Our regular Wednesday 18 November meeting featured speakers with an interest in CW. It was an interesting night about keys, paddles, bugs and thoughts on the future of morse code. WARC members admiring a Begali key. George ZL2AG's monster 12" key can be seen in the background. We welcomed three members of Titahi Bay Branch 42 - Phil ZL2OWL, Max ZL2CVW and Ken ZL2TKY. Phil and Max brought along their prized Begali keys. Phil has a collection of over 100 keys, but those he most frequently uses are all Begali keys. His Begali collection includes straight keys, mechanical bug keys, and single and double paddles. I wish I had one too! Ralph Sutton (ZL2AOH) gave a very interesting talk on his introduction to morse code when he joined the navy, and then his continued use of morse when he joined the Merchant Navy. Ralph joined the ranks of amateur radio operators when he retired in 1990 as a result of encouragement from Trevor King, ZL2AKW, another of our WARC members. Ralph subsequently initiated the establishment of FISTS in New Zealand when the Morse Code requirement for licensing of radio amateurs was proposed for removal. New Zealand membership of FISTS peaked at just over 300 members and there are still over 150 members today. A number of members shared about their own morse code experiences and George ZL2AG and Alex Paterson both brought along unique morse keys. George's key was the biggest anybody had seen. He constructed the key himself many years ago. Alex's key was also made by himself as a teenager. We wish Alex well in the amateur radio examination.
Our ETz night on Wednesday 20 June 2018 brought a good attendance - there is something about food to bring out the numbers. A number of members brought along something to talk about, including an SWL diary from the early 50's , a new touchscreen for a QRP rig, and a beefy transistor tester. There were plenty of sausage rolls and cake to make us all feel replete!
The third in a series of "nosh n natter nights" was a cold and blustery evening. However a dozen members turned out, complete with a plate. There was plenty of food. Excerpts from branch newsletters from the last 50 years were read out stimulating conversation. There was also a tape recording or two of silent keys talking about the "good old days" of amateur radio and the second district radio club (aka Branch 50). Most people were able to contribute something nostalgic - whether it was about their first crystal set, the amateur op who introduced them to amateur radio, or commentary on some strange electrical object that mystified the experts abroad (George's dielectric constant measuring device). The night went on until 9.30pm before the Chair thought he had better call an end to the meeting (after failing to stop the nostalgic contributions 20 minutes earlier. There were no boring tales, but maybe a porky or two (from Richard?)!
The first draft of Auckland's Unitary Plan (District Plan) would have been a nightmare for amateur radio operators wanting to put up antennas in their backyard. Effectively, hams would have been required to seek a resource consent costing $1000's for every antenna system, and any change to that system. NZART and local branches of course have put in a submission. The feedback report on infrastructure released by the Council following submissions from ratepayers and interested parties had this to say about amateur radio antennas: "There were a number of comments seeking amateur radio structures and operations to be enabled. Divided views are evident between supporters and opponents of amateur radio operator masts and aerials. While operators suggest a height limit of 15 metres, those opposed suggest the adoption of guidelines from the legacy North Shore City Council which were much more restrictive." Town planning decisions in one district, ultimately impact on all other districts looking to update their district plans. Wellingtonians did not fare well when it came to mast height restrictions in our own District Plan. It is not too late to make a submission to the Auckland Council, but you must be in by Tuesday 22 July at 5pm. Glenn Kingston ZL2KT has been following…
