Editor: Caryl Simpson caryl@simtronics.co.nz

1. AGM (Bring a plate for supper please) ..09 March 2. Grape Ride.......................................................04 March 3. Combined Clubs’ BBQ lunch Carluke..........11 March 4. Mountain Bike Ride.........................................21 May

VHF Mondays 1930 hrs 146.950MHz, 145.600MHz,

147.225MHz Net Controller; Ken Hynds ZL2KHZ

VHF - USB Net Wednesdays 1930 144.150MHz

MONTHLY BULLETIN MARLBOROUGH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC. P.O. BOX 432 BLENHEIM NZ

AGM Meeting; 9 March. EOC, 19.30hrs

Social Group; 16 March, 12.00hrs - The Vines

Committee Meeting; 23 March. 07.30hrs - EOC

Website: www.zl2ks.org.nz

Ma

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2017 SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE STILL DUE Still only $20.00 for Individual Members or $25.00 for Family

Easy pay options:

Internet or direct banking to Kiwi Bank 38-9002-0114897-00 Post to: Marlborough Amateur Radio Club PO Box 432 Blenheim.

If paying by cheque please put "Marlborough Amateur Radio Club" as payee as the bank will not accept anything else

or you can try and catch me at a future meeting. Thanks Ken Hynds — treasurer

AND they’re off! First punters through the gate A few of the happy crowd enjoying the sun

Grant at

base

PASSED

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Marlborough Amateur Radio Club General Meeting EOC 09 February 2017 at 19.45 Hours

Present: Grant Simpson ZL2BK (Chair), Don Laing ZL3DN, Ken Menzies ZL2BJV, Ian Conway ZL2BGL, Graeme McKay ZL1BDS, Chris Grant ZL2CHG, Don Jamieson ZL2BJS, Ian McKercher ZL2IDM, Paul Rennie ZL2RE, Lara McIntyre, Ron Harris ZL2BDD, Tony Whitaker (ZL2RKL), Robin Carter ZL2IW, Kaye Hannagan ZL2KU, Nelson Bateman ZL3FN, Bill Cousins ZL2AYZ, Gerard Van-Antwerpen ZL2GVA, Roger Lawson ZL2BHG Apologies: Stuart Watchman (ZL2TW), Ken Hynds ZL2KHZ, Wayne Parker ZL2AIE, Harry Stephens ZL4HES, Colleen Wilson Correspondence: Inward - email re changing 6m Beacon Callsign ZL2SIX, Consensus by show of hands MARC to retain call sign GS - email from Scouts thanking MARC for Jamboree support - Letter Marlborough District Council re MARC submission. Hearing of submissions scheduled for August 2017. DL - email re Grape Ride half marathon - Invoice from Blenheim Accounting for accounts review KH Outward - none Finance: as at 31/12/16 Accounts review to 31/12/16 completed satisfactorily by Blenheim Accounting Ltd Subs now due. REPORTS: Repeater: All seem to be operating OK. Weld Cone - Need to determine new site for MARC Ward repeater. How to move will be determined later. GS Insurance claim with EQC has been declined as not residential. Following up with Broker & Insurer KH SAR / AREC: Nothing to report Brayshaw Park: Coms link to the hut should be rectified by relocating antenna at GS’s end and repositioning VFMS link antenna to top of tower. Cables can also be rearranged to eliminate network switch in hut which will eliminate the HF noise. GS GENERAL BUSINESS: Scout Jamboree; Very successfully completed with the help of a team of Club members and hopefully the Scouts will understand to contact the local NZART group well in advance next time to coordinate. Christmas Parade; (Sat 03/12/16). Chris handed over cheque received. Marlborough Wine & Food Festival; (11 Feb 17). Info and access card s distributed. See Chris G if further assistance required. SW Jock White Field Day; (25 & 26/02/17) More volunteers requested especially for evening shift. Grape Ride; (04/03/17) List for volunteers circulated as will happen before next meeting. SW AGM; (09/03/17). Request for all to attend. Nomination Form for Club positions and 2016. AGM Minutes will be included in next issue of Interface. ALL Nelson Combined BBQ; (11/03/17) Confirmed at Carluke. Site available all weekend for those wishing to make a full weekend of it. Club Records Archive CD; Can not be found so request for all to check if in their possession. ALL New Ham; Brendan, ZL3OTJ, successfully passed his exam and was congratulated by all. 2m VHF Net, Mondays 7:30pm; Request for more to join as only a couple, if that, have recently logged-in. ALL Batteries; Grant S brought in a lot of surplus12V 9AHr batteries that members can have. More are available. Surplus Equipment; Ian C brought in some surplus equipment to give away. Meeting closed 20:25

MARLBOUROUGH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB COMMITTEE MEETING 23 February 2017 at 19:40 Hours

Present: Grant Simpson (Chair), Don Laing, Ken Hynds, Chris Grant, Paul Rennie Apologies: Stuart Watchman, Rob Carter Correspondence: Inward: NZART Break-In AGM Nomination Forms from B. Cousins & J. Neal Account for PO Box (50% shared with SAR) Outward: None Finance: Accounts independently reviewed & certified. KH Repeater Report: All are operational Weld Cone – vehicle access may be possible soon with Police authorisation. Possible relocation further south to ‘Hollow Top” adjacent to Vodaphone & Marlborough Lines facilities. Land Owner permission to be sorted. Kaikoura – Reestablishment still to be determined GS/RC SAR Report: No recent incidents Multi agency SAR exercise scheduled for 18/03/17. PR General Business: Brayshaw Hut. Link antenna relocated at GS’s end but only small improvement and performance marginal during wet weather so link via Kart track required. Will be site meeting with Kart Club next week. GS Upcoming Events. Jock White Field Day – 25 & 26 Feb 2017. Dillons Point Rd site confirmed. Participants welcome IC/RC/BC Grape Ride – 04 March 2017 - Final details being completed however a few more volunteers required CG/SW AGM – 09 March 2017. Annual reports to be prepared ALL Newspaper advert was placed Chris G. retiring from Committee Don L. able to continue but will be absent for 4 months later in 2017. Nelson / MARC combined clubs’ BBQ – 11 March 2017 Mountain Bike Ride – 21 May 2017. St Clair – May 2017. Meeting Closed: 20:30

Some more Wine & Food Festiv al v olunteers L - R: Ken M, Gerard, Chris G, Paul guard chillers. As you can see, it’s a hard job

BRING A PLATE FOR AGM PLEASE

COMBINED NELSON/MARLBOROUGH BBQ, CARLUKE, RAI VALLEY We must fight hard to retain the Interbranch Challenge Trophy!

WHEN: March 11, in time for lunch so 11am onwards WHERE: Carluke Hall, Carluke Domain, Rai Valley

From SH6 take the French Pass turn off, then turn right into Tennyson Inlet Rd. The hall (white with red roof) is on the right, not far from corner. Look for other vehicles with extra aerials, or call on the local repeater.

Come and join the fun. Some take the opportunity to camp a night (or two). We retained the interbranch trophy last year so must have a good number attend to make sure we do so again!

Clubs provide the meat, sauce and bread, you bring a salad and/or dessert to share.

Bring the usual seating, plates, cups and cutlery etc. There is a fully equipped kitchen available.

If weather is not so good we have the whole Carluke Hall to use!

Bring your hand-held for the Fox Hunt. If you have a spare, please bring it for

someone who does not, but would also like to give it a go.

Plenty of space for campervans, buses or tents (you will have access to the hall ’s toilets) for those wanting more

than just a day outing.

Nev er one to pay close attention at club meetings, George arriv es incorrectly equipped for the annual Fox Hunt

Marlborough Amateur Radio Club Inc Nomination Form for Committee

2017/2018

I Nominate ………………………………………………………………………. a duly paid member of NZART, Call Sign ………………………. Position nominated for …………………………………………. (Please list one; Club President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Member, AREC Section Leader, Callsign Trustees, Repeater Trustees, Examination Supervisors, Morse Examiners, Social Group Manager, QSL Manager, Training, Librarian, Hon Auditor, Interface Editor, Webmaster.) Nomination accepted by: …………………………………………………..Signature Nominator: ………………………………...… Call Sign: …………………………………..… Seconder: ……………………………….…… Call Sign: ………………………………..…… Nominations must be forwarded to the Club Secretary; either to P.O.Box 432 Blenheim or by email (donlinda@actrix.co.nz) no later than the 28th February 2016.

Stuart, ZL2TW, will be giving a talk on medical imaging after the AGM so come along and learn all about CAT scans and medical imaging.

BRING A PLATE FOR

AGM PLEASE

LAST YEAR’S MINUTES (Please read before the AGM as they will be taken as read)

MARLBOROUGH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 84th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

EOC 10th March 2016 1930 Present: Grant Simpson (Chair) Stuart Watchman (Acting Secretary) Ken Hynds (Treasurer) Tony Whitaker, Chris Grant, Bil l Cousins, Don Jamieson, Nelson Bateman (guest), Ian Conway, Paul Rennie, Don Laing, Ron Harris, Helen Harris, Wayne Parker, Gerard Van Antwerpen, Lara McIntyre, Ken Menzies Apologies: Harry Stephens, Kaye Hannagan, Rob Carter, Tony Daken, Christine Conway Minutes of the 2015 AGM: Accepted and Matters arising: nil Correspondence: From wwwsocieties.govt.nz requesting Annual Reports REPORTS: Financial: Balance sheet as in interface and asset list projected. The following reports were published in the March Interface and taken as read: QSL Manager President Exam Supervisors Social Group Repeaters AREC ELECTION OF OFFICERS: (nil election required for any position) NOMINATED SECONDED President: Grant Simpson Stuart Watchman Paul Rennie Vice President: Ken Menzies Grant Simpson Paul Rennie Secretary: Don Laing Grant Simpson Paul Rennie Treasurer: Ken Hynds Stuart Watchman Paul Rennie Account rev iewer: Blenheim Accounting Services Ken Hynds Chris Grant Committee: Rob Carter Wayne parker Kaye Hannagan Stuart Watchman Grant Simpson Paul Rennie Chris Grant Grant Simpson Tony Whitaker Paul Rennie Grant Simpson Ken Menzies QSL Manager: Bill Cousins Bill Cousins Chris Grant Examination Supervisors: John Neal Bill Cousins Chris Grant Bill Cousins Bill Cousins Chris Grant Call Sign Trustees: Ian Conway Don Jamieson Roger Lawson Stuart Watchman Grant Simpson Ian Conway Repeater Trustees: Grant Simpson & Ken Menzies Stuart Watchman Ron Harris Morse Examiner: Ken Menzies: Stuart Watchman Grant Simpson Social Group Coordinator: Chris Grant Ross Holdaway Bill Cousins Librarian: Gerard Van Antwerpen Grant Simpson Bill Cousins Interface Editor: Caryl Simpson Grant advises she has agreed to continue Web Master: Gerard Van Antwerpen Grant Simpson Stuart Watchman AREC Section Leader: Paul Rennie Stuart Watchman Ken Hynds Training Officer: Position deleted pending future training efforts GENERAL BUSINESS: Subscriptions for 2017: to remain at $20 individual $25 family Meeting closed at 20:03

EXAMINER’S REPORT - 2016/17

Brendan Foulis sat and successfully passed the Amateur Radio examination in January, 2017. His callsign is ZL3OTJ so if you hear him on the air, please give him a call and help him chalk up the necessary 50 contacts. My thanks to John Neal, ZL3LI for his support as co-examiner. - ZL2AYZ

QSL MANAGER’S REPORT - 2016/2017 49 cards were received from the ZL2 bureau this year which is an improvement on the previous year, but also perhaps an indication of the decline in HF conditions. Solar flux is generally around 70 – 80 now so I guess we have seen the last of the halcyon days when it was greater than 100. The main and consistent recipients were ZL2AYZ and ZL2BH, along with ZL2IW (2 cards) and 1 each for ZL2DOG (SK), ZL6CC, ZL2OH and ZL2HS. The ZL6CC card was for a QSO during the 2015 Lighthouse Weekend at Cape Campbell. One card from Japan was for a QSO in 1984, so don’t despair - that long-awaited reply may yet turn up! Many ZL2AYZ cards were from the W1AW (ARRL official station) Centenary operations, when every US State was activated at some stage through the year. This gave DX stations an ideal opportunity to snaffle those hard-to-get States and complete the Worked All States (WAS) Award. - ZL2AYZ

SOCIAL LUNCH REPORT Apart from a mid winter blip when our numbers dropped to four we have ranged from nine to thirteen each month. We continue putting the world to rights on the third Thursday of each month at the Redwood Town Tavern. We welcome new members as they reach the age of maturity - ZL2CHG

PRESIDENT’S REPORT The past 12 months have been the usual mix of a number of events requiring Ham operators happening at once followed by longer, thank goodness, stretches of quiet times. Thanks to all those who put their hand up to volunteer when asked. These events all bring money into the club so we can then go ahead with plans to replace old equipment and upgrade as necessary. Thanks to the major quakes, there will be a bit more equipment replacement and relocation needed than expected but this is all in hand and being worked on. Special thanks to the small group who helped out at the Scout Jamboree. They went well and above what was expected and it was most appreciated. The Scouts were extremely grateful for the extra work you all did. We had the usual volunteers for guard duty at the Wine & Food Festival and they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It ran extremely well this year which made for a calm and peaceful day’s work (sitting in the sun reading books mainly) with only minor problems to sort throughout the day. Volunteers were well supplied with food and drink (of the non alcoholic kind) except for Stuart who managed to cadge a drink at some point. The remote hf radio at Brayshaw Park has seen some operation and appears to be working well. The broadband link has needed some rearrangement to improve reliability. The club’s finances are sti ll good so we will be able to carry on with our improvements without having to worry about how we can pay for it. - ZL2BK

REPEATER REPORT The repeaters are all working well, even after the severe shaking from earthquakes. This has given us a challenge at Ward where the site on Weld Cone has suffered from damage to the top of the hil l. The hut is on quite a lean but has remained fully operational at all times. It will be necessary to abandon the site so we are looking for another suitable site, preferably with drivable access. Due to the damage to the present track, it will probably require a helicopter to remove the equipment and hut. Once this is done, we can concentrate on getting the link to Kaikoura running along with the rebuild of that site. The upgrade to the solar panels and batteries have proved their worth too with no problems over the winter period. Any suggestions on where we might need improved coverage and where we can locate extra equipment is always welcome.

- ZL2BK

AREC AGM REPORT 2017 The last year has been rather busy as for AREC with the Section Leader attending all the local SAR meetings, most of the training, and also travelling to Westport on the Friday afternoon of conference weekend to view an hf long range digital radio display and trials, then returning back to the conference venue for Saturday night, a very worthwhile trip. This form of hf communication is being looked at by the SAR Communications Advisory Panel, of which I am a member, along with other AREC members from around the country. Last December I also attended a day meeting of the aforementioned group held at Wellington Airport to look at overall SAR communications and how to get the best in this ever changing world of technology, exciting times are ahead for SAR. Callouts We have had numerous callouts in the last year with at least 3 of them being resolved overnight, which means a very long and drawn out process with teams entering the field in the early evening and working throughout the night ending in a successful outcome for all involved. The continual use of PLBs has taken the search out of search and rescue. Communications in all callouts was excellent with use being made of the permanent repeaters that are set up around the district by various authorities. Hf radios were also carried but not having to be used. AREC was not involved in the Kaikoura quake for communications as the only one that failed was the cellphone network. We were in regular contact with Christchurch AREC and, along with the National Director, it was decided we could not have been of any assistance. As we all know, the local amateur network never failed and that was definitely a bonus thanks to Branch 22 having the foresight to make the repeater sites virtually earthquake proof. The local vhf repeater system was not affected but the pole and building on Weld Cone will require attention. AREC still has an excellent rapport with the local police and received very favourable comments throughout the year. Inspector Feltham has always expressed his many thanks for an excellent job. On that note, I would like to thank all AREC members along with branch members who have been involved in SAR activities in the past year, but special thanks to Stuart Watchman, Ron & Helen Harris, Harry Stephens, Ken Hynds, Ken Menzies, Bil l Cousins and Grant Simpson who have always been there when the flag went up, your assistance was appreciated. With the continuing earthquakes we must still be very vigilant and ready to offer our support. We also had a visit during the year from the Deputy Section Leader and one other from Nelson and we are attempting to work closer with them and support each other. Thank you all. - Paul Rennie, ZL2RE, Section Leader

FIELD DAY REPORT - 2017

After a bumper effort in 2016, our achievements this year were about 20% down on our QSO numbers. This was largely due to not being able to staff all the operating slots. There were also less active branches this year, about 27 compared to 32 last year, which meant less stations available to work. Our competitors for the Midland Trophy were ZL3RR North Canterbury (Branch 68) and ZL3AC Christchurch (Branch 05). Both managed a better score than us on 40m but we were well ahead of ZL3RR on 80m and about neck-and-neck with ZL3AC. The eventual result could well be determined by the CW bonus. The weather was good with a fine day on Saturday, some cloud Sunday morning, but comfortable temperatures. Construction went well without serious incident, with help from Ian Conway, Stuart Watchman, Grant Simpson, Tony Whitaker, Bill Cousins, Don Laing and Paul Rennie. Operators contributing throughout the period were Ian Conway, Rob Carter, Paul, Gerard Van Antwerpen, Neville Marr with Stuart Watchman and Bill Cousins battling to ensure a useful CW score with welcome assistance from Gerard. Hopefully we will see a few more operators next year to help staff the missed slots and ease the burden on the anchor persons. The equipment all worked well. Dipoles were used as antennas and Icoms as transceivers. The batteries held up well, charged periodically from Grant’s generator. As mentioned on a previous occasion, the land at the Dillons Point Road site has finally been sold, but the new owners are very accommodating and will ing to have us continue to use it in the foreseeable future. This is fortunate as it is sti ll a low-noise site with plenty of room to space the antennas and provide for the operating tent and parking. Propagation is very good normally and we are generally able to work most of the active stations given average conditions which, incidentally, seemed good this year. Thanks to all who assisted in various ways to ensure another commendable branch effort. - Bill Cousins, ZL2AYZ

GRAPE RIDE 2017 This year’s Grape Ride was nearly a month early to avoid multiple clashes with other events. This, and along with SH1 being closed (harder for Christchurch entries to get here) may have contributed to the reduced entries, being around 1500. Last year entries were around 2400. The weather was excellent, with mild temperatures, overcast and not too much wind. The 2m STSP was set up by Grant the day before in the usual position above Cullen’s point overlooking Havelock and the Mahikipawa arm of the Keneperu Sound. Again this year it was not l inked back to 695 as it has been too awkward. Grant at the Havelock transition acted as a base on that channel relaying any traffic back to base at Forrest Estate on 695. The usual location at the Havelock transition has become so noisy he was unable to hear 695 and had to move down Queen Charlotte drive to a less noisy location. Another interesting case of ‘interference’ occurred this year with Don at the Wedge having to shift due to a real threat from the adjacent beehives. 695 and 845 were linked again to improve coverage through the Para swamp area and UHF STSPs were set up at Becks Bay (l inked to 7225) and Long Valley rd. by Ken 2KHZ and Ron respectively. The long Valley rd. STSP is usually linked to 695 via its internal VHF cross link radio however this function turned out to be faulty so Ron monitored it from its roadside location. Later Grant found he could get good signal strength from this repeater on Cullen’s point ridge, a possible future site for a cross band link to tie the 2m STSP back to 695, provided we can sort out the linking function of the UHF STSP. Ian helped the organiser again this year by setting up the timing gear at the ‘Doctors Re st’ at the Momorangi motor camp where those who paid a little extra could enjoy a muffin and a coffee and have their time paused while there. I am not sure if Ian scored refreshment? Base was again co-located with Tony and Murray of St Johns where they had a radio on the ambulance network. This allowed ease of co-ordination when injuries were reported in. One small perk of being at the base was being shouted a glass or two of wine by Brigid Forrest. It helps make up for the 0530 start at base for the Magnum two-lap start at 0600. Paul was there early as well being in the lead vehicle for Magnums. The reduced number of entrants and the dry weather resulted in injuries being down this year with St John transporting 6 people from the course to Wairau with injuries compared to greater than 10 last year. Thanks to: Helen ZL2HH, Roger ZL2BHG, Colleen ZL2LY, Ken ZL2BJV, Don ZL3DN, Harry ZL4HES, Ken ZL2KHZ, Ian ZL2BGL, Bill ZL2AYZ, Grant ZL2BK, Ron ZL2BDD, Christine, Paul ZL2RE, Chris ZL2CHG (who looked after chasing up all of you that helped, and had done the same for the wine festival) and Tony ZL3RKL, the last operator to go QRT being tail end Charlie, or ‘sweep’ as I believe they call that in the UK. Base accidentally called him using ‘Sooty’ at one stage, some confusion from Harry Corbett’s “Sooty, Sweep and Sue” old TV show. - Stuart ZL2TW

All Jock White Field Day

photos thanks to Don Laing

Lovely setting for the Jock White Field Day

Tony W, Don & Linda guarding chillers at

Wine & Food festival

Since I have space at the bottom of this page, I would like to introduce to you the latest

Simpson grandson, born 24 Feb. Alexander Myles Emanuel Simpson.

A brother for Theo.