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KW Walford
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KW Walford
Chatham Islands Radio: Superintendent, from 31 January 1966
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General Information
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Latest updates
2018 Commemorations
History of NZ spark stations
Coast radio callsigns
Recruitment advertising
Radio Section history
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Radio Section, part 2: 1939-1940
Radio Section, part 3: 1941-1943
Radio Section, part 4: 1943-1944
Radio Section, part 5: 1944-1946
Radio Section, part 6: 1946-1950
Radio Section, part 7: 1950–1955
Radio Section, part 8: 1955–1960
Radio Section, part 9: 1960-1965
Radio Section, part 10: 1965-1987
Radio Section, part 11: 1965-1987
Radio Section, part 12: 1965-1987
Radio Information Bulletins
NZPO Crystal Laboratory
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Additional Comments on NZPO Crystal Laboratory
Radio regulation in NZ
1900 – 1909
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1907: Marconi proposes to build NZ wireless stations
1909: First recorded case of radio interference in NZ
1909: Wireless to link the South Pacific
1910 – 1919
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1912: German wireless stations for Pacific
1912: Wireless to link New Zealand and Australia
1912: RMS Tahiti aims to break wireless record
1912: How wireless works
1912: Letter 1 to NZ from Telefunken
1912: Letter 2 to NZ from Telefunken
1913: Wireless reaches nearly 3000 miles
1913: Post Office progress in radiotelegraphy
1914: The Australasian Wireless System
1914: Radiotelegraph charges as low as possible
1914: NZ wireless stations and operators praised
1914: Military commissions for P&T staff
1915: Letter from De Forest
1916: Wireless weather forecasts resumed
1920 – 1929
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1923: Portable radio tests in Wellington
1924: Government steamer tests radio direction-finding
1924: NZ radio amateurs communicate with England
1926: Ships limit 450m use to reduce interference
Morse in the NZ Post Office
1930 – 1939
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1934: Changes to radio callsigns
1935: Government upgrades wireless stations
1940 – 1949
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World War 2 ZC1 transceiver
1950 – 1959
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1958: NZPO Report on Overseas Radio Services
1960 – 1969
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1960: NZPO Report
1962: Assessing effect on radio of nuclear detonation
1963: Information for new NZPO staff
1970 – 1979
1980 – 1989
1990 – 1996
Little mysteries
Auckland Radio
Awanui Radio
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Awanui Radio Managers
Awanui Radio 1911-1913: Planning & Construction
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1911: Search narrows for Northland wireless site
1911: Awanui site plan
1912: Preliminary work completed at Awanui
Awanui accommodations
Awanui tower and aerial
Awanui spark transmitter
Awanui operating room
Awanui engine house
Awanui Radio 1913-1919
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1913: New Zealand’s first wireless press report
1913: High-power Awanui wireless station on air
1915: Awanui Radio replaces Auckland station
1916: Nillson appointed officer in charge at Awanui
Awanui Radio 1920-1930
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1920: Navigator seeks time signals from Awanui
1921: Awanui Radio VLA location not ideal
1928: Pellow leaves Awanui, closure likely
1930: Twopence would buy Awanui mast
Awanui Radio 1931-Now
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Audio: The spark-gap men of Awanui Radio
1950s: Photos at Awanui
1970: Memories of Awanui
1980: 50th anniversary of the closure of ZLA
1994: Photos at Awanui
1995: Awanui ZLA returns
2002: Awanui active again!
2004: Awanui Radio ZLA gets infringement notice
2013: Hams mark 100 years since VLA opening
2015: Update on the new Awanui Radio ZLA
2018: Visit to the site of Awanui Radio
Awarua Radio
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Awarua Radio Staff
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Radio amateurs at ZLB
Awarua Radio 1908-1913: Planning and Construction
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1911: Search on for Southland radio station site
1912: Awarua station described in detail
1913: P&T prepares to take over Awarua Radio
1913: Awarua and Awanui stations to open tomorrow
Awarua Radio 1913-1919
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1913: Awarua Radio opens
1918: Wizard lighting system a success
Awarua Radio 1920-1929
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1929: AW Head to take command at Awarua Radio
Awarua Radio 1930-1939
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1930: Amateur licence for Awarua Radio station
1935: Yacht Ngataki reports via Awarua Radio
1938: Awarua Radio’s original 400ft tower to fall
1938: Awarua Radio’s 400ft tower demolished
Frank Barlow remembers Awarua Radio 1939-1941
Water treatment plant at Awarua Radio
Awarua Radio 1940-1949
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1940: Additions and renovations at Awarua
1941: Three new towers at Awarua Radio
Frank Barlow remembers Awarua Radio 1941-1945
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Frank Barlow remembers Awarua Radio: Sequel
1941: RT service for small ships at Awarua Radio
1945: Aerial plan for Awarua Radio ZLB
1945: Awarua Radio steps up when lines go down
NZ Navy Wrens in secret ops during WW2
Awarua Radio 1950-1959
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1953: Green fingers at Awarua Radio
1956: The Awarua Radio story
Awarua Radio 1960-1969
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1960s: Unknown voices of Awarua Radio
1967: No more train stop at Awarua Radio
1967: Fire at Awarua Radio ZLB hostel
1967: Awarua photo feature
Awarua Radio 1970-1979
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1970: ZLB featured in The Katipo magazine
1975: New solid-state Nautel transmitters at ZLB
1976: Two Awarua Radio masts to topple
1976: Two Awarua Radio masts demolished
1976: Two new towers for 500 kHz at Awarua
1977: Third Awarua Radio tower to fall
1978: New transmitter building for Awarua Radio
Memories of Ron Lowry and Awarua in the 1970s
Awarua Radio 1980-1991
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1984: Awarua ‘airport’
1985: Map and plan of Awarua Radio ZLB
1985: Plans of housing at Awarua Radio
1985: Plans of operating buildings at Awarua Radio
1988: 75th jubilee plans
1988: 75th jubilee event
1991: Awarua Radio closes
Awarua Radio 1991-Now
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Unwin Radar
Awarua Tracking Station
2014: Awarua centennial
2016: Awarua researcher seeks home guard stories
2016: New Awarua book
Awarua Communications Museum
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2013: Awarua museum supporters at Owaka
2015: Museum set to open
2015: Museum opens
2016: Awarua theatre
Creed telegraph key
Chatham Islands Radio
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Chathams Radio Staff
Chatham Islands Radio 1902-1913: Construction
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1902: Chatham Islands ask for wireless service
1913: Chathams wireless station to open in August
1913: Davies takes charge at Chatham Islands Radio
1913: JL Davies helping to build Chathams station
Chatham Islands Radio 1913-1929
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1913: New wireless station opened at Chathams
1913: Chatham Islands station performing well
1913: Wireless man tells of Chatham Islands life
1917: Life at Chatham Islands wireless station
Chatham Islands Radio 1930-1949
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1934: Wind power for Chatham Islands Radio
1939: Chatham Islands in NZ history
1941: Radio station off air while Holmwood attacked
1946: First flights to Chatham Islands
Chatham Islands Radio 1950-1969
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1956: A radio operator’s life on the Chatham Islands
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 1
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Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 2
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 3
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 4
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 5
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 6
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 7
Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 8
Chatham Islands Radio 1970-1979
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Remembering Chatham Islands radiotelegraph
Chatham Islands Radio 1980-1991
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1988: 75th anniversary of Chatham Islands Radio
Taupo Radio
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Transmitter site
Receiver site
MEOSAR earth station
Taupo Radio 2000-2009
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2003: When trouble strikes, Taupo Radio is listening
Taupo Radio 2010-2019
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2016: Tongan radio op trains at Taupo Radio
2016: Taupo Radio antennas damaged by ice
Wellington Radio
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Wellington Radio Staff
Wellington Radio 1911-19
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1911: Land to be acquired for Tinakori Hills station
1911-1912: Tinakori Hill construction
1912: Sketch of Tinakori Hill wireless aerial
1912: Opening of wireless station on Tinakori Hill
1914: Radio site to be named ‘Mt Wakefield’
Wellington Radio 1920-29
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1923: Steel tower erected
1926: Steel tower collapses
1929: Wellington Radio to get short-wave ability
Wellington Radio 1930-39
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1934: Extension at ZLW receiving station
Wellington Radio 1940-49
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1941: RT service for small ships at ZLW Wellington
1945: Access to Tinakori Hill under review
Wellington Radio 1950-59
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1954: Clyde Williams returns to ZLW
1958: Clyde Williams returns to ZLW for last time
Wellington Radio 1960-69
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1965: The life of a junior technician at ZLW
Mt Crawford receiver site
Grid-block keying for small ships transmitter at ZLW
Wellington Radio 1970-79
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Mysterious misbehaving Navy transmitter
Wellington Radio 1980-1993
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1985: Description of ZLW site and buildings
1993: Wellington Radio ZLW closes
Wellington Radio 1993-Now
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2011: Centenary of Wellington Radio opening
2013: 20th anniversary of Wellington Radio closure
2017: Former techs visit Wellington Radio ZLW site
2021: 110th anniversary
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110th anniversary programme
Himatangi-Makara
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Himatangi Radio
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Chief Technicians
Technical Details
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Himatangi Radio in detail by George King
Himatangi Radio bearers
Himatangi carrier room
Himatangi drive room
Underfloor services
Himatangi Radio aerial feedlines
Emergency power system
STC DS13 transmitter
Himatangi Radio 1951-1959
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1951: Himatangi Radio under construction
1953: Opening of Himatangi Radio
1953: Himatangi sends Queen’s Christmas message to world
Himatangi Radio 1960-1969
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1968: Wahine storm strikes Himatangi
The life of a Himatangi technician
Himatangi Radio 1970-1979
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Raoul and Campbell Islands radio circuits
Survival stories from Himatangi Radio
Himatangi Radio 1980-1993
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1988: Himatangi house sales stalled
Himatangi Radio 1993-Now
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1996: Himatangi Radio reunion
Makara Radio
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Chief Technicians
Makara Radio 1944-1949
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1945: New radio station at Makara
1945: Evening Post feature on Makara Radio
1945: Heavy traffic as radiotelephone resumes
1945: How two-way radio link is operated
1945: First call to New York via Tinakori and Makara
Makara Radio 1950-1959
Makara Radio 1960-1969
Makara Radio 1970-1979
Makara Radio 1980-1996
Makara Radio 1996-Now
Radiotelephone Terminal Services
Radiotelegraph and Cable Terminal, Wellington
Other Stations
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Lighthouses and beacons
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1917: Wireless for lighthouses
Baring Head Lighthouse
Brothers Island Lighthouse
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Brothers Island Lighthouse radio station
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Centre Island Lighthouse
Cuvier Island Lighthouse
Dog Island Lighthouse
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1983: Dog Island Lighthouse profile
Farewill Spit Lighthouse
Kahurangi Point Lighthouse
Pencarrow Lighthouse
Puysegur Point Lighthouse
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1925: Wireless at Puysegur Point Lighthouse
1942: Fire destroys Puysegur Point lighthouse
Stephens Is Lighthouse
Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse
Apia Radio (Samoa)
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Apia Radio Managers
1913: Materials arriving
1914: NZ asked to seize Apia wireless station
1914: Samoa surrenders
1914: Samoa occupation
1919: Telefunken news (original German)
1919: Telefunken news (English translation)
Campbell Island
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1963-1964: Observing the ionosphere from Campbell Island
Caswell Sound
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Caswell Sound Radio – Part 2
Christchurch Radio
Gisborne Harbour Board
Macquarie Island
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1915: Wireless operator describes life on Macquarie
1915: Macquarie Island radio station closed
Milford Sound
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1946: Frank Barlow at Milford Sound Radio
1952: Clyde Williams at Milford Sound Radio
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Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 2
Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 3
Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 4
Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 5
Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 6
Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 7
1968: VHF radio testing on the Milford Track
Milford Sound Aeradio
Niue Radio
Nouméa Radio (Nouvelle-Calédonie)
Nuku’alofa Radio (Tonga)
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1920: New wireless station in Tonga
2016: Tongan radio op trains at Taupo Radio
Papeete Radio (Tahiti)
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1915: Papeete radio opens
Pennant Hills (Australia)
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1910: Change of location raises cost and questions
1911: Pennant Hills official testing
1912: Pennant Hills model for Awanui and Awarua
Port Moresby Radio (PNG)
Quartz Hill (NZBS)
Raoul Island (Kermadecs)
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Raoul Island: 1939-1949
Raoul Island: 1950-Present
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1950: Visiting vessels
Raoul Island transport
Bull Paddock adventure
Weather observation
Rarotonga Radio (Cook Is)
Rotoroa Island
Roviana (Solomon Islands)
Scott Base (Antarctica)
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Scott Base: 1956-1960
Scott Base: 1960-1970
Scott Base: 1970-1980
Scott Base: 1980-1992
Vanda Station (Antarctica)
Suva Radio (Fiji)
Tabuaeran (Fanning Island)
Other marine radio stations
Ships
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1995: Final morse signals from Cook Strait ferries
Abel Tasman VLKT
Arahanga ZMBN
Arahura ZMBS
Aramoana ZMRD
Aratika ZMFL
Awatea ZMBJ
Capitaine Cook III FNBW
Capitaine Wallis FNUD
Coastal Trader ZMSF
Dominion Monarch GRGG
ER Sterling
Erne GHWQ
Flinders Bay GYSA
Gothic MAUQ
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1953-1954: SS Gothic as royal yacht
Holmburn ZMFV
Holmlea ZMJH
John Wilson
Kaimiro ZMEC
Kaitawa ZMVC
Kaitoa ZMGC
Kawatiri ZMKX
Kokiri
Manapouri GWLU
Maranui ZMLA
Maui Pomare
Ngahere
Oriana GVSN
Pamir ZMKG
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1941: New Zealand seizes barque Pamir
Persic GDRZ
Port Waikato ZMJN
Rangitane GDBV
Tainui
Talune
Tamahine
Tarihiko ZMLP
Tofua ZMLI
Tutanekai
Wahine ZMGW
Waikare ZMCT
Waimea ZMRU
Waiotahi ZMJW
Fiction: The last Radio Officer
Distress
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1924: Ripple founders
1926: Manaia strands
1930: Tahiti sinks
1934: Barque Favell
1939: Waikouaiti wrecked
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Waikouaiti aground near Bluff [PDF]
Underwriters abandon stranded Waikouaiti
Inquiry: Waikouaiti captain’s error of judgment
1940: Niagara sunk by German mine
1940: Holmwood sunk by German raider
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1941: Officers and passengers describe attack
1941: Inquiry criticises Holmwood captain
1940: Rangitane sunk by German raider
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1941: Rangitane prisoners describe their treatment
1941: Captain Upton recalls attack on Rangitane
1943: Arahura strands
1951: Yacht Race Disaster
1954: Hauiti wrecked
1959: Holmglen sinks
1966: Monte Palomares
1966: Kaitawa sinks
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Kaitawa news coverage
Kaitawa Inquiry
Kaitawa Inquiry Annex
Kaitawa memorials
1968: Wahine sinks
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1968: Victims of the Wahine disaster
1968: Wahine rescue
1968: Salvaging Wahine
1973: 5th anniversary of Wahine disaster (video)
1988: 20th anniversary of Wahine disaster (video)
2018: ZM50GW – 50th anniversary of Wahine disaster
2018: News reports on the Wahine 50th anniversary
1968: Maranui sinks
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2018: ZM50LA – 50th anniversary of Maranui sinking
1968: Gothic fire
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News: Seven die in fire at sea on liner SS Gothic
News: Damaged Gothic heads back to NZ
News: Mother died on Gothic trying to save family
Captain and crew sail crippled Gothic back to NZ
Radio communication with SS Gothic after the fire
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News: Morse signal XXX MAUQ told story of tragedy
Preliminary report: Fatal fire aboard SS Gothic
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Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 2
Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 3
Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 4
Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 5
Repairs after fire on liner SS Gothic
SS Gothic: The final chapter
1991: Gothic fire, the night Judi will never forget
2010: Letter from Charles Glennie about Gothic fire
2017: Face-to-face with disaster: The Gothic fire
2018: ZM50MAUQ – 50th anniversary of Gothic fire
2018: Media coverage of SS Gothic fire anniversary
1971: Endeavour II
1973: Stina sinks
1981: Pacific Charger runs ashore
1986: Mikhail Lermontov sinks
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Testimony of radio officer Anatoliy Krutkov
Radio equipment aboard HMNZS Taupo
Report by radio operator David Hopgood, Arahura
Radio log from inter-island ferry Arahura
1991: Celtic Kiwi (ex Holmdale) sinks
2009: Princess Ashika
2018: Butiraoi capsizes
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Butiraoi a week overdue, NZ asked to search
NZ Air Force completes first day of ferry search
NZ Air Force finds seven survivors of Butiraoi
Australia, USA join search for Butiraoi survivors
Aerial search for Butiraoi survivors suspended
Official reports into the sinking of MV Butiraoi
Training
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Radio technician training at Wellington East Post Office
Radio technician training at Trentham
Radio technician training at Rugby Street
Radio technician training at New Zealand polytechs
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1967: Typical training course information
1985 Syllabus for Technicians Cert (Radio)
Radio Officer training at Wellington Polytechnic
Radio technician training at Post Office radio stations
Memories of Post Office radio tech training
People
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Ray Allsop
George Askey
Peter Baird
FE (Frank) Barlow
Frank H Bissmire
JU (Jack) Bonisch
LW (Pat) Bourke
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1917: LW Bourke leaving Awanui wireless station
1921: LW Bourke retires
DC Boyes
Paul D Burke
Arthur Cheshire
WRH (Harry) Clarke
PJ (Joe) Collett
Patrick J (Pat) Columb
David J Currie
John L Davies
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1917: JL Davies moves from Awarua to Awanui
James B Dolan
Brian J Donaldson
JT (Jim) Dudley
John R Duncan
EE (Dun) Dunwoodie
Elvin (Ellie) Ellenden
LJ (Les) Elliston
Laurie G Emens
Fred W Gates
Tom Gates
C Alan Glennie
Tony Graham
CN (Chas) Hair
James H Hampton
AW (Hec) Head
AJ Helean
JG (Jack) Hogan
Dennis E Horan
John Houlihan
Frank Hunt
George King
EH Lawn
George W Marston
D McMahon
H John Milne
Reg Motion
Joseph J Orchiston
Alf Pellow
Lester J Price
Eugene Reinhard
JF (Jack) Ryan
L George Scull
DC Shaw
Raj Singh
AF (Andy) Smith
Palmer O Spry
LH (Les) Steel
KW Walford
HW (Bill) Walker
WA (Alec) Wallace
Ralph S Wheeler
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1916: RS Wheeler leaving Chatham Islands
WFC (Frank) Whiteman
R Clyde Williams
ALM (Les) Willis
CR Wyllie
Roll of Honour
Audio/Video – New Zealand
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Audio/Video – Australia
Audio/Video – Europe
Audio/Video – Ships
Audio/Video – General
Resources
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Morse Code resources
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Message handling forms
Morse Code abbreviations
Morse Code prosigns
Q Signals for amateur radio
Signal Reporting
Radio room clocks and clock faces
NZ Straight Key Night
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The QSY Rule
Results – December 2018
Results – June 2019
Results – December 2019
Results – June 2020
Results – December 2020
Results – June 2021
Sources & References
Links
Contact
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