NEWS RELEASE
International Amateur Radio Union
P.O. Box 310905
Newington, CT 06131-0905 USA
FAX: +1 860 594 0259
E-Mail: iaru@iaru.org
16 November 2001

For immediate release

Voting has been completed on a proposal to admit the Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association (PIARA) as a member of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). PIARA has been notified of its admission effective 16 November 2001.

PIARA is an independent non-profit organization to promote and develop amateur radio friendship, technical knowledge, and communication technology, providing public service and furthering the public interest, plus fostering international goodwill. It has 10 members, representing the entire population of resident amateur operators. PIARA reports that there are 23 amateurs licensed to operate including several temporary residents and visitors, plus one club station. Amateur Radio has special significance on Pitcairn Island, as it continues to provide the main communications link to the outside world.

Pitcairn Islands (including Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The application for IARU membership by PIARA is supported by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). Due to transport difficulties from and to Pitcairn, PIARA has requested that the RSGB continue to represent PIARA at IARU Region 3 Conferences.

The official address of PIARA is: P.O. Box 88, Adamstown, Pitcairn Island, South Pacific Ocean via New Zealand.

The IARU, founded in 1925, is a worldwide federation of national amateur radio societies with members in 151 countries and separate territories.