A transcription of parts of the tape made by 7JK when talking to Bob McDonald, whose father was involved with the setting up of VIH. I joined up and was in the Airforce and I'd no sooner come back than he dropped dead. re Alan Widdowsen He (Alan?) was a radio technician at 7LA in 1935 I was 21 when dad died He used to come over from the mainland - he had a developmental organisation running in Melbourne - Radio ??? p/l he was experimenting with television - in touch with o'seas? I have photos by Beattie in 1912 of Domain? He did his apprenticeship with PMG's Dept in early part of century in Melbourne Sent over here to set up Mawson communications station - went back to Melb - was with RAN in Rabaul during WW1 - returned Melbourne in 1919 - over here in 1921/22? involved in setting up a radio station and again in 1925 I think - down to Launceston? in 1938 setting up 7EX. When working with navy he revamped the radio station at Nauru in 1915 established?? German radio network closed down by Aus - wrecked them and then decided maybe we can use them and revamped them - wrecked Nauru and a few months later got it going again Had a tv operating in Melb in 1929 - b'casting over 3UZ re tv info ex herald and sun - Murdoch didnt publicise? Request take over German stations received on Aug 6th? - job complete by end September - espionage book alleged Aussies couldn't find Rabaul AWA given full rights overseas telecommunications - complete rights plus all equipment cost 7 million pounds - my father opposed to whole thing Billy Hughes given benefit in 1935 - given 100,000 - public raised very small amount - 95000 by CAA? AWA and ? - for services rendered - had such a good run - all above board and genuine and not a bribe! bank knocking