Yaesu Musen Co. Amateur Radio Equipment in Australia During The 1960's by Greg Whiter, VK4IG (Ex VK3CA)

In order to help promote their F-Line product range, Yaesu Musen Co. made available to hams who used their equipment a QSL card which could be over printed with that person's call sign.

JA6ELZ's QSL card is an example of the card that Yaesu Musen made available to ham's who used their equipment.

Shown above is another QSL Card from Yaesu Musen which was available to hams who purchased Yaesu equipment. Hams could over print their call sign and address details on the face of the card. This QSL card depicts the then new (from left to right) FLdx200 linear amplifier, FRdx400 HF SSB receiver and FLdx400 HF SSB transmitter.

A final QSL card from JA1MP, Sako Hasagawa, founder of Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd. was issued following his death June 12th 1993.

Shown above are both Fred and Jim Bail's amateur radio QSL Cards. Prior to getting involved with Yaesu Musen Co., Jim and Fred had been very active amateur radio operators, Fred having gained his license in 1938 at age 20 (see the VK3YS 1939 QSL card above). The war years saw Fred Bail initially as an instructor at the RAAF's Ballarat Radio School and subsequently with 82 Fighter Squadron until wars end. Both graduating from the Marconi School Of Wireless in time for the introduction of TV in Australia, Jim and Fred Bail started Bail Radio & TV Service in 1956. During the early years after the Second World War they pioneered 166 MHz, 144 MHz and 50 MHz operation around Victoria, as well as both being actively involved with the Wireless Institute of Australia. In 1954 Fred Bail became Federal Councillor for the Victorian Division of the WIA. During the period 1955 to 1956 Fred held the WIA Victorian division office of Secretary, then in 1957 to 1958 he was elected President. Fred went on to hold the Vice-Presidency from 1959 to 1962. In the late 1950's, around the 1957 Geophysical Year, he often opened up his amateur radio station to the wives and families of Australians stationed at the Antarctic, who could then talk to their loved ones via ham radio. Fred Bail passed away on the 26th of May 1979 following a massive heart attack.

In or around May 1966 Fred Bail, VK3YS, displayed some of Yaesu's new SSB equipment at the Wireless Institute of Australia's Gosford (NSW) field day. The FL-50 SSB transmitter and its FV-50 VFO, having just been released by Yaesu Musen, took pride of place on the display stand. Also seen at the back is Fred Bail's own original FL-20 crystal controlled SSB transmitter, and to the right, an FL-1000 linear amplifier. This particular FL-20 was the very first piece of Yaesu equipment to arrive and operate in Australia when Fred Bail brought it back to Australia from Japan following a holiday he had there in 1963. The author is now in possession of this particular FL-20.

	Shown at left are Fred Bail, VK3YS and Jim Bail, VK3ABA. At right are depicted various Bail logos.

Fred Bail passed away in the late 1970's, Jim Bail passed away in the early 1980's. Following Fred's passing their company was sold to Stan Roberts of Teletramel, who continued to run Bail Electronic Services into the early 1990's from the Victorian country town of Wangaratta.

The author would be happy to hear from anybody who has very early Yaesu equipment, such as FL-20 Mark's 1 and 2, or FL-100B Mark's 1 and 2. By way of some background information on the author, Greg Whiter was employed by Bail Electronic Services (see 1974 staff photo) from the late 1960's through to 1977. Following this period he formed the company GFS Electronic Imports, GFS Electronics and then Portable Masts Australia Pty Ltd, of which he is a director today.

Any comments on this web site should be directed to the author, Greg Whiter at : GregWhiter@portablemasts.com.au

Any comments on this article should be directed to the author, Greg Whiter at: GregWhiter@portablemasts.com.au

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This page was last updated 06-02-2020