Amateur Radio

Update 2012-03-09

Logsheet  | Conference Locations  | Secret Listening Alivo

What is Amateur Radio

Amateur radio, also affectionately known as "ham radio", is a hobby of constructing, experimenting and communicating. In New Zealand hams are licensed by the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Radio Spectrum Management (RSM). Once licensed, an amateur can operate two-way radio equipment from home, from vehicles and from anywhere in New Zealand -and in many cases when overseas too. Bands of radio frequencies in the radio frequency spectrum have been set aside for amateur radio use. An amateur can talk across town or around the world. The scope and possibilities are endless from sending TV pictures and operating through amateur radio satellites to just having a quiet chat with friends at a distance.

Who can be a Radio Amateur?

Just about anyone. Some are famous people such as Kings and Prime Ministers, but most are just people from all walks of life who like communicating. Young people find amateur radio a great training ground, older people find "hamming" an absorbing retirement hobby.

But amateur radio is more than a hobby, it is a service. Radio amateurs provide their equipment and their operating skills when the need arises such as for Civil Defence (CD) emergencies and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) are a sub group of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) that organise's emergency communications for the Emergency Services.

How do I become a Radio Amateur?

Getting a licence is not difficult - you just need the determination to do it..

Click on this link for more information Amateur Radio Examinations

"Secret Listening" - Build your own Receiver

Listen to AMATEUR RADIO Signals

The receiver-construction information given below is extracted from the booklet "Secret Listening" published by the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters Incorporated, P.O. Box 40 525, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

You can build your own radio receiver from the instructions given in the followng PDF formatted document:

Secret Listening Alivo

It has been written to encourage new entrants to amateur radio.

Where do I get more information?

The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Inc.) Join is a non-profit association of amateur radio Operators. NZART has clubs and instructors in most larger cities and towns throughout New Zealand. For more information on amateur radio and details of club and licensing courses near you, contact:

The General Secretary at NZART Headquarters at the e-mail address below:

e-mail nzart@nzart.org.nz