Radio ABC 105.7 Darwin
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]The airwaves were pretty quiet in Darwin at the end of World War Two. The shortwave signal from the southern states was erratic and there was concern the only alternative, Radio Moscow, could be getting a strong following among the union-friendly population. The Australian Broadcasting Commission was working on extending its regional radio network, even Port Moresby was getting a station. Historians believe political reasons were as strong as any others in getting the opening date for the ABC in Darwin brought forward. So in 1947, the ABC took ... See more
Darwin FM|105.7
(08)89433231
[email protected]
GPO Box 9994Darwin, Northern Territory, 0801
http://www.abc.net.au/darwin
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The airwaves were pretty quiet in Darwin at the end of World War Two.
The shortwave signal from the southern states was erratic and there was concern the only alternative, Radio Moscow, could be getting a strong following among the union-friendly population.
The Australian Broadcasting Commission was working on extending its regional radio network, even Port Moresby was getting a station. Historians believe political reasons were as strong as any others in getting the opening date for the ABC in Darwin brought forward.
So in 1947, the ABC took over the broadcast signal and equipment which had been used by the army station 5DR during the war, and set up the new station at Gardens Hill.
The Minister for the Interior Mr Herbert Johnson had this to say about the launch:
"The opening of the ABC station 5DR Darwin will meet a long outstanding want and will be of considerable advantage to the residents of the Northern Territory. It should result in clear reception of all broadcasts and place the people of the Territory on an equal footing with the population of other parts of Australia."
The launch itself was a big event for Darwin.
One advertiser in The Northern Standard placed this notice, Dear 5DR Darwin, Congratulations on an achievement. We, the people of Darwin, thank you for bringing to us one of the most essential amenities of modern life.
So how did it the magic of radio work in a town of 3,000 people re-building a town a long way from the rest of Australia?
Old newsletters show four original staff members lived in temporary huts without air conditioning.
Some programs were flown up on discs, while some of the most topical including news, sport and kindergarten of the air were picked up by shortwave.
An April 1947 issue of The ABC Weekly reported:
"The station's transmitter works on a frequency of 1500 k.c. and a wavelength of 200m with a power of 200 watts. It is designed to give a reliable signal over a radius of 15 miles.
5DR has two separate studios so that program rehearsals may take place in the one studio while the other is on air.
The shortwave signal from the southern states was erratic and there was concern the only alternative, Radio Moscow, could be getting a strong following among the union-friendly population.
The Australian Broadcasting Commission was working on extending its regional radio network, even Port Moresby was getting a station. Historians believe political reasons were as strong as any others in getting the opening date for the ABC in Darwin brought forward.
So in 1947, the ABC took over the broadcast signal and equipment which had been used by the army station 5DR during the war, and set up the new station at Gardens Hill.
The Minister for the Interior Mr Herbert Johnson had this to say about the launch:
"The opening of the ABC station 5DR Darwin will meet a long outstanding want and will be of considerable advantage to the residents of the Northern Territory. It should result in clear reception of all broadcasts and place the people of the Territory on an equal footing with the population of other parts of Australia."
The launch itself was a big event for Darwin.
One advertiser in The Northern Standard placed this notice, Dear 5DR Darwin, Congratulations on an achievement. We, the people of Darwin, thank you for bringing to us one of the most essential amenities of modern life.
So how did it the magic of radio work in a town of 3,000 people re-building a town a long way from the rest of Australia?
Old newsletters show four original staff members lived in temporary huts without air conditioning.
Some programs were flown up on discs, while some of the most topical including news, sport and kindergarten of the air were picked up by shortwave.
An April 1947 issue of The ABC Weekly reported:
"The station's transmitter works on a frequency of 1500 k.c. and a wavelength of 200m with a power of 200 watts. It is designed to give a reliable signal over a radius of 15 miles.
5DR has two separate studios so that program rehearsals may take place in the one studio while the other is on air.
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