Amateur Transmitters in Earthquake Area

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 32, 20 February 1931, Page 6

Amateur Transmitters in Earthquake Area

LETTHR signed by A. M. Cooper (ZL2AK), Walter S. Green (ZL2GR) and H. Dixon (ZL2BO) summarises the work of re-establish-ing communication with the Hastings and Napier area through: radio after the earthquake. In outlining the detailed position, praise is accorded to the Post and Telegraph Department for the tactful way in which order was established out of chaos and the efficient way the handling of traffic was organised. The letter concludes :- "Without detracting from the good work done by one or two of the amateurs, the main lesson to be learned from the experience of stations operating in Napier was that most of the amateurs were hampering the establishment of continuous communication by jamming the air through constantly operating their transmitting sets, instead of keeping a listening watch for signals from the affected area. If this had been done, radio communications would have been continuous and reliable. It also shows the pressing need of stringent regulations governing the control of all amateurs’ stations during such a crisis.