Some highlights from the log of Trevor Watkins, 7AA 1923/24 using one valve det, Jap Annaka 90V on plate 60' L aerial February, 1923 4th VHS de 7AA sigs qsa laying at Hobart wharf I was using 80 volts & "R" valve Hartley circuit 5th Letter from Mr R.Hull [3JU] 38 Charnwood Rd St Kilda Vic proposing an attempt at communication between our Experimental Stations, to be the first to bridge the Gap 20th Got 3JU for first time on 420M, too late copi 21st Formed Radio Institute, Hobart, gd attendance March, 1923 5th 7aa de 3by - If u get this - would u mind reporting to me - H Holst 27 Bambra Road Caulfield Melb 6th 7aa de 3by Many thanks for your report - It was exceeding good reception at your end - Mr Hull is arranging more tests for us 12th Received letter fm 3JU proposing and arranging tests, betwen Victoria and my station 7aa 14th First tests, first night, but had to attend Radio Club meeting (important) 15th 7aa de forz, ford, more, high, jump, stan, goat, long (sent telegram 11.15pm) April, 1923 17th 400 - 450M VHD de 3MC - VIM sending concert on 750 metres tonight Received VIM concert "Gdo" [good-oh?] 26th Bell [NZ] de 3mc . . . 3JU has been using Marconi receiving valve for transmission six watts . . . on 375 metres . . . (I did not know Bell's wavelength) 19th 7aa de 7ah . . . you were missed at the Club this afternoon . . . Members consisting of Scanlon, Gillon, Horton and about six others erected one end of Aerial and pulled 2199 nails out of wall . . . June? 29th Got Bell and 3aa first time I listened for them 250 - 280M [Bell and 3aa in New Zealand] July, 1923 3rd 200M called Bell qtc - did not get a reply 15th . . . if anyone gets this at a distance would be glad of report. Address R.J.Orbell 154 Heaton St Christchurch August, 1923 2nd . . . Amateurs if you receive my sigs pse reply . . . 10th I got a letter today from Waitaggi. I like a good letter three full pages 13th Received a leter from Harry Lewis who ses Mr Hull picked up my sigs just before I closed down on 5th August, 1923. I was using Marconi "R" valve and a plate potential of 81 volts Colpitts circuit 13th I called up 3ju and asked him if he got my cw . . . as I let down filament I heard a voice say Hello 7aa this is ??? I thought he said 3dp so then I asked 3dp to K on cw back he came sed 7aa de 2zg nw K. I said only using 81 volts HT here, Caesars ghost are you sure getting me K in 5 mins pse K 7aa de 2zg . . . local conditions being bad etc am posting you a letter (he must of got me OK because every time I changed over he said OK ...-. [understood] 20th Working on AC about 250V on plate [what freq?] 7aa de 3ju no good 22nd The stations in Australia with the exception of 3ju 2ds & NZ seem to me to be too fond of the fones not the cw or tonic [tonic train cw was interrupted cw to give a modulated note which could be copied on a crystal receiver] October, 1923. Trans Pacific Tests 2nd Joe and myself listened in on the 2 stage RF (R valves) 1 Rect (V24) [detector] for first test. 40V HT 12 on V24 [29 American stations were copied during tests] December, 1923 using Hartley UV202 350V 100' aerial 3 wires no cpse [counterpoise] 7aa de 3bd ur sigs qsa 7aa de 3bd tks om ur sigs clear but weak . . . [from now on regular mainland contacts appear in the log] January, 1924 14th got receiver going on short wave 23rd 7aa de 3bd . . . Broadcasting starts here on Sat nite on 480 metres February, 1924 5th 7bc de 8cd flying for one hour at Hobart (8cd 1300M spark "Fairy" seaplane) [Regatta Day?] March, 1924 1st 3ju de 7aa msg nr 1 - President Tasmanian Division Col Olden sends heartiest greetings and brotherly best wishes to all Australian divisions who believe in unselfishness and good feeling towards each other Sig Col Olden 19th 7aa de 7om . . . using rec for transmitting as transmitter out of action for time . . . April, 1924 8th 7.30pm Council Meeting of 1st Annual Meeting of W.I.A Tas- Div. Very lively!! [blood spilt incident?] 8.30 General Meeting re above - 9th 3uz calling - We have been requested by the Radio Development Association to request to all people who at present are holding Experimental Licences to continue to pay their fee of 10/- and to stop paying any additional fee to any Broadcasting Concern, with the exception of Commercial Broadcasting Stations. 15th 7aa using 1 HF 1 det 1 LF HT 36 - 4 1/2 - 36 volts 29th cq de 3uz (ICW) - 7aa de 3uz ge om . . . May, 1924 1st 7bn (ICW) . . . 7bh aa 7bn Music now . . . 15th VIM de VIH Memo to 7np not received 7np closed on tenth until further notice hw. K 18th (2bl) Hello Mr Monks, Doubikin, Watt, Roy Simons We will put on a special program on Wednesday next commencing at 9pm for your special benefit June, 1924 16th 7aa de 7om . . . Gee! Typewriter Some shack nw eh!! what!! Sa! dont the sound of the "Mill" interfere with cd? . . . 29th picked up KGO July, 1924 (Away Camp) [QSL card dated 15/8/24 mentions his being sent to country with breakdown] [He died of TB in 1931 ]