QSL Card
Write-up by Bob, W1RH

plantations had started with
importing laborers from other continents. The first were Chinese people from Indonesia. Some years before them some Dutch farmers from Groningen were taken to the country to start small farms. These attempts to save the
agricultural importance of Suriname were no success: half of the Dutch
farmers died within a year and the Chinese immediately left the plantations
after a 5-year obligatory working period.
Suriname was on its own during the German occupation of The Netherlands
(1940-1945). After the war the political status of the Dutch colonies was
changed.
After the 1973 elections the Suriname government suddenly started to
negotiate with The Netherlands about the independence of Suriname. The
negotiations succeeded. Suriname became independent at November 25, 1975 and the Netherlands agreed to support the young country for ten years with a total amount of four billion guilders. Many Surinamese did not trust an
independent Suriname and fled to The Netherlands.
Without the Dutch development money a lack of foreign currency occurred in
Suriname and the inflation rate started to rise. A first attempt to
reinstall democracy in 1987 ended in 1990 when the army sent home the
government. There were general elections in 1991 after which drs Ronald
Venetiaan was chosen as president of Suriname.
Much of the above taken from the Suriname Home Page.

to the Club's first meeting.  Karen Hess, W1RH's XYL, has transcribed the hand written notes, verbatim, and they will appear in this and future issues of the Circuit.  They make for fascinating reading!
January 26, 1934
The 19^th regular meeting of the Comm. Amateur Radio Assoc. was called to order at 8:30 P.M. by President McLean.  The secretary's report was read and accepted.  Pres. McLean announced Hamfest tickets on sale at $1.25 if purchased before the tenth of February.  The price will be $1.50 after that date.
Moved by Treas. Parsons that Secty. send a letter of thanks to Mr. Bailey for his fine talk of the previous meeting.  Seconded and so voted.
It was announced that Herb Blanke had offered to have membership applications mimeographed.
Suggested by Treas. Parsons that the club obtain receipts to be issued to members on payment of dues.  Dr. Crosby was appointed to investigate the possibility of having them printed.
Moved by Dr. Crosby that all delinquent dues prior to January 19, 1934 be canceled, and new records opened.  Active members to be designated by paid up dues and those who are unable to pay are to submit a written explanation to the treasurer.  Seconded and so voted.
Activities manager Thompson gave a report of some of his adventures with BCL trouble, and suggested the possibility of the club making a research of the matter.
No further business being before the meeting, it was adjourned by unanimous vote.
After the business meeting, the members retired for general discussion, and to superintend the raffle of Dr. Crosby's receiver..

This month's QSL comes to us from the country of Suriname. Suriname, while
not rare, is one of the more difficult to work South American countries. It
also seems to be a difficult country to get confirmed. I am still trying to
get a card out of Suriname! In this case, W1FY, the Club station, worked
PZ5JR, J. R. (Bob) Mantell in 1992 on 10 meter sideband.
The first Europeans settled in Suriname in 1650. Most of them did not make
it long. Indians and diseases decreased their numbers. The first English
settlers were sent by Lord Willoughby, the governor of Barbados. The
Zealander Abraham Crijnsen invaded Willoughby's settlement and after the
peace treaty of Breda (1667) the Dutch gained Suriname but lost their colony
in North America (New York).
Suriname was occupied by the English in 1799 after the Dutch became a part
of France. Apart from the period between 1802 and 1804 Suriname remained
English territory until 1816. The English abolished slave trade in 1808 and
improved the position of the Surinamese slaves. After the defeat of Napoleon
The Netherlands got back their colony in South America.
On July 1, 1863 the Dutch were the last Europeans to abolish slavery. Ten
years before that date, the owners of the

FARA - The Early Years
Transcribed by Karen Hess

The Framingham Amateur Radio Association, formerly called the Community Radio Association, is fortunate to have the notes dating back