NZART Headquarters Infoline Issue 31s
16 Dec 2011
NZART Website: www.nzart.org.nz

Headquarters: Debby says…

In my last issue of HQ Info-line I advised the next circulation date would be Friday the 6^th February. Not sure what calendar I was looking at when I said this, as it should have been Friday 3^rd February, with the closing date for articles on Thursday 2^nd February.

 HQ will be closed from Saturday 24^th December until Tuesday 10^th January.

A Ham’s Night Before Christmas

Just in time for the Christmas season, Gary, KN4AQ, has created a video version of Clement Clark Moore's poem The Night Before Christmas. But Gary’s version has a decidedly amateur radio twist. Entitled A Ham's Night Before Christmas, it features QST magazine covers and Christmas-themed advertisements from days gone by. You can see the video at www.tinyurl.com/KN4AQ-Night-Before-Christmas  

This is well worth watching and much fun, thanks Gary, RSGB and GB2RS.

Winner of the Icom T82 Handheld

Last week an Icom T82 Handheld was presented to John Moore at the Branch 30 Clubrooms at the end of the Branch AGM

The Handheld was presented by Councillor Terry Thomas ZL4TAE, to John who won the draw for payment of NZART Subs by 30 Nov 2011

A message from our ALO Don Wallace ZL2TLL

Proposed Changes  Affecting the 130 to 190 kHz Amateur Band

Members may recall that the ALO asked for input regarding the MED's proposal to increase the allowable power for short range devices in the 9-190 kHz band. 

Based on input from members, the following submission has been sent to the MED: 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your proposal to increase the permitted power for short range devices in the 9-190 kHz band. 

As you will be aware, the only part of the proposal that affects Amateurs is the proposed increase in power from -20 dBW (43 dBµA/m @10m) to 3 dBW (66 dBµA/m @10m) over the sub-band 130 - 135 kHz.  

After considering your proposal, we have formed the view that the proposed 23 dB increase in allowed radiated power for short range devices (which we believe are primarily used for livestock and companion animal RFID devices) will have no material effect on reception on the 130 - 190 kHz Amateur band. 

We would, however, like to stress that this is based on the assumption that LF short range devices:

•             will continue to be type approved and

•             will not be modified by the end-user.

We are aware that it is very easy for end-users to tinker with such devices in the mistaken belief of improving performance or saving money - to the detriment of the carefully designed radiation performance.  We would recommend that any agreement to increase the power is given subject to suppliers being required to include a warning of the dangers of modifying the devices with each device they supply - maybe via a warning in the instructions and the advertising for the devices. 

Subject to a satisfactory mechanism for communicating the dangers of modification being put in place, NZART has no objection to the proposed increase in power. 

Don Wallace

NZART Administration Liaison Officer.