Branch 50 (Wellington) NZART – Known as the Wellington Amateur Radio Club
Our April 2016 WARC meeting featured a number of film clips of interest to ham radio operators and brought to us by James ZL2ET. We enjoyed finding out about the decline in electronics stores, but the rise in online electronics parts stores. We also went looking for gravity waves!
The WARC committee presented a proposal for an honour roll for this website to recognise high achievers amongst our members – past and present. The proposal was adopted by members (the proposal is linked below).
Our Annual General Meeting was a speedy one, meaning plenty of time for tea and coffee and a chat afterwards. The AGM was held on Tuesday 15 March 2016 at the Lutheran Church Hall, King St, Mt Cook, Wellington at 7.30pm. Officers and committee members from 2015 were re-elected unopposed.
You will find posted below our final annual reports, financial accounts and draft minutes of meeting (to be confirmed at next year’s AGM).
At our 16 February meeting, James ZL2ET gave us an interesting talk on WSPR (pronounced “whisper”) and its applications.
Doug ZL2AOV summarised it as:
“James ZL2ET discussed the challenges and possibilities involved in low-power, very low-speed propagation testing. WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) is a computer-driven way to find out which bands are open, when and between what sites; it correlates this data and provides it on-screen.
“Using a presentation prepared by Steve Nichols G0KYA, James took us through the equipment needed: a computer with a sound-card to generate the slow-speed FSK used, a transceiver with accurate and stable frequency control, a source of accurate time (propagation paths are found by comparing accurate time slots of data), and an internet link to upload the data to a central repository for automatic analysis and dissemination. Viewers can see what’s going on by pointing their web browsers at www.wsprnet.org. The files can be analysed by band, time, and even by transmitter source … allowing insights into amateur radio DX prospects.
“Transmitters don’t want to be high-powered (maximum five watts is fine) and milliwatts is possible. A Raspberry Pi model B can be programmed to provide FSK on a preferred frequency at about 10 milliwatts out; an amp can push that to 100milliwatts and a tiny bandpass filter does the rest. Timing accuracy can be guaranteed using a wi-fi usb stick to synch to external clocks.
“The protocol provides for transmission of callsign, locator square, power output (in dBm) for 100 seconds, then listening for 120 seconds. Transmission is FSK, just six Hertz.
“The designer of it all? Professor Joe Taylor K1JT, well known for other innovations in digital modes. The system’s sensitivity is stated to be between 11dB and 15dB better than the human ear. That’s way better than using PSK31 and searching for the characteristic double-lines in the waterfall display!!!!”
Our regular Wednesday 18 November meeting featured speakers with an interest in CW. It was an interesting night about keys, paddles, bugs and thoughts on the future of morse code.
We welcomed three members of Titahi Bay Branch 42 – Phil ZL2OWL, Max ZL2CVW and Ken ZL2TKY.
Phil and Max brought along their prized Begali keys. Phil has a collection of over 100 keys, but those he most frequently uses are all Begali keys. His Begali collection includes straight keys, mechanical bug keys, and single and double paddles.
Ralph Sutton (ZL2AOH) gave a very interesting talk on his introduction to morse code when he joined the navy, and then his continued use of morse when he joined the Merchant Navy. Ralph joined the ranks of amateur radio operators when he retired in 1990 as a result of encouragement from Trevor King, ZL2AKW, another of our WARC members. Ralph subsequently initiated the establishment of FISTS in New Zealand when the Morse Code requirement for licensing of radio amateurs was proposed for removal. New Zealand membership of FISTS peaked at just over 300 members and there are still over 150 members today.
A number of members shared about their own morse code experiences and George ZL2AG and Alex Paterson both brought along unique morse keys. George’s key was the biggest anybody had seen. He constructed the key himself many years ago. Alex’s key was also made by himself as a teenager. We wish Alex well in the amateur radio examination.
