Test For Emergency Radio Organisation

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 13

Test For Emergency Radio Organisation

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. February 11. The whole emergency radio organisation of the Dominion was tested at the weekend when the New Zealand Association of Amateur Radio Transmitters held its annual practice mobilisation undeemergency conditions.

Branches of the association throughout the country set up receiving and transmission stations completely divorced from normal power supplies. Portable generators and aerials had to be set up and the stations established within a time limit on Saturday afternoon. Most stations, often under canvas. began broadcasting by 3 p.m. Among the members of the North Shore branch who helped to set up the emergency station at Kauri point on Saturday was Sub-Lieu-tenent P. Mulgrew. He began the transmission by giving the branch call sign. ZLIWO, at 2.30 pm. Lieutenant Mulgrew had arrived at the site in his car which w*as recently fitted with special controls to enable him to drive in spite of the loss of his legs. Another station, set up in Torbay, is believed to be the

first of its kind in the history of the association. It was manned by a team of four young women. Their leader. Mrs J. Barker, is the wife of a member of the Western Suburbs who was manning the branch station at Titirangi at the same time.

The association has been holding practices under emergency conditions far more than 20 years and hundreds of members trained in this w’ay have been able to give invaluable help to search parties and in emergencies caused by floods and fire.