The Mulgaphone wireless

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The Mulgaphone wireless was introduced by Westralian Farmers Limited in 1924. It was the means by which farmers could listen in to station 6WF which was established in Perth by that company. The Mulgaphone wireless was announced in January 1924 when the first orders were being accepted by Westralian Farmers Limited. The First public demonstration of the Mulgaphone occurred in March 1924.

The Mulgaphone sets were assembled and tested by Mr. Wally Coxon. Mr. Coxon was probably Western Australia's leading radio engineer at that time. He also played a key role in the establishment of 6WF which officially opened on June 4 1924. The initial batch of Mulgaphones were 'sealed sets' with fixed coils and a tuning condenser that gave limited coverage of the radio spectrum. Their reception was centred on 6WF, the sole local station whose wavelength was 1250 m.

The transmitter for 6WF was located on the Westralian Farmers Limited building in Wellington Street Perth with the studios in the top floor of that building. Within the first month of operation the sealed set system was abandoned by the government and the Mulgaphones were re-designed, first with tapped internal coils and then with plug-in coils (usually 'basket weave' or 'honeycomb' type). This made it possible to tune to other wavelengths in the range 250 - 2000 m. Often eastern states stations could be received at night.

Mulgaphones could be purchased in a number of different forms. A Mulgaphone amplifier could also be purchased in order to use a horn speaker with the receiver instead of telephones (headphones).  A 'short wave' Mulgaphone was also marketed in 1928 for the reception of 6WF transmissions on 104.5 metres. It is likely that the last Mulgaphones were manufactured in 1929. It is estimated that about 1200 Mulgaphones were manufactured in Western Australia.

CATALOGUE

A full catalogue of Mulgaphones is still being prepared. However the following sets are known to have been produced. Variations in specifications occur. Additional information is requested. Please telephone 9330 1636 if you can assist.

Early 2 valve 'sealed set' with fixed coils and limited tuning (see below).

2 valve set with internal tapped coils (factory modified 'sealed set').

2 valve set with 3 plug-in coils (Model RD).

3 valve set with 3 plug-in coils (Model RRD).

3 valve set with 3 plug-in coils and attached 2 valve amplifier in same cabinet (Model RRDAA).

De Luxe Combination cabinet with amplifier (Model RDAA), with space provided in lower cabinet for loud speaker which may also be used externally.

Short-wave set with 3 valves and internal plug-in coils.

Known models in the Junior series (cabinet dimensions 250 x 210 x 165 mm)

Crystal set with two plug-in coils (see below).

2 valve set with three plug-in coils (Model RD Junior).

1 valve set with 3 plug-in coils.

1 valve, crystal detector with 2 plug-in coils (supplied as parts-only to State School Boys).

2 valve amplifier in separate box for 1 and 2 above.

Below: The early 2 valve (sealed set) Mulgaphone with fixed coils (1924).

Below: Mulgaphone with crystal detector (1926)

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