The Branch will be participating in the NZART Jock White Memorial Field Day again this year over the weekend of 25th and 26th February. We will be joining Branch 42 (Titahi Bay Branch) this year at their venue at Hill Road in the Belmont Regional Park. Contact the Chair to record your interest in joining us this coming weekend.
February Branch Meeting – Cheap Chinese Mobile radios
Our first regular meeting of the year was held on Tuesday 18 February 2023 at The Collective Hub, 1/33 Johnsonville Rd.
Mike ZL1AXG gave a presentation on the strengths and weaknesses of a range of entry-level Chinese mobile radios based on online reviews. This includes VHF and UHF analogue and DMR radios. A follow up talk in March (at our AGM) will look at various Chinese handheld rigs.
Silent Key: ZL2ASH Brian Scott Clark
Brian used to be a member of Branch 50, but hadn’t attended meetings in a long time. He was a high achiever in the BNZ, rising to become Senior Manager Global Systems towards the end of his career with the bank. He was a keen constructor and gadgeteer. He was not limited to electronics, but had his own furnace, metal and wood-working equipment.
You can view the video recording of his Memorial Service here: https://vimeo.com/event/2819284/8f6d6deff4
Wellington Branch 50 NZART committee members recently assisted the family of Brian Clark with the disposal of his amateur radio equipment. A car load of “used equipment/junk” is now stored at ZL2XJ’s garage. These will shortly be made available for inspection by members with the offer to purchase.
Summer Lunchtime BBQ with XYLs
On 17 January we gathered at Mike ZL1AXG’s QTH from 12 noon for a summer lunchtime BBQ. XYLs and family members were invited.
It turned out to be excellent weather. We were able to share stories of summer adventures (particularly the acquisition of new radio gear from a Christmas estate sale) and chat about the club’s future with the upcoming Hamcram.