Highlights of episode 168 of The Adelaide Show podcast

This week, we go back to where the Adelaide Show really began, with Steve’s introduction to radio in Murray Bridge in the 1980s.

Mount Barker Courier December 1932

MURRAY BRIDGE RADIO SOCIETY.

On December 14, 1932, a wireless society was formed at Murray Bridge, entitled “Murray Bridge Radio Society,” with a membership of 15. The objects of the society are to aid members with advice and instruction in radio-telegraphy and telephony. It is hoped that the club will generate enough interest in radio for Murray Bridge to have its own public radio station .General meetings are to be held fortnightly at the hon. secretary’s residence, Eleanor Terrace, at 8 p.m. and members can avail themselves of buzzer practice every Thursday evening from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Members of the club are very fortunate in having Mr. Miller’s station (Call 5MU) placed at their disposal by him for use as a club room. He has a splendid 4 wire-wire aerial of the X type, which will soon be increased to 150 feet in height. The station consists of a complete transmitting and receiving set.

The Mail September 1923

S.A. LISTENS IN

In Touch With New Zealand

Excellent results in the reception of radio telephony from New Zealand are recorded by Mr. F. G. Miller, hon. secretary of Murray Bridge Radio Society, South Australia, in a letter to Auckland Radio Service, Limited, New Zealand, in the course of his letter. Mr. Miller says: — I heard your announcer very plainly when closing down last night (8 p.m.. Adelaide* time), mention, records and loan of Broadwood piano, also song, “An old-fashioned home,” came in fairly clearly. I hope to be able to get all your concerts in future. I am using a regenerative receiver, and one stage audio frequency amplification, on home-made apparatus. I think the distance covered, about 2,800 miles, is ample evidence of the efficiency of your transmitter. I may mention the modulation was excellent.

Times September 1995

Alex wins awards for Radio 5MU

Murray Bridge radio announcer Alex Zastera has won two national awards for regional stations. Mr Zastera won both the best news presenter and the best talk personality when the awards were announced as part of the Federation of Australia Radio Broadcasters annual conference on the Gold Coast Saturday night. It was the first time Mr Zastera or 5MU had won any of the prestigious awards, which were judged by others in the industry. This year more than 600 entries were received in the three categories – regional, provincial and metropolitan – from which three finalists are selected in each of about 30 sections. Mr Zastera, 50, who has been in the industry for 17 years, is 5MU’s breakfast news reader and is well known for his talk back program.A popular radio identity, Alex’s passion and personality have endeared him to the region’s listeners who tune to him each weekday morning.