Farmers Radio Service Co.
102 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA (1939 – 1952)
257 Angas Street, Adelaide, SA (1953 - )

Brand: Roadmaster

Farmers Radio Service was small radio repair and manufacturing company in Adelaide from 1939 till the late 1970’s. They manufactured radios, amplifiers and transceivers.

Max Farmer started His working career at Ernsmiths from 1934 and was a keen radio amateur with the call sign VK5GF.

1939 he was called up for Military Service at the beginning of the Second World War. He was not posted overseas as his experience in radio saw him posted to Brisbane where he serviced and upgraded military radio systems

Also in 1939 he set up his own Business which would soon be known as Farmers Radio Service and installed car radios in a facility on North Terrace, Adelaide.

He also partnered with John Cleary who owned Soundray Amplifiers for suppling and installing Public Address broadcasting systems at public meetings and events.[1] 

In the late 1940’s, he started to manufacture “Roadmaster” public address amplifiers for buses so the driver could address the passengers. By 1949 the amplifier also incorporated a broadcast radio. These were manufactured for around 5 years and he also travelled around the country installing these units. There were around 400 of these known to be manufactured.

In 1953 Farmers Radio Service supplied amplifying equipment installed in Port Augusta Power House.[2]

1954 Farmers Radio Service provided and installed sound equipment for the Mt Gambier leg of the Royal Visit in conjunction with the Nomis Radio Company.

By 1954 he began to manufacture transceivers for Taxi services beginning with the MRT 13, VHF, AM. This model was updated every 3-4 years as technology improved, from vibrator to transistor power supplies, valves to transistors, etc.

In 1954 Farmers Radio Service installed 2 way radio systems in Port Lincoln taxi firm, “Merchants” Lincoln Taxi Service.[3]

He also manufactured and installed HF radios for the Emergency Fire Service (EFS).[4]       

Note: this manufacture should not be confused with Farmer & Co. Ltd., Sydney.

[1] Southern Cross (SA) Oct 27, 1939, Page 14.
[2] The Advertiser (SA) Jul 23, 1954, Page 10.
[3] Port Lincoln Times (SA)  Mar 4, 1954, Page 1.
[4] Victor Harbour Times (SA)  Feb 9, 1973, Page 1.