NZART Headquarters Infoline Issue 246
02 Mar 2012
NZART Website: www.nzart.org.nz

In this issue:

• From the desk of HQ
• IARU News Silent Key
• Solo Aviator arrives in Auckland
• VHF/UHF/SHF Contest Results
• New Examination Policy
• WARO turns 50

From HQ…

Not much news this week, I have been rather busy with post Council meeting minutes and preparing the necessary information to go into Break In, so no time to get up to mischief nor have my usual gripe about something.

Reminder notices for subscriptions have been sent. If you do not wish to renew, I would appreciate if you could let me know, so that I can ensure you will not continue to get reminder invoices.

Having said that NZART and amateur radio in NZ needs all your support, both financially and physically.  If there is something that you feel you can specifically help with, such as promoting the hobby either by advertising, or have some other suggestion please let either myself or your local Councillor.

Talk soon…Debby ZL2DL

News from IARU R 2 - Silent Key Earle Smith VE6NM

It is with deep sadness that we have to report the passing today, February 24 2012, of Earle W. Smith, VE6NM. Earle is a former President of Radio Amateurs of Canada and has held numerous positions in RAC and its preceeding organisation. He had many friends all over the world from his involvements in IARU and his frequent travels. He will be sorely missed.

To Barbara and his children, our deepest sympathy. At this time, the funeral arrangements have not been finalized and will be advised later.

Daniel A. Lamoureux, VE2KA

Director AREA 'A'

IARU Region 2

Solo Aviator arrives in Auckland

Please note, that around 4 pm NZ time a Slovenian aviator mr. Matevz Lenarcic will be landing in Auckland on his ultralight airplane Pipistrel Virus 914WS S5-PEZ on his around-the-world flight after overlying the Pacific in 3 legs . NZART members with interest in flying can follow him live on http://www.worldgreenflight.com/index.php?id=5
Please post this notice to attention of NZART members.

73 Jurij, S56FC

jurij.kus@telemach.net

From the VHF/UHF/SHF Contest Manager

Congratulations to the ZL4AA team.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE VHF/UHF/SHF DX CONTEST 4th & 5th February 2012

These results are based on claimed points. These may change as log checking proceeds.

 TOTAL SCORES
ZL4AA  3478
ZL3RR  1213
ZL2FAE  592
ZL1SWW  189

THE NEXT CONTEST

The next contest is the Low Band Contest, 50 MHz to 440 MHz, on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of April 2012. This is the weekend after Easter. The operating times are: Saturday 1700 to 2300 NZST and Sunday 0700 to 1300 NZST.

The contest after that is the Hibernation Contest, all bands 50 MHz and up, on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of April 2012. This is the weekend after Queen's Birthday weekend. The operating times are: Saturday 1700 to 2300 NZST and Sunday 0700 to 1300 NZST.

The Contest Rules are available at:

 www.vhf.org.nz/VHF-UHF-SHF-ContestRules

All contest logs should be sent, to arrive within two weeks, to:

zl2wa@clear.net.nz

with Contest Log in the subject line, or by post to:

Contest Manager
Wellington VHF Group
P.O. Box 12-259
Thorndon
Wellington

Please include your email address if you wish to receive the results as soon as they are available. 

The complete confirmed results will be published on the VHF website: www.vhf.org.nz

NZART Examination Processes & Policy

Council have decided that it is necessary to update the NZART Examination Policy to clarify our internal procedures and also incorporate the recent elaboration by Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) of their policy and expectations.  RSM will be re-issuing their publication PIB 46 covering the Radio Operator Certificate and Callsign Rules once NZART have placed the 2012 version of the approved examination database on the NZART web site.

The changes to the examination database for the 2012 version correct the wording of some questions, allow for the recent power increase and replace two questions, one with a clearer less subjective question, and one on packet with a question concerning APRS. 

The RSM have re-iterated that they wish to only work with the enduring organisation that represents the Amateur hobby in New Zealand, the NZART.

The RSM have also confirmed that they wish to continue with the current arrangements for the management and delivery of the Amateur examination. These arrangements make NZART responsible for the provision and updating of the currently used 2006 amateur examination question database which is hosted on the NZART website.  RSM is currently working with the Training Officer to complete a review of the 2006 amateur examination question database. Once this review is completed the updated 2012 amateur examination question database will be hosted on the NZART website and this will be the only Amateur examination question database to be used for the Amateur examinations in New Zealand and is to continue to be freely available from the NZART website.

The following policy was approved at the Council Face to Face meeting in February.

NZART AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE EXAMINATION SYSTEM

As expected by the Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) Licensing Manager of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), NZART maintains a publicly accessible and downloadable examination system on the NZART web site.

RSM have registered a number of ARX externally and require them to use the NZART Examination system (reference the RSM document PIB 46 covering Radio Operator Certificate and Callsign Rules).

NZART will have a principal Amateur Radio Examiner (ARX) who is the Examinations Co-ordinator and a deputy who are responsible for the operation of the examination system with the assistance of the members of the Examination Division appointed by Council.

The Examinations Co-ordinator and the Examinations Division are to report at least annually to NZART Council

The current database is the 2006 version and a 2012-updated version is being finalised.  Once this is completed MED require this to be hosted on the NZART web site and for it to be the only examination question database to be used for the Amateur examinations in New Zealand.

NZART INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS PROCEDURES

Examinations are to be:

1. Conducted using the NZART systems and procedures with the NZART question bank and examination question paper generator provided and maintained by the NZART Examinations Division.
2. Under the control of the Examinations Coordinator who will administer examination Supervisors and have access to SMART for successful candidates to receive a Certificate of Competency and callsign.
3. Conducted within reason, on an as required, by appointment, basis
4. Available to all candidates (NZART members and non-members).
5. Held in locations that require minimum travelling for both candidates and Supervisors.
6. Two Supervisors accredited by the Examinations Coordinator in consultation with NZART Council are to be present throughout each examination session.  These supervisors are initially nominated by their branch to the Examinations Coordinator.

 WARO turns 50

 On the 10^th March this year, WARO will celebrate their 50^th anniversary. There is a special a luncheon at the Millenium Hotel Rotorua to celebrate this milestone .  This hotel is where the inaugural meeting of WARO was held 50 years ago. Guests as far afield as Australia (ALARA) the WIA equivalent of WARO will be attending. For more information, contact the WARO President, Margaret ZL1MB, President of WARO.

The Nelson WARO girls are attending a luncheon at the Mapua Wharf restaurant.

 Housekeeping

1. Break-In-Closing Date Reminder: Copy for the March/April 2012 issue of Break-In-closes on 10 March 2012.
2. Copy for Break-In: Copy is welcome in most electronic formats but word.doc files are preferred. Photos and other graphics should be send as separate discrete files (*.jpg preferred); not as embedded pix in the body of the text. Please ensure that suitable descriptive captions/legends are included with your copy.
   All received copy will be acknowledged to confirm receipt.
   Thank you for your cooperation.
   John Walker ZL3IB Editor.
3. Break-In: Early receipt of copy is much appreciated
4. Break-In-AREC Column: The close-of-copy date is the 5 March 2012 for articles for publication in the AREC COLUMN OF BREAK-IN. Photos, if available, to be on a separate floppy or CD (with captions), posted DIRECTLY TO US. Use the Call Book address. All other material can go to e-mail: 
   zl3qr@nzart.org.nz or zl3ov@nzart.org.nz
5. The ARRL and WIA Weekly News
6. Subscribe TO/FROM Infoline

Next NZART Official Broadcast is on Sunday 25^th March 2012. Next HQ-Infoline e-mailed on FRIDAY 16th  March 2012. Closing date for this is Thursday 15^th March.