ABC Radio Perth

[4] Unlike other Australian states, Western Australia never had a strong amateur broadcasting regime which encouraged the development of the local wireless industry.

After his appointment as chief engineer for 6WF in late 1923,[6] he transmitted a regular Sunday evening concert to boost sales of the Mulgaphone and establish a future audience for 6WF.

[9] The idea of the Westralian Farmers station was initiated by John Thomson, manager of their Wheat Department, and eventually taken up by Basil Murray.

The meeting voted to form the Wireless Development Association of WA and to amalgamate with firms interested in a broadcasting licence for Perth.

[13] At Westralian Farmers ninth annual meeting in October 1923 it was quietly announced by Basil Murray (managing director) that they had not only been issued WA's first broadcasting licence, but also had signed contracts for the installation of the facility.

Planning for future economic viability of the station was obscured by industry opposition to sealed sets and likely issue of new wireless regulations.

[17][18] The antenna for the initial 6WF facility was established on the rooftop of the Westralian Farmers building at 569 Wellington Street in the central business district of Perth.

The Postmaster-General's Department was routinely identifying unlicensed listeners with its team of radio inspectors led by George Scott, but discretion was exercised in not taking legal action.

In December 1924 the first prosecution took place and this served to encourage listeners to take out licences and thereby support the Westralian Farmers station.

Although AWA was heavily promoting longwave to prevent importation of cheap receivers from the USA, 6WF's chief engineer investigated the matter and supported the decision.

[33][34] With no funds to work with PMG Gibson threatened to cancel the licences of the Class A stations who did not improve services and co-ordinate between themselves.

[35] In March 1928, Thomson announced in an interview with a journalist from the Perth Daily News that Westralian Farmers was ready to relinquish its broadcasting interests.

It was announced by PMG Green in July 1931 that 6WF was to be relocated outside the Perth central business district and provided with a new transmission system.

The antenna was to be of the Alexanderson type, closely similar to those to be deployed at the new ABC stations 2CO Albury (Corowa) and 5CK Port Pirie (Crystal Brook).

For commercial reasons, the site could not be identified prior to acquiring an option to purchase, but a November 1931 rumour that the station would be located on Wanneroo Road, north of Perth proved accurate.

[40] PMG Green confirmed in a late December statement that a 12 acre site had been acquired and the project now required approval at the 5 January 1932 cabinet meeting.

[41] The PMGD chief engineer John Murray Crawford visited Perth in February 1932 and gave a comprehensive progress report.

[43] The station moved again in 1937 to the Stirling Institute building located in the Supreme Court Gardens, St Georges Terrace.

This building was to provide the home for the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra for a number of years, running alongside three separate radio stations.

In the week prior to commencement on 4 June 1924, the new broadcast facility played continuous gramophone music while equipment was adjusted in the entire transmission chain.

[55] On the occasion of its first anniversary, it was noted that in the past year 6WF had conducted 900 transmissions, played 2,000 records and presented 200 lectures without failing to broadcast on a single day.

[56] ABC Radio Perth produces news bulletins unique to Western Australia, which are broadcast between 5:00am and 10:00pm on weekdays, and between 6:00am and 1:00pm on weekends.

QSL card from VK6AG Wally Coxon, first chief engineer of 6WF, to VK3BQ Max Howden, ca 1926. Wally's transmitter provided a shortwave simulcast of 6WF on 3 MHz for several years in late 1920s
East Perth studios
Geoff Hutchison , presenter of the Drive program, in the station's radio studio (The Wally Foreman Studio, Radio Studio 600)