[?]es Again

Communications

Micronesia

[?]dio Network [?]es Again

S/A.ST military radio-communi ations network came into being .11 over the Pacific during World 11, when funds were no problem. the War moved westward, > local networks in adminis le areas were sometimes with n or curtailed. In other cases civil administration inherited system with all its equipment isually with no funds to main or man it efficiently, ch of the equipment by this was in poor shape and much was out of proportion to Time requirements. Much of s left to rust away; much more dismantled and eventually led disposal agencies, ce the war, notably in Fiji, networks more suited to the ible funds and unskilled staff been built up. recent issue of Micronesian rter —a bi-monthly formerly n as Micronesian Monthly— ievoted almost entirely to tell the post-war communications as it applied to Micronesia.

South Pacific residents are apt to think of the United States in terms of money being no object. That was certainly the impression gained from contact with American mil itary forces. The policy then was to snatch a brand new radio re ceiver from its packing case rather than to change a faulty tube.

Micronesian Reporter makes it amply clear that this state of affairs ceased sharply when the Depart ment of the Interior took over the US Trust Territory from the US Navy administration in July, 1951.

True, the Navy had left some equipment on the main islands but there were few spares and fewer men with the know-how to keep the gear operating—and no funds whatever voted for maintenance or expansion. Up to 1953, the situation steadily deteriorated, with staff re ductions and a general belt-tighten ing. It was not until the Territory’s headquarters was transferred from Honolulu to Guam, in June, 1953 that a start could be made in build ing an efficient post-war communi cations system.

A Central Electronics Depot—two quonset huts and a great pile of war-surplus equipment found on the island —was established at Truk, with two technicians. Four months later a radio-telephone circuit was opened between Guam headquarters and a station in the Territory. From then on the situation has steadily im proved.

To-day there are 26 stations operating or about to begin opera tion. There are main stations at ICoror (Paiau), Yap, Truk, Ponape and Majuro in direct communica

tion with Guam and Honolulu.

Koror maintains contact with Babel thuap to the north, with two stations on Angaur to the south, and with two picket-boats based in the area.

Yap contacts Ulithi to the west ward and a picket-boat based there.

Truk keeps contact with Nowin, Losap, Lukunor, Tol, Pulowat, Ulul, and another station on Truk, and with the MV Eider and the tug Baihache based in the area.

Ponape contacts Mokil, Kusaie, Pingelap, Kapingmarangi (nearest atoll to Papua-New Guinea), Nukuoro, Ngatik, the MV Baker and a picket-boat in the area. Majuro keeps in touch with Kwajalein, Jabor, Kili, Ebeye, and the schooners Mileeta and Freyla based in that group. In addition there are US Coastguard Loran (navigation) stations at Angaur and Ulithi, and a broadcast station at Majuro in the Marshalls (WSZO on 1,500 kc/ s).

Communications with Guam and the outside world are by morse and radio-telephone but soon a radio teletype system will handle all tele graphic traffic via Guam. Four of the six main stations maintain 24hour watch. Traffic has increased from 50,000 words in 1952 to an anticipated 2 million words this year. The outer-island system is being steadily extended.

The network has been rebuilt under the supervision of Mr. Carl

J. Kunz, Chief Communicator, who has certainly had his problems— and he still has plenty, financial and operational. He estimates that it costs $2,000 to establish an outer island station and $250 a year to maintain it.

The operational side of US Trust Territory communications is handled

at the Guam end by two efficies young women—Thelma H. Gorms.

Chief Communicator, and Luisa Ada, her assistant. They also hano all mail-forwarding arrangement sea and air transportation bookinif entry permits to the Territory an the coding of all Government rao. traffic.