75 years ago, on the first night they were supposed to go to air, 2CH had problems getting their transmitter to work. So, a resourceful engineer placed a condom over a troublesome oscillating valve ( a glass tube used in those days). It relieved the tension long enough for the station to get to air and operate till a new valve was sourced. That’s just one of the stories behind 600 broadcast callsigns, logos, top music charts and more from the1920s-1970s in Bruce Carty’s book, Australian Radio History.

The book is being sold as a Joint fundraiser with Radio Yesteryear 97.3 FM.

Limited edition, personally autographed copies, shipped worldwide for $60 are now available from www.radioheritage.com.

*2CC Canberra was first to introduce male and female breakfast duo jocks

*2SM Sydney banned “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”

*3AW Melbourne banned all Beatles records

*4KQ Brisbane sacked all female announcers in 1950

*5KA Adelaide opened their own cabaret called ‘Bondezvous’

*6WF Perth broadcast 60 minutes a day of advertisements

*7ZR Hobart used wind-up clockwork portable tape recorders

*8DR Darwin was established as a military entertainment service

Thousands of facts to impress or annoy all your mates, and give you a special look inside some 600 Australian radio stations… what makes them tick…. many of the characters involed.

Check out the Long Lost Australian Radio Stars series also, over 50 features on AM radio stations from the mid-1940s and some great photos and original art work for station logos.

Radio Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organisation connecting radio, popular culture, history and heritage. Operating since 2004 and funded only by public donation. W: www.radioheritage.com