History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/Ernest Richard Cooling

Ernest Richard Cooling

Ernest Richard Cooling was a prominent amateur operator, amateur broadcaster and amateur club participant from the early 1920s to the early 1930s. His station callsign was 4BN (4=Queensland, B=?, N=?) and he operated from Toowoomba, Queensland. He was appointed honorary radio inspector for Toowoomba (no doubt due to his employment in the PMGD) during the brief period before the PMGD Wireless Branch assumed all such responsibilities. He was employed by the PMGD throughout his working life, rising slowly through the ranks from letter carrier, telegraphist and postal assistant. His service was mostly Toowoomba-based, but he was transferred for brief periods to Bowen, Barcaldine and Clifton. Despite his relatively young age, after a number of years of poor health, both mentally and physically, he became depressed and took his own life in tragic circumstances. A summary biography has not yet been prepared however the following resources have been assembled in preparation:

• Transcriptions and Notes - Ernest Richard Cooling - More than 90 transcriptions and notes
• Photos, QSL cards and other graphics - Ernest Richard Cooling - Nothing uploaded as yet