BC-DX 841 04 Jan 2008 Private Verwendung der Meldun

communications would be picked up by the HF receivers in area C,
despatched by micro-link to the Communication centre in area B and relayed
via the HF or VLF transmitters.
In area A the VLF array (aerials ) comprised 13 towers to support the
antenna, set out in two concentric, polygonal rings with a central tower;
the array was over one and half miles in diameter. The centre tower, Tower
Zero, was the highest man made structure in the southern hemisphere. The
power to operate the VLF Transmitters was generated by six diesel engine
driven generators capable of producing 18 million watts. The primary
function of the VLF transmitters was to maintain reliable communication
with the US Navy submarine fleet, in particular nuclear powered types with
missiles.
The VLF Transmitter was manufactured by the Continental Electronics
Corporation (CEMCO) of Dallas, Texas. The transmitter was jointly
constructed by CEMCO and Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA). The design
had an output of 2 million watts in the frequency range 14-18.5 kilocycles
without corona and could be operated at lower frequencies at a lower
efficiency. All circuits were duplicated for reliability and operational
security. Six salt water wells provided cooling for the VLF Transmitter
and the Power Plant. Two Helix Coils (houses) matched the output of the
transmitter to the aerial array. In August 1965 the central Tower, Tower
Zero, reached full height with the first VLF transmissions carried out on
7 November 1966. In 1967 a navigation light was fixed to the main mast,
making the nearby Vlamingh Head Lighthouse obsolete.
The HF Transmitter Building in Area B was to initially house some 40
transmitters, with point to point circuits connecting with US bases such
as Guam in the Marianas Islands. A satellite communications system
(SATCOM) was also erected in Area B, manufactured by the Hughes Aircraft
Corporation. In 1967/68 a set of four a set of four Bachelor Enlisted
Quarters (BEQs) were erected bringing the number to 35 permanent
buildings, 12 semi-permanent buildings and 18 temporary buildings in area
B. The majority of these were single storey buildings. The HF receivers at
Area C were housed in a single building with receiving aerial attached.
The communication station would employ over 400 Australians and some 525
American personnel. Significantly the concept of a supporting town,
Exmouth, was developed in 1962. In the same year the WA Government Town
Planning Department prepared a report on the development of a site to
accommodate some 700 people. The town was gazetted on 6 December 1963 and
made a Shire in 1964, and by 1966 the population of the region had reached
2284, with education integrated under the terms of the Australian/US
agreement. During the three years of construction some 16,000 workers
passed through the town and camps, supplemented by caravan parks. During
construction 130 project houses were erected for the communication station
personnel, 130 houses for married US personnel and 10 houses for
Commonwealth personnel in addition to 15 private residences. A guesthouse
was also built for single Australian employees.
The design and construction of most structures on the Base was undertaken
by a Perth based group of architects and engineers in association; Mac
Donald Wagner, Wagner and Priddle, WE Bassett and Partners, DH Fraser and
Howlett & Bailey Pty Ltd. The work was overseen by the Perth based US
Officer in Charge of Construction, Bureau of Yards and Docks Contracts.
The official opening of the Base was on 16 September 1967. A message from
US President Johnson was to the effect that the station was 'a symbol of
both Australia's welcome to the United States Forces and of the United
States firm intention to play a continuing role in the pursuit of peace in
Asia'. On 20 September 1968 the Base was renamed NAVCOMMSTA Harold E Holt,
in honour of Prime Minister Harold Holt, who accidentally drowned on 17