles
sorted strictly in Post Code order as required by the P.M.G.
Dept. A.R.’s for the more distant states are posted first. Each
Tasmania celebrates its month’s posting of A.R. weighs about 700 Ibs. and the postage
bill is seldom less than $170.
GOLDEN JUBILEE far]
(Continued from Page 2} Photograph of Thuji Yonten, ASITY with Karl Kozlik
VKZBKM on his right and Syd Molen VK2SG on his left. Thuji,
A number of members of the Division have been made Life is in Svdney for some 10 months to studv English before
Members for meritorious work in the Institute. These are returning to Bhutan, and is staying in the North Svdney area,
Messrs. F. W. Medhurst VK7AH (1925). P. O. Fysh VK7PF but can be contacted through VK2SG. Whilst he is away,
(1930), W. T. W. T. Watkins VK7DX (1930), C. Harrisson Bhutan will be kept on the map by ASIPN. (Material by
VK7CH (1934). J. Brown VK7BJ (1949). L. J. Crooks VK7BQ courtesy VK2SC). .
(1950), L. R Jensen VK7LJ (1953). P. E. Dunne VK7PD
(1955)., R. D. O'May VK7OM (1956), T. Connor VK7CT
(1966), T. A. Allen VK7TA (1966).
Members of the Institute in Tasmania have undertaken
many outstanding acts of community service. Among these
are the maintaining of emergency communications both in-
trastate and interstate following interruptions caused by
floods and cable failures, provision of communication facilities
at Regattas in the north and south of the state, etc. In the
vears up to the beginning of World War II. the Tasmanian
amateurs provided many broadcast programmes on medium
waves for the benefit of listeners all over the island. Among
these were VK7CS, VK7BQ and VK7JR in Launceston,
VK7RS, VK7CW, VK7PA, VK7LJ. and VK7CH in Hobart,
VK7LJ and VK7BC in Burnie, VK7DR in Devonport and
VK7JW in Longford.
Anniversary celebrations will be held in Hobart and
Launceston to mark the occasion, and the Federal Convention
of the W. I. A. will be held in Launceston this year. Also a
“VK7 Golden Jubilee Award” has been organised for stations
all over the world contacting Tasmanian amateurs.
Amateur Radio, April, 1973