Summary

Main Operator console used by Melbourne Maritime Radio.

This equipment was collected from the Melbourne Coastal Radio Station after it was closed in July 2002. In addition to communications equipment and documentation, items in general office use were collected in order to represent as far as possible the working environment at the time of closure.

Physical Description

Linear horseshoe shaped desk with front recess for chair. The desk is manufactured from wood and has a green hard plastic top. The top panel sits on two units one on the left and one on the right. The left side has a centrally located shelf and also has connection points for a phone key, VIT key and teleprinter located directly under the top of the desk. The right hand side mirrors this layout but the connection points are all part of an automatic morse code sender unit. On top of the desktop sits a later addition to the console, a grey laminated unit (which actually overlaps the edges of the original desk) that houses the receivers and transmitters. From left to right the following technical equipment is present in the unit (amongst other items); RACAL Receiver, blank panel, Tascam recording unit and TX Audio Selector Transmitter (see notes for full breakdown). There are also 12 individual speakers running along the top edge of the unit and various spaces for filing of paperwork and other related objects. In various exterior faces of the console there are various power points and sockets to enable the systems to operate. On the left hand, exterior face of the upper unit there is also a Bureau of Meteorology...Weather Services informational poster still in-situ. On the rear of the console there are four wooden doors (two hinged underneath to open downwards and two hinged on the side to open sideways) that house cables and internal workings. There are several additional storage areas on the console.

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