Gigantaforte

AWA Gigantaforte was a public address entertainment unit used in church cathedrals, dance halls and on board ships. It comprised two turntables and a powerful audio amplifier with microphone and up to 6 external loud speakers.  In August 1931 AWA fitted a vehicle with the Gigantaforte system for use at public gatherings.

The polished Walnut cabinet was made by F. Dickins Ltd.

Description of the unit published in the Portland Guardian, (Vic.) July 21, 1930.

“The A.W.A. Gigantaforte consists primarily of twin record turn-tables, amplifier, and loud speaker, the complete equipment being operated from the electric power socket.  Housed in a compact maple cabinet, similar to a rolled top desk, it is particularly convenient and simple to install; the speakers are, of course, necessarily separate from the control desk.

Unlocking and pushing back the shutter on the top of the desk exposes to view the two turn-tables, switch and. fader control. The function of the fader control is to switch from one record to another. To effect this, two records are placed on the turntables, both of which care sets in motion, and one of which is reproduced from the speakers. By slowly turning the fader control dial towards the record that is silent, the music at the moment being reproduced will slowly fade out while the music from the second record will slowly increase in volume, so affecting a complete change-over without any unnecessary break in the continuity of the programme. The turntables, which are electrically operated by induction motors, will give years of service without any trouble or attention.

The amplifier and power pack are of the all-electric type, incorporating push-pull amplification. All the valves are operated directly with alternating current on the filaments, and the entire unit is housed in the back of the cabinet. The drawers shown on either side provide for a generous supply of records to be kept on hand, whilst a locking device on the rolled shutter also locks these drawers when the instrument is not in use. It stands about 2ft. 6in. high by 3ft.6in. to 4ft. cross and under 2 ft. deep.

The speakers, which are of the moving coil type, are also housed in hand finished maple of similar appearance as the wood used in the operating desk, and stand almost 5ft. high and make possible the use of a full size baffle board over the cone of the speaker. The speakers themselves are capable of reproducing the entire musical register at any volume, varying from a whisper to sufficient strength to fill a large theatre, or to provide music to gatherings in the open air such as beaches, band recitals, etc.

The reproduction is particularly good, excellent tone quality being retained even at maximum volume. Many occasions arise when announcements are found necessary to audiences and gatherings, etc., and to meet this contingency the manufacturers of the Gigantaforte, Amalgamated Wireless (A/Asia) Ltd., further made provision on this instrument for the addition of a microphone unit, by means of which speeches, announcements, band recitals and similar occasions may be amplified and broadcast to a large audience.”

Here you find 1426 models, 869 with images and 462 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
All listed radios etc. from Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. (AWA); Sydney