NZART Headquarters Infoline Issue 254
  27 June 2012
NZART Website: www.nzart.org.nz

In this issue:

• Silent Key Richard Baldwin W1RU – Life member of NZART
• From the desk of HQ
• Infoline Distribution
• FMTAG Notes
• OTC Club NZ
• NZART Officer Vacancy
• 2012 NZART Memorial Contest
• Results of 80m Trans-Tasman Phone Contest
• From the VHF-UHF-SHF-EHF Contest Committee
• IARU HF World Championship Contest

 

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Richard L. Baldwin W1RU, NZART Life Member, Silent Key 

It is with regret to report that Dick Baldwin W1RU, past IARU President and NZART Life Member, died on 21 June. He was 92.

As ARRL Assistant General Manager Dick was the ARRL staff member who was primarily responsible for initiating preparations for the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference and was one of the key players in formulating the objective to obtain new amateur HF bands at 10, 18 and 24 MHz. As ARRL General Manager from 1975 to 1982 he played an essential role in turning that objective into reality.

Following his retirement from the ARRL staff Dick was elected President of the IARU. He had served as IARU Secretary from 1976 to 1982. He served as IARU President for 17 years, which included managing the transition to a new IARU Constitution that made the IARU a more representative body. Upon his retirement from that volunteer position in 1999 he was named President Emeritus by the IARU Administrative Council.

Dick initiated and led Amateur Radio Administration Courses to appraise the administrators of amateur radio in many countries of the benefits and advantages for developing a viable, healthy and active, amateur radio service in their countries. 

Dick’s thorough preparatory work and leadership set the basis for the very successful review of the Amateur Service at the World Radio Conference 2003. 

A great friend and supporter of amateurs and amateur radio societies the world over, Dick was made a Life Member of NZART in 1992 to recognise his service and achievements for the world Amateur Radio fraternity. 

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From the Desk at HQ

Debby says…not too much news from me this issue. There is quite a bit in here, so I suggest you tick the dates of the contests that you are interested in and mark them on your calendar.

Talk soon…Debby ZL2DL

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Infoline distribution

HQ Infoline is distributed through email under three different lists.

The main list sends the Infoline text within the body of an email.  The second list sends Infoline as an attachment, in PDF format, the third list sends Infoline as an attachment in Word format.  The third list was primarily targeted at Branch newsletter editors, allowing easy insertion into other publications.

We have decided to simplify the distribution by dropping the word attached format, as it is a trivial task to copy and paste text from the body of an email into a newsletter, so sending out word documents seems unnecessary.  There are also version problems with Word, which complicate general distribution.

From the next issue of Infoline, those receiving word attachments will change to receiving Infoline in the body text.  If you are on the Word list, and would prefer to receive a PDF attachment, please send an email to infoline-owner@lists.nzart.org.nz, with your name and callsign, and details of the change you want.  You are welcome to change from PDF to Infoline in the body also, with an email as above.

If you would prefer to be removed from the list, or have your email address changed, you can also send an email to the address above.  Please include your name, and callsign, and try to ensure the email address you are sending from is the one on the list, or mention it in the text.

The appropriate links are provided on our web page at:

 http://www.nzart.org.nz/join/e-mail-lists/join-infoline-list/

If you are looking or past issues of Infoline, every issue is stored and available on the web page at:

 http://www.nzart.org.nz/h-quarter/infoline/

Alan ZL1AMW Webmaster

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FMTAG Notes

Call Book 2012/2013 Beacon, Link and Repeater Listings.

 

At the beginning of June, FMTAG sent an email to all Branches (and NZART-affiliated groups), requesting that they check their Beacon, Link, Repeater (and their Trustees) listings for the 2012/2013 Call Book.

 

Please contact FMTAG if the Branch has not received the email: fmtag@nzart.org.nz

 

As at the time of writing (Thursday the 28th of June) FMTAG has not received information from the following Branches:

03 Western Suburbs                            12 Hamilton                                        13 Hawkes Bay

20 Manawatu                                      22 Marlborough                                  23 Marton

27 New Plymouth                                30 Otago                                             33 Rotorua

34 South Canterbury                           37 Southland                                       38 Taumarunui

48 Wanganui                                       49 Westland                                        51 Eastern BOP

55 Waitomo                                        56 Christchurch West                         60 Taupo

66 Auckland VHF                                 78 Far North                                        84 Bay of Islands

85 Mercury Bay                                  86 Musick Point                                  87 South Taranaki

88 Tauranga Emergency

 

The close-off for returns is the 31st of July. Please help ensure that this Call Book is the most accurate ever.

 

Proposals

Branch 18 Hutt Valley has applied for a power increase of its 700 repeater at Fitzherbert, located at TOPO50 BQ32 643.78 350.86. An engineering investigation, in accordance with MED PIB38, confirms that there will be no interference to other stations, and that the repeater transmit frequency can remain on 147.000 MHz and its receive frequency on 146.400 MHz.

 

Final Recommendations for NZART Council

NZART Council has approved the following applications:

 

Branch 24 Motueka has applied for a 7 dB power increase of its 670 repeater at Mount Campbell, located at TOPO50 BP24 876.19 474.92. The repeater transmit frequency is 146.700 MHz and its receive frequency is 146.100 MHz.

 

Branch 74 Wellington VHF has applied for an APRS Digipeater at Kaiwharawhara Hill, located at TOPO50 BQ31 494.93 316.03. The transmit and receive frequency will be 144.575 MHz in accordance with the band plan. An engineering investigation, in accordance with MED PIB38, confirms that there will be no interference to other stations.

 

Comments and Applications

Please send your comments and suggestions on the above matters, and on any other FMTAG matters, by e-mail to: fmtag@nzart.org.nz

 

Applications for repeaters, beacons, digipeaters, point-to-point links, and so on, should be made on the latest version of FMTAG Form 10. The latest versions of FMTAG Form 10, and the explanatory Form 10A, are available on the NZART website:

http://www.nzart.org.nz/fmtag/index.html

 

Completed forms should be sent by e-mail to fmtag@nzart.org.nz

 

The current status of Applications can be viewed on the NZART website:

http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/fmtag/fmtag-apps-being-processed/

 

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Old Timers’ Club-OTC (ZL)

• To recognise service to Amateur Radio;
• To revive and maintain interests and good fellowship among the older members in the common cause;
• To offer advice and encouragement to newer Amateurs;
• The Club is affiliated to the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Inc.)

 

OTC update: As per the last HQIF bulletin we now have sufficient copy, plus one photograph, for the next OTC scribe in Break-In. A printed page of Break-In usually contains about 1300 words (with no picture) and we are normally limited to around one page, two at maximum.

 

My ideal would be to fill at least one page for each edition in the OTC column ahead. Input is asked for and below is some guidelines.

 

The OTC column in Break-In is a forum for members to publish a letter, or an article. OTC readers, along with association members, will all enjoy reading and hearing about other radio amateurs experiences, both past and current.

 

Contributions can be technical, an account of first involvement with early amateur radio, nostalgia, along with vintage radio which all provides an invaluable source of information on the history of their hobby.

 

The “Old Timers Club” was essentially a social organisation, and that is still current today.

Articles relating to all aspects of OTC, for Break-In are most welcome, and to be addressed to: Stephen ZL1TPH; Postal address, 68 Kath Hopper Drive, Orewa, 0931 or via email to zl1tph@nzart.org.nz

We also accept large picture files sent via email and will transcribe hand written letters into text.

73, Stephen ZL1TPH

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NZART Officer Vacancy

NZART Council is calling for expressions of interest from NZART members for the following Officer Vacancy - Position: NZART VHF/UHF/SHF Records Coordinator

The VHF/UHF Records Coordinator is responsible to NZART Council for the coordination, maintenance and promotion of the New Zealand VHF/UHF/SHF records.

Description of the position

• NZART is a body that promotes Amateur Radio within New Zealand.
• The NZART VHF/UHF/SHF Records Coordinator is appointed by NZART Council to coordinate and to promote, the keeping of accurate records pertaining to performance of VHF/UHF/SHF activities and operating by NZ amateurs.
• The NZART VHF/UHF/SHF Records Coordinator reports to NZART Council through an appointed Liaison Councillor.
• Although referred to by VHF/UHF/SHF, the task may extend to other bands.

 

Duties of the position

To maintain, review and update when necessary, the established:

• VHF/UHF/SHF Records Lists,
• the VHF/UHF/SHF Record Claim Rules, and
• the Record Claim Form.

To receive completed Record Claim Forms submitted by radio amateurs, appropriately process to verify by making whatever enquiries may be necessary, and make the concluding decision to accept or to reject the claim.

• To amend the Records lists as appropriate.
• To promote active operating for records achievement among New Zealand amateurs.
• To arrange for presentation trophies and certificates relating to Records.
• To appoint assistants as necessary.
• To provide advice and guidance on Records issues.
• To liaise with overseas radio amateurs and other amateur societies on Records matters.
• To write occasional entries for Break-In about Records.
• At time of dispute, to refer incidents involving Records Claims and the Rules to NZART Council.

 

Work Experience

The NZART VHF/UHF/SHF Records Coordinator will be expected to demonstrate competent performance in:

• Maintaining accurate and detailed records.
• Good written language skills for communication with members, overseas societies, and articles for publication.
• The accurate measurement of distances and global positions, recognise and understand the errors possible in GPS reports, in the selection of map series and in grid references.
• A good working knowledge of all the measurement and technical terms listed on the Claim Form.

 

Personal Skills

The NZART VHF/UHF/SHF Records Coordinator will require:

• Good person skills.
• An understanding of the requirements and issues involved in Amateur Radio hill-top activity including possible interference to other radio services.
• A good knowledge of Amateur Radio and the aims of IARU and NZART.
• Competency in spread sheet and word processor applications and with any specialised software appropriate to the position.

Applicants for this role can be located anywhere in New Zealand. The ideal person for this role would have experience in the area of VHF/UHF/SHF operating and/or contesting.

Officer Positions are voluntary; however operating expenses will be refunded as per the NZART Policy on Officers Expenses.

Applications for this position will be accepted from interested persons in writing with supporting documentation through the General Secretary, NZART, PO Box 40525, Upper Hutt 5140.

This advertisement is authorised by NZART Council.

 

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2012 NZART Memorial Contest (2012 will be the 66th year of this Contest)

To commemorate those from our ranks who lost their lives in World War 2.

 

When: Saturday July 7th & Sunday 8th July

A total of six operating periods, three each evening of one hour each from 0800 - 1100 UTC

(8.00 pm to 11.00 pm Saturday NZT and 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm Sunday NZT).

 

For Memorial Contest Rules See "Rules Memorial" in the right hand Page Links menu

and including Manual Log Sheets etc.

http://www.nzart.org.nz/activities/contest-rules/

 

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Results for the Trans-Tasman 80m phone contest held in May.
Congratulations to Ron, ZL4RMF, operating as ZL4R, for achieving First ZL. Bill, ZL2AYZ, operating QRP as ZL3VZ, achieved second ZL, and Alastair and Quentin operating as ZL3YOK, achieved third ZL.

Congratulations also to Ash Clark, VK3SSB, from Horsham Victoria, who took out the overall First place.
The full results have now been published on the WIA website. Follow the link from the NZART web site "Rules" page. The next Trans-Tasman contest will be held on Saturday, the 21st of July, from 8pm.

This is the new Multi-Mode contest which includes separate categories for 160m phone, as well as CW and Digital modes on both 80m, and 160m. There's also an overall "multi-mode" category for any combination of these modes or bands. The "multi-mode" category is well suited to multiple operators, clubs, and anyone wanting more activity than any
one mode can offer.

Rules can be found on the WIA web site, or follow the link on the "Rules" page of the NZART web site.

The 80m phone contest has been a great success under the new rules, and the upcoming new Multi-mode contest should be a lot of fun too!

This is the first year that this contest has been fully managed in ZL, and the contest manager, Rob, ZL3AKM, wishes to thank everyone who participated.

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From The VHF-UHF-SHF-EHF Contest Committee

Results of The Hibernation Contest 9th & 10th June 2012

Congratulations to Dick, ZL2TGQ, and Gavin, ZL2TVM, for both winning the Hibernation Contest, in a dead heat.

 

THE Next Contests

The next contest is the Brass Monkey Contest, all bands 50 MHz and up, on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of August 2012. The operating times are: Saturday 1700 to 2300 NZST and Sunday 0700 to 1300 NZST.

 

The contest after that is the Microwave Contest, 921 MHz and up, on Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of October 2011. 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.

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Annual IARU HF World Championship Contest is to take place on July 14th-15th.
Please full details of the contest at the URL, http://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-championship

I wish many HQ stations as well as R3 Directors to participate in the contest.

Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP
Secretary, IARU Region 3
secretary@iaru-r3.org

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Housekeeping

1. Break-In-Closing Date Reminder: Copy for the July/August 2012 issue of Break-In-closes on 10 July 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 July 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 29^th July 2012. Next HQ-Infoline e-mailed on FRIDAY 13^th July 2012. Closing date for this is Thursday 12 July 2012