Historical information

Radio telephones were used to connect people living or working in isolation with other people.

Significance

This radio phone was used by ambulance officers,working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, to communicate with the doctor.
The SECV had received an ambulance by April 1940. It had been modified for long and rough trips, departing from usual ambulance designs of the time. Ref. April 1940 SECV magazine.
Mrs Beveridge (Skippy) lived and worked with her husband on the High Plains during winter. They had immediate contact with the outside world as they were connected by radio telephone with the Commission's (SECV) Bogong office. Hence, measurements taken of the snowfall and rainfall and observations from the experimental raceline are reported to head office of the Kiewa Hydro electric Scheme at Bogong. Ref. SEC magazine March - April 1948 page 25 and photo of the radio telephone in their home (different to this item) page 26.

Physical description

This radio phone is in a metal case with a separate steel lid attached with two large screws on either side. The front has a cream plastic face with open slits. It has a cover to protect the speaker behind it. There are 3 tuning knobs (volume, muting & channel) and a small red light. The phone cord is coiled and extends from the right hand side with a speaker attached. The speaker is for sending and receiving messages.

Inscriptions & markings

'Radiophone / MTR 25 161 AG' 'STC' in a rectangle and 'Ser. No. 21480'.