Category: Other

NARC Minutes – May 6, 2015

Post author By admin
Post date 13/05/2015

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting Wednesday 6 May 2015 – Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

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

Apologies: ZL2VM, ZL2AL, ZL2LF, ZL2US.

Present: Wally ZL2MO, Revell ZL2SS, Peter ZL2CD, Dave ZL2DW, Blue ZL3TT, Stan ZL2ST, Mike ZL2MY, Ray ZL2RB, Marty ZL2PX and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed correct: ZL2TC, ZL2ST.

Arising: Dave ZL2DW: The April ECI net was run by Laurie and himself. There was sufficient participation. Dave suggests a permanent notice in Break-Out, Karl to arrange.

Correspondence: The annual NZART Branch circular: Membership list, Call Book update form, Examination supervisor application form and Candidates check form, Remits to be discussed etc..

A letter from NZART regarding the proposed Public liability insurance scheme. Email correspondence with ZL2DW as Branch 13 Secretary regarding QSL card handling. Email correspondence regarding donation to Branch 88, Tauranga Emergency Communications Group (TECG). Email correspondence with Lee regarding the club programme and the club project

Finance: Accounts for payment were presented by Wally for materials used for the ongoing refurbishment of the clubroom’s kitchen and bathroom. Payments were made for the club project.

Another reminder from our Treasurer that (our very minimal!) subs are now DUE!

General business: Dave ZL2DW explained the current QSL card distribution procedure. He also brought up the proposed joint public liability insurance scheme. NZART reports that the annual premium for the 9 participating branches would now be $ 275.14. No firm decision resulted from the following discussion. Lee has indicated that, due to ill health, he is no longer able to fulfill the requirements for Branch Examination Supervisor. Lee is presently in hospital, he expects ongoing treatment and recovery to pre-empt taking an active part in club activities for some time. Laurie to take over the club (antenna switch) project. Laurie also to seek interest from members to take over the Examination supervisor job. Wally reported on the search and costing for a replacement generator. The AREC account would be used for the purchase.

NZART AGM Remits: After establishing who out of those present were entitled to vote, which, due to some being affiliated to Branch 13 and some not being ‘financial’ with NZART, turned out to be a disappointing three, Laurie presented the three remits and recorded the vote. The outcome: Remit 1, one in favour, two against, Remit 2, one in favour, two against, Remit three (the amendment to the Constitution): one in favour, one against, one abstention. Stan moved and Wally seconded that our delegate (Laurie) is authorised to use his discretion to vote as he sees fit on the day.

The meeting closed 9:30pm.

Due to Lee’s incapacitation the scheduled DX-pedition video was replaced by ‘Show and Tell’.

Dave ZL2DW explained with diagrams the building and refining of a 160m half wave dipole across a gully (on his daughters farm). The antenna has an automatic tuner and works well on all bands except 80m. Karl presented his SDR receiver augmented with a 120MHz converter to bring in HF frequencies. Laurie, who does a fair bit of ‘hamming’ in the micro wave regions, presented his homebrew transverter which will turn a 2m transceiver into a 2.4GHz transceiver. Also a homebrew 2.4 GHZ loop yagi antenna, a piece of precision hardware with an estimated gain of 17 to 20 dB.

Best performance so far 300Km to Mt Egmont.

Karl, ZL1TJ Secretary

Other

BAY BUZZ Publicity

Post author By admin
Post date 13/05/2015

The May – June 2015 issue of Bay Buzz did an article on a few local Hawke’s Bay clubs and groups. The Napier Amateur Radio Club was one of the 5 clubs featured. Laurie ZL2TC and Lee ZL2AL were interviewed and the you can see the writeup below. Great publicity for ham radio!

Laurie Operating ZL2GT, the Club Station

Club Meetings 2015 Monthly News Other

NARC Meeting April 1, 2015

Post author By admin
Post date 02/04/2015

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting Wednesday 1 April 2015 at the Clubrooms

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

Apologies: ZL2GAZ, ZL2MO, ZL2LF, ZL2MQ, ZL2OC.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Mike ZL2VM, Erroll ZL2IT, Revell ZL2SS, Peter ZL2CD, Dave ZL2DW, Blue ZL3TT, Rob ZL2US, Rob ZL2AN, Jan ZL2CZE, Stan ZL2ST and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed correct: ZL2TC, ZL2AL.

Arising: Dave ZL2DW referred to the NZART / AON public liability scheme. Branch 13 has received no further communication.

Correspondence: Notice from the Wanganui Radio Club that their annual sale will be held once again this year on the 2^nd of May, starting 10am. Also a letter from the Napier City Council requesting that our entry in the Community info database be checked and updated if necessary.

Finance: Accounts for components for this year’s club project, a 4way remote antenna switch, were presented by Lee. Payment to reimburse expenses was agreed to at last month’s committee meeting.

General business: Laurie: the club’s first ‘Open Door’ social Sunday afternoon was held on March 15 and was attended by eight or nine members. The next (April) one will be on Sunday the 19^th. Also, a clubrooms painting working bee will be held on Sunday the 12^th starting 9am.

Dave ZL2DW reported that the urgent request for Break-Out copy did result in a March magazine with some really interesting articles. Pleas keep up the flow!

Revell mentioned the first Emergency Check In net held on March the 18^th and wondered if any feedback has been received. The net was run by Laurie and Lee, many local hams and two ‘outsiders’ reported in. Generally the concept has been welcomed and the ECI net will continue to be held at 7:30pm on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month on 670 and 3.615.

The meeting closed at 7:45pm.

Followed by a look into Civil Defence. Mike ZL2VM, who is not only our Amateur Radio Emergency Corps organiser but also plays an active role in CD, introduced Napier City Council Emergency Management Officer Mr. Marcus Hayes-Jones.

Marcus Hayes- Jones explains the inner workings of our CD setup and plans for the future. — Marcus Hayes-Jones explains the inner workings of our CD setup and plans for the future.

What followed was a detailed explanation of the structure, responsibilities and capabilities of the Council’s emergency response organisation. Though the Council’s budget is limited, communications equipment includes self contained portable VHF radio stations with substantial aerials, a trailer capable of accessing the Internet via satellite and a miniature linking device that allows ordinary smart phones to be used via satellite as well. Both voice and data transmissions are possible. Marcus answered a number of questions and in te process indicated that there is always a need for skilled radio people to make themselves available on a regular basis. He agreed that amateur radio initiatives such as the ECI net could have a place in the system and suggested that information such as station availability, equipment and capabilities could be recorded in the nation wide EMIS (Emergency Management Information System) operated by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. It was an interesting presentation.

Lee then briefly explained progress made on the antenna switch project, components purchased, instruction manual printed etc. All bar one have been sold! A brief working bee to assemble the kits will be coming up. Stan the treasurer will be smiling.

Karl ZL1TJ, Secretary NARC .

Activities Club Projects Monthly News Other

“Q” 4 Port Remote Antenna Switch Project

Post author By admin
Post date 25/03/2015

Each year the Napier Amateur Radio Club designs a club project for it’s Hawkes Bay members. Following on from the very successful “Q” VHF/UHF Antenna project in 2014 we are going to release the “Q” Remote 4 port antenna switch kit for 2015.

"Q" 4 Port Antenna Switch concept drawing — “Q” 4 Port Antenna Switch concept drawing

The project is a remote antenna switch allows you to have one run of coaxial cable from the shack to your multiple antenna setup rather than multiple runs of coax. Most hams have a Tribander, a few dipoles and/or loops and maybe a vertical. Running RG213 coax from all of them back into the shack is expensive and can cause RF coupling between unused cables. The modern approach is to switch the antennas remotely with a switch-box at the base of the tower or in the garage and control it from inside the shack. Some photos below:

Controller Box with LEDs and 5 Position switch

The PCB showing the relays and wiring of the S)-239 sockets. The blue connector block on the lower right side of the board is connected to the 5 Pin DIN socket which controls the relays.

PCB_SO239_side — Looking at the “business: side of the board. The SO-239 sockets fit through the weatherproof case to allow PL259 Coax plugs to screw on.

The “Q” 4 Port Antenna Switch kit set is supplied with a complete set of step by step instructions and the very highest quality components The kit complete with shack switch controller box and weatherproof outside relay enclosure box. Specifications below:

High quality European designed PCB
Input/output port isolation better than -69dB and loss is onlyl 0.05 dB at 28 Mhz
Designed for 1 – 30 Mhz. Higher frequencies may be switched with slightly higher losses.
Switch Relays are very high quality American designed Zettler relays with 20A contacts and 400VAC rating which will allow operation at 1.5KW CW/RTTY or 3000PEP power levels.
SO-239 socket connectors are teflon insulated with gold centre pin.
All hardware supplied including all screws and nuts etc
The Shack Control box has 5 different coloured LEDS which easily shows what antenna you are actually using.
5 pin DIN sockets for power connections. CAT5 control cable may be used (not supplied)
12 VDC at 500ma wall wart power supply (not supplied)
All parts supplied fully guaranteed for 1 year.
Charts showing Isolation and insertion losses are below”
This shows the port isolation between antenna output

This shows the low insertion loss

Commercial antenna switches range imported into ZL from $240 (cheaper unit) to around $500 (high quality). The “Q” Remote antenna switch target price will be $150 NZD which represents great value.

There will only be a limited number of these kits available from June 1. If interested please contact Lee, ZL2AL, project co-ordinator at leezl2al@gmail.com to register your interest.

73, Lee ZL2AL,

Napier Amateur Radio Club

Activities Monthly News Other

Sunday Tea & Mellowpuffs

Post author By admin
Post date 15/03/2015

It was mooted that we open up the clubhouse each Sunday afternoon at 2 Pm for those who wanted to come along, have a chat, solve a problem or set the world right. March 15 saw 9 come along. Laurie provided the tea and mellowpuffs (thanks Laurie) and we were still taking flat out 2 hours later. The club’s automatic morse code keyer was set up and Revell ZL2SS played morse for some time getting used to how to use a paddle. Revell has memorized the code and now wants to get his speed up to have an “on air” QSO.

Lots of chat and tall tales going on here!

Lee, Laurie and Dave reminisced about school days and “whatever happened to?” All in all, lots of fun and it will become a regular feature of NARC on Sunday afternoons

73, Lee ZL2AL

Activities Other

80M – 40M Antenna Repairs

Post author By admin
Post date 20/02/2015

The 2015 Jock White Field Day is fast approaching at the end of February and Mike ZL2VM needed the 80/40 Trap antenna at the club to be working properly. It had a very low resonance on 80M and was not all that high in the trees. President Laurie, ZL2TC volunteered to make repairs and Lee ZL2AL volunteered his trusty spud gun. Wally, ZL2MO was also available for the morning and decided to join the party. His help as 2IC of the spud gun patrol was most valuable. We arrived around 9AM thinking it would be over in a few hours. Antennas don’t work that way. After hauling down the antenna we decided to put both ends up much higher in the trees and also change the feedline to a heavier version in anticipation that the our Linear Amp would be fired up and in the system some day.

Resonant and all ready to perform on 80M

Even better on 40M! President Laurie ZL2TC approves

Five hours later the antenna was back up much higher in the trees, resonating almost 1:1 at 50 ohms on both bands with a new feedline and connector. It will be interesting to see what Mike and the team using ZL2GT Branch 99 (Home Station) will be able to achieve in the contest. Lee, Stan, John ZL2QM and Wayne ZL2WG will be operating ZL2G Branch 25 from the ZM4T Contest site.

NARC Meeting Dec 3, 2014

Post author By admin
Post date 04/12/2014

Meeting on Wednesday 3 December 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

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

Apologies: ZL2DW, ZL2DC.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Dave ZL2MQ, Mike ZL2MY, Willy ZL2AGD, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Revell ZL2SS, Peter ZL2CD, Stan ZL2ST, Bob ZL2BDL, Rob ZL2US, Jan ZL2CZE and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed correct: ZL2MO, ZL2ST.

Arising: Revell, insisting on a firm time frame for the ongoing club room upgrade but had to be content with statements from both Wally and Laurie that members would prefer a more relaxed approach. Revell’s enthusiasm for getting things done is much appreciated all the same.

Correspondence: None.

Finance: Stan reported on financial affairs and reminded the gathering that subs are now due.

General business:

Rob ZL2US reported the combined branches dinner was enjoyed by all, with some 36 members attending.

Lee and Stan kept up the Contest Group’s reputation by clocking up more than 1500 contacts with 70 countries during the previous weekend’s CQ WW CW contest. Conditions were good, the highlight was a contact with EL2DT in Monrovia, Liberia.

Wallie sought and was given the ok to source and purchase replacement translucent panelling for the front porch. The timing of further working bees was discussed and agreed on.

The meeting closed at 7:45 pm.

And was then followed by Lee firing up computer and projector and, instead of presenting the promised Logging Software demonstration, had to revert to plan B for technical reasons. This was a video presentation, first showing the efforts made by London RGSB members to commemorate the historic contact between Frank Bell and Cecil Goyder at Mill Hill School, London,

18 October 1924. See http://www.zl4aa.org.nz/frank-bell-trans-world-radio-contact/

The second video about the December 2011- January 2012 HK0NA Dxpedition to a dismal place called Malpelo Island. A fascinating story.

The HK0NA DVD enjoyed by all. Why is it that DXpeditioners choose the most difficult places on the planet to operate from?

As Lee says, take part in one of these and you make close friends for life. But it has to be said that it was a miracle that no one was hurt and these guys, some in their seventies must have been both fit and brave. Getting the gear up to the top of the mountain must have been horrendous. Anyway… that’s Ham Radio at it’s best.

Thanks Lee for another entertaining presentation.

Karl ZL1TJ, Secretary NARC .

Other

Working Bee 2

Post author By admin
Post date 16/11/2014

This session was to concrete in a base post for the tilt-over tri-band Yagi Mast. 9AM Sunday morning saw the team of Laurie ZL2IC, Lee ZL2AL, Stan ZL2ST, Wally ZL2MO, Michael ZL2MY and Revell ZL2SS arrive ready to get to work. Very quickly plans were in place, pipes were moved from the clubhouse and it was all go.The mast is about 90mm diameter and it is planned that this “75mm “Stub” set in concrete would prevent the upper mast from moving sideways or rotating. The upper mast which will anchored to the clubhouse will be installed during a 3rd working bee. There will probably be a 4th session to install the antenna and rotator. the photos below tells the story.

Michael ZL2MY breaks the ground for the hole

Lee ZL2AL gets stuck into the 75mm stub mast with his "Canuck hacksaw" — Lee ZL2AL gets stuck into the 75mm stub mast with his “Canuck hacksaw”

Michael ZL2MY didn't find any treasure inspite of Wally and Revell's encouragement — Michael ZL2MY didn’t find any treasure inspite of Wally and Revell’s encouragement

S04 — Laurie ZL2TC inspects the stub in place and that it is perfectly vertical as Wally, ZL2MO mixes the instant concrete.

S06 — The fourth bag of concrete is poured and the project is almost at an end

Finished!! And never to be seen again once the full mast is lowered over it.

The job went well and was finished early on a beautiful Sunday morning.

The worst day working on antennas is infinitely better than the best day working

73, Lee ZL2AL (Working Bee #3 will follow later)

Other

NARC Meeting Oct 1, 2014

Post author By admin
Post date 02/10/2014

MINUTES OF THE NAPIER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Meeting on Wednesday 1 October 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

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

Apologies: ZL2DW, ZL2US, ZL2DC.

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Revell ZL2SS, Peter ZL2CD, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Mike ZL2MY, Erroll ZL2IT, Stan ZL2ST, Jan ZL2CZE and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting: read and confirmed correct: ZL2OC, ZL2TC.

Arising: Nil

Correspondence:
From Keep Napier Beautifull, a cheque for $500 to assist with the exterior upgrade of the clubrooms, from Dave ZL2DW a reminder that Branch 25 members will be welcome at this month’s branch 13 Meal and Meeting to be held at Waipukerau. Also that this years Christmas dinner will be on November 21 at the Taradale RSA Club.
Outwards: a letter of thanks to Maxine Boag of Keep Napier Beautiful and a letter to the CEO of the Napier City Council enquiring if the council’s resources might be available to assist with the planned exterior re-paint.

Finance:
No significant transactions to report.

General business:
Laurie reported on a proposal from Branch 13 to install, at apropriate locations, signs informing visitors to the district of the local repeater frequencies.
Visiting radio amateurs would be reminded to make their presence known and be made to feel welcome by a local ham responding.
The idea was thought to be excellent and worthy of further investigation.
Wally reported on the ongoing improvements to the building, the operating room is now completed and polycarbonate window panels have been ordered.

The meeting closed at 8 pm.

Followed by Lee,
conducting his fourth Annual Quiz, questions mostly on ham radio and electronics but also including some general knowledge (did you know a ‘Twit’ is a pregnant goldfish?) Don’t think anyone got that one right! And on average the human heart beats about 60,000 times a day, amazing it lasts as long as it does!

Aftermatch: Checking the answers to the Quiz — Aftermath: Checking the answers to the Quiz

The highest score of 24 (out of 30) correct answers was Lauries’ who (once again) took home the prize (a bottle of Pinot Noir wine). Three or four contestants managed 21 out of 30 correct answers. It was a good quiz, not too hard and not too easy.

Laurie brought the customary buns and the evening ended on a high note.

Karl ZL1TJ, Secretary NARC .

NARC Meeting Sept 3, 2014

Post author By admin
Post date 05/09/2014

Meeting on Wednesday 3 September 2014 at the Clubrooms 123 Latham Street

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

Apologies: ZL2DW

Present: Lee ZL2AL, Revell ZL2SS, Peter ZL2CD, Wally ZL2MO, Bert ZL2OC, Mike ZL2MY, Willy ZL2AGD, Erroll ZL2IT, Mike ZL2VM, Rob ZL2US, Stan ZL2ST and Karl ZL1TJ.

Minutes of the previous meeting: read and confirmed correct: ZL2MO, ZL2TC.

Arising: Nil

Correspondence:
From the Napier City Council, the signed Lease Agreement. Valid for 15 years (from 1 November 2009), with a right of renewal for a further 15 years.
An application to the Keep Napier Beautifull Group for a grant of $500 for an external paint and repair job for the clubrooms.

Finance:
Stan reported having a number of bills to pay, on the credit side is powerline company Unison’s refund for $170 and a few deposits by Lee for Trademe receipts.

General business:
Rob reported the annual combined branches 13 and 25 Christmas dinner will be held at the Taradale RSA club on Friday November 21. Cost about $22. Bookings to Rob or Dave ZL2DW.
Laurie gave Wally ZL2MO another pat on the back for ongoing improvements to the clubroom interior, the radio room has been repainted and the operating bench extended. Looking great.
Karl presented the enclosure with circuitbreakers and safety switch needed to replace the outdated porcelain fuses etc. on the electrical distribution board. The cost of $85 was approved.
Meeting closed at 8pm.

Followed by Laurie,
explaining the history and the workings of the Maidenhead Locator System.
The system was devised by Dr John Morris G4ANB around 1980 and adopted by a group of amateur radio managers meeting at the town of Maidenhead (near Windsor), Berkshire England.
Details of the system can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System
Searching the web with ‘QTH locator’ brings up a number of sites with tools that provide instant locator codes by pointing to a location on a worldwide map.
An interesting talk.

The meeting was rounded off with a cuppa and a chat with fellow hams.

Karl ZL1TJ, Secretary NARC .