1950
Recommencement of copying epidemiological bulletins from Geneva.
1951
Notices to mariners were broadcast from Awarua Radio ZLB using A2 (modulated radiotelegraphy) on 500 kHz and A3 (AM radiotelephone) on 2162 kHz.
Medical advice to ships was available from Awarua Radio, using radiotelegraphy.
Campbell Island and Kermadec Island now manned by CAA and communication by radiotelephone with Wellington.
1952
Macquarie Island VJM commences.
Government approves development of station grounds and surrounding land as a farm, due to efforts of WA Wallace through the MP for Awarua, GR Herron.
Awarua Radio ZLB transmitted weather bulletins for coastal shipping four times a day using radiotelephone on 2162 kHz.
1953
Three additional residences built for staff.
1954
Superintendent WA Wallace retired and replaced by J Houlihan.
“I found the above photograph particularly interesting with the “new” Awarua Receiving Station in the back ground. Note the different coloured roofing iron on the right side of the building. This is an add-on to the station which wasn’t there when you compare photographs taken in 1940-1941 when the station was built.”
– Alex Glennie
1955
Lands End Radio logged on 2182 kc/s QSA 3/4.
Farm manager’s house built.
JU Bonisch replaces J Houlihan as Senior Supervisor.
1956
Scott Base (Antarctica) opened and communication established with Awarua.
1957
IGY (International Geophysical Year) team installed at Awarua.
JU Bonisch promoted to Superintendent, Auckland Radio. PJ Columb promoted to Senior Supervisor Awarua Radio.
Daily communication with Hallett Station (Antarctica) commenced.
1958
J Houlihan retired and was replaced by JU Bonisch. AH Greaney retired.
Farm management taken over by Lands & Survey Department.
Radiotelephone service between Milford Sound and Awarua linked with toll system.
1959
Epidemiological Bulletin Service ceased, as did communication with Hallett Station.
“In 1955-61 I was a Radio Officer with NZ Shipping Co and while on MV Hinakura/GVDS tied up in Tilbury Docks, London the Captain came to the radio room and gave me a telegram for the NZ Shipping Co Auckland Office. No hurry, he said, as we were due to sail in a couple of days for Curacao/Panama/Auckland. I had nothing much to do and while we were not supposed to transmit while in port decided at 1800 hrs that day to give ZLB a call on 8 megs on the off chance of a reply. So… “ZLB ZLB ZLB de GDVS GDVS GDVS HW”. To my surprise an immediate reply at good signal strength, so I moved to a working frequency and sent the message for the Auckland office. After getting the QSL I told the ZLB operator of my location and he replied that that would be a record for communication on 8 Megs. I must have timed the call right to get darkness around half of the earth’s surface to assist the signal. Our Captain was impressed with the timing also. I had a lot of contacts with ZLB over my seven years at sea with NZ Shipping Co. I am now 86 in the Hibiscus Village Retirement Home with my wife Judy of 62 years and morse code is still imbedded in my brain.”
– Roger Jay (May 2023)