"Philips" in the Aussie outback...

[boxdoctor]

Hello,
I have a friend who is on a protracted solo tour of Australia's wilder parts in a camper-van type vehicle.He is a radio enthusiast, and frequently sends me pics of anything interesting. (Well, on the odd occasion when he can get access to the 'net.that is!)
The attached came the other day, I thought it worth sharing, as its rather unique I would imagine.
Its the local radio station 2BH at Broken Hill, NSW. A bit more imaginative than the average radio station archtecture, I think! Tony.

[turretslug]

I rather like that, in a world where the bottom line seems to dictate that every sort of business increasingly gets accommodated in identikit dull grey metal sheds. Probably not to everyone's taste but lets architects have a bit of fun and brickies show what they can do.

[paulsherwin]

The odd thing is that Philips radios weren't sold in Australia in the 1930s, to the best of my knowledge anyway.

I think it's an attractive and entertaining building.

I wonder if the 'knobs' work? Rather splendid, I wouldn't mind it as our house.

[lesmw0sec]

Brilliant! Many years ago, I designed an audio mixer for them - never visited though unfortunately!

[stevehertz]

I like it.

[Radio Wrangler]

If only the world had more people like that!

So a transmitter is rather like a receiver but just bigger?

David

[paulsherwin]

It must be said that that's a very nicely framed photo, and the building looks rather less impressive in Google Streetview: https://www.google.com/maps/@-31.962...cIAk3I3ytw!2e0

Still better than the usual developer's offices though.

[pmmunro]

There's an interesting view of the local electricity distribution system visible opposite the radio station in Google Street View. HV & LV sharing the same poles and a none too big pole transformer feeding the area, apparently including the radio station. No sign of protection and control gear normally associated with an enclosed sub-station.

PMM

[paulsherwin]

Broken Hill isn't exactly New York, though the street widths are impressive.

The station is only 500W. I think you can see the aerial at the back of the building. It's amazing that it's commercially viable given the low population, especially compared to some UK stations with 250,000 population areas who struggle to make money operating largely unmanned.

[arjoll]

Originally Posted by pmmunro

HV & LV sharing the same poles and a none too big pole transformer feeding the area

Not overly unusual in lower population density areas in NZ either - this setup isn't too far from here......

[lesmw0sec]

Same in Brisbane. It is a common sight to see 11KV + local mains on the same poles.

[Synchrodyne]

Originally Posted by arjoll

Not overly unusual in lower population density areas in NZ either - this setup isn't too far from here......

I’d say that streetside poles carrying both HT (11 kV) and LT (400/230 V) are more common here than those carrying only 400/230 V. Also seen are streetside poles carrying both 33 kV and 11 kV, and less commonly, 33 kV, 11 kV and 400/230 V. I noticed a few of the last-mentioned when I was out-and-about running errands this morning. One or two had small pole-mounted 11 kV/400/230 V transformers, as well.

Cheers,

[Alvin]

Googling found this:

================================================== =====
2BH commenced broadcasting on the 30th June 1934.

In that time the station has had many owners and location changes, once
owned by News Ltd and operating from studios in Union Street, which is
now a private residence.

For many years 2BH studios were in Argent Street, the main street of
Broken Hill, the shop is now occupied by an office equipment business,
but remnants of the old studios remain intact.

In 1990 they moved into a new building, which was custom built to house
the station and is quite unique in its construction, designed to
replicate an antique Phillips Radio, complete with brass logo. It is
believed to be the only building of its kind in the Southern
Hemisphere, possibly the world.

If you are visiting Broken Hill you are welcome to tour the studios and
souvenirs and postcards are always available.
================================================== ===

In the late 70s to early 80s I had a colleague at LBC who hailed from Broken Hill and worked in radio there before the new building went up but he may well have visited it on trips back home so I'll give him a buzz and see what he knows.

Alvin

[joebog1]

Very common to run HV and LV in Australia. Now they even have the few bits of cable net, that we have, on the same poles.
Population of Broken Hill is about 27000.
I was the engineer at 4AM here where I live. Its a town of 7000 people, but the radio is the furthest north on the east side of the country, so it serves the whole of Cape York as well. Its a 2000 watt station, with phased antennas so it doesnt go far south. I did build a translater on 1422 khZ, in Port Douglas, but its since stopped working.
Somewhere in 2BH will be a diesel standby generator!!
I left 4AM about 20 years ago when it basically became a bunch of cart machines and a satelite link to Sydney. They still have a studio here though. Come to think of it, there was a studio in Cairns as well, but the then owners were just stripping the station, so I pulled it down.

Joe

[lesmw0sec]

Happy memories of Cairns - Those huge pacific prawns..... Anyway to return to topic, Joebog1 - did you ever have contact with MTE electronics in Brisbane?

Les.

[joebog1]

The "name" is familiar, but nothing distinct. Logging tape perhaps ?? 10" pancakes??
Rewinding add carts is a MAJOR PITA !!!!

Regards
Joe

[lesmw0sec]

I am surprised to hear that cartridges are still in use - thought everything was digital these days! MTE use to supply mixers/programme dist. amps/wow & flutter meters around Aus.

[paulsherwin]

I think Joe is referring to practices 20+ years ago.