Remote-Url: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-04/australias-first-moon-bounce-schocked-us-experts/11339552 Retrieved-at: 2022-05-25 10:54:46.263733+00:00 Skip to main content ABC News Homepage Search Loading More from ABC More from ABC Close menuABC * ABC Home * News * Radio * iview * Everyday * More Editorial Policies Read our editorial guiding principles * Accessibility * Help * Contact Us * About the ABC * Privacy Policy * Terms of Use * ? 2022 ABC * * * * * Just In * Australia Votes * Watch Live * Coronavirus * Politics * World * Business * Analysis * Sport * Science * Health * Arts * Fact Check * Other News HomeABC News Homepage Australia's first ever moon bounce remembered as a feat that shocked industry experts Share Article share options Share this on * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn Send this by * Email * Messenger * Copy link * WhatsApp Australia's first ever moon bounce remembered as a feat that shocked industry experts ABC Wimmera / By Danielle Grindlay Posted Wed 4 Mar 2020 at 4:45amWednesday 4 Mar 2020 at 4:45amWed 4 Mar 2020 at 4:45am, updated Wed 4 Mar 2020 at 4:49amWednesday 4 Mar 2020 at 4:49amWed 4 Mar 2020 at 4:49am A man works on a large antenna in a paddock in Birchip, VictoriaA man works on a large antenna in a paddock in Birchip, Victoria Ray Naughton performed Australia's first moon bounce from a paddock in Birchip, Victoria.(Supplied: Margaret Naughton) Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article Print content (*)Print with images and other media ( )Print text only PrintCancel abc.net.au/news/australias-first-moon-bounce-schocked-us-experts/11339552 Copy linkShare Article share options Share this on * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn Send this by * Email * Messenger * Copy link * WhatsApp You probably haven't heard of Ray Naughton's feat of science ? not many people have. But 55 years ago, the quiet electronics store owner from Birchip, in western Victoria, successfully completed Australia's first ever moon bounce. Key points: * A quiet electronics store owner in Victoria is responsible for Australia's first ever moon bounce * Ray Naughton was told at the time, 55 years ago, that it was impossible with what experts said was limited equipment * But he proved industry experts wrong, resulting in an all-expenses-paid trip to the US to share his knowledge with scientists The amateur radio fanatic had spent most of his time alone in a paddock, tinkering away on a 250-metre wide, 30-metre tall antenna capable of bouncing a radio signal off the moon and back again. Mr Naughton was driven by news that astronauts would soon be walking across its surface. Radio antennas, some 30 metres tall, reaching into the skyRadio antennas, some 30 metres tall, reaching into the sky Mr Naughton was not popular with his wife when she went outside to discover their two-year-old son halfway up one of his 30-metre antenna towers.(Supplied: Margaret Naughton) When that day came, on July 20 1969, Mr Naughton used his antenna to tune into conversations between astronauts and NASA. A small group of locals watched on in wonder, realising for the first time what their private neighbour had been working on. American scientists shocked by amateur feat The moon bounce itself was not remarkable ? scientists in the US had already experienced the rush of hearing a signal return from the moon exactly 2.6 seconds after they sent it up. But Mr Naughton was not a scientist. Nor did he have access to money or equipment. He was a freelance tinkerer, developing grassroots knowledge that would shock industry experts. His only connection to the professionals was through ham radio chat from his home-office 'shack' in rural Victoria. American scientists ridiculed Mr Naughton's basic 100-watt set up, telling him he would need at least a kilowatt of electrical power to achieve the bounce. When he proved them wrong, those scientists invited Mr Naughton to the US ? all expenses paid ? to share his extensive knowledge. "This epitomises what amateur radio is all about," Wireless Institute of Australia former president Justin Giles-Clark said. "It's experimentation and being able to do these sorts of feats of science in a paddock in the middle of nowhere." Career, hobby, obsession: a life dedicated to radio A man and two older boys building a radio tower while the family dog looks onA man and two older boys building a radio tower while the family dog looks on Ray Naughton's four children had to share their father's time with his passion for amateur radio.(Supplied: Margaret Naughton) The network of people who experiment with radio frequencies is vast and extensive. 'Radiohams' do not bother with names; they use identity codes that inform peers about their location. In amateur radio circles, Mr Naughton will forever be known as VK3ATN. Most radiohams live double lives, balancing regular careers and interests with their wireless hobby. But there was no duplicity for VK3ATN, who was either working in his Birchip radio and electronics store or tinkering in his radio shack at home. "He'd come home, perhaps have tea, and then he'd go and talk on the radio," his wife, Margaret, said. Mr Naughton was so averse to leaving his shack, he created a buzzer system to beckon his wife from the kitchen when needed. Often he would be on the radio through the night, in order to connect with radiohams on the other side of the world. "[Our four children] got a bit browned off because he never had time for them," Ms Naughton said. Few Birchip locals knew what VK3ATN was up to, but neighbours offered up paddocks for his monstrous towers. They proved irresistible for the couple's two-year-old son, Peter. "I went outside and here he was halfway up the 100-foot tower [30 metres]," Ms Naughton said. An older man sitting at a table with a coffee cup in his handAn older man sitting at a table with a coffee cup in his hand Mr Naughton died in 2012.(Supplied: Margaret Naughton) "The high school is just across the road, so I rang up and asked if a teacher would come over and get him down." Young Peter went on to embrace heights, installing antennas and towers as part of his father's business. When the radio and electronics store closed down, father and son started selling VK3ATN inventions to radiohams across the globe. "He was making quite a good living out of selling the antennas and aerials," Ms Naughton said. VK3ATN also joined a team of professionals and amateurs in launching Australia's first ever satellite ? Australis Oscar 5. When he died in 2012, aged 83, radiohams mourned a "pioneer". The Sunraysia Radio Group created the 'VK3ATN Technical Merit Award' in his honour. Posted 4 Mar 20204 Mar 2020Wed 4 Mar 2020 at 4:45am, updated 4 Mar 20204 Mar 2020Wed 4 Mar 2020 at 4:49am Share * Copy link * Facebook * Twitter * Article share options Share this on + Facebook + Twitter + LinkedIn Send this by + Email + Messenger + Copy link + WhatsApp Related Stories * The unlikely bunch in a tiny West Australian town who sent man to the Moon 50 years ago A black and white picture of Lauri Glocke smiling while working at a control panel.A black and white picture of Lauri Glocke smiling while working at a control panel. * Where were you when man walked on the Moon? Here's why you remember Four men in uniform pore over a newspaper covering the Apollo 11 mission Four men in uniform pore over a newspaper covering the Apollo 11 mission More on: * Birchip * Earth Sciences * Radio * Radio Broadcasting * Space Exploration Top Stories * 'Trying to smear me': New independent MP insists she is eligible to sit in parliament * 'A precarious balancing act': Can Albanese mend China ties and remain firm on national security? * This is the moment Luis was pepper sprayed by police while doing his job. He's now taking legal action * Suppressed by two years of lockdowns, influenza is back with a vengeance in Australia * 'The sweetest little boy that I've ever known': Families mourn victims of Texas school shooting * 'We can't get numb to this': The world reacts to the deadly Texas school shooting * Chris Dawson 'very flirtatious' with schoolgirl he would later marry, court hears * 'This is an outrage': Australia's oldest remains buried despite last minute legal action * Gunman kills 19 children and two adults in Texas school shooting, senator begs 'on my hands and knees' for change * Australian Uyghurs spent the night trawling through these photos looking for their loved ones * Police to rely on intercepted phone calls as alleged members of Sydney gang front court * 'Threatens regional stability': Micronesia pushes back China's attempt to ink Pacific-wide cooperation agreement * Ukraine says at least 14 civilians killed in latest Russian attacks in the east * FBI foils alleged plot to assassinate George W Bush * Pfizer to provide products at not-for-profit prices in some of world's poorest countries Popular Now 1. 1. 'Trying to smear me': New independent MP insists she is eligible to sit in parliament Dai Le.Dai Le. 2. 2. This is the moment Luis was pepper sprayed by police while doing his job. He's now taking legal action Police officer spraying pepper spray.Police officer spraying pepper spray. 3. 3. 'The sweetest little boy that I've ever known': Families mourn victims of Texas school shooting Uziyah Garcia poses in a house wearing a red and white striped topUziyah Garcia poses in a house wearing a red and white striped top 4. 4. Gunman kills 19 children and two adults in Texas school shooting, senator begs 'on my hands and knees' for change People react outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon Civic CenterPeople react outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon Civic Center 5. 5. Blackout at Melbourne Airport leaves travellers stranded A dark terminal at an airportA dark terminal at an airport 6. 6. 'We can't get numb to this': The world reacts to the deadly Texas school shooting Two women wrap their arms around each other in comfort.Two women wrap their arms around each other in comfort. Top Stories 'Trying to smear me': New independent MP insists she is eligible to sit in parliament Dai Le.Dai Le. 'A precarious balancing act': Can Albanese mend China ties and remain firm on national security? Composite image of Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese next to each other with the Chinese and Australian flags sewn together.Composite image of Xi Jinping and Anthony Albanese next to each other with the Chinese and Australian flags sewn together. This is the moment Luis was pepper sprayed by police while doing his job. He's now taking legal action Police officer spraying pepper spray.Police officer spraying pepper spray. Suppressed by two years of lockdowns, influenza is back with a vengeance in Australia A women with long blonde hair and a blue jumper sneezes in to a tissueA women with long blonde hair and a blue jumper sneezes in to a tissue 'The sweetest little boy that I've ever known': Families mourn victims of Texas school shooting Uziyah Garcia poses in a house wearing a red and white striped topUziyah Garcia poses in a house wearing a red and white striped top 'We can't get numb to this': The world reacts to the deadly Texas school shooting Two women wrap their arms around each other in comfort.Two women wrap their arms around each other in comfort. Chris Dawson 'very flirtatious' with schoolgirl he would later marry, court hears A man wears a mask and heavy coatA man wears a mask and heavy coat 'This is an outrage': Australia's oldest remains buried despite last minute legal action Mungo ManMungo Man Gunman kills 19 children and two adults in Texas school shooting, senator begs 'on my hands and knees' for change People react outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon Civic CenterPeople react outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon Civic Center Just In * Pfizer to provide products at not-for-profit prices in some of world's poorest countries Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 25 May 2022 at 9:47am * Sale of Chelsea by sanctioned Abramovich approved by British government Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 25 May 2022 at 9:36am * 'Threatens regional stability': Micronesia pushes back China's attempt to ink Pacific-wide cooperation agreement Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 25 May 2022 at 9:16am * Blackout at Melbourne Airport leaves travellers stranded Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 25 May 2022 at 8:55am * 'They've not stopped': Police search for driver allegedly responsible for fatal hit and run Posted 2h ago2 hours agoWed 25 May 2022 at 8:52am * Liberal MP James Stevens projected to win Adelaide electorate of Sturt after days of counting votes Posted 2h ago2 hours agoWed 25 May 2022 at 8:34am More Just In Back to top Footer ABC News homepage More From ABC NEWS We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Sections * ABC NEWS * Just In * Australia Votes * Watch Live * Coronavirus * Politics * World * Business * Analysis * Sport * Science * Health * Arts * Fact Check * Other News in language * ???? * Berita Bahasa Indonesia * Tok Pisin Connect with ABC News * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * YouTube * Apple News More from ABC News * Contact ABC NEWS This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) * Editorial Policies * Accessibility * Help * Contact Us * About the ABC * Privacy Policy * Terms of Use * ? 2022 ABC * * * *