For Pacific Radio Amateurs

Conducted By Ex Zk-1-Ac/Vr-2-Ak.

(Address notes to P.O. Box 5179, Wellesley Street, Auckland, N.Z.) ISLANDS HAMS: Let your Pacific

neighbours know you’re active by

checking in on your favourite band

with a CQ at 0100/0700/ 190(k. Use \of a known time will help you—

land them.

Since last issue your scribe paid a brief visit to Tonga, Niue and Eastern and Western Samoa before returning to Auckland.

At Nukualofa the Government Radio Engineer confirmed that there are at present no licensed Hams in the King dom. Through his kindness, a quick visit was paid to the new radio communi cations station building, which is now ready for transfer of equipment from the existing old station near the wharf. With new equipment on order from New Zealand, Nukualofa will soon have a modern, well-equipped Station.

At Niue, time was found during a very brief and busy visit to locate Bill Scarborough, ZK >AA, the island’s R.I. and Post Master. Bill has bad news for the card men—both he and ZKiAB, only Hams on the Island, will depart in November-December for New Zealand, having completed their term of service.

It is not yet known whether the new men ire Hams.

At Pago Pago, Eastern Samoa, we found Ray Caldwell, KSHAB, in charge of the Government communications station. After i period with no KS« stations, Ray is igain putting E. Samoa on the map. >eing fairly active on 14 Mc/s CW with !0<) watts to a folded dipole. Ray irrived last January. He is the only vS« station licensed. We noted that his, taff of Samoan radio operators at the lovernment station included a YL.

At Apia we found that Arnold, ZM6AC, s scheduled to return to ZL in December. >es, ZM«AB, reported that he is rarely n. and then on CW only. Pat,- ZM6AA. echnician in charge of the broadcast tation, very kindly arranged a visit to he transmitter, ‘>,300 feet up the lountain behind Apia, and displayed bis wn station, complete with Johnson iking, during a pleasant evening at his ome. While there, too, we learned that rian, ZL'iAAB, will soon be * setting up i a radio servicing business at Apia, nd will doubtless be on the air with a M<» call ere long.

While in Apia the word came of the arthquake which struck Suva. Back lere, a week later Stan, VR2AS, told of ie frightening experience suffered by old rank, VD2AW, caretaker out on the reef let of Makaluva, Government qnarantine ation. a few miles from Suva. Sighting ie tidal wave, Frank and his wife rambled to the top of a water tank time to see the whole islet swept by e sea. Few details were available but early Frank must have suffered loss and image to equipment and belongings.

Stan’s home, located on the beach at mthala Bay, escaped damage, the main

force of the tidal wave striking from a sheltered direction. Hastily quitting his town office, Stan was out at home and on the air within minutes of the shake, in case of any further emergency. Other Suva Hams, employed at one or other of the local radio stations, had a busy time repairing or clearing damage caused by shake or tidal wave.

Back in Auckland we found a letter from Doug, ZK-l-BG. with the latest from Cook Is. Two new men are reported —Nat Bradley, ZK-l-BH, and Ron Lowry, ZK-l-BI (ex ZL4FP). The former has been heard active on 3.5 Mc/s phone.

Nat replaces Neville, ZK-l-BF, at the ionosphere station, who has returned to ZL and a job at Radio NZ, so his call must be deleted. Ron. ZK-l-81, is also active on 3.5 Me s phone, as is ZK-l-BG. Stuart, ZK-l-AA, after a very long silence, is reported preparing for a fresh outburst on all bands. The other Doug, ZK-l-AB, is heard frequently on 14 Mc/s CW working Europe.

We are sorry to report that Hugh, ZK-l-AT, journeyed to Suva hospital in September for a medical check-up which may involve his returning to ZL. Hugh has not been on the air for a long time, but a pirate, thought to be probably in Mexico, continues to use his call with a

very poor quality signal.

Doug, ZK-I-BG. is keen to contact FOX, ZM«, and other Island areas on 3.5 Mc/s, so switch to HO-metres, gents!

Stan, VR2AS, reported a social call

from Bob, FKBAH, and Jean. FKBAL, passengers aboard the Messageries Mari times liner “Tahitien” bound for Noumea, which made a call at Suva shortly after the earthquake.

“Amateur Radio’’ reports a new Norfolk Island station VK9OK, Len King, VK2AOK, employed by DCA.

In New Guinea, VK9YY seems to be the most active station: but up-to-the minute summary of activities in that area lias so far proved unobtainable, and would be appreciated.