Coast station Nuku’alofa Radio A3A began operation in December 1919. It is operated by the Meteorology Division of the Government of Tonga. It was formerly operated by the Tonga Telecommunications Commission.
Frequencies
- VHF: Channels 12, 16
- USB: 2080.00, 2182.00, 4125.00, 6215.00
- The station previously operated on 428/500 kHz radiotelegraphy
1920
1924
A system of broadcasting meteorological forecasts and hurricane warnings throughout the Southern Pacific has been developed during the year by the Naval Department, and is now in operation. Radio-Apia receives meteorological reports daily from Tonga, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Fiji, Norfolk Island, New Hebrides, and New Zealand. These reports are correlated with the observations made at the Apia Observatory, and a forecast is broadcasted [sic] twice daily during the hurricane season, and once daily during the non-hurricane season.
– Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives: Post & Telegraph Department, 1924
1961-1997
P&O liner Canberra working Tonga Radio:
2010
Government of Tonga invites expressions of interest from consultants for a review of operations at Nuku’alofa Radio A3A and recommendations for improvements.
2016
Tongan radio op trains at Taupo Maritime Radio ZLM
2017
If you have information or photos about the history of A3A, please contact the publisher.