2BE (Sydney)
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|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sydney |
| Frequencies | |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Rowley Bergin, Bergin Electric Company |
| History | |
First air date | 7 November 1924 |
Last air date | 6 November 1929 |
Former frequencies |
|
Call sign meaning | Bergin Electric |
2BE was Sydney's and Australia's first officially recognised commercial radio station,[1] commencing broadcasting on 7 November 1924.[2] It broadcast on the medium wave band at 870 kHz, with a power of 100 watts.[3]
The station was owned and operated by the Burgin Electric Company, owned by Rowley Burgin, and 2BE was managed by Oswald Francis (Ossie) Mingay.[4][5][3]
2BE held a Radio Dance Night on 23 December 1925, in aid of cancer research. On 3 March 1927 the station broadcast from the Radio and Electrical Exhibition at the Sydney Town Hall.[3]
In 1927, 2BE was off the air for a few months on account of a fire.[3]
The station only broadcast on two days per week, for at least the first two years.[5] It closed exactly five years after opening, on 6 November 1929.[6][3]