Category: News

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Become an amateur radio operator: Take a HamCram!

The Wellington Amateur Radio Club has now hosted four HamCrams (two in 2023 and two in 2024). We try and make it easy to get to be an amateur radio operator. We have had a consistently high pass rate of over 80% at our HamCrams.

There is already a wait list for a future HamCram. The timing of our next HamCram has not been confirmed, but will be no later than early 2025, and if there is sufficient interest it may be held as early as November 2024. Please write to Mike ZL1AXG to be on the wait list Please email Mike ZL1AXG now to pre-register for a HamCram. You won’t want to miss out!

Bernard ZL2BD explaining a technical point in the April 2023 HamCram

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NZART Activity Day at Willowbank Park

The branch turned up for a picnic lunch and put ZL2WB on the air at the NZART Activity Day on 1 January 2024. Around 20+ turned up and the weather turned out great. We were able to support some of our other members who activated SOTA stations within the region. What a great way to kick off 2024 for the Wellington Amateur Radio Club. Don’t forget our antenna construction event (tape measure beams) on Sunday 14 January that Eben ZL2EF is leading, and our annual club BBQ at Mike ZL1AXG’s QTH on Tuesday 16 January from 5.30pm.

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Vintage Radio Special Event

A special activity was held on Vintage Radio on Sunday 26 November from 1300 hrs to 1500hrs at the QTH of George ZL2AG (14 Vasanta Ave, Ngaio).

George showed off his fascinating collection of valves, vintage radios, spy equipment, and undersea cable samples all beautifully presented with a museum style experience, and gave a brief talk on his interest in vintage radio.

Registration was limited to 15 members, with 13 attendees.

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Teens visit “best Ham Shack in Wellington”

Wellington Branch 50 NZART has three teen members: Daniel ZL2DTL (13), Alek ZL3ALK (15), and Findlay ZL2JVM (16), who all gained their operator’s certificate during 2023. Mike ZL1AXG arranged for them to visit the shack of Todd ZL2SP in Porirua.

Todd has a collection of HF beams and some very nice HF equipment. The three new amateurs were able to rotate the big antennas, tune the wide open HF bands and make contacts far afield. The team thoroughly enjoyed the morning out at Todd’s QTH!