THE RADIO HAMS

We are sharing the best campsite in Mata Mata with a great couple: Geoff and Lynette Tinker. Geoff took one look at the Land Rover with its aerial and radio mast, and asked  Noel, "Are you a Radio Ham ?" What a question to ask Noel, he is obsessed with radio communication, and spends hours making contact with other Radio Hams all over the world.  Geoff, callsign ZS1LM , it was great to meet you and Lynette.

Geoff and Lynette point out a bench opposite their tent, overlooking the river. I go to read the inscription on the bench.

The bench, with our campsite in the background.

 The inscription reads:

                        "  Ter herinnering aan

                              Calie Pistorius

                              1932  -  2005

" The place where I worship is the wide open spaces."

Calie Pistorius was born in Pretoria and grew up in Reivelo,

Wolmaranstad, Pietermaritzburg and George.

He matriculated at Outeniqua High School and qualified as

a C.A. at the University of Pretoria. At the age of 29 he 

became professor and Head of the Department of Accounting,

then Director of the Postgraduate School of Business,

finally Vice-Principal: Management Services at the 

University of Pretoria.

Calie was an enthusiastic amateur rally driver, navigator

and organiser, a yachtsman, a "world" traveller and

radio amateur ( call sign ZS1CWP ).

He made radio contact with amateurs internationally

from Union's End, which gave him enormous pleasure.

He celebrated his 68th birthday at Mata Mata under 

his beloved Southern stars.

When Calie retired he moved to Knysna from where he 

undertook many 4X4 safaris to the remote places of

Southern Africa. "

Geoff ( ZS1LM ) and Noel ( ZR6DX ) could not wait to set up the ZS6BKW HF antenna attached to the  fibreglass mast, which is permanently  mounted  to the side of the Land Rover. When the mast is extended, it reaches a height of eight metres.  Noel had set up this system in Nossob, to chat to his friends at the West Rand Amateur Radio NoelClub. Nick Dreyer, ZS6NCK was a regular contact. I brought Noel and Geoff some refreshment in the form of beers, the two of them sounded like two little excited boys as they made contacts, around the country. They were transmitting on the 40 metre band. Noel even managed to listen to the club bulletin from Pretoria, and his club bulletin on the Sunday.

The mobile station at Mata Mata

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