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Minutes of the Napier Amateur Radio Club

Meeting on Wednesday 4 December 2019 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Dave ZL2MQ, the meeting started at 7:40pm.

Present: Stan ZL2ST, Errol ZL2IT, Dave ZL2DW, Blue ZL3TT, Revell ZL2SS, Rob ZL2AN, Martin ZL2MD, Karl ZL1TJ, Peter ZL2CD and Mike ZL2MY.

Apologies: ZL2MO, ZL2AGE, ZL2XC.

Minutes of the previous meeting: Read and confirmed to be correct: ZL2IT, ZL2MY.

Arising: Dave 2DW: The Te Puke repeater is now linked to Rotorua. The contents of the Bch 13 Yahoo reflector were handed over to Dave 2DW on a USB memory stick. Possibly to be passed on to John 2VAF for preservation in the HB history data banks.

Correspondence: Outwards: A message to the HB Power Consumers Trust notifying of change of contact information. Similar to the Power Shop energy company. Notice to John ZL2VAF to add Martin ZL2MD to the Breakout Committee list. Registration of the Club with the Eastern and Central Communities Trust. Inwards: Response from the above trust, registration accepted. From Branch 13 (2DW) that the possibility of a joint website is looked into. Also via 2DW: mail from Warren Cowley regarding Branch 20 running costs.

Finance: Peter presented the Annual Accounts for the 2018-2019 year, reviewed and certified by Stan ZL2ST. The session went briefly into AGM mode to discuss these. It was moved by Peter ZL2CD and seconded by Michael ZL2MY that the Annual Accounts be accepted. Passed unanimously. Peter mentioned the (once again) major contribution from Dave ZL2MQ through the virtual single handed design and build of the years Club project, an Arduino driven dummy load / power meter.

General business: The concept of a joint Branches website / bulletin board was briefly discussed. Martin confessed to having some experience with electronic media offered to look into this.

The 2021 NZART Conference: Dave 2MQ set up an initial spreadsheet resulting in an estimated full programme cost of $258. A phone discussion between Karl and Daniel Van Den Berg (New Plymouth) confirmed this to be a reasonable amount, similar to projected cost for the 2020 Greymouth conference.

Errol and Blue were instructed to make a firm booking with Eastpier, for both the venue (two days) and accommodation (3 nights). The initial deposit of $1000 to be invoiced to the Club. To be paid and reimbursement sought from NZART. The next meeting will be a combined Committee / Conference meeting on Tuesday January 21^st 2020 followed by a Club meeting on February 5^th.

The meeting closed at 8:15 pm and was followed by the celebration of yet another successful year for the club with the customary liquid refreshment and interesting discussion.

Karl ZL1TJ

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting on Wednesday 7 August 2019 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Dave ZL2MQ, the meeting started at 7:30 pm. Dave welcomed visitor Martin Akhurst who recently passed the licensing exam and has now been allocate the call sign ZL2MD.

Present: Mike ZL2MY, Peter ZL2CD, Revel ZL2SS, John ZL2AGE, Errol ZL2IT, Martin ZL2MD, Dave ZL2DW, Mike ZL2VM, Wally ZL2MO, Stan ZL2ST and Karl ZL1TJ.

Apologies: ZL2XC, ZL2HB and ZL3TT. (2SS, 2MO)

Minutes of previous meeting: Read and confirmed to be correct: ZL2MY, ZL2CD.

Arising: to be discussed under General Business.

Correspondence: From Dave 2DW: Branch 13 support for the proposed 2021 NZART conference offered. From Warren 2AJ: proposed changes to ‘Ham cram’ format. To New Plymouth conference organiser and Debby at NZART, request for information. received a response from Debby. From Mike 2VM: information from past conferences extracted from Break-In magazines.

Finance: Treasurer’s report attached. The term deposit was rolled over for one year at 3.1%. The bank was convinced to reduce the withholding tax from 33% to 10.5%. Karl to attempt to lodge a tax return asking for a refund of last year’s tax withheld.

General Business: Estimate for shack whiteboard replacement from Wally ($50-$100).

Dave 2DW: Bch 13 is looking into the establishment of a DMR repeater, probably on Mt Threave, possibly becoming part of a new digital National System. A lengthy discussion followed. A licence is being applied for, Napier ARC will be asked to share the various costs as per existing agreements.

Errol asked what is happening with D-Star? Dave 2DW: being a proprietary mode, it is now being overtaken by technological (internet) developments and has only a limited future.

The 2021 NZART Conference and AGM: It was moved by Dave 2MQ and seconded by Karl that the NARC offers to organise and run the event. In favour: seven. Opposed: none. Carried.

Dave 2DW confirmed Branch 13 support, offering to organise speakers for various special interest groups and a raffle. The following agreed to be part of the organising committee: 2MQ, 2IT, 2ST, 2DW, 2VM, 2MO, 2MY, 1TJ, 3TT(2DW). First meeting for allocation of responsibilities etc. scheduled for 17 September. Karl to report to NZART, Warren 2AJ to seek confirmation and approval before proceeding.

The meeting closed at 8:20 pm.

And was followed by the club’s annual ‘Show and Tell’ session:

1) Errol: a fully operational computer with 4GB ram, 64GB SDD memory, Wifi, Blue-tooth, all the ports and a (legal) Windows 10 operating system for Aus $200. Model AP35, on EBay.

2) Dave 2MQ: a well made illuminated magnifying headset. Exchangeable lenses. Essential gear.

3) Dave 2DW: From an October 1978 Break-Out article by Trevor King ZLAKW: A longer wire picks up more electro-magnetic energy than a short one. And: a short aerial converts all the electro-magnetic energy pumped into it. Aerial fundamentals.

4) Mike 2MY: a switch mode computer power supply converted into a 3-5-12 Volt bench supply.

The evening was rounded off by Dave 2MQ’s demonstration (with projector and screen) of a dual SDR receiver unit. The two radios are synchronised but one can be phase shifted. Interesting to connect one to a vertical and the other to a horizontal antenna and compare the outputs.

180 deg. phase shift could be used as a noise blanking device? Unfortunately the bands were ‘dead’, the experiment may be repeated at a future date.

Karl ZL1TJ

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting on Wednesday 3 July 2019 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Dave ZL2MQ, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.

Present: Blue ZL3TT, Mike ZL2MY, Peter ZL2CD, Revel ZL2SS, Stu ZL2XC, John ZL2AGE, Errol ZL2IT, Peter ZL2LF, Phil ZL2RO, Paul ZL2HB and Karl ZL1TJ.

Apologies: ZL2VM, ZL2US, ZL2DW, ZL2MO.

Minutes of previous meeting: Read and confirmed to be correct: ZL2CD, ZL2MY.

Arising: Karl: contrary to last months announcement, Paul ZL2HB’s club membership stands, he resigned from the committee only.

Blue: due to branch 13’s June meeting being an excursion no business was discussed.

The possibility of branch 13 assisting branch 25 with the proposed 2021 NZART AGM and conference in Napier will be discussed at the July meeting.

Dave: the boxes for the club project, dummy load extraordinary, have been delayed somewhat. The Arduino software will ensure a level response over a wide range of frequencies.

Correspondence: inquiry from Doug Birt ZL1BFS regarding the status of our submission to the Napier City Council and a reply to this.

An invitation from the Inland Revenue Department to participate in a ‘satisfaction’ type questionnaire for non-profit organisations and a ‘no thank you, we are actually not a charitable organisation’ response in return.

Notice from John ZL2VAF regarding the visit from and meeting with new AREC director Don Robertson ZL2TYR. This was forwarded to members.

Outwards: a thank you note to Don for his presentation at the June 23 special AREC meeting.

Finance: Treasurer’s report attached. Monthly power account paid.

General Business: a reminder from Blue about the branch 13 junk sale on the 24th.

A note from Dave 2DW saying thanks to branch 25 members for participating in the Faraday Centre excursion.

Peter 2LF mentioned the amazing WW2 prison camp improvised (bits of string and no.8 wire) radio receiver constructed to keep prisoners in touch with the BBC. Article to be posted in Break-Out.

Dave 2MQ: now available: very cheap motors, (Arduino) controller and software to build a satellite tracking station. Could also be used for moon bounce or just locking a telescope onto a far away galaxy or star.

The meeting closed at 8 pm.

And was followed by Stu ZL2XC explaining what he does for a living. While serving an apprenticeship with Rothmans Stu specialized in industrial automation and went through all the stages of relay logic, hard-wired (but solid state) electronic logic, fixed programmed logic and finally flexible, programmable systems. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s) are programmed using ‘ladder’ diagrams which simplify the coding to a graphic (pictural) representation not a great deal different from the actual wiring diagram. This makes program writing (and modifying existing programs) a task that can be mastered by non computer software experts.

Stu is now self employed and can often be found in far away tropical paradises such as PNG where he installs and maintains all kinds of electronic control systems. Stu’s spirited presentation ended with a small PLC being programmed to run a ‘fastest draw’ game. Revell was the winner.

Great presentation.

Karl ZL1TJ

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting on Wednesday 5 June 2019 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Dave ZL2MQ, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.

Present: Blue ZL3TT, Mike ZL2MY, Peter ZL2CD, Revel ZL2SS, Wally ZL2MO, John ZL2AGE, Errol ZL2IT, Dave ZL2DW, Jaidyn ZL4WW, Peter ZL2LF, Fergus ZL2VF and Karl ZL1TJ. Apologies: ZL2VM, ZL2US, ZL2XC.

Minutes of previous meeting: Read and confirmed to be correct: ZL2MO, ZL2SS.

Arising: Wally: the HF dipole was in fact re-instated by Blue and himself.

Correspondence: Received: a response from Korin ZL2PGJ.

Outwards: Call-book information to NZART, also the outcome of remit voting, response to Kiwi Bank foreign financial ties questionnaire.

Finance: Treasurer’s report attached. Donation of $200 to 4WW and 4YL travel fund paid.

General Business: The club was approached by Warren ZL2AJ about the possibility of it organising the 2021 NZART AGM and annual conference. The initial response was cautious, the workload would need to be shared by a number of members. Does Napier have a suitable venue, ideally combined with accommodation and restaurant facilities? Dave 2DW tabled numbers, costs etc. from his attendance of this year’s conference in New Plymouth. Blue suggested a joint Branches approach. Dave 2MQ asked for a show of hands of those willing to be involved, and at 6 or 7 there appears to be sufficient interest. Dave 2DW suggested a more ‘minimalist’ approach.

Blue and Dave to gauge interest at the HBARC.

Dave 2DW: the annual combined branches (buffet) dinner, now held midyear (solstice) will be at the Napier RSA, June 28. Bookings required with himself or the undersigned. The Branch 13 annual junk auction and scrap metal collection will be July 24.

Peter 2LF has the equipment to rescue ageing VHS tapes to digital storage and will do so for club members for a nominal fee. Peter also suggested that the club investigates Internet access to facilitate any-time access to Web Radio.

Karl reported the resignation from club membership by Paul ZL2HB.

Blue reminded all to follow protocol, in particular pause and listen when using IRLP systems.

Errol suggested the club looks into the possibility of starting an electronics hobby club, either as a subsection to the radio club or as a stand alone, just using the clubrooms, with club members being available for assistance and tuition. Such a club may attract younger people who then possibly might eventually become interested in amateur radio.

A discussion followed, gauging interest and considering potential problems such as the need for parent supervision when mentoring young people. Publicizing etc. was discussed. To be given further consideration at committee level.

Dave 2DW then briefly reported procedures and outcomes from the NZART AGM etc.. Remit one lost, remit two passed, new President and Vice-President. Dave’s talk went well with substantial attendance. Would he attend Conference again? Answer: Yes.

The meeting closed at 8:25 pm. And was followed by Dave 2MQ explaining the circuit diagram and Arduino programming of the ‘up market’ version of this year’s club project, a 100W dummy load with built-in Watt meter. An excellent presentation with diagrams etc. projected on the screen.

Karl ZL1TJ Secretary NARC.

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting on Wednesday 1 May 2019 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

Chair: Dave ZL2MQ, the meeting started at 7:30 pm.

Present: Blue ZL3TT, Mike ZL2MY, Peter ZL2CD, Revel ZL2SS, Rob ZL2AN, Wally ZL2MO, John ZL2AGE, Paul ZL2HB, Mike ZL2VM, Errol ZL2IT and Karl ZL1TJ.

Apologies: ZL2DW, ZL2US, ZL2XC, (accepted 2MO, 2HB)

Minutes of previous meeting: Read and confirmed to be correct: ZL2MQ, ZL2MY.

Arising: Wally: the 40/80m dipole antenna has now been re-instated and is fully operational.

Thank you Wally and Blue for a job well done from Dave 2MQ.

Blue: Branch 13 has donated $200 to the Jaidyn ZL4WW and Xenia ZL4YL Bulgaria travel fund.

Dave: Can the Napier ARC match this? Moved by Wally and Paul that the Napier ARC donates $200 to this worthy cause. Passed unanimously.

Correspondence: Received: NZART membership list and request for Call Book information.

Information regarding the IARU International Youth Camp in Bulgaria from ZL4WW and ZL4YL.

Jock White Field-day 2017 (2nd place) and 2018 (1st place) certificates from Stuart Watchman.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act form from Kiwi Bank.

Info from Holger 2IO regarding German antenna analyzer which was forwarded to members.

Sent: a thank you to Korin ZL2PGJ for his contribution and donation.

Finance: Treasurer’s report attached. Few minor transactions only.

General Business: Wally: the multi band vertical antenna is on a slant and needs refurbishing.

A Saturday or Sunday volunteers effort was suggested. Wally to organize.

Blue: John Newson forwarded a message regarding John Bolton’s display of ancient broadcast radios. To be found at 16 Byron st, till May 9th. Admission free.

Mike 2MY: do all members get a set of keys to the clubrooms? Response from Dave: committee members only but members will be given access on request.

Dave 2MQ presented two prototype versions of the Dummy Load project, the basic one with a smaller enclosure and the power meter version with a larger box. It was decided to use the larger version for both types. Estimated cost sofar is $50 and $75, to be confirmed. Karl to seek firm orders once prices are decided on.

Remits. There were two remits to consider, details can be found in the March/April 2019 Break In magazine. Of the 7 eligible members present 5 voted against Remit one with two abstentions.

Remit 2 received 7 votes in favour, zero against. Results to be forwarded to Debby at NZART HQ.

The meeting closed at 8:15 pm.

And was followed by the showing of several Ham Radio videos with a reasonably recent flavor e.g. while the sun is not much into ionizing our layers there are still many radio modes that are both fun and rewarding. And how to erect an aerial mast using a helicopter…

Karl ZL1TJ Secretary NARC.