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

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

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.

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

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.

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.