18 June – Monster Shed Workshop – Construction of Flowerpot Antennas

We will be having a MONSTER shed workshop on Sunday 18 June at The Collective Community Hub, 1/33 Johnsonville Rd, to construct flowerpot antennas. The event will commence at 1.30pm with an introduction to the build by Bruce ZL1ABC. Teams of 4 to 5 people will work through a number of “stations” in building their antennas. We need to be out of the building by 4.30pm.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the afternoon.

This is a special shed workshop for any amateur (or prospective amateur operator) interested in building their own Flowerpot Antenna (see https://vk2zoi.com/articles/dual-band-half-wave-flower-pot/).   Members of other Wellington region clubs are most welcome to participate in this activity!

Pre-registration with Mike ZL1AXG is required to ensure materials are on hand.

The cost of the antenna will be posted by the end of May on this website. The cost is expected to be under $20. Payment can either be made into the Club’s trading a/c in advance, or cash will be accepted on the day.

7 May Shed Workshop – Selecting an HF station & antennas

This was the latest shed workshop in our series focussing on newly certified amateur operators follows our April HamCram. We met at Mike ZL1AXG’s QTH in Churton Park on Sunday 7 May (from 1pm – 3pm) to discuss options for selecting an HF rig and antenna.

Topics covered include:d

  • Purchasing an HF station (Bernard ZL2BD)
  • Discussion on antenna options for single band or multiband operation (Mike ZL1AXG)
  • Examples include a monoband Dipole, multiband EFHW or G5RV, and verticals
  • Dealing with a QTH with high RX noise levels (Bernard ZL2BD)
  • Clarifying level of interest in building an HF antenna (club to supply as kit)
  • Take order for Flower Pot antenna to be constructed at a Monster Workshop on Sunday 18 June
  • Basic operating procedures on HF (Mike)

Tea, coffee and cakes followed the workshop, thanks to Mike’s XYL Lynette.

Shed Workshop: Sunday 23 April – VHF/UHF handhelds

We met on Sunday 23 April from 1pm – 3pm at Bernard’s QTH, 1 Winsley Terrace, Churton Park. 15 people showed up.

We were able to welcome several of our HamCrammers and those on the wait list for the next HamCram as well as regular and other new members.

Topics covered included:

  • A general overview of the broad range of interests within amateur radio
  • A discussion on future topics for shed workshops that are of interest to those starting out in amateur radio
  • A quick guide and Q & A on options for handheld transceivers for VHF/UHF

The Shed Workshop concluded with tea, coffee and nibbles.

Shed Workshop November 2022: Emergency!

Have you thought about what you would do in an emergency? Come along to our last shed workshop for the year on 6 November from 1pm to 3pm. The venue is John ZL2XJ’s QTH at 9 Ridley Place, Churton Park, Wellington.

This session will be characterised by a discussion of how you have prepared for a major emergency. This will include, what you will do to keep yourself and your family alive, and how your amateur radio gear can be used to help your neighbours. What provisions have you set aside? Would the batteries in your existing portable equipment (e.g. handhelds and phones) be charged up, and how could they be recharged? What about your ham shack? Have you got a UPS or emergency power system?

All are welcome! The workshop will conclude with tea, coffee and biscuits.