Summary
Transceiver used as part of a pedal-powered radio (or wireless) set, developed by Alfred Hermann Traeger (1895-1980) for the Australian Inland Mission aerial ambulance service (later named Royal Flying Doctor Service).
Alf Traeger developed his pedal radio set for people living in remote outback communities far away from telegraph stations. It was designed to be portable, lightweight, robust and cheap. It had a transmission range of 800 miles (1288 km) and was first introduced in Queensland in 1929.
This set is believed to have been used at Mulka Station in the north of South Australia, on the main Birdsville-Maree route to Adelaide. It was named the 'Mary Margaret Kemp Set' in 1931 after the founding President (from 1925-1930) of the Western Division of the Queensland Country Women's Association (CWA).
Physical Description
Radio transceiver housed in a rectangular wooden case.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, 13 Feb 1956
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Maker of Item Depicted
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Place Used
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Organisation Symbolised
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Inscriptions
Plaque on front of box: ' MARY MARGARET KEMP /SET / PRESIDENT 1925 - 1930 / PRESENTED BY MEMBERS / OF / Q.C.W.A. WESTERN DIVISION '
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
645 mm (Length), 250 mm (Width), 290 mm (Height)
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References
John Behr, 'Traeger, Alfred Hermann (1895-1980)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, [Link 1] published first in hardcopy 1990, accessed online 24 March 2023. [Link 2] Australasian Radio Relay League (1933-12-14). Only Radio Has Made Possible the FLYING DOCTOR One-man-power Wireless Network in Far North Links Oupost and Enables Telegraphic Communication With World (14 December 1933). In The wireless weekly : the hundred per cent Australian radio journal. 22 (24), 24. 1933 'COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION.', The Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), 3 November, p. 2. , viewed 24 Mar 2023, [Link 3]
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Keywords
Flying Doctors, Radio Receivers, Radio Transceivers, Women's Associations, Innovation, Innovation & Design
