Rotuma is available via Aisea Aisake, 3D2AA. You MUST go through Aisea to get to Rotuma, as the island is very sensitive to tourists. It must be emphasised that Rotuma is not geared to host visitors as in the hotel industry, and it is suggested that location should only be attempted by seasoned DXpeditioners. Rotuma is a very quiet little island in the middle of the Pacific, but there is lots of sunshine and beautiful salt water (probably not much more than the "Survivor's" island in the USA's hit TV show aired in July 2000). We cannot over emphasize that it is difficult to get there, as well as being very, very, very basic facilities on the island.
Aisea's family lives on Rotuma and can arrange your stay. A basic hut is available to rent. There is no ham equipment or antennas on Rotuma, you need to bring everything with you. A new 5KVA 240volt generator has been acquired in October 2003, and is available. There are a number of tall coconut trees, and lots of room for hanging wire antennas or wire verticals. Food is usually eaten with Pita's family (Pita is the younger brother of Aisea). Or visitors can provide their own food. Basic food items are available at the Post Office mini market at the government station in Ahau, about 3 miles from Fapufa, the village where you stay.
Used by 3D2DX (EA4DX, 1998), 3D2AG/p (Tony, many times), 3D2AO/R & 3D2IO/R (DL7IQ&DL7IO, 1999) and others. Pita, 3D2AA's brother, is a CB-HAM.
FYI - Please don’t flash your money around, as it's an insult
Information by DL7IO and 3D2AA in Aug, 2000 & updated in October 2003
Contact Aisea Aisake, 3D2AA
at:
Box 4696
Lautoka
Fiji island.
Phone + 679-662751 home, or aisea@fsc.com.fj
Cost: There is a small
fee involved which has to be settled with Aisea 3D2AA in person when you come
in to Fiji. Aisea lives in Lautoka city, 25kms to the west of Nadi
international airport. It's Fiji Sugar Coorporation compound HS158 Hibuscus
Lane, Lautoka.
NOTE: Please
contact Aisea well in advance for the Rotuma island connection. He does not
arrange for your radio license or radio import permit with the Customs.
License Information by Aisea 3D2AA
This is regarding visitors wanting to obtain a 3D2
amateur license.
It seems there's a lot of frustration trying to contact the right individuals
beside other delays.
The Fiji government department is the Ministry of Information and the section
is Communications ( Radio Regulatory unit).
The person is Jale Curuki jcuruki@connect.com.fj
. Their new phone number is
679-3318507. Also contact Jone Buliruarua for advice if Jale is not available.
The Communication section has moved to the Credit Corporations building at
Gordon Street down town Suva city as of February 2005.
License Info by Kenny K2KW:
We did all of our licensing
work via Jone Buliruarua, who was most helpful. Jone’s Email is: jbuliruarua@govnet.gov.fj . The license fee is $14.06 FJD which is about
$8.00USD. It’s preferred that payment be made in cash. You can send payment by
registered article and attention it to Jone.
(for our trip, one person sent the mail via registered letter, the
others just with normal mail. NONE of
the payments ever made it to Jone).
License processing takes only a few minutes provided they have all the required
information (i.e. copy of HAM license, duration of stay in Fiji, equipment
details, license fee and passport size photo)
It will convenient for you to list the equipment first before requesting for a
permit. Last minute equipment changes will create a lot of inconvenience for
you at the airport. Upon your arrival in Nadi just declare the equipment to the
customs officer and show him the permit. (frankly, we didn’t say anything, and
we were waved straight through. This is
one location where Pelican cases are quite normal.)
Do you have more information on places to
operate in this country?
Use the handy feedback form to send me
information.