History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/Vernon Francis Kenna/Notes

Vernon Francis Kenna - Transcriptions and notes

Overviews

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (1)

CHAPTER SEVEN. PRESIDENTS. In any organization the choice of a suitable President is especially important - the ability he has and the image he projects are vital to success. History shows that the five men listed below served the WIA Q with great distinction throughout the 1930s. Collectively they were responsible for laying the foundations that successfully carried the Sunshine State Division through to WWII. All possessed outstanding ability in administration, communication and dedication, although they were markedly diverse in their approach and personal natures. Their names and period in office are as follows:

• Matt M. O'Brien OA4MM April 1927 - April 1929
• Matt M. O'Brien VK4MM April 1929 - May 1931
• Leo J. Feenaghty VK4LJ May 1931 - April 1932
• Pat Kelly VK4KB June 1932 - March 1933
• Vern F. Kenna VK4FK March 1933 - April 1933
• Arthur F. Walz VK4AW April 1933 - September 1939 (WWII).

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (2)

VERNON FRANCIS KENNA, VK4FK (President IREE 1968-69) The abilities of Vern VK4FK were such that he excelled in every task he undertook. Without doubt, his short term as President was the WIA's loss; he possessed physical bearing, the rhetoric (although quietly spoken) and the administrative ability to fill the WIA's top position in Queensland very admirably. Vern showed a very early interest in radio, qualifying for his AOPC in 1927 (sic, late 1926) and constructed and operated receiving and transmitting equipment (amateur station 4FK) at Allen St., Hamilton, Brisbane for a number of years as opportunity offered. Those who knew him in those days claim he was lecturing on the theory of wireless to students in the late 1920s, when in his late teens. His commitment to radio seems to have been almost total throughout his whole life. Born at Brisbane 6th May 1908, VK4FK commenced employment in the PMG in 1924 as a junior mechanic-in-training. He advanced through technical grades and finally assumed the position of senior engineer in the radio section of the headquarters administration in Melbourne. From 1931 to 1934 Vern was a member of the technical staff at Broadcast Station 4QG Brisbane. In 1934 he moved to the PMG Research Section in Melbourne, where among other radio assignments he assisted in the development of the now familiar top-loaded broadcasting radiator and also VHF radio relay equipment designed for use on outside broadcasting work. He qualified as engineer in 1935. During the early stages of WWII Vern was concerned with the installation of aeradio and assisted DF equipment at a number of centres in Queensland and other adjacent Pacific areas. Then, in the light of the critical war situation, he was involved in the urgent removal of the NBS metropolitan stations 4QG and 4QR to preferred sites outside the city limits. OOTers will remember the dismantling of the two lattice masts of station 4QG, atop the Taxation Building, cnr. George and Elizabeth Sts. - and the single, taller aerial of 4QR reaching skywards from the roof of the PMG building complex in Queen St., Brisbane. In 1950 VK4FK represented Australia as a delegate to the International HF Broadcasting Conference held in Italy. As further proof of his unlimited ability, he found time to rewrite the Constitution of the Flying Doctor Service (F.D.S.), in order to give it a Royal Charter and a new title of R.F.D.S. In 1961 he took up the position of Federal Controller of Technical Services with the ABC, until he retired in the late 1960s. Vern VK4FK had one other passion - sailing his own boat - which was often frustrated by the demands of his job. He now lives on the shore of Sydney Harbour, NSW, a fitting QTH for one who loves small ships. Author's Note: Vern VK4FK, together with a few of his contemporaries, gave their genius free rein by building what appears to be the first totally free-moving robot in Queensland (no umbilical control cord). Outwardly it assumed the shape of a well-fed Oriental Potentate; approximately 4 ft 6 ins tall, it had speech (2-way) and considerable mobility. It was introduced to the public of Brisbane at the Post Office Ball held at the Trocadero, South Brisbane in 1938 (sic, 1939). Its appearance caused quite a stir as it moved in and out of the alcoves and exchanged repartee with all concerned. Robo 1 even made a speech. Several VHF and UHF transmitters and receivers were installed, out of sight, in the Oriental's interior and were remotely controlled from a distance. This writer assisted with on-the-spot technical adjustments to make Robo 1's debut at the Ball a success.

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (3)

OA4FK - VERNON FRANCIS KENNA. AOCP Brisbane 1928 (sic, late 1926). Now VK2JR. Known to the fraternity as "Marconi". Vern, an OOTer of outstanding ability, now resides in Sydney, NSW. (See WIAQ Presidents.)

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (4)

THE (ROYAL) FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE - RFDS The Reverend John Flynn 8AC, an early member of the WIA, set up the first Flying Doctor wireless station at Cloncurry in 1928. Bases at Charleville and Charters Towers followed. Eventually a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) communication covered a large part of inland Australia. It was the ingenuity of the amateur experimenter that set the groundwork for this great achievement. In the 1920s, against the best advice that a QRP portable transceiver that would reach the isolated areas could not be built, John Flynn 8AC assisted by Alf Traeger VK5AX successfully designed the PEDAL RADIO SET - unique in the world at the time. Three Queenslanders figured prominently in the subsequent development of the FDS which was later reconstituted to become the RFDS. They were Harry Kinzbrunner VK4HK and Vern Kerr VK4LK (see Profiles) and Vern Kenna VK4FK (see WIAQ Presidents). Raconteurs claim that by chance John 8AC, Alf 5AX and possibly Harry 4HK arrived in Cloncurry on a Melbourne Cup Day. To maximize their cause they set up the transceiver outside the local pub. Curious imbibers poured out to inspect the "new fangled wireless" and, as a Cloncurry horse was running in the Cup, observers wanted to know the race result post haste. John Flynn was able to gain information of the event and announce that the horse had won. The locals, full of praise for the invention, returned to the pub to celebrate - and the Reverend John Flynn 8AC knew that God was "on side" with his venture to establish a Flying Doctor Service.

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (5)

(Photo Caption Start) MEMBERS OOTERS CLUB. All licensed BEFORE 1930 - except VK4FE. L to R: Perc Wood, Fred Matthews, Col Grant, Arthur Burton, Leo Feenaghty, Arthur Walz, Vern Kenna and Cliff Gold. (See Profiles.) (Photo Caption End)

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (6)

WOOLOOWIN RADIO CLUB - VK4WN Thirteen keen experimenters assembled on 4th August 1924 to set up the above club. The names of these charter members are not known. Most of them agreed they had little experience in what they proposed to do, nevertheless the resultant Wooloowin Radio Club became one of the most respected of its period. During the seven years of its activity (1924-31) many of Brisbane's outstanding wireless experimenters became members, thus giving it that touch of distinction that has remained associated with it to the present time. The names speak for themselves. To mention a few:

• V.F. Kenna VK4FK was appointed President WIA VK4 Div. in 1933. His impressive professional career is outlined under the section on WIA presidents.
• P. (Pat) Kelly was also a WIA President 1932-33 and a motivating force behind the club's activities for many years.
• L.J. (Leo) Feenaghty VK4LJ was WIA VK4 President 1931-32. One of the most influential men in early wireless experimentation, Leo was known not so much for his technical expertise but for his administrative and organizational abilities. He was editor of the WIA's first news-sheet "QTC" - which is still the Queensland Division's official newsletter fifty-five years later

(Photo Caption Start) The Wooloowin Radio Club VK4WN, 1929

• Back Row - Chas. Stephenson, 4RG; G.M. Percival, W. Blaikie, K. Taylor, Leo, J. Feenaghty, 4LJ; E.W. Butcher, R. Connolly.
• Second Row - Geo. H. Payne (Hon . Sec.), V.J. Bouchard (Asst. Hon. Sec.), H. Oldham, E. Twiss, Gordon Shearer, 4GA; C.J. Grant, 4JG; Hal. Stephenson, 4RG.
• Front Row - J. W. Robinson (Vice-President), H.A. Jiear (President), James Love, Esq. (Patron), H. Kington (Past President), L.P. Love, 4JL (Hon. Treasurer).
• Absent - W. Rhode, 4RW; Bruce Munro, 4AL; C. George, F.E. Thomas, P. Kelly, V.F. Kenna, 4FK; A.J. Thomas. (Photo Caption End)

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (7)

4FK included in list of early amateur broadcasters in the Brisbane area

Listed below are stations active during the abovementioned period. Exact wavelengthss have been omitted purposely as many appeared to have used several frequencies between 200 and 250 metres. The list is incomplete and possibly records only one-half of those who had a "play around" on MW. BRISBANE AREA.

• 4AK - J. Milner. Kelvin Grove.
• 4CM - Dr. V. McDowall and Tom Elliott. Preston House 1920, Observatory Tower 1926-35. (Jointly used by these 2 operators, accredited with 1st Sound B/C in Queensland 1920.)
• 4EF - Evan Fell. Ashgrove 1933. (Very active. Started with a 1-valve modulator oscillator as tx.)
• 4EL - Eric Lake. Kangaroo Pt. (Held record for lowest above-ground B/C antenna, yet was heard in N.Z.)
• 4FE - Arthur Burton. Fortitude Valley.
• 4FK - Vern Kenna. Hamilton 1931.
• 4GO - G. Oxlade. Newmarket.
• 4GS - G. Strohfeldt. Paddington 1934.
• 4GW - G.W. Ham. Coorparoo 1931-33.
• 4HR - H. (Tibby) Scholz. Coorparoo 1933.
• 4HW - H.D. Walsh. Elizabeth St., Brisbane 1926.
• 4JN - G. Augustesen. Mitchelton 1934. (1st class station set-up.)
• 4JU - Frank Nolan. Wharf St., City.
• 4KH - W.S. Argaet. Wynnum. (Received reports from N.Z.)
• 4LW - L.R. [Cec) Morris. Ashgrove. (Noted for excellent quality. Was PR Officer for WIAQ.)
• 4MF - D.C. Winterford. Annerley 1930. [Used crystal controlled rig.)
• 4MM - Matt O'Brien. Toowong.
• 4NW - T.W. Starkie. Nundah 1931-33. (B/C his own heart beat - first to do this.)
• 4PC - P.C. Chapman. Sandgate.
• 4RB - R.J. Browne. Toowong.
• 4RJ - Rev. R.J. Delbridge. Hamilton. [One of State's most outstanding DJs. Winner of best B/C Station 1931.)
• 4TS - Ted Shorten. Paddington 1933.

Shawsmith - Halcyon Days (8)

4FK included in chronology of amateur radio in Queensland

1927 (sic, AOCP 1/11/1926) - V.F. Kenna OA4FK, "Marconi" to his mates, passed the AOCP exam at 18 years. He then began a career as a trainee mechanic in the PMG, later rising to be senior engineer in the radio section of PMG Headquarters in Victoria, the highest position one could attain in this field. An outstanding Queenslander.

1860s

1865

1865 09

Qld birth registration for 4FK's father Francis Kenna

• Qld BDM
• Birth registration: Francis Kenna
• Birth date: 21/09/1865
• Mother's name: Ellen Fleming
• Father/parent's name: Joseph Kenna
• Registration details: 1865/C/2091