Charles Glennie (in foreground) at Awarua around 1960. The operator in the background is Bert McKechnie. Photo courtesy Alex Glennie
During the 1960s, Radio New Zealand recorded an interview with five men associated with Awarua Radio as they talked about the station’s history. Unfortunately only one voice has been identified, so if you can help us identify the others, we’d love to hear from you. Or, you might enjoy hearing some Awarua history.
1961
Ceased copying London Press Service (formerly known as British Official Wireless Press).
1963
Doubtful Sound – Awarua circuit opened.
1964
Telefunken MF direction finding sets installed but were ineffective and later dismantled. Main MFDF service discontinued and dismantled. Three Junior Mechanicians – Dale Spittle, Noel Blair and Bob Walker – start at ZLB.
1965
22 MHz listening watch commenced 8am-6pm. Superintendent JU Bonisch died and was replaced by JB Dolan.
1966
Workshop at Awarua Radio Depot: L-R: E Plimley (on loan from Auckland) tests a radiotelephone transmitter, J Piper (Senior Technician) and I Gow tune a radio receiver, B Lynn (Bob Walker believes this would be Brian Flynn) tests a section of the radiotelephone set which will be installed on Bluff Hill for communication with Halfmoon Bay. Photo 11 January 1966
Junior mechanician Dale Spittle taking meter readings on the switching and control panel in the power room, c1966. Photo courtesy Alex Glennie. Click to enlarge.
Bob Walker thinks that this photo from Awarua Radio c1966 shows Ross Luscombe on the left and Senior Tech Boyd Brown taking meter readings on a Phillips transmitter. Click to enlarge.
Southland Daily News, 19 Feb 1966
1967
Scott Base circuit to Awarua was closed and opened direct to Wellington. JR Bell retired. Creed teleprinter circuit between coast stations in operation. Emergency stations to be converted to SSB (single sideband).
In March, fire gutted the Awarua Radio hostel.
Operators at Awarua Radio: Cyril Burke (left) and Paul J Cotter. Photo 12 May 1967 courtesy Alex Glennie
In August, the Southland News ran a small photo feature about the station.
Operators at Awarua Radio: Barry Munro (left) and Joe Collett. The dark cabinet to the left of Joe was the main telephone switchboard into the radio station (tel 82855) from which calls were transferred to the various desks and even to the houses, all of which were extension numbers. Photo 24 May 1967, courtesy Alex Glennie
On 1 October, the Awarua North railway stop, just outside the entrance to Awarua Radio, was decommissioned.
1968
NC Pawley retired. Continuous headphone watch on 2182 kHz introduced. Awarua’s transmitting frequencies changed on 8 MHz to 8504 kHz and on 12 MHz to 12,740 kHz. Awarua copies weak emergency message from SS Gothic which had been damaged by fire at sea with the loss of seven lives.
1969
HFDF2 now property of NZPO. Tape recorders installed and being run continuously on 2182 kHz. New Zealand and Australia withdraw from area scheme on 1st October. Staff establishment 28 10/40. New Collins 51S-1 receivers installed for 2182 kHz to enable SSB working. PJ Columb (at that time Superintendent of Auckland Radio ZLD) died. December traffic increase of 30% noted.
Awarua Radio technician Rex Johnston keeping an eye on the transmitters
RACAL ‘International Communications Recorder’, probably used as a logger at Awarua Radio ZLB. Date unknown. Pictured at the Awarua Communications Museum in 2016. Photo: N Sanderson
