(1950s-1980s)
The Marconi S.W.B.8 HF transmitter was originally produced in the late
1930s as a shipboard transmitter, having an all-brass carcass construction
for corrosion prevention. These units were used by the Australian Army
in World War II, and after the war about a dozen units were purchased
by DCA.
Given the DCA stores identification Y5-6081, these units were commonly referred to as 'Swab 8s'. They were used on point-to-point radioteletype circuits linking Sydney, Darwin, Perth, Cocos Is., and to overseas stations.
Very reliable and robust, they were a good example of the best quality professional transmitter available at the time. They remained in Departmental service from the mid-1950s until the mid-1980s.
Specification:
| Manufacturer | Marconi, England |
| Type of service | High speed (machine) Morse (CW), and later frequency-shift radioteletype driven by a high stability frequency shift exciter (KY5 keyer) specially developed by DCA to overcome frequency drift problems of earlier equipment. |
| Frequency range | 3 to 22.2 Mc/s (MHz) |
| Output power | 2 to 3.5 KW |
| Valve types | Output
- ACT9 |
The Airways Museum's S.W.B.8 was in use in Darwin. When removed from service it was filthy with years of accumulated grime, and a dead snake was found in the bottom of it!
The unit was restored to its present pristine condition by Museum volunteer Ron Sevior (below), in 2000. Perspex panels permit a view of the interior which would have been covered by brass-mesh plates in service.
(Photos:
CAHS collection)
Airways Museum Virtual Tour
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