3DB was a Melbourne-based radio station that opened in 1927, changed its name to 3TT in 1988, and now operates on the FM band as KIIS 101.1.
3DB was one of Melbourne's most popular radio stations, topping the ratings for many decades.Jones, Colin, Something in the Air: A History of Radio in Australia, Kangaroo Press, 1995.
Broadcast frequency Upon opening in 1927, 3DB broadcast on the AM band at a wavelength of 254 metres, corresponding to a frequency of 1180 kHz. When seven new Australian broadcasting licences were issued in 1935, including 3XY in Melbourne, most Melbourne stations were allocated new broadcast frequencies; 3DB was allocated 1030 kHz. Until 1978 there was a 10 kHz gap between radio stations. However, the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975 changed this to a 9 kHz gap, thus allowing more stations on the AM band. Therefore, on 23 November 1978, most Australian stations changed their frequencies and 3DB went to 1026 kHz.List of Australian AM radio stations, scroll down to 3DB
History
Pre-war era – 1927–1939
On air times 3DB was awarded its broadcast licence in 1925 but did not immediately come on air due to debates in Federal Parliament as to whether or not Australia should proceed with the then-unique system of A Class (later ABC) and B Class (later commercial) stations.Griffen-Foley, Bridget, Changing Stations - The Story of Australian Commercial Radio, UNSW Press, 2009, Sydney The station eventually made its on-air debut on 21 February 1927 in a fairly low-key manner.
In the 1920s, at most stations including 3DB, it was not unusual for there to be breaks between programs during which the station temporally closed down. Sometimes these breaks were of 30 minutes' duration; sometimes longer. However, within just a few years, such breaks were eliminated and 3DB (and most other Melbourne commercial stations) broadcast for set times during each day. By 1934, 3DB was on air at the following times: 7:00 am to 11:30 pm Monday-Friday; 7:00 am Saturday to 1:00 am Sunday; 10:00 am to 12:30 pm Sunday; 2:30 pm to 10:00 pm Sunday.Radioprogram, first edition, 14 July 1934
Between 12.30 and 2.30 pm on Sundays all mainstream Melbourne commercial stations were required by the Postmaster-General's Department to close down. Amateur radio stations which normally broadcast on the shortwave band were permitted to use the medium wave (AM) band during these hours. 3AK which usually only broadcast after other Melbourne stations had closed down, also broadcast between these two hours. ABC stations 3AR and 3LO did not take the break between 12.30 and 2.30 on Sunday afternoons. This arrangement appears to have been exclusive to Melbourne.
By the Post-war era, 3DB's hours had been extended to: 6:00 am to 11:30 pm Monday-Friday; 6:00 am Saturday to 1:00 am Sunday; 8:00 am to 10:30 pm Sunday.
In the 1930s, the Postmaster-General's Department issued 24-hour licences to one station in each capital city market except Melbourne. In Melbourne, since 1931, 3AK had been broadcasting almost exclusively in the early-morning hours when other stations were off the air. However, on 1 February 1954, 3AK began broadcasting exclusively during hours of daylight, and concurrently 3DB, 3UZ and 3XY were all given 24-hour licences, but both 3DB and 3UZ had ceased all-night broadcasting within six months. 3DB's hours on the air then became: 5.30 am Monday-Saturday to 1.00 am the following day; 7.00 am Sunday to 1.00 am Monday. However, 3DB was again broadcasting 24 hours per day by the mid-1960s.
DB = Druleigh Business The station was originally owned by Druleigh Business and Technical College Pty Ltd, and the original licence was in the name of Edgar Sayer, principal of the college,McLaughlin, Bill, From Wireless to Radio: The 3DB Story, The Herald and Weekly Times Limited Melbourne, 1985 hence the callsign "DB". The original studios were located on the 10th floor of Capitol House, above the Capitol Theatre, Swanston Street, Melbourne.
When 3DB eventually made its on-air debut on 27 February 1927, the first program was the children's session conducted by Winnie Wattle, at 6.30 pm. The official opening was at 8:00 pm when announcer Frank Pearson introduced Edward Haynes, Managing Director of Druleigh and 3DB, who said: "This is Melbourne's new 'B' class station, which is the first in Australia to carry out the American idea of making revenue from advertisements". (Even so, the station made a small loss in its first six months.) Despite the claim, in 1927, that 3DB would be the first station to make revenue from advertisements, 2UE had been broadcasting advertisements since 1925.
Others appearing on opening night were Will Davey, tenor; Mrs Henry Johnson, contralto; Billy Meeske, speaking on 'Wrestlers I Have Known'; Len Gibson's Neapolitan Sextet; Edna Johnson, reciting from Shakespeare; Elsie Watkins, soprano; and accompanist, Jess Prideaux.
Herald ownership From 14 June 1929History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia until late in 1987, 3DB was owned and operated by The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd (HWT), owners of The Herald and The Sun News-Pictorial.
Later in 1929, the studios and offices were moved from Capitol House, and 3DB took sole occupancy of 74 Flinders Street, to the east of the HWT building on the corner of Flinders and Exhibition Streets. One of the studios was an auditorium accommodating live audiences, and this became a popular venue for Melburnians and the focus for the many live variety programs which the station broadcast throughout the 1930s to 1960s. In 1966 the HWT truck dock was expanded, and in the process 74 Flinders Street was pulled down, with the station then moving to 61 Flinders Lane, immediately behind the HWT building.
One of the most important people in 3DB's history was David Thomas Worrall, who was appointed manager of the station by the Herald and Weekly Times Sir Keith Murdoch in 1929, and who was to remain as manager until 1958. He was responsible for introducing many big budget programs which, inter alia, made 3DB the top station in all Melbourne radio surveys for many decades. Worrall also formed the Major Broadcasting Network, with associated stations throughout Australia. From its formation in 1938 until its closure in the late 1970s, the Major Network was usually recognised as being second in importance after its rival, the Macquarie Radio Network. In 1930 Worrall helped to form the Australian Federation of "B" Broadcasting Stations, now Commercial Radio Australia, and he was its Federal President in 1938. David Worrall was married to Kathleen Zoe, née Norris, who broadcast on 3DB from the 1930s until 1952; firstly under her own name, and then as Martha Gardener.
Probably the longest-serving 3DB employee was Geoff Palmer who commenced as an announcer in 1929. He was a member of the Australian Society of Authors and his writing ability led to him being promoted to the continuity department. Palmer was the 3DB advertising manager when he retired in 1973.
In the late 1920s until the 1950s, 3DB tried to produce programming that would appeal to the whole of the population, at least part of the time. Musically, this ranged from classical music through to pop music, including the hit parade; much of the music being live. News and news commentaries were also important, as were live descriptions of sport. 3DB was a major broadcaster of radio drama, including soap operas, much of this being produced by 3DB itself. The station produced and broadcast a wide range variety shows, including quizzes. 3DB (like most other stations) also broadcast a wide variety of women's programs during the day, and children's sessions in the early evening. The broadcasting of this broad range of programming came to an end in the 1960s, mainly due to two factors. The first was the formal introduction of television in Australia in 1956. The second was the gradual replacement of the radio valve with the transistor. These made radios both more portable and much cheaper, meaning that every member of the family was now able to have his/her own radio set, rather than imitating the clichéd image of the whole family sitting around the family's single radio receiver.numerous issues of Listener-In, Radioprogram, Radio Times (Melbourne); ABC Weekly
The National Film and Sound Archives has issued an on-line list of radio programs from the 1930s to the 1970s, that are in their holdings. This list contains many dozens of 3DB programs.
The Smileaway Club During the pre-TV era most Australian radio stations instigated some form of radio club partly as a way of keeping listeners tuned to that particular station. 3DB's Smileaway Club was one of Australia's most successful, with more than 50,000 members at its peak. The club started in 1929, when David Worrall was managing the station, but before the studios were moved away from Capitol House. The club lasted until the late 1950s. For some decades a short session, Smileaway Club Notes, was broadcast each weekday at 8.40 am, and again as a lead-in to the top rating, major news bulletin at 7.00 pm. These sessions featured live music and invitations to events such as theatre parties, bay trips, dances, visits to the zoo, hikes, fancy dress balls. Free or cheap passes to theatres, ice skating, etc., were offered to members. Various charities were also supported. The club had its own theme tune, and a commercial recording of the theme was made in the early 1930s featuring high-profile 3DB comedians/announcers, Charlie Vaude and Renn Millar – the informal style is typical of the Smileaway Club. For many years, membership was one shilling (10¢) per annum. The club issued its own badge, which is now quite collectable. Over the years, many 3DB personalities were associated with the club, in particular: Geoff Palmer, Iris Turnbull, Dorothy Silk, Charlie Vaude, Renn Millar, Sir Eric Pearce, Eric Edgley, Clem Dawe, Cedric Zahara, Dick Cranbourne and Peter Surrey. A Junior Smileway Club conducted children's parties on Saturday mornings in the 3DB auditorium, featuring community singing, games and quizzes.
Early experiments in transmitting vision In 1929, 3DB along with 3UZ, Melbourne, and 2UE Sydney, participated in experimental television broadcasts using the Radiovision system. 3DB also experimented with the Baird system. These experiments were conducted late at night after the station had officially closed down. Only a handful of people would have had equipment capable of picking up these transmissions, which were mainly designed for those directly involved in these trials into nascent television broadcasts.
News theme In the pre-television era, nearly all Australian radio stations had their own distinctive news themes. From the early 1930s until the 1970s 3DB used "Heart of Oak" as its news theme. "Heart of Oak" was the official march of the Royal Navy, and some other navies. Until recently, it was the Royal Australian Navy's official march. By the 1960s 3DB was using a Columbia recording of the march, played by the Orchestra of the Royal Marines, conducted by Sir Vivian Dunn. The main news bulletins at 7:45 am, 12:30 pm and 7:00 pm used the first minute the theme, whilst other bulletins only used a smaller section. The version used by 3DB can be downloaded.
From "Rickety Kate" to "Rehearsal for TV": the story of Test Cricket broadcasts In 1930, test cricketer Don Bradman was a household name throughout Australia. There were even people who incorrectly believed that the call-sign 3DB was based on Bradman's initials. Bradman's popularity led to great interest in the 1930 Ashes series in England, in which he played a major role. In 1930 it was not possible to broadcast descriptions of the games back to Australia. However, 3DB played upon the interest and broadcast cricket updates from England, accompanied by nightly variety programs.