Shed Workshop: Vintage Radio

At our shed workshop in the afternoon of Saturday 13 April, George ZL2AG opened up his garage and museum to the club to host a workshop on vintage radios. We were intrigued by the progression in designs – from expensive crystal sets (with galenium cat’s whisker diodes, through to feedback designs like the TRF, before the age of superhets.

George ZL2AG talking to his homebrew vintage-style radio, with John ZL2XJ and Don ZL2BL assisting

There were also changes also in the shape of cabinetry – from cathedral, through to tombstone and chest designs. George was lamenting the sharp fall off in interest in vintage radio, and was concerned about where all the beautifully restored vintage sets will end up. Tea and coffee was served at the conclusion of the workshop. A further workshop on vintage radios will take place in May.

A most unusual German set, with 3 valves in one enclosure

AGM – 20 March 2019

Our first AGM as a regular Branch of NZART (not separately incorporated as a society) was held at 7.30pm on 20 March at the Lutheran Church Hall in Mt Cook with a good attendance. The agenda covered:

  • Receipt of annual report from the Chair (Mike ZL1AXG)
    Annual accounts were presented by our Secretary/Treasurer (Malcolm ZL2UDF) with special thanks to our Honorary Auditor (Glenn ZL2KZ)
  • Election of officers (Mike ZL1AXG Chair, Malcolm ZL2UDF, Bernard ZL2BD, John ZL2XJ)
  • Demonstration by George ZL2AG of his rare item – a German WW2 long-wave receiver.
  • There was to have been a video on low cost Logic Analysers using the open source Sigrok softare by Mike ZL1AXG, but technical issues getting the projector and computer to talk to each other got in the way of this presentation.

Download accepted annual reports and accounts

Test equipment Shed Workshop – Saturday 9 March

On Saturday 9 March a shed workshop was held at the QTH of Mike ZL1AXG from 1pm – 3pm on the topic of test equipment. A number of speakers gave brief presentations (Mains power analyser and Vector Network Analyser by John ZL2JPM, a logic analyser by Kenneth ZS6KEN, a digital oscilloscope and spectrum analyser by Bernard ZL2BD, a Megger by Malcolm ZL2UDF, and analogue scopes by Don ZL2BL). This included a brief description of the purpose, indicative cost and tips and tricks in using the equipment. Eleven turned up and found plenty useful in the talks.