Behold the Bald Hills Radiator. This towering structure stands as a testament to Brisbane’s broadcasting history. Its story is one of innovation, wartime urgency and a commitment to connecting communities.
Let’s journey back to the early days of radio in Brisbane. The 1920s saw radio transmissions originating from the city center. Stations 4QG and 4QR broadcasted from buildings in the heart of Brisbane. By the start of World War II, Brisbane’s skyline was dotted with five high aerial towers. Two belonged to 4QG and one to 4QR. Two more served commercial stations.
The threat of Japanese air raids changed everything. General Douglas MacArthur arrived in 1942. He chose the AMP Building as his headquarters. There were fears that the towers would act as navigational aids for enemy aircraft. This accelerated the need to move the radio transmitters out of the city.
The Bald Hills site was selected. Land acquisitions began in 1940. By 1941, the first aerial was erected. It was constructed from bore casing and stood 262 feet tall. In March 1942, 4QR made its first transmission from Bald Hills. The transmitter was moved overnight from the Central Telephone Exchange. In April, 4QG’s transmitter also relocated to Bald Hills. It was placed at a site leased from commercial station 4BH.
Bald Hills residents weren’t thrilled about the increased risk of attack. As the National Broadcasting Service was limited to Brisbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville, high frequency transmission was used to cover the rest of Queensland. VLQ went on air in February 1943.
Over the years, the Bald Hills Radiator site expanded. The transmitter building saw extensions in 1945-46 and again in 1962. Minor land reductions occurred in the 1970s and 1980s for road widening. Today, the site covers 43 hectares.
The Bald Hills Radiator is more than just a tower. It’s a living museum of broadcasting technology. The VLQ STCA880A transmitter is a highlight. This early model high-frequency transmitter predates transistors and silicon chips. It relies on large glass and metal radio valves. It required a water-cooling system. Douglas Sanderson described these early units as having a personality and character. He found them lacking in modern sterile steel boxes.
The STCA880A was known for its robustness and reliability. It served for 45 years, from 1943 to 1988. The Bald Hills unit was the third of its kind in Australia. It was the first NBS shortwave transmitter in Queensland.
The main vertical radiator is a triangular lattice steel structure. It is 204 meters high. It is guyed at four levels. The earth system consists of 120 buried copper wire radials. Two smaller masts also stand on the site.
The Bald Hills Radiator played a vital role in connecting remote communities. It enabled access to radio services for those in inland areas. The VLQ transmitter was crucial for broadcasts to Papua New Guinea. It was at the forefront of the shortwave transmission era.
The Bald Hills Radiator remains a well-known local landmark. It symbolizes innovation, resilience, and the enduring power of radio.