DU9JO 1949 Philippines

Operator: Justino E. Ongchua, ex: KA9JO

This was my grandfather's setup. We memorized the call sign as kids and even had it painted on our family's suitcases.
I believe the equipment is still at our clan's original home in Cotabato. My uncle has preserved it. The photo brought back many memories.

The "9" represented either the city of Cotobato, or the island of Mindanao, in the Philppines.
My grandfather lived in Cotobato when he became a ham operator. The "JO" are his initials: Justino (Enriquez) Ongchua, born 7/7/1903 - SK 8/10/1969.
He was of the second generation of our Chinese-Filipino clan. He was the Consignatario of Maritima Shipping Lines in Cotobato before losing the his business during the Japanese occupation of World War II.

According to my father, Justino had a friend in Manila by the name of George Francisco (from a Japanese-Filipino clan) with the call sign of DU1GF.
He became my father's godfather. It seems that ham communications created a family tie.

My older brother, Ronald, has a vivid memory of our grandfather communicating with someone from Russia. I remember seeing his old ham radio as a child.

QSL from the estate of W8JIN
Courtesy of W8SU
Photo from the estate of HL9KX, KR6CA, W9QOI, W5VHY, W0OYH, W9NUB, W9UC
Info courtesy of Hans Ongchua 5/2012