In contact with yacht

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 18

In contact with yacht

Transmissions from the yacht Valya, skippered by Annette Wilde, of Christchurch, are still being clearly received by a Christchurch radio amateur. Mr C. Liddell (ZL3ND). Mr Liddell has been in contact with Miss Wilde each evening since she left Christchurch some weeks ago to go to New Plymouth for the start of the Tasman single-handed race. Because of the limited power and aerial on the yacht, Miss Wilde's transmissions are in morse code. Mr Liddell's transmissions are speech from his high-powered transmitter, which Miss Wilde savs she can hear clearly.

Last night she gave her position as 31deg 18min S., Uldeg 33min E., and her log read 770 miles—well over half wav. The other nine yachts in the race had agreed to give Annette their position with their marine band transmitters so that she could radio them ashore. But she had heard nothing since the second night out. On Sunday night. Miss Wilde said that It had been the first clear day for some days and she was able to get some good sun sights for navigation This placed her some 50 miles further on than her dead reckoning position. She said she ate her plum pudding to celebrate.

Mr Liddell expects no trouble In keeping in contact with Annette al? the way across. He said: "We may have to change times and frequencies to suit the increasing distance, but we can always relay through Australan amateurs If conditions are bad."