The Wireless Institute of Victoria was established in 1910 and amateur radio operators (called hams) in Victoria were issued with licences by this institute. Cards such as this one were exchanged by operators to confirm a contact between two amateur radio operators anywhere in the world (called QSL cards). The cards contained information regarding the radio contact made, the strength of the signal, the type of transmitter etc and the words, codes and abbreviations used were known internationally. This card, which is an unused one, belonged to Ted Salamy who had the call sign A 3AJ. This licence was issued in 1924 and was the 35th amateur radio licence issued in Victoria. It is believed that this was the first amateur radio station established in Warrnambool. Ted Salamy (1903-1977) was the son of Michael Salamy who established jewellery shops in Timor Street and in Liebig Street in Warrnambool in the 20th century. Ted Salamy was later the proprietor of these stores up to the 1960s when he retiredThis card has considerable local significance as an early Warrnambool amateur radio card and as one belonging to a prominent 20th century Warrnambool businessman, Ted Salamy. This is a card with a buff-coloured background and black and red printing on one side of the card and handwritten information in blue ink on the other side. The remains of adhesive tape applied to the edges of the card are still visible. ‘Timor Street Warrnambool Vic. Australia A 3AJ, E. Salamy Op.’ amateur (ham) radio, victoria, ted salamy

Edward ( Ted) Salamy (1903-1977) succeeded his father in business in Warrnambool as a jeweller and was at 179 Liebig Street when he retired in the 1960s. On 1st December in 1924 he obtained an amateur radio licence ( Call sign A3AJ). This was the 35th licence issued in the State of Victoria and the first in Warrnambool. The original licence cost two shillings and sixpence. Amateur radio, still a popular hobby today, was particularly important in the 1920s when few people had radios of any sort and there were no provincial radio stations. People were able to access amateur radio sets to listen to such broadcast as overseas cricket matches. This amateur radio set is of considerable historical importance as it belonged to Ted Salamy, credited with being the first to operate an amateur radio station in Warrnambool.This is a rectangular box containing five valves, a radio frequency mechanism and three coils with fine copper winding. The mechanisms are connected by wires and metal screws. The box has a raised black -composite material front which has a voltage meter, three switches or knobs and a tuning dial. Philips made in Holland British Made (voltage meter)amateur ham radio warrnambool