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Earlier I mentioned her telegram to Putnam: "RADIO MISUNDERSTANDING AND
PERSONNEL UNFITNESS PROBABLY WILL HOLD ONE DAY HAVE ASKED BLACK FOR
FORECAST FOR TOMORROW YOU CHECK METEOROLOGIST ON JOB AS FN MUST HAVE
STAR SIGHTS"

https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/earhart/id/2622/rec/2065

Regarding that "unfitness," Long says, "it was near twelve when Noonan
and Collopy [Australian aviation district superintendent] decided to
call it a night. When Fred got up to leave the bar, the scotches
affected his equilibrium. He staggered as he made his way across the
lobby toward the stairs. Collopy steadied him as they climbed the stairs
to his room. Noonan was in too great a hurry to lie down on his bed. He
had forgotten about the ever present mosquito netting and descended onto
the net, flailing his arms at the unexpected contact."

Next morning (June 30) Amelia went to the radio station early to check
for messages. "She hoped they could leave for Howland Island by noon,
depending on the progress the mechanics had made on the Electra, the
weather to the island, and what condition Fred was in when he woke up."

Earhart had talked by phone with husband George Putnam after landing in
Jakarta. But at Lae the only telecommunication facility was the Guinea
Airways radio station. That is confirmed by a NOTAM which is attached to
a report submitted by Collopy after the Electra disappeared.

https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/earhart/id/3010

In Collopy's opinion, "it is very apparent that the weak link in the
combination was the crews lack of expert knowledge of radio. Their Morse
was very slow and they preferred to use telephony as much as possible."

--
Paul Hirose
sofajpl.com

   

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