Australian 109 set

[Mike K]

Keith ,

Max's set has had a hole cut in the receiver next to the tuning dial for a speaker . this can be fixed . The 109 is a unique Australian designed set used in the early AIF campaigns in the Middle East and Malaya . I have one here in my collection .

I have the manual here for the set , plus a article written by Neil Wain from the signals museum at Watsonia barracks .

below is a part of a article I wrote for the VMVC newsletter , the 109 was still in use as late as 1944 in the Island campaigns . About 1500 made .


WIRELESS SET NO. 109 ( AUSTRALIA )

The 109 set appears to have a wholly Australian design history . Built by STC Ltd of Sydney
between 1939 and 42 this set was issued to AIF signals units and saw service in the Middle East
and Malaya . Also used in training situations in Australia . AWM photos reveal 109 sets mounted
in LP1 Bren Carriers in use with the 8 Div cavalry regiment training at Rokeby in West Gippsland
in October 1940. Used as a ground or vehicle station contemporary photos show the 109 set
installed in 1939-41 Ford GS 1 ton vans (utilities) in Syria and Palestine during 1940-42. For some
unknown reason it seems that during 1939-42 the Aust. army favoured Ford GS vans as wireless
trucks in preference to the Chevs of the time . In the field many sets were installed in the trucks in
a AD HOC fashion by the crews , wireless tables were made from scrap wood and photo evidence
has supported this . A standard wooden shelf type installation has also been noted in some
photos . The 109 set was built in a steel case measuring 25.5“ wide by 16.5” high with a chest style
lifting handle on each side . A clip on steel lid had the microphone and h / phones stored on
brackets inside the lid . A separate 6 volt vibrator power supply was used which required a
whopping 21 amps on transmit in CW ( morse code ) mode. Power output was around 10 watts RF.
A rare set as approx. only 1500 were built in various marks . Post WW2 these sets were used by
the CMF , civilian emergency radio networks and outback sheep stations in QLD into the late
1950’s . One survivor has a NSWGR ( Government Railways ? ) brass plate attached .

The pic below was taken in the ME , its a Ford GS van 1940 . Note the AD HOC way the radio table has been made and the seating arrangment !

Mike