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AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST VINTAGE RADIO EXHIBITION By Kevin Poulter President, HRSA See and hear amazing radios from the Golden Age of Radio, in April 2017. siliconchip.com.au March 2017  21 Hundreds of Bakelite and timber radios will be on display, with some for sale and many parts available. Collectors can also purchase valves, dials, HRSA magazines, high voltage capacitors and cables. T he 35th RadioFest celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the Historical Radio Society of Australia (HRSA). Many of the over 1100 members around Australia are bringing their prized radios to display or sell. to the theatre in twenty-seven lorries and reported as the largest in Australia. Scott Harrison, a HRSA member and leading Wurlitzer organist, will perform tunes of the era on each hour. Delight in seeing and hearing all things vintage radio About the HRSA Do you like the look and sound of Bakelite or timberradios? Highlights will include Bakelite radios in almost every conceivable design and colour, televisions, crystal sets, military radios, transistors and two-way radios (manufactured by PYE and Philips nearby in the 1960s), plus spark radios from the “Titanic” era – a tragic event that caused radio transmitters to become mandatory on all ships. Amazing vintage radios With an estimated 30,000 vintage radios in HRSA members’ collections, visitors can expect to see the best of the best, with many radios rarely or never seen in public before. Some are the only ones in existence. The entire ballroom and surrounds of the Kingston Town Hall in Moorabbin (Melbourne, Victoria) will be filled with enthusiasts savouring the 1000+ radios and parts. Musical masterpiece The Kingston Town Hall features a rare Wurlitzer organ, rescued in 1967 from the State Theatre in Melbourne and once again fully operational. The organ’s original arrival in Melbourne was a sensation, transported from the wharf 22  Silicon Chip The Society was started 35 years ago by Ray Kelly and a small group of enthusiasts who wanted to collect and preserve Australia’s radio history. Some members come from a radio-related career, others have no technical knowledge, just an empathy for radio collecting. There’s also a wide range of interests, like members who only collect one era, for example the 1920s, or the much later transistor sets, exclusively microphones, or military radios. Since its inception, the HRSA has endeavoured to cultivate and provide the means for members to collect radios, the parts needed for them, learn about radios, restoration and the history associated with Australia’s radio heritage. A major benefit is also the cultivating of friendships. Often members meet people they knew in radio 10, 20 or even 30 years ago, resulting in animated discussions on the old days and the subsequent years. The HRSA valve (and parts) bank Need hard-to-find parts? Browse through new or excellent condition vintage radio parts, radio knobs (even replica knobs made to order), dials, valves, radio magazines, books, printed posters and so much more on display and sale. Choose from the 50,000 new or tested valves in the “Valve siliconchip.com.au This seller had a fantastic range of very early Astor Mickey radios, including in ivory Bakelite and an AWA “Empire State”. 35th Member’s Dinner p Ne ea n y Hw South R d We are pleased to announce the guest speaker at the member’s dinner will be Dick Smith, the hugely successful entepreneur and adventurer. Dick’s attendance has created exceptional interest and tables are nearly sold out, so members need to book soon! Program and event details More information, including the program can be seen at www.ozradios.com The venue is the Kingston Town Hall (formerly the Moorabbin Town Hall), which is located near Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne’s south east suburbs. The website is updated as new details are available, so return SC regularly for the latest information. WHAT: HRSA 35th Anniversary RadioFest WHEN: Sunday, April 9th; Public 10am – 3pm (HRSA members 7-9th April) WHERE: Kingston City Hall, Moorabbin, Vic Bank” run by the HRSA. Other parts available to HRSA members include high voltage capacitors, authentic design power cables and rare looms, to name a few. Join us to admire, look and learn Many members have a technical knowledge of radios, in fact some write about Vintage Radio in SILICON CHIP magazine. So bring your questions! Members and visitors are also eligible to win one of many retro radio prizes. If you visit early and would like to learn about joining the HRSA, there’s a limited number of HRSA colour magazines available free, with a membership form. Or to enquire about membership now, either write to the Membership Secretary, HRSA, PO Box 2283, Mt. Waverley, Vic 3149, or fill in the membership form at www. ozradios.com Access all areas The RadioFest is open to the public on Sunday April 9th 2017, between 10am and 3pm. Members have access over the three days and to the dinner, so consider joining the HRSA. At only $35, including a colour magazine four times a year, access to the valve and parts bank, meetings and auctions, membership is outstanding value. siliconchip.com.au Leith Tebbit with his award-winning restored AWA console, at the last RadioFest in Melbourne. Leith’s outstanding craftsmanship to make the very aged console into “as new”, was featured in SILICON CHIP, October 2013. March 2017  23