Ham Friendly QTH’s
The following information is from Bernhard, DL2GAC:
Hello Kenny,
There are two good QTHs in H40.
1) in the capital village LATA: Provincial Resthouse run by TDA (Temotu Development Authority)
2) in the REEF Islands: PIGEON Island, run by the HEPWORTH family from UK, which started as a trading post in the early 70ties.
Both locations are separated about 90km. On 1.April 2002 Solomon Airlines stopped its weekly domestic flights from Honiara to Lata, due to lack of passengers. Regular transport now only by large passenger/cargo ship M.V. TEMOTU. It sails monthly to Temotu, leaving usually around the 20. of each month from Honiara. Net traveling time Honiara to Lata or Reefs is about 30-35 hours. Actual time, depending on number of stops on the way around 48 hours. Few days delay on departures are quite common.
For details contact: Temotu Shipping Line Ltd.
c/o Gen. Manager: George Albert Fafale
P.O. Box 1680, Honiara
Tel: +677-27558, Fax: +677-27923
email: systek@welkam.solomon.com.sb
location 1) is a basic location with kitchen, fridge, western flush toilet. Showers by self-styled overhead bucket emptying. There are 5 rooms with 11 beds and 3 table fans. A daily local market (expect Su) and a number of local stores with basic supplies allow self catering. No restaurant in Lata. There is public 240VAC electricity, but interruptions due to generator breakdown and delayed fuel supplies have happened recently. A mosquito net is a must.
Info: Temotu Development Authority
P.O.Box 49,Lata,Temotu Prov.
c/o Gen. Manager: Roydon Smart
Tel/Fax: +677-53145
email: tdalata@solomon.com.sb
Roydon Smart is number 4. in a string of general managers of TDA from Kiwi-Land, his present contract ends in second half of 2003. location 2) is a separate tiny 150 x 50 metre mosquito-free island. Several Western style self-contained accommodation units with kitchen, fridge and shower are for rent. Self catering with supplies from island store or meals prepared by Ben Hepworth (ex H44BD). A large open area (helicopter landing space) in centre of the island surrounded by tall trees is a good antenna construction site. Generator electricity in the evening, by arrangement possible for 24 hours. Solar power and batteries on site.
Info: Pigeon Island
c/o Manager: Ben Hepworth
email: H4E241@sailmail.com
An interesting story about the Hepworth family was written by British travel writer: Lucy Irving, who stayed 1998/99 on Pigeon and published later a book titled: FARAWAY.
Further information on Solomons and Temotu: Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
c/o Ellison Kyere
P.O. Box 321
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Tel: +677-22442, Fax: +677-23986
email: visitors@welkam.solomon.com.sb
Interesting up-to-date information about Solomons: www.peoplefirst.net.sb and www.sibconline.com.sb (website of Solomon Island Broadcasting Corporation). For an economic profile of TEMOTU Province download the “Temotu Province Development file” from: www.peoplefirst.net/sb/General/Archive.htm . Also look for a report there titled "familiar Temotu Blues"
There is only one able airfield in Temotu Province, which is located on the main Island called Nendo or Nendi Island. The airfield is located next to the capital village of Temotu Province: Lata If you charter a plane, it should be possible to fly to Lata, Temotu. Pigeon Island is about 80-90km away from Lata in a separate Island group called REEF Islands. There is no airfield in Reef Islands. With reasonable smooth sea, open outboard motor boats go between Lata and Reefs. I have done this open boat trip several times between 91 and 99. If somebody is interested to go there I can supply more details. Old Mrs. Hepworth (around 75) want to go for visit to her native England later this year or early next year and is looking presently for somebody to do house- sitting (against payment) during her absence. She has a very nice house western amenities, probably satellite TV, lots of books etc. The island is very well ventilated, so air conditioning is not needed.
73 de Bernhard, DL2GAC, H44MS, H40MS
Additionally, you may want to look at the following link for more information on Temotu and Pigeon Island: http://www.riverbendnelligen.com/pigeon.html
73 de Bernhard, DL2GAC, H44MS, H40MS
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