AREC

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

SIG for July 2015: DMR Code plug update and overview

Since the DMR system was set up at Colonial Knob, a number of enhancements and extensions have occurred.  The code plugs determine the radio front panel channel setup, and changes have been made to make the radio easier to use when moving around the Wellington region, to support new DMR repeaters, and allow for the upcoming frequency changes.  Support for the analogue channels has been made within the local zone, and plenty of channels added to make the radios usable in a number of situations.

Tactical Amateur Radio Digital Internet Solution

Using the Spark free WiFi zones for Internet access

Need a digital radio hotspot for an AREC operation, a demonstration at a branch meeting, or something like the recent VHF Convention?

Telecom, now Spark, operate a network of more than 1,000 WiFi access points conveniently located on many public telephone call boxes around the country.  The commercial terms of the service are essentially free WiFi for Spark on-account mobile customers subject to a 1GB limit per day for up to five devices per account.

AREC websites

AREC has a public facing website AREC Today with general interest stories designed to inform non-amateurs about AREC and what we do.  It's also designed to highlight interesting material for key stakeholders, such as the AREC SLA partners including the Rescue Coordination Centre RCCNZ, Police, and NZ SAR

AREC AGM Report

The AREC AGM was held on Thursday 30 October.  At the meeting John ZL4JY presented a report on the activity over the past year, summarized below.

Introduction

Most of the Group's AREC activity is in support of SAR and Police, our contribution is set out below. Members have supported neighbouring branches, including a dedicated AREC evening at Titahi Bay Branch 42.  The Group continues to assist with the Wellington Wander Search supporting Police searching for missing Alzheimer's suffers. 

National AREC Meeting Masterton

The AREC Management Team arrived on site at the Branch 46 Clubrooms shared with SAR in sunny Masterton this morning to find a real SAR operation underway! National Director Jeff Sayer ZL4JS welcomed visitors while managing search comms on a VHF handheld.

John ZL4JY Area Manager Central was on hand to represent our interests with area managers from Northern, Southern, and Midlands (ZK1, ZK8, ZK9, and ZK4 call areas).