History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Stations/4AK Brisbane/Notes

1922 04
First reference in Trove digital newspapers to J. Milner, as Council member of WIA (Qld) / Qld Wireless Institute "The Wireless Institute. In addition to a number of interesting and instructive lectures by the members, a high standard of discussion had taken place on the construction of long waves, long wave receivers, arc converters, valve transmitters, and all modern radio apparatus generally, stated the report presented by the secretary (Mr. S. V. Colville) at the third annual meeting of the Queensland division of the Wireless In-stitute of Australia, held last evening. Mr. W. Finney presided. A number of the members, the report added, were now able to receive practically any high-powered long wave station in the world. Very satisfactory results were being obtained in the research room. Appreciation was expressed at the Department of Public Instruction granting the free use of the lecture and research rooms. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— Patrons, Prof. R. W. Hawken, B.A., B.E., M.I.C.E., and Mr. W. M. L'Estrange; president, Mr. W. Finney; vice-presidents, Messrs. S. R. H. Smith, G. Chilton, and G. Boundy; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. V. Colville, assistant hon. secretary, Mr. P. A. Wilson; librarian, Mr. W. Shepley; assistant librarian, Mr. A. E. Dillon; council, Messrs. W. Shepley, A. L. Moore, E. C. Littler, E. M. Gibson, A. E. Dillon, L. O. Kerlin, J. Milner, and H. V. Callick. The council was constituted a research committee, with power to add to its number. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring officers and council and the Press."

1922 09
4AK is one of the two operators of the WIA transmitter for the purpose of a demonstration concert on 30 August 1922 "WIRELESS TELEPHONY. DEMONSTRATION CONCERT. Seated on Thursday night in a cosy room in a house at Red Hill, a representative of 'The Daily Mail' had his first experience with the radiophone. In one corner of the room was an alarming array of wireless instruments, which were carefully watched over by the president of the Queensland branch of Wireless Institute, Mr. W. Finney. It was in name a wireless receiving station, and a small audience had gathered to hear a concert broadcast from the transmitting station at the Wireless Institute in Edward-street. Mr. Finney immediately got busy, and 'picked up' the 'carrier wave,' and shortly afterwards the listeners were treated to a concert by wireless. Softly through the wireless receivers came the beautiful strains of a delightful waltz, which was shortly afterwards followed by a selection of Harry Lauder favourites and a grand march from Soura. It was really quite uncanny. Following the concert at the receiving station at Red Hill, a visit was paid to the transmitting station in the tower of the old fire brigade quarters. In the top? of the tower was stationed a cabinet gramophone, in front of which was 'a speaker' or megaphone, which transmitted the voice to the various receiving stations situated throughout the city. Messrs. J. Milner and A. Dillon were the operators and they spent a busy night announcing the numerous items, and attending to the various instruments which combine to make a transmitting station."

4AK is one of the three operators of the WIA transmitter for the purpose of a demonstration concert on Tuesday 5 September 1922 "WIRELESS CONCERT. Last night about 50 or 60 people heard gramophone selections by means of wireless, directed from the Wireless Institute in the old Fire Brigade buildings in Edward-street. The audience consisted chiefly of members of the Queensland branch of the Australian Wireless Institute, and also of people owning a receiving set. Many of these people were widely distributed, some as far out as Ipswich, Toowoomba, and Goondiwindi. During the concert, Mr. D. W. Chandler spoke to these subscribers, and desired them to notify him if any complaints in the transmission of the sound, so that he might be able to improve his apparatus, thus eventually obtaining a perfect transmitter. The records put on included 'Schubert's Serenade,' 'Cavalleria Rusticana,' and 'Secret Love' (gavotte). Other tunes were 'Salut d'Amour,' 'Wake Up, John Bull,' and 'L'Inspiration' (violin and organ). On the whole about 20 records were used. Mr. Engles lent the Bowerbird gramophone, and Messrs. J. Milner, A. E. Dillon, and D. W. Chandler operated the set. Concerts have been arranged for every Tuesday evening."

"Radiophone Concert. Despite the stormy weather the sixth weekly wireless concert under the auspices of the Queensland Wireless Institute was given last night. The ships Burwah and Moira 'listened in,' in addition to between 50 and 100 small stations within a radius of 500 miles of Brisbane. The records were played on a gramophone with a special wooden horn attached, the instrument being lent by Mr. F. Engles. The music is conveyed to a special transmitter, and then through the radiophone into the aerial, and broadcast in all directions. The records included 'Land of Hope and Glory,' 'Ave Maria,' and 'American Patrol,' which were sent into the institute by persons interested in wireless, with a request that they should be played. Other items were 'Wake Up, John Bull,' 'Don't Go Out With Him Tonight,' and 'Invitation Waltz.' Tests were carried out with the instruments from 12.30 o'clock on Saturday night until 8.30 o'clock on Sunday morning by Messrs. W. Finney, J. Milner, W. E. Dillon and D. W. Chandler, and certain improvements were made. At an early date the institute hopes to give a public radiophone."