Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School

UPDATE- 7 AUG 2002 - H44A is back on air with the arrival of a volunteer ham radio operator. Look for the students around- 14.250, 18.150, 21.290, 28.490MHz on USB and 27.295MHz on LSB.

REPORT ON- RADIO SPECTRUM USAGE BY AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS IN THE Solomon Islands FOR THE 3 MONTHS OF MONITORING- MAY TO JULY 2002.

As the Training, Examinations and License Condition review officer for the currently inactive Solomon Islands Radio Society I am pleased to present THE STATE OF THE AMATEUR BANDS report for the year quarter May to July 2002-

NUMBER OF SOLOMON ISLANDS STATIONS HEARD ON AIR (1.8 to 30MHz)-

One, H44A the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands (ARTSS).


NUMBER OF SOLOMON ISLAND STATIONS HEARD USING-

160m- 1.8MHz   DAYTIME-Nil, NIGHTTIME-Nil.
80m- 3.5MHz…   DAYTIME-Nil, NIGHTTIME-One
40m-   7MHz …  DAYTIME-Nil, NIGHTTIME-One
All other bands through to 10m- 28MHz had one station heard on both night and day.


NUMBER OF INTRUDERS HEARD ON EXCLUSIVE AMATEUR ALLOCATIONS-

40m-7MHz in the day- One, non-English language SSB voice station.
The 40m, 7MHz amateur band is a most valuable daytime spectrum capable of linking by radio, this 350 island nation. It was sad therefore, in the daylight hours, to hear nothing except the one non- amateur SSB signal.
 
 CONCLUSION—
THE NEED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT THE AMATEUR RADIO TRAININING SCHOOL WITH TRANSCEIVERS SO MORE CAN COME ON THE AIR IS THE OBVIOUS CONCLUSION FROM THIS YEARS QUARTER State of the Amateur Bands Report.


REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE SOLOMON ISLAND AMATEUR RADIO FREQUENCY BAND ALLOCATIONS-
To encourage worldwide research to be done in the Solomon Islands we need the best range of frequency bands and radio regulations. In Solomon Islands No Visa is needed for most passport holders. This is a big plus because it means visitors can arrive any time and get a visa at the airport with no prior arrangment.. We need parts of all available sprectrum used by amateurs around the world and other improvements to the amateur radio regulations to get the best of everything possible inside one country. We can become known as the radio amateurs dream holiday and research location.

LOW FREQUENCY BANDS
Low Frequencies - Nil          I hope to investigate the possibility of requesting the band/ or some frequencies between 135.7KHz to 137.8KHz (2205metre band) as used in the UK and 165KHz to 190KHz (1700 metre    band) as used in New Zealand.

MEDUIM FREQUENCY BANDS
160m- 1.800 to 2.000 MHz

HIGH FREQUENCY BANDS
80m- 3.500 to 3.900MHz.   I have requested expansion to 4.000MHz on a non- interference basis. This will allow communications into the USA.


60m- Nil                 I intend to request any available frequencies between 5.250MHz and 5.405MHz especially 5.260MHz,5.280MHz, 5.290MHz,5.400MHz and 5.405MHz which are now being used by UK and    some by USA amateurs on a non-interference basis.



40m- 7.000 to 7.100MHz.   I have requested expansion to 7.300MHz as in Australia,New Zealand and the USA on a non-interference basis. THIS IS
THE MOST IMPORTANT BAND ALLOWING ALL 350 ISLANDS IN OUR NATION TO TALK. IN DAYLIGHT. IN DAYTIME THE ENTIRE FREQUENCY RANGE IS EMPTY.
AUSTRALIANS SHARE THE EXPANDED RANGE WITH RADIO AUSTRALIA SUCCESSFULLY.
AT NIGHT CONTACT TO THE USA WILL BE POSSIBLE.                                      
Because this day band can bring all the 350 islands together the
Amateur Radio Training School offers only the Unrestricted
License training. That is the only license allowing 7MHz use.
(We have a novice licence and restricted licence identical to Australia.)

30m-10.100 to 10.150MHz
20m-14.000 to 14.350MHz
17m-18.068 to 18.168MHz
15m-21.000 to 21.450MHz
12m-24.890 to 24.499MHz

11m-9 frequencies in the 27MHz band. 27.065MHz, 27.115MHz, 27.155MHz, 27.245MHz, 27.255MHz, 27.295MHz, 27.325MHz, 27.335MHz and 27.355MHz.    All on a non-interference basis.
Ham training is on 27.295MHz LSB, which is shared with one city taxi service. We stop operating when they are “On Air” in accordance with the non-interference basis.
This Taxi uses AM and they say they are happy with the ham students on their frequency.                                            
The Taxi driver tells the passengers about the radio school.
This has introduced new people to the hobby.
Police are allocated 27.125MHz so there may develop an important amateur radio community policing capability in future.
The only other country I know with any 11 metre band
Amateur allocation is New Zealand who has one frequency
27.120MHz for amateur radio telecontrol and telemetry.
Any other countries on 11m?  Please let me know for our records.
THIS FREQUENCY ALLOCATION HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE DONATED CB RADIOS ARE GOING TO BE THE ONLY WAY MANY NEW HAMS WILL BE ABLE TO GET ON AIR.

10m-28.000 to 29.700 MHz

VERY HIGH FREQUENCY BANDS
6m-50.000 to 54.000 MHz

4m- Nil                    I hope to investigate the possibility of requesting the band / or some frequencies between 70.000MHz to 70.500MHz as exists in the UK on a non-interference basis. South Africa’s allocation is 70.000 to 70.300MHz.
 
2m-144.000 to 146.000MHz. I have requested expansion to 148.000MHz on a non-interference basis. In line with Australia, New Zealand and the USA equipment.

1.25m- Nil                I hope to investigate the possibility of requesting the band/ or some frequencies between 222.000Mhz to 225.000MHz on a non-interference basis.


ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY BANDS
70cm-430.000 to 440.000MHz. I have requested expansion to include 420.000 to 430.000MHz and 440.000 to 450.000MHz on a non-interference basis. In line with Australia and USA equipment.

50cm-576.000 to 585.000 MHz. Australia has part of this band. We may have the widest bandwidth. Any other countries on 50cm?  Please let me know for our records.


33cm- Nil                           I hope to investigate the possibility of requesting the band/ or frequencies between 902MHz to 928MHz as used in the USA or 922 to 927MHz as used in New Zealand.

  23cm-    1.240 to 1.300GHz.
  13cm-    2.300 to 2.450GHz

SUPER HIGH FREQUENCY BANDS
   9cm-    3.300 to 3.500GHz
   6cm-    5.650 to 5.850GHz.
   3cm-  10.000 to 10.500GHz
  2mm-  24.000 to 24.250GHz

EXTREMELY HIGH FREQUENCY BANDS
  6mm-  47.000 to 47.200GHz
  4mm-  75.500 to 81.000GHz
  2mm-144.000 to 144.900GHz
  1mm-248.000 to 250.000GHz
           
MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT
Although a high power permit is available in the Solomon Islands, the normal maximum power level is 400Watts pep. The USA allows 1.5Kw power output (1,500Watts pep) without the need for special permits. I propose 1.5Kw be available to all unrestricted amateurs. The US power level of 200Watts pep for Novice could also be adopted. This will avoid unnecessary paper work and encourage the world to do their amateur research in our country.


EXAMINERS

Students were specially selected to do the Unrestricted Amateur Radio EXAMINER qualifying course based on their outstanding progress at the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands course that was conducted at the National Disaster Council facilities in Honiara. The students have done both the theory of examining and conducting actual unrestricted amateur radio exams under supervision.
The student is trained to conduct the exams IN THE PRESENTS OF 2 OTHER PERSONS HOLDING THAT CERTIFICATE.

The re-activated Society will need to set up an examinations committee responsible for correctly administrating the testing.
The Society will need to convince the Spectrum Management Division that enough safe guards and skills are available to allow the Society to take responsibility for Amateur Examinations.


SOLOMON ISLANDS RADIO SOCIETY (SIRS)
          RE-ACTIVATING THE SOCIETY
THE RE-ACTIVATED SOLOMON ISLANDS RADIO SOCIETY (SIRS), like all national societies, will need to regularly meet with the Spectrum Management Division and update the Amateur Radio rules and Regulations so we can keep up and sometimes if we have a fantastic idea, lead developments around the world. The ham students in the Solomon Islands and those hams looking for overseas countries in which to do their research depend on an active Society.

The importance of skills needed to form and run a National Society are such that it has been included in a new course to be introduced on the 7th August 2002. It’s called the Advanced Radio and Electronics certificate course. The course is for those who have successfully completed the unrestricted amateur radio license qualifying course and includes a study on National Amateur Societies and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).
The students will be the leaders of Amateur Radio in the Solomon Islands and this new course looks at preparing them for that task.


AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE FEE-
When our Society was inactive we saw last years $12 Amateur Radio License fee jump to $100 this year. This needs to be addressed by the reactivated Society as a matter of urgent priority.
NOT ONE, OF OUR FIRST NINE GRADUATING STUDENTS,WHO HAD SPENT 3 MONTHS AT THE FREE OF CHARGE AMATEUR RADIO TRAINING SCHOOL, HAD THE $100 AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE FEE.


ISSUING OF AMATEUR RADIO CALLSIGNS TO VISITING AMATEURS
The Radio Society when reactivated should talk with the Spectrum Management Division (SMD) about the Society issuing on SMD’s behalf -amateur call signs, amateur licenses and collection of any SMD fees. This will means foreign visitors arriving in Honiara outside normal SMD hours (eg weekends) can get a license at the 24 hour 7 day Solomon Islands Radio Society HQ, and travel to the villages and Provinces with no delay.

In New Zealand and the USA no application is needed and no fee is charged to amateur visitors. Foreign visitors arrive and can operate amateur radio immediately. If such a system cannot be introduced because of a desire to collect revenue then the Society can collect it on behalf of the Government. In return the Government might support this voluntary work by not charging Solomon Island born people any license fee.

IN THIS WAY, SOLOMON ISLANDERS, ESPESCIALLY THE 80% WHO LIVE IN VILLAGES CAN RECEIVE THE SAME (NO FEE) AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE.

THE SAME AS IS GIVEN FREE BY THE U.S.A’s FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION (FCC) renewable free every 10 years AND NEW ZEALAND’s RADIO SPECTRUM MANAGEMANT (RSM) WHO ALSO HAVE NO FEE FOR HAM LICENSES.

Charging a license fee to foreigners who can afford it and not to local people who have no funds is a way for the government to balance it’s need for revenue and help the people.  These people have joined the only free of charge school in the country that welcomes anyone walking off the street. It’s the students, training to be Solomon Island
Amateur Radio Operators who are “on the air” daily inviting visitors world wide to come to our country and help our people.

The $100 Amateur Radio hobby Station license fee charge is unfair to Local people born in the Solomon Islands because unlike all other licenses issued by SMD the Amateur license is not issued to a company or a business.
It is issued to any individual who has successfully completed an Amateur Radio license qualifying course.
It is called an Amateur license because it is not a money making license. It cannot be used for business. The United Nations has provided millions of amateur radio frequencies especially for the hobby use of citizens in every country. No business communications is
allowed, no broadcasting, no government or military use is allowed. Without licensed radio operators in Solomon Islands we have millions of unused frequencies. While other country’s use Amateur Radio to attract visitors, build emergency communications capability, interest and train students with exciting skills for their future, we need in the Solomon Islands not to waste this resource by putting it out of reach of the
ordinary Solomon Islander.

Amateur Radio is one of the few hobby’s to require a license. Countries charge no license fees or keep fees very low. That is why last year and the years before the Amateur radio license fee was $12.
The Amateur license is not for business or other money making purpose.
Amateur Radio licenses are for individuals to further their education and self training, to promote world wide friendship and understanding, and to be available to give free volunteer help to the community in times of disaster. This $100 Amateur license fee is the same
radio license fee paid for their taxi business two way radios by companies who make thousands of dollars from that $100 license. It is also the same $100 fee paid for their aircraft base two way radios by companies who make hundreds of thousands of dollars from that $100 license.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHARGE TAXI AND AIRCRAFT COMPANY’S A FEE OF $100 for a two way business radio license. Both have lots of money and $100 is
recovered in one days business. Businesses are not allowed on amateur frequencies.
So it is only visiting foreign amateur radio operators and the local Solomon Island students who can legally qualify to use the amateur radio license. Students can’t give or recover back $100 as easily as the taxi, aircraft or businesses can. THEY NEED HELP TO GET STARTED. THAT IS WHY THE RADIO SCHOOL HAS BEEN FREE, WHY DONATED TRANSCEIVERS ARE BEING GIVEN, WHY VOLUNTEER TEACHERS FROM OVERSEAS HAVE COME.

THE GOVERNMENT LICENSE FEE IS THE LAST BARRIER
The radio amateur license is an educational, training and hobby license and not a money making license. Unlike other SMD licenses it is not a business or organisation who requests an amateur radio license. Radio Amateurs are individual citizens. They are known as "HAM"- Helping All Mankind Radio Operators. They make friends all over the world through short wave radio. That is why this license is free in countries who want lots of HAM radio stations “on the air” to promote visits from foreign friends.


These are the people who have studied for 3 months at the free of charge Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands-                        
(1) those who come from villages and live outside the money economy by
growing their own food each day,
(2) school students who were at home all day with nothing to do, unable to attend any other school because their parents cant pay school fees,
(3) the unemployed who are looking for new and motivating skills that can give them a future,
(4) Anyone with no current opportunity to go forward.


                       
                                   
UPDATING AMATEUR RADIO REGULATIONS-
(1) There is no age limit enforced in Solomon Islands, any mention of age should be removed from the regulations. There has never been such mention in USA amateur regulations.
(2) All Morse code exams are at 5 words per minute in line with the USA, New Zealand, Australia. Mention of higher speeds should be removed  
                         
NEW COURSES-
ADVANCED RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CERTIFICATE and
AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
CERTIFICATE COURSE starts 7 Aug. 2002. The later covers-
(1) The theoretical and practical skills in providing local, national and international emergency communications.
(2) How to provide emergency radio communications for people of the villages and towns.
(3) How to provide emergency radio communications to Non Government Organisations (N.G.O.).
(4) How to provide emergency communications for Government bodies such as the National Disaster Council’s (NDC) National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO).
(5)  Understanding of the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (I.T.U.) amateur radio regulations as they apply to the handling of health, welfare and emergency messages.          
The US National Traffic System, amateur radiograms, and traffic handling will be covered in detail.

THE AMATEUR RADIO TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS now offers 4 FREE courses-
(1)Unrestricted Amateur Radio Qualifying Certificate Course- Free. Open to anyone.
(2)Amateur Radio Examiners Qualifying Certificate Course   - Free. Selected only.
(3)Advanced Radio and Electronics Certificate Course       - Free. Must finish (1) above.
(4)Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Certificate course-Free. Open to anyone.

END OF REPORT by Sam Voron H44A, Acting as training, Examination and License condition review officer, Solomon Islands Radio Society.        4 AUG 2002.

.

Thanks to Jeff VK2TUC who has designed these certificates- Emergency amateur radio communications, Advanced radio and electronics, amateur license and amateur examiner qualifying course. Our new graduates can study these 2 new courses as they help the new students.  
Here are the first 9 to complete the amateur radio licence qualifying course
Rockson Latu , 15 years old of Pututu village, Choiseul Island Province.
Moffet Dakatia, 15 years old of Koisisi village, Isabel Island Province.
Ms Nesta Olita, 18 years old of Fasitoro village,Malaita Island Province.
Adrian Legua, 19 years old of Lengakiki village, Isabel Island Province.
Duddley Misiosi, 20 years old of Aisiko village, Malaita Island Province.
Alfred Selo, 20 years old of Ferasuboa village, Malaita Island Province.
Augustine Bisafo, 23 years old of Dairana village, Malaita Island Province.
Ms Margaret Koi 26 years old of Atori village,Malaita Island Province.
Rolland Vaenela, 27 years old of Patutiva village, Western Province.

Donated amateur and cb  transceivers will be airshipped to the Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School 6 Aug 2002. Your old TS520 and other unwanted tranceivers can be posted or dropped in at BRISBANE immediately to Don Rogers 204 Monash St, Tarragindi QLD 4121 Australia Tel-(07)38484555. In SYDNEY drop tranceivers immediately to Sam Voron 2 Griffith Ave, Roseville N.S.W. 2069 Tel-(02) 94171066.Tel-001-61-2-94171066
   HAMS OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA  can post direct to Mr Loti Yates, National Disaster Council, Amateur Radio Donation, P.O Box G11, Honiara Solomon Islands. Tel-001-677-27936 or 27937 Monday to Friday 2200 to 0500UTC.Do not send QSL’s- see www.h44a.com.

NEWS FLASH-H44A.
From 7th Aug 2002 a ham will arrive at the school. The students will be on air from 2200 to 0500UTC daily on 28.490MHz (USB, for the information of new shortwave listeners around the world who would like to listen in on a shortwave radio receiver) with old students completing the 10 required contacts part of the amateur radio licence qualifying course.Then 150 new students start and they will need 1500 contacts!

     Loti Yates, Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation of Solomon Islands has offered accomodation to others who would also like to come and help.

     Non of the first 9  students to complete the course had the Solomon $100 Ham radio licence fee which is US $20 when they got their successful results.

     But they can get the Ham licence with the certificate of successful completion of the amateur radio-training course, which they can show to the licence authority at any time in the future.

     Maybe when they reactivate the Solomon Islands Radio Society they can either try to get that $100 fee cut back to the $12 it was last year or maybe they can get the authority to give it free to Solomon Islanders and charge $100 to others.

     These students will receive (1) a Certificate for the successful completion of the Unrestricted Amateur Radio Licence Qualifying course AND (2) a certificate for the successful completion of the Unrestricted Amateur Radio Examiners Qualifying course.

     The training is continuing and as soon as the big  warehouse is ready (air conditioners only need to be mounted) some 150 people on the waiting list will join the school.


    The Unrestricted Amateur Radio EXAMINER Qualifying certificate says-

Certificate number….Name….of….. was specially selected to do the Unrestricted Amateur radio EXAMINER qualifying course because of outstanding progress at the May-July 2002 Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands which was conducted at the National Disaster Council facilities in Honiara. The student has done both the theory of and conducted actual unrestricted amateur radio exams under supervision. This student is trained to conduct the following Exams (in the presents of 2 other persons holding this certificate)-

1. Introduction to CB radio and Amateur radio.

2. International Voice Code.

3. Morse Code Abbreviations.

4. International Q-code

5.International Morse Code.

6.Amateur radio frequency bands.

7. Voice operating procedure on CB radio.

8.Voice operating procedure on Amateur radio.

9. Amateur radio theory and regulations.

10. Practical village amateur radio station.

11. Revision,ask and see.

Signed… Solomon Islands Radio Society Examinations Officer. Dated…

     The Unrestricted Amateur radio LICENCE Qualifying certificate  says-

Certificate number….Name…of….has successfully completed the Unrestricted Amateur radio licence qualifying course at the May-July 2002 Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands which was conducted at the National Disaster Council facilities in Honiara. The student is trained in – (list topics 1 through 11 as seen in the examiner certificate above) …

Signed …, Solomon Islands Radio Society Examinations Officer. Dated…

     No QSL’s will be issued as I want to continue to be focused on the things I can do to help the local Solomon Islanders join our hobby. It might be easier to understand why QSL collecting is not an area of focus for Solomon Island born people when you realise that coin and stamp collecting is also regarded as something foreigners do. Amateur radio was something foreigners also did in Solomon Islands, with the Solomon $100 ham licence fee still keeping the local born that one-step away.

      I am focusing on getting these certificates,continuing the quest for volunteers to go to  help the people and directing unwanted transceivers to the Solomon Islands. See www.h44a.com

     The Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands first 9 Solomon Island born students successfully completed the course.150 others have registered to do this FREE course run by volunteers. Why? Because they don't have the fees to go to regular private or government schools.

     Donate transceivers you know you will never use again.Help us get these new hams on the air.

    Send donated 12v and 240v HF transceivers and solar panels to- Mr Loti Yates, National Disaster Council, Honiara, Solomon Islands. There is no customs restrictions on donated equipment.

Once established the local people can continue the training but they will always need help with donated transceivers to get on the air.  

Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School

 

Having lived in Panatina Village and encountering life on Guadalcanal first hand - I think Sam's portrayal of the economics there is plainly off the wall.... OK the islanders only earn USD8 to USD10 per week which often supports their families too ... but through poor management or something going wrong my QSLing actually makes money (dis-regarding my time). Hard currency there is so valuable... There were at least 2 Internet cafe's near the Honiara Post Office - and the islanders are pretty slick networkers about finding good deals (cheap car parts, free internet access to 'e-qsl's', free electricity to operate those radios..). I recall the maritime college there had Internet access and had a resident (UK) ham during my stay.

I just get an odd feeling - promoting education in radio/electronics is one thing I actively support especially with the wonderful Solomon people, but canvassing the international community to support hundreds of ham radio stations in a country where there is only one set of traffic lights, no speed limits (the road's don't allow you to travel out of 2nd gear), where there is little AC power outside Honiara / or the Hotels... and whole tracts of un-exploded ordinance... It just doesn't it well with me.. Sorry Sam - unless I see who and whats behind 'NDC', my supports sits with the "International School' and the 'Maritime college' there only.

 

Currently there is no Radio Amateur at the Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School. They immediately need a volunteer radio ham to come and supervise the “on air” 10 amateur radio contacts part of the Amateur Radio licence course. Imagine you have passed everything but because there is no ham you can’t complete this last requirement If you can get your air ticket then accomodation is free please Tel- Sam VK2BVS –Sydney , Australia-61-2-94171066, (02) 94171066.
Oh answering the question from k3HZ above, NDC is the National Disaster Council made up of the National Disaster Management Organisation,Police,Prime Ministers Department and the Department of Home Affairs. In other words when disaster hits the agencies of first responce coordinate as one under the name National Disaster Council.Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School

 

Hey! I need some free radios TOO! Send me a lot of FREE RADIOS! I want everything FREE! FREE FREE FREE!!! Are you kidding me? I just got done talking to a guy on two meters that is a quadrapoligic. He hasn't so much as lifted his arms more than 3 inches for the past 15 years. He dosen't ask for anything free including his rent and ESPECIALLY his radios. Ham radio is a luxury. With all the starving people out there in the world you're worried about getting some free ham radios? There's something warped about that. Heck, I'd like a new set of golf clubs and a new Porcshe but I just can't afford it right now. If you want to play (and that's what ham radio is, PLAY) then you have to pay. Now, if you want some free food or some free clothes I'll be happy to help out. But free radios? I can't believe this post was even allowed on this site. That's the trouble with hams these days, they think the entire world revolves around their radios. You should be ashamed of your self.

 

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">No QSL’s will be issued as I want to continue to be focused on the things I can do to help the local Solomon Islanders join our hobby.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Sam,

You are missing a golden opportunity here. Many of the DX'ers will PAY you well for the privelege of an H44 QSL card on the wall!

Personally, I would not pay for a postcard, but many hams will, and most will not begrudge a little profit, so long as you return the card promptly.

So instead of begging for donations, have those H44 fellows get on the air and start making money!

Too bad W7's are a dime a dozen, or I would cash in also!

Gary WG7X

PS: Just kidding!?!

 

Re-KD7RHE comments.
The Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School is the only FREE school in Solomon Islands open to anyone who walks in the door.

They dont ask if you are- disabled- man or woman-  speak English or not-  black or brown- attended high school or not - or if you can read or write.New people join each day, no one is rejected.

Its especially popular with kids whose parents dont have the school fees needed to attend  Government or private schools.

Its only happening because the hams(Helping All Mankind) radio operators enjoy helping people for FREE.

For those who hold the certificate of successful completion of the ham radio course a radio is a dream and right now it IS everything.

Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School

 

Re-WG7X comments-
I am amazed that people are saying - QSLing will bring money which can help the local people get into the hobby.

QSL cards are not going to help the local people.

Last century foreigners came, QSLed, left no locally born hams and have made the authorities think its a hobby for rich visiting tourists resulting in last years $12 amateur licence fee being raised to $100 this year.I need to also praise former foreigners like the Secretary of the dormant Solomon Islands Radio Society (SIRS) who out of his own pocket has paid the yearly membership fees for (SIRS) to the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in the hope that the local people might one day and that day has now arrived,want to be hams.

The students at the Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School are those who need the most help and who have had the least opportunities.Many are at this Free school because they dont have a job or dont have money for Government or private school fees.

So please understand that the School is not set up to fullfill the QSL dreams of the developed world.Dont offer money to make it do what you want.

The School is setup by local people with international support from hams who are asking the people of the Solomon Islands NOT what can you do for our overseas self interest BUT what do YOU, the Solomon Islander want and HOW can we help.

They dont want QSL cards.

They do want CB and Ham radio transceivers,solar panels, ham radio teachers,electronic and radio technician teachers,Emergency amateur radio communications teachers, help to reactivate the dormant Solomon Islands Radio Society and help to find it a permanent house where foreign visiting hams could be accomodated with a ham station that local people with no equipment could also use.They also want help in the design and printing of certificates they can issue to students who successfully complete the amateur radio training course and another certificate for the amateur radio examiners qualifying course.

In time QSLs at least by visiting or other hams will be possible but if a station says NO QSL, ONLY QSO think about it like this. Not everyone is into,able or wants to EME,RTTY,CW,SSB,AM,FM,contest,awards,teach,NTS,ARES, etc .
.
Radio Training School

 

Well, I donated gear before...only to see them all end up on eBay. If you have the money to be whizzing back and forth from Sydney just to play Ham Radio, well.... Something sure sounds fishy and Daddy didn't raise no fool. The documents you request can be whipped up on any basic cheep computer with much ease. 2 and 2 just dosen't add up here. Everyone in the world thinks us Americans are rich and try to pump us for as much cash as they can. We are not, and nothing could be further from the truth. You should see my bills. It's time the rest of the world stood on it's own two feet and stopped trying to pump us for free gear, free money, etc. You're taking that whole "Land of the free" thing much to literal. We are not the baby sitters of this planet earth. If it wasn't for us American's all thoughs of you living in Australia would be speaking Japanees right now. How about you guys coughing up some free gear for us in apperciation for preserving the life style you currently enjoy.

 

Hey Sam,

I still think that you are taking this entirely too seriously. It must be nice to be on a mission to educate and save the people of the Solomon Islands, but the rest of the world is not interested in your crusade.

Sorry about that, but that's just the truth, and you know that, don't you?

Personally, I'm not a paper collector either. QSL cards are not what drives my interest in this hobby. I also love to get on the radio and chat. Others with more disposable income and time ARE interested in the  paper chase and those folks are your potential audience, not me. Unfortunately for you, if a QSL is not going to  be made available, those people simply will not supply you with anything. Sorry, but that's the reality.

For most of us, this is a hobby, not a way of life.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So please understand that the School is not set up to fullfill the QSL dreams of the developed world.Dont offer money to make it do what you want.

[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Why ever not? In this country we have a well developed sense of free enterprise. Something for nothing sounds nice but it won't put food on the table, or an HF rig in the shack. Sounds like a win-win sceneario to me.

I have to ask: Are you by chance a missionary? This begging act really sounds as if you should be in the order of the Sisters of Charity or something.

Time to wake up and smell the coffee.

Gary WG7X

 

I think some of you guys are missing the point. No one is being forced to donate to this school. If you don't want to, that's fine, but don't put down those that choose to do so.

My elmer gave me my first radio when I passed my license test. It was "previously enjoyed" and it was not state of the art. But you know what? I got a lot of enjoyment from that radio.

When he handed that radio to me, he reminded me that I was now part of a worldwide fraternity and that I should always try to help other hams.

Lighten up guys.

 

Hello KD7RHE and WG7X-

HAM Radio- Helping all Mankind Radio is a hobby where you can help people on planet earth.When you  help people its for FREE. Ham radio is not business radio. Its not a money making hobby.It does not matter if the person you help lives in your country or not. It's a hobby we do in our spare time.

I have always wanted to help the USA only because I know how much they have helped others. I got that chance during Hurricane Iniki. My first and only trip to the USA was that time not as a tourist in Hawaii but as a ham radio operator volunteer at the Waimea high school American red cross shelter.

Sorry to hear your kind donation of gear ended up in e-bay. I understand you or anyone with such experience would not forget it easily.I am sure I would think the same if that happened to me.

Luckly so far all the people who have asked me for help
have all been good experiences. I currently have no HF ham radio.I donated them to Solomon Islands.I am sure I would not do that if I had the bad experience you had.
But all my experiences keep getting better so when I meet nice people I love helping them no matter what country they are from.

I am happy because I have always seen donating things as one part of the ham radio hobby I enjoy. Its a big hobby with lots of things to do and we all focus on the parts we see as most rewarding not in a financial sence but spiritually.

NEWS FLASH-H44A.
From 6th Aug 2002 a ham will arrive at the school. The students will be on air from 2200 to 0500UTC daily on 28.490MHz (USB, for the information of new shortwave listeners around the world who would like to listen in on a shortwave radio receiver) with old students completing the 10 required contacts part of the amateur radio licence qualifying course.Then 150 new students start and they will need 1500 contacts!

Remember English is a foreign language so even though you are S9 it may take many repeats for the student to understand your callsign. Talk very slowly, clearly and only use the International Voice Code. 

WG7X - Answering your question, No, I am  a radio technician.

Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School Solomon Islands Amateur Radio Training School