Knight of the Order of the Golden Key

Norsk Radio Relae Liga (NRRL, Norway)

A report prepared by Sangat Singh 9M2SS:

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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Dateline – Lillehammer – Norway - 24 September, 1999

It was a night of surprises.

On 24^th September,  Region 1 Conference 1999 had concluded its business on a happy note after a week long of frenetic activity. It was an evening that we looked forward to enjoy and relax after a weeklong toil. It was the night of the ‘Final Conference Gala Dinner’ What a delicious evening it was.  The cuisine was perfect. The ‘Top Loin of reindeer with juniper sauce’ followed by ‘Mousse of cloudberries with nut cake garnished with forest berries’ was just heavenly, not to mention Marquies de Chasse ’96 and Montecilo Vina Cumbrero ‘94’ to give the final, perfect touch and to put everyone in an expansive mood.  The Toastmaster Thormod Boe, LA7OF, was in his element, and had everyone splitting sides with laughter.  It was an evening to remember.

There was the usual potpourri of effusive speeches, by Presidents and Directors of NRRL and IARU; each exulting well deserved praises for the NRRL for the impeccable hospitality.  It was an evening to remember.  But, wait there was some more surprises.

Unknown to us the NRRL underground had something up their sleeves. This was the special ‘Order of the Golden Key’ ceremony that was carried out with reverence and utmost seriousness.  At first we thought it was some sort of pantomime, when, some 6 officials immaculately dressed trooped up to the make shift stage with their accoutrements for some strange ceremony.  It soon dawned on us that it was an occasion for a very special ritual that dated back to 1935.  It was the presentation ceremony for the chosen, to be conferred with the “Order of the Golden Key”.  The three chosen recipients were quite oblivious until their names were called.

  The three recipients so honoured with knighthood were:

1.      Louis van de Nadort, PA0Lou

2.      Wojciech Nietyksza, SP5FM

3.       Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ

The other Non-Norwegians recipients so honoured were:   

Pers Anders Kinnman, SMZD  1978

Roy Stevens, G2BVN   1978

Noel Eaton, VE3CJ    1982

Dick Baldwin, W1RU    1993

John Allaway, G3FKM   1997

This was the first time that three recipients were so honoured in a single year and at a single ceremony. Of the 106 recipients so far honoured only 9 were Non-Norwegians, and of this list, only 3 made outside Europe, and New Zealand was quite a way from Europe.   Fred has done us proud, and a befitting recognition for Fred’s lifelong contribution to the cause of amateur radio and promoting International understanding. In honouring Fred, his home society NZART is honoured, and so is the IARU Region 3 and  all the member Societies in the Region. Well done Sir Fred. 

 This was the night most to remember. 

 Sangat Singh, 9M2SS                                                                                    Back to Fred's Page

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