JA3AA 1957 Japan
Isaji Shima JA3AA who was the father of not only the Japanese 160m but also entire Japanese amateur radio passed away. JA3AA died at the age of 81 on August 11, 2012.
JA3AA was one of the five hams who were permitted the license in 1952 for amateur radio first after the World War II. After he saw the activity of Stew W1BB and others on 160m he started to work on Japanese government to permit operating. He had sent written petition again and again and finally had got the permission for 160m in 1964.
The QSO between JA3AA - JA3JM was the first ever on 160m in JA. And JA3AA worked VS1LP (old 9M2) which was the first QSO between JA - DX on 160m.
I began 160m setting a goal to job of Shima JA3AA and Tok JA7AO who passed away just one year ago and competed with them in the 70's.
I miss them when I think I cannot
hear their signal any more but their keyings stay on my head and
I never forget.
RIP to JA3AA ..._._
73, Aki JA5DQH / KH7A
Back Row: L to R: JA1TD, JA1AAW,
JA1EF, JA3IW
Middle Row: L to R: JA1CR, JA1CJ, JA1CC, JA1BK
Front Row: L to R: JA3AA, JA1AG, JA1CO, JA5AI.
QSL from the estate of W3EPR
Photo from Don Chesser W4KVX The Ohio Valley DX Bulletin #37,
July 22, 1958
Info from Topband Reflector by JA5DQH, tnx to K3LR