Off-radio Radio in the Akatarewa Ranges

On Sunday 27 August the Wellingon Amateur Radio Club and the Cross-Country Vehicle Club combined forces on a special Cross Country event to check out radio operation in the Akatarawa ranges. Max (ZL2MXN) organised the event. Max was a graduate of the July HamCram. A total of 9 vehicles ventured out with a number of amateurs in the group (a combination of Branch 50 NZART and 4WD members).

James ZL4JOCO reported:

“A good day out, proving that the Mount Clime 730 repeater is the easiest of the repeaters to access from all sorts of locations.  I got contacts on Climie 730, Belmont 710 and Porirua ZL DMR.  I even managed Mount Clime from Orange Hutt which is pretty much in the centre of the forest and down at the bottom of a valley.   I also managed to get the HT to get an APRS position packet to the Ngaio digipeater.  That was from a ridge line under a pylon.”

Well done Max and team!

Junk Sale

Branch 42 held a Junk Sale on Saturday 26 August at their clubrooms: Tireti Hall, corner Tireti Road and Te Pene Avenue, Titahi Bay, Porirua 5022. THis was well supported by Branch 50 members. Some bargains were to be had. The photo shows Daniel ZL2DTL pouring over a box of high quality used equipment and considering whether it was worth investing hard earned cash!

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.