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MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Meeting on Wednesday 7 May 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Laurie ZL2TC, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.
Apologies: ZL2US, ZL2DC, ZL2DW.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Mike ZL2MY, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Revell ZL2SS, Willy ZL2AGD, Stan ZL2ST, Mike ZL2VM, Dave ZL2MQ, Peter ZL2CD and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting: read and confirmed correct: ZL2MO, ZL2ST.
Arising: Mike ZL2VM on the Irirangi trip: there are actually 22 transmitters on the site.
Mike added some further interesting detail to the previous report.

Correspondence: The annual Branch circular from NZART containing the Update form for Branch Callbook information, pro-rata subscription information, the latest membership promotion, Remits for the Annual Conference, Notes for Examination Supervisors on new rules and a letter from President Vaughan Henderson ZL1VH regarding Callbook format.

Finance: The smile is back on Treasurer Stan’s face after both the Bay Hamfest and the Q-Tenna project returned a fair profit, boosting the club’s coffers to much healthier levels.

General business: Stan thanked Lee for all the time and energy he invested in the organisation of the recent Bay Hamfest, the outcome being a resounding success, both from the point of satisfaction of participants and from the financial side. Mike ZL2VM was given credit for suggesting the use of the Nelson Park Cricket Pavillion which turned ou to be perfect for our purpose.
Laurie, as well as entertaining the gathering with his discourse on mobile radio, had assembled a number of kitset Q-Tennas which were sold at the hamfest. Some more have been sold since and again Lee organised the despatch by courier. Feedback from buyers has been positive.
The possibility of a repeat of the Hamfest was discussed and generally agreed to but possibly with a two year interval, the next on to be 2016.
The few remaining Q-Tenna kitsets will be made available to club members, Thursday May 21 is to be a ‘Come and assemble your Q-Tenna night’ for those interested.
Dave ZL2MQ offered to build low powered 2m and 6m digital (JT4 or JT64) beacons for the club. The offer was gracefully accepted, Laurie to get the paperwork for this underway.
Wally is now ready to start the interior paint job, Lee to provide hime with a key.
Laurie reported briefly on the Wanganui Junk (mostly) sale. To be repeated next year.
Stan reported on the ZM4T contest Goup being highly successful having scored victories in the CQWW, both CW and Phone contests and also beating the ‘Aussies’ etc. in the Oceanea and WPX
contests. Sadly the goup may not be together much longer for various personal reasons.

Remits: Of those present 8 were eligible to vote and voted as follows:
Remit 1: 6 against, 2 abstentions.
Remit 2: 8 in favour. Stan moved to give our delegate discretion.
Laurie to approach Warren ZL2AJ to act as our proxy at the Annual Conference.
The meeting closed at 8.20 pm.

Followed by Lee’s presentation of the 2009 K4M Midway Island DX pedition. Another great James Brooks production. Midway Island, grabbed by the US for it’s guano fertiliser was the scene of the (in)famous WW2 Battle and remained a Navy base for many years. At present it is a nature reserve and the Dxpedition had to be timed with the annual vacation of the albatros population as these birds and antennas don’t go together. The island’s runways are being maintained by a crew of 40 or so Thai workers, mainly as an emergency landing site for aircraft in trouble.

Karl ZL1TJ
Secretary NARC

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Meeting on Wednesday 2 April 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Laurie ZL2TC, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.
Apologies: ZL2CZE, ZL2DC, ZL2VM, ZL2MQ.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Mike ZL2MY, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Revell ZL2SS, Willy ZL2AGD, Stan ZL2ST, Rob ZL2US, Dave ZL2DW, Gary ZL2GAZ and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting: read and confirmed correct: ZL2MO, ZL2AL.

Arising: Rob reported Branch 13 has received a communication from NZART business manager Debbie Morgan expressing appreciation for the warm welcome and enjoyable afternoon she and her husband experienced at the 1st of March ‘Meet Debbie’ event.

Correspondence:
Various emails regarding the forthcoming Bay Hamfest.

Finance:
Accounts were tabled by Lee for various minor expenses related to the Hamfest.
Treasurer Stan reported on the state of the club’s current account, Lee suggested that the Hamfest should return a modest surplus, especially if all, including club members, pay the entrance fee.

General business:
A report by Rob and Dave ZL2DW on the 29th of March trip to the Navy’s Irirangi radio establishment and the Waiouru Army Museum organised by Branch 13.
The journey over the now totally sealed Napier Taihape road is a great way to travel West.
The Irirangi Receive and Transmit installations are about 10 Km apart and cover some 20 acres and contain an iteresting collection of antennas of all descriptions.
The receiving equipmet was kept ‘under cover’ but the three 10 kW transmitters and ancillary equipment were inspected. The station is remotely controlled from Auckland.
The Waiouru Army Museum visit followed, it was discovered that the museum contains an extensive and very interesting library.

Lee then reported on the final arrangements for the Saturday the 5th Bay Hamfest. Various minor changes and adjustments to the organisation, the main raffle prize will be a Q-tenna 2 band kitset antenna. Some further kits will be available for sale also (price $40). Icom made available some baseball hats to be used as minor raffle prizes. Dave ZL2DW was appointed ‘official’ photographer.
Forty plus hams from as far away as Whangarei, Wellington and New Plymouth have booked.

The meeting closed at 8.05 pm.

Followed by Lee ZL2AL’s presentation: “The History of Amateur Radio”.
Lee is obviously becoming an expert at the art of ‘Power Point Presentation. Coupled with being a totally dedicated Amateur Radio Operator from his 16th (Which adds up to many years!) made for a fascinating talk starting with Spark Transmitters and ending with the latest equipmet and what might be round the corner. Thanks Lee, hang on to the slide show, it is good enough to be used again.

Karl ZL1TJ
Secretary NARC

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting on Wednesday 5 March 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Laurie ZL2TC, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.

Apologies: ZL2PG, ZL2DC, ZL2VM.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Mike ZL2MY, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Revell ZL2SS, Dave ZL2MQ, Stan ZL2ST, Rob ZL2US, Jan ZL2CZE, Dave ZL2DW, Peter ZL2CD, Rob ZL2AN and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting: read and confirmed correct: ZL2MO, ZL2MY.

Arising: No matters arising.

Correspondence:

Thank you note from Mike G7MRY regarding his visit the previous club meeting.

Received by both Jan and Lee, a thank you from The Sotherlunds AG6KR and AG6KQ of South Dakota regarding their visit on 4 December 2013.

Finance: Accounts were tabled, $100 deposit for hire of the Nelson Park Cricket Club building for the 5^th of April Hamfest and $20 for various expenses, Payment moved ZL2ST, ZL2AL.

General business:
A brief report by Stan and Lee on this year’s Field day contest. The event clashed with the Napier Art Deco weekend. Lee operated from home and Stan from the Clubrooms for a limited time to ensure Branch 25 participation.

Rob, ZL2US reported on the Branch 13 ‘Debbie Day’ event on Saturday 1^st of March. Debbie Morgan, business manager of NZART and councillor Warren ZL2AJ explained the latest news from NZART.
The meeting was well attended by some 35 members and was followed by a BBQ.

Lee introduced Mr Peter Breen ZL2CD, who recently renewed his amateur radio licence. Peter was originally licensed some 45 years ago and has now decided to become active again.

Lee then presented further developments and preparations for the 5^th of April Hamfest.

The Nelson Park Cricket Club pavilion has turned out to be perfect in all ways and has been booked. Catering will be done by the Cricket club kitchen staff. The adjacent Napier Pipe band parking area would be perfect for the Car boot sale, Laurie to approach the club for permission. Publicity is underway, Lee having emailed all club secretaries in the North Island. Attendance is the main unknown at present, the pavilion can cater for 60 to 70.

Various tasks and logistics were discussed. Mainly thanks to Lee’s ongoing and concerted effort the Hamfest is shaping up to be a successful and fun day.

The meeting closed at 8.05 pm.

Followed by Laurie ZL2TC’s presentation of the now ready for action club construction project, the dual band, fiberglass enclosed, 2m / 70cm antenna. Laurie’s final design, after much experimentation and testing, is a half wave end fed vertical on 2m, doubling as a collinear with 3dB gain on 70 cm. Laurie presented the completed antenna and several kitsets ready for assembly.

The kitsets are to be advertised at $50. Club members will get a discount (Of course). Of those present 4 or 5 indicated interest, initially 10 or so kitsets will be assembled locally.

Karl ZL1TJ, Secretary

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Meeting on Wednesday 5 February 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Laurie ZL2TC, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.

Apologies: ZL2VM, ZL2DC, Accepted ZL2TC,ZL2MO.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Mike ZL2MY, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Revell ZL2SS, Dave ZL2MQ, Stan ZL2ST, Rob ZL2US, Shane ZL2PG, Karl ZL1TJ and visitors Mike Pratt G7MRY and Mr.Norm Redlick (Shane’s dad) from Canada.

Minutes of the previous meeting, read and confirmed correct: ZL2MY, ZL2MQ.

Arising: Rob enquired if any further communication had been received from the Soderlunds. None has. Dave ZL2MQ asked if the 6m beacon is operational. Response from Laurie: we do have a license but the antenna needs repairs. Dave: should the 2m beacon be CW only? Laurie: Yes.

Dave ZL2DW: refer to latest Infoline, 6m beacon frequencies to be moved.

Correspondence:
Email from Branch 13 regarding the social get together planned for Saturday 1 March starting 2pm at the Pakowai Hall clubrooms. Attending wil be Debby Morgan, NZART business Manager and regional Councillor Warren ZL2AJ. After Debby’s talk the barbeque will be fired up.

Finance: Stan presented accounts for shared expenses for (Nat sys.) repeater maintenance ($20) and MED licence fees ($61.33), also an account parts for repairs to the club’s HF tri-band antenna ($94). Payment moved ZL2TC, seconded ZL2ST.

General business:
Laurie welcomed visitor Mike Pratt G7MRY, member of the Andover and Salisbury Radio Club. Mike told the meeting about his New Zealand tour and imminent return home. He found the Napier ARC through the website and commented that repeater traffic in Hawkes’ bay indicates a more active amateur radio fraternity than other parts of the country.

Lee’s friend ZL1AIX donated a number of back copies of NCJ and KiwiX magazines to the club. Lee also reported on having refurbished the boom section of the 3 element 3band yagi donated to the club by Stan recently. The antenna is virtually ready to be installed. Laurie thanked both Lee and Rob who assisted in various ways.

Dave ZL2DW referred to gear offered for sale via the Branch 13 and Branch 25 reflectors. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/zl2gt/info .

Rob mentioned repeated malicious triggering of the Hastings 670 and Napier725 repeaters.

Lee congratulated Revell, now ZL2SS on passing the licensing examination with very high marks.

Lee also briefly explained the ongoing preparations for the planned April 5^th one day Hamfest.

The meeting closed at 8pm.
Followed by Laurie ZL2TC’s discourse on 6 meter operation. The 6meter band, which has become available to ham radio once again thanks to the demise of analogue TV is sometimes called “The Magic Band” because as Laurie says:”When it is dead it really is, but when it’s open it is magic”. The band, being neither HF or VHF, has characteristics all of it’s own and can be very exiting as sudden openings appear (and disappear). Propagation is via sporadic E, clouds of metallic ions produced by disintegrating meteorites or through signals bouncing of the tails of minor meteors entering the earth’s atmosphere. The latter offers great signals but of very short duration only. Laurie discussed equipment needed and various modes, Internet resourses and beacon operation. 6m DXCC has been achived.!

Karl ZL1TJ Secretary