Wellington Amateur Radio Club - ZL2WB

A bunch of Branch 50 NZART members on Zoom meeting 4 April. Where was Malcolm ZL2UDF?

Our Branch 50 NZART which was to have been held 22 March has been cancelled Coronavirus means that a number of members have decided not to attend. As we were unlikely to reach the required quorum we will be conducting the AGM via email and mail (for members without internet in their QTH). An email and letter will be sent out to members in the next 48 hours describing the process. Those phoned on Saturday evening all supported an alternative AGM process given the extraordinary circumstances we face. The agenda to be covered via email/postal voting will cover the following agenda items: [wpdm_package id='4119'] [wpdm_package id='4141'] [wpdm_package id='4143']

On 1 March from 12 noon -3pm we met over a light lunch at Mike ZL1AXG's QTH. The Branch 50 NZART Committee ordered in a light finger-food lunch (savouries and sandwiches) as we were hosting Branch 74 for a combined branches event. Disappointingly, only two guests showed up ... they were our guest speaker for the workshop, and one Branch 74 member! Mike noted that the year had not got off to a good start with few turning up for the combined branches BBQ organised by Kapiti Branch. It appears many amateurs simply don't want to come out any more to events. However, complacency may well spell the end of amateur radio as we know it. Member attendances at most branches appear to be plummeting, even those that still have 100+ members on their books. Things are getting tougher for ham radio, with suburban QRM often sending the meter over s9 on the low bands, the sunspot cycle likely to be at its worst for some years, and Councils getting tougher in their district plans on amateur antennas (see the recent decision by Kapiti District Council). It is likely that something radical will be required to breathe new life into…

We met at John ZL2XJ QTH (9 Ridley Green, Churton Park) on Sunday 16 February tod have a round table discussion on what each club member was looking for out the club for 2020 and what they could contribute. There was an honest discussion of the falling membership and the need to focus on two priority areas: publicity and the need for regional coordination and regional activities. Generally people were very happy with the esxisting programme of activities, but identified that this was not the issue - there was a wider issue at play around the public's understanding about amateur radio in New Zealand and the aging of the amateur operator base. The meeting concluded with afternoon tea. Thanks to John ZL2XJ for hosting.

The Wellington VHF Group and Kapiti Branch are having their annual summer BBQ on Saturday 25 January 2020 at QEII Park, Paekakariki from noon. They are inviting all of the other branches in the Wellington Region to attend. We will be at QEII park picnic area 7 - see the map here: https://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Parks-and-Recreation/Queen-Elizabeth-Park/Paekakariki-picnic-sites.pdf. Entry is via Wellington Road, Paekakariki. (access from Paekakariki and you will need to bring everything- even shade and a seat!). There is plenty of space and last year was a lovely afternoon. If you can, bring a BBQ to cook on (gas only). Kapiti branch are going to operate a hidden transmitter hunt as well.  All are welcome!