Historical information

The 3AW portable transmitter

“Wirelessing from the Golf Links. An interesting test was made by 3AW yesterday when this portable transmitting set was successfully tried out at Royal Melbourne. Mr JB Ferrier, the father of the NSW champion, who is taking part in the Men’s Australian Open Championship meeting, is seen (on the left) speaking into the microphone and announcing the scores. The transmitter will be in action today to describe the play in the final rounds for the benefit of listeners.” – The Age

Melbourne-based talkback radio station 3AW began transmission in February 1932 as Melbourne’s fifth commercial station. The 1930s were a time of rapid change and significant improvement in the development of microphones, supporting the shift from the visual world of newspapers to the auditory world of radio.

Physical description

Glass plate negative

Inscriptions & markings

Photographer notations on slide: "3AW portable transmitter at R Melb Golf Links 1933 B5".