[Milsurplus] Why Australia used the 3BZ

[Dean Davidson]

On 28/04/2019 05:44, Hubert Miller wrote:
> those I mean the Australian civilian observers – so had to use AM or 
> nothing to communicate. In this case, with low power, the extra watts 
> might mean
> 
A few references about the 3BZ
 From Australian War Memorial (AWM)
<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C203366>

"Radio transmitter and receiver 3BZ used by spotters of the New Guinea 
Air Warning Wireless Company (NGAWW). The AWA Teleradio 3A was designed 
and introduced into service in 1935 and continued until 1940. It was 
made specifically for tropical, jungle and island use and was commonly 
used for civil and domestic communications. It was Papua and New 
Guinea's counterpart of Australia's Pedal Wireless. Some early sets were 
available with Pedal generators. The transmitters had tunable 
frequencies, output 10 watts. The receivers had short wave and medium 
wave reception. it was superseded in1940 by the 3B,and in 1942 by the 
3BZ (pictured). The AWA Teleradio 3BZ was the result of a substantial 
upgrade of the 3A in 1940 to the 3B and in 1942 to the 3BZ, a vastly 
more sophisticated unit with 13 watt output and crystal controlled 
transmitter. The receiver had a 5 band capacity. These were designed for 
civilian use, but many became available when civilians over military 
age, including many older Coastwatchers, were evacuated from New Guinea. 
Army radios were unavailable so the Spotters and the Coastwatchers 
adopted these most satisfactory units."

Colin MacKinnon VK2DYM (SK)
<https://www.qsl.net/vk2dym/radio/3BZa.htm>
"When the war reached the Pacific, the civilian population and AWA staff 
suddenly found themselves in the front line and pressed into service 
providing vital information on the enemy advances. They were joined by 
Australian Navy and Army groups and later the US forces provided 
spotters in the Pacific region. They moved through enemy lines carrying 
their 3BZ "lifelines", providing intelligence and calling up air and 
ship strikes to harass the enemy. The Japanese were very determined and 
ruthless in their efforts to eliminate their tormentors and any natives 
who helped them. Those AWA staff who survived wrote up vivid reports of 
their harrowing experiences, a few of which are included in the book 
"Seawatchers"."

Ray Robinson et al
<http://www.tuberadio.com/robinson/Manuals/>
3BZ transmitter and receiver notes
Gives the full technical details of the 3B versions

The best history, with photos is a VMARS article
<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwja-LHF1vHhAhWTeisKHWpYDX0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsecure.toolkitfiles.co.uk%2Fclients%2F22828%2Fsitedata%2Ffiles%2FNS_Extracts_Jan14.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3TwvJhqnwaVCy02WSAnI-h>


So, a short summary.
The 3B sets were used in PNG well before the Pacific conflict
of WW2. They were used at that time using AM by civilians.
When war started in the Pacific in 1942 the value as an
intelligence asset was recognised and military CW operators were
used as well as the existing civilian AM operators.
They were a well known radio and thus there was no need to
replace them with a US radio.
The TCH was not available until 1942.
In fact, the 3B series were used by US forces!
Also, PNG and islands at the beginning of WW2 were
Australian dependencies and therefore, there was an
emphasis to supply Australian made equipment.
Manufacturer, Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA)
was able to fulfil this need.

A side note:
The "Aussie made" influence during WW2 was well in force.
The AR8/AT5 equivalent of the UK 1154/55 - AWA
The AR7 RX - equivalent to the HRO - Kingsley
The WS19, WS22, 101,108
To name just a few


I hope this helps for further research
Dean Davidson VK2DJD