A.W.A. BROADCASTING STATION 9MI (M/V KANIMBLA)
The M/V Kanimbla, built in Belfast in 1936, was the only ship at the time constructed with a full broadcast radio station. A.W.A. technicians shipped their broadcasting equipment to Belfast for installation while the ship was under construction.
The “Kanimbla” was granted a broadcast licence by the P.M.G. department, with the callsign 9MI. The radio station consisted of two studios; one for group broadcasts, and the other for announcer presentation. The crystal controlled transmitter was rated at 1,000 watts, but technical problems resulted in a usual output of only 50 watts. It was designed to operate on any wavelength between 20 and 50 metres.
The first test broadcast from 9MI was on 21-4-1936 during sea trials in the Firth of Clyde. The delivery voyage from Northern Ireland to Australia began at 0400 on 26-4-1936. 9MI made four test broadcasts each day during their 15,000 mile voyage.
The official launch of 9MI was made in a special broadcast to Australia while the ship was south of the continent in the Great Australian Bight, 1,000 miles from Sydney. At 2000 Sydney time, 9MI went on the air on 11,710 KHz. The program was received by the A.B.C., and relayed throughout their network.
The “Kanimbla” was a 453 passenger ship with a route connecting Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Mackay with 400 berths. Regular broadcasts commenced on 6,010 KHz., with one hour programs several evenings each week, with their announcer and singer Eileen Foley. They also had a female orchestra with a pianist, violinist, and cellist performing on air, and at nightly on-board dances. The 9MI broadcasts were received and then relayed by A.W.A. stations 3BO Bendigo, 2GN Goulburn, 3HA Hamilton, 2AY Albury, 2GF Grafton, 4WK Warwick, 4TO Townsville, and 4CA Cairns.
On 4-11-1936, while in Fremantle, the “Kanimbla” held a ball open to the public, raising funds for various charities.
At the outbreak of WWII in 1939 the 9MI transmitter licence was cancelled and the “Kanimbla” became a troop carrier, first known as HMS Kanimbla, then HMAS Kanimbla.
The “Kanimbla” was granted a broadcast licence by the P.M.G. department, with the callsign 9MI. The radio station consisted of two studios; one for group broadcasts, and the other for announcer presentation. The crystal controlled transmitter was rated at 1,000 watts, but technical problems resulted in a usual output of only 50 watts. It was designed to operate on any wavelength between 20 and 50 metres.
The first test broadcast from 9MI was on 21-4-1936 during sea trials in the Firth of Clyde. The delivery voyage from Northern Ireland to Australia began at 0400 on 26-4-1936. 9MI made four test broadcasts each day during their 15,000 mile voyage.
The official launch of 9MI was made in a special broadcast to Australia while the ship was south of the continent in the Great Australian Bight, 1,000 miles from Sydney. At 2000 Sydney time, 9MI went on the air on 11,710 KHz. The program was received by the A.B.C., and relayed throughout their network.
The “Kanimbla” was a 453 passenger ship with a route connecting Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Mackay with 400 berths. Regular broadcasts commenced on 6,010 KHz., with one hour programs several evenings each week, with their announcer and singer Eileen Foley. They also had a female orchestra with a pianist, violinist, and cellist performing on air, and at nightly on-board dances. The 9MI broadcasts were received and then relayed by A.W.A. stations 3BO Bendigo, 2GN Goulburn, 3HA Hamilton, 2AY Albury, 2GF Grafton, 4WK Warwick, 4TO Townsville, and 4CA Cairns.
On 4-11-1936, while in Fremantle, the “Kanimbla” held a ball open to the public, raising funds for various charities.
At the outbreak of WWII in 1939 the 9MI transmitter licence was cancelled and the “Kanimbla” became a troop carrier, first known as HMS Kanimbla, then HMAS Kanimbla.
|
M/V KANIMBLA in FREMANTLE
QSL (Reception Confirmation) letter from Eileen Foley
|