Golden Jubilee Page1
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a
Tasmania celebrates its
By the late Lon Jensen, B.Sc.,
GOLDEN JUBILEE Dip. Ed., M.I.R.E.E. VK7Ld.
Mr. A. Harold Masters, Architect, Electrician and Lecturer ‘The Companies Act 1920. The Hobart Radio Research Club
in Electrical Engineering at the Launceston Technical College tly before June continued to flourish in Hobart although most of the tranamit-
credited with being the first in Teamanie to demonstrate 1923 and # branch was formed in Launceston two months later of the loattute, For some
communication by means of Wireless Telegrephy. These ex- . There is little documented evidence of the eerly leadquariers
esiments took place prior to 1900; probebly in late 1884or ‘2 receipt dated 19th June 1923, has Medhurat VKTAH became President, and
1999. Lat 1906 he out iwo way experiments with reterved and indicates that Mr. J.C; Milne of Gretne, Seeretary/Treasurer. The H
HIMS. Pioneer both in. the Tamar River snd slong. the RIAG. war a member at that time and that Mr. W. L- remained in Hobart ever ain
northwest const of Tasmania using Telefunken equipmentob- Scanlon was secretary. Probably Mr. F. Mt Meahrst,
tained from Melbourne. There are few details available but VKTAH, war President and Mr.W. T. Watkins, VK7AA. the The officers of the Division have changed over the years but
Apparently there was no two way contact slong the cout, Mr leading experimenter. In those days the Institute was regard: many of the early members are still active. Presidents of
aster’ signals were, however, heard when the ship was nee? ed as beingmore of « nationwide association rather than ¢ Divition have been Mesere. A. H. Masters (1925), W. Judd
Devonport. Some of the frame serieis belonging ¢o this equip: localone ‘strong dissension srove amongst some of the 41926). TK. Jebb (1927), P.O. F} Fw.
ing held for the Institute's Museum. They consist tmemers and the Institute fell te. Local clubs Medhurst VK7AH (1829.20.
of copper birdcage wire netting attached to 2 metal cross about jobart Radio Ex- VIGEMM Lisolat, WT: Hooter ViCO/H (1958 6174. Ballon
3 feet across and were apparently mounted horizontally one VR7PA (1939 - end of war). L. R. Jensen VK Li! (1945.49 and
Above the other. 1989). 1, Brown VR7B) (1950), R. D: 0
it, Hoban, other setive, members of the HR. c. chen VEGGA (i950.
1 Gith LarsonT Green WO: Dotty, H. Lovett THL. Fe him VEAL. iden 67),
OGidkere TRACER, Jensen Ti, 8 Lanter, F. Dodderides. 1868-916." Emden VESZAS (18 Ee
G,dobreen 7AME, Kirby, 8 by (9721,
Walch 7CW, TRB, J. Heine 73K, W. EM Siesiess Secretaries were Messrs. P.O. Fvsh TPF (1925-71. C. Scott
SMA. Bousteld Harrison {CH and many others whose TCS (1928). L
names are not available 41928
In Launceston Mr. W.B. McCabe TAQ was Patron of L. R. joorhouse (193
E.C.. Me. P, O. Fysh 7PF was President and Chairmen. Mr. igear RDO; 949-5
C, Scott 7CS was Secretary GRTLE i051), Fo Evmne VICTES (1982-9), W. G Tait Cle5e
her memberswe 5), M. Hurburgh VK7HM (1956), K. E. Millin GRTKA tisst.
821, K. Spiegel VK7KS (1963-8), C. Russel-Green VKICR
&, Feral R. Ferra,N,
ce TBT. N. Symmons, A, St (1968), E. Beard VK7EB (1967-8), 1. Eadie VK7ZIE (1969-70),
M.L. Conway VEGCL (1971-2)
ng.AAThompson,
Founders EA Vlope TLA. RS. Hope TRS.
Si-Gtaver, - Newton, - Wolfe.E:
B Geoper’ TMi Bhihipe: and cher. Patrons of the Di ion have been Messrs. F, W. Medhurst
VKGAH and Ll. Crooke, VK7BQ, who stil patron, ‘The se-
A-convention of the Wireless Institute of Australie was held companving photo shows this “grand old mar of radio in
in Perth in August 1925 at which all States mere represented. Launceston,
Th delegate wes Mr. P. O. Fysh 7PF w' phetcnraph ‘taken, in Dee 19721 shows ui old
retum the ‘need for greater part ieption wl tive
on the air - many of theron CW.
1e't affairs by Tasmania. Accordingly 8 m ‘The dates show the date when first licensed,
Launceston on the 3rd of September Wgok co ocun the Other old timers who are still active include R. M. Barker
VK7RM (ex VKSRM 1997), R. Conrad VK7PR (1830), F. E.
tion of the anian Division slong the Nicholls VKTRY (1932), L. F.
suggesied at the Convention. As a result the Tasmanian Divi- Campbell VETNC (1932), C. P. Wright VK7LZ. (1933),
ion was re-constituted with headquarters in Launceston. The Fanon CKYAB i954). Conner VRICY (19%) M DB
Launcesion Radio Experimenter's Club continued to function Conway VETCL 11977). ete.
tor another veer but it gradually faded out in favour of the (Continued on Page 20)
Institute which was incorporated in 1925 as « company under
A group of VK7 Old Timers (with dates originally licensed) — left to right —
L. J. CROOKS, VK7BQ back row, 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. FW. Medborst ("Pop"), who was later VK7AH wax
‘alto experimenting with 12” and 14” spark coils in Hobart. On
sluly 2nd 1901, Mr. Medhurst and Mr. Hallem, who were both
members of the P.M.G's Department in Hobart were
su:cessful in communicating with H.M.S. St. George whi
wes ane of the xhips accompanying the Duke of York on his
visit to Australia to open the first Federal Parliament. A
number of successful contacts were carried out
both in the Derwent estuary end on the east c
Tasmania, The greatest distance over which communication
yeas carried out was about 6 miles. This veel ad previously
been contacted by Mr. H. W. Jenvey. (fatherof Bill. VK2Z0)
Behe tntance ws Bor Philip senes‘on Mey eth 1901 Theat
achievements are all the more noteworthy when it is
remembered that they took place some six months before Mar
oni successfully spanned the Atlantic
The Marcon; Company erected stations at East Devonport.
iff. Victoria, in 1905-6. The stations
were opened Mar Gatton oly 12h 1906 with the exchange of
messages between the Prime Minister. Governors of the States
‘and other dignitaries. It is probable, however, that the first
contect across Bass Strait took place during experiments con-
ducted by the engineers late in 1905,
was given the call sign TAA, and later
in's most successful experimenters in the early
was the first togee
Eninceaton
Amateur Radio, April, 1973