ZL1BBA - 1972

North Island, New Zealand

The contract with the Government of American Samoa had a 2 year duration. If you renewed your contract, you could either take a vacation in the States or take the equivalent air fare and travel anywhere else you wanted to. Sue and I decided to go to New Zealand and see some new territory. We have 4 children and at the time they were ages 14 down to 4; 2 boys and 2 girls.

As we had made numerous contacts with hams in ZL, we had a multitude of invitation to visit with hams we had met on the air. Some we stayed with a night or more. Others we had a meet with for a cuppa or a brew. This was one of the best travel ideas we ever had and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We never got off the North Island, although we had planned to see all of the country.

Our main contact and host was Dave, ZL1AMN, at Red Hill, in the Auckland area. He, his XYL and girls were very gracious and fun hosts. We stayed with them at arrival and at departure from the island. We met many of the locals and had a great time. Dave even arranged for me to get a ZL license, hence the ZL1BBA (big, bad American), which I used a few times while there.

I cannot remember all the names or calls of the hams we visited; too many years have gone by. I do want to recognize Colin Williams, ZL1BJL. He and his XYL, Bette, and their kids were wonderful. They had (still?) a dairy farm in the Middle of the North Island. They had never met an American, but we had a few Q's between ZL and KS6. We happened to really hit it off and became very good friends. How anyone could take in strangers (even ham strangers) with 4 kids, I'll never know! Of the 4 weeks we spend in New Zealand, 10 days were spent with the Williams. I think we were treated like family. We will never forget them, even though we have lost touch over the years. Colin had a very interesting career. He came to that area and worked as a scuba diver on the huge hydro project; diving to inspect dam componets, etc. He was also a master welder and auto mechanic. All his experience came in handy when running a very efficient dairy operation.

Another really great experience was spending a few days with Jock White, ZL2GX, and his xyl. I had very little radio contact with Jock, but we called him when we arrived in his home town. There was no hesitation, there was no way we were staying in a motel. We told him how large our family was and he said "never mind - Come!" Every DXer knows Jock. I believe he holds the first post war WAZ and DXCC, something like that. A really enthusiastic and great ham. It was a pleasure meeting them. Needless to say they did everything to make us welcome.

We returned to Samoa to begin another 2 year contract in Pago Pago.

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