For Pacific Radio Amateurs

Conducted by Ex ZK-1-AC/VR-2-AK

(Because radio amateurs scattered throughout the Pacific Islands enjoy a unique bond of interest, and because no journal caters for their special needs, the PIM has arranged with a| well-known Pacific Islands “Ham” to conduct this special section. He plans to make this column a clearing-house for items of special interest to Pacific Islands “hams,” and of general interest to all dial-twiddlers, wherever they may be.)

Islands’ Call List

I should like to maintain an up-to-date list of Islands call-signs (excepting only Hawaii, which is too voluminous for publication here) and so I appeal to Hams in all groups to supply this information as soon as possible.

Although this publication is in English.

I would like the call-signs of amateurs in New Caledonia and French Oceania.

Please let me have your call-sign, full name, QTH, and bands normally worked (or, if crystal controlled, your fre quencies), and any details you have re lating to other amateurs in your area; and send them along to the Editor, Radio Section, Pacific Islands Monthly, PO Box 3408, Sydney. This information will help us to assist you.

Pacific Islands Net

I suggest that a Pacific Islands Net should be of considerable interest as a means of Islands Hams getting together in an organised way. As a large number

of Hams are crystal-controlled, and ther are some differences in frequency alloca tions in different Groups, it would no seem practicable to fix specified frequen cies for such a Net, American style. In stead, I suggest that a time only b agreed upon. Then, any Ham lookin around for Island contacts could go on t that time and call —or listen for— “C< Pacific Is. Net”—“CQ PIN” if using CV Calls could be made on any band —10, 2 40 or 80 metres. A search over any < all bands should then soon reveal whic ate in use by particular stations.

I suggest that suitable times for tt PIN might be 0100, 0700, 1900 GMT dai!

Shift-workers, such as the Nadi-Tontouti Papeete boys, should find 0100 Z useful the other times should suit most. Hot ever, the Net idea will only be workab so long as Island stations refuse to answ outside DX calls for at least 15 minut after the Net opening tianes. If th Net becomes popular, news of it wi soon spread ?*nd undoubtedly a conside able outside DX-queue will form up. 1 all means go for the DX after the N period—but give other Islands statioi a chance to contact you first.

Let’s have your reactions, suggestioi and station details in time for an eat issue.—7 S’s.

The Rev. Byam Roberts, who hi for 13 years been headmaster (

Slade School, Warwick, Queenslan

will go to Gona, Papua, this mont to teach native boys at the Martyi School there.