Wellington VHF Group, Inc: Online.

Founding member visits

We were pleased to host Murray ZL1HI at our June branch meeting. Murray was visiting from his QTH on Great Barrier Island, and provided a brief resume of his current amateur radio activities, and his professional radio involvement. Murray is a founding member of the Group, and he was holder of many positions of office in the early days, including President. It was great to catch up and enjoy an evening with Murray.

Two Special Interest Group Activities

Two separate sessions of SIG were arranged earlier this month. One group focussed on Digital Amateur Telelvision, (DATV), and the other on construction of the L/C kitset. See further details in the July issue of Q-Bit journal.

Elections anticipated

There will be an election of Officers at the Annual General Meeting in October. It’s not too early to think about offering yourself for the Committee, or other position.

I will not be standing again for the office of President this coming year, so the Group will be looking to appoint a new President, and there will also be one, or more, vacancies on the committee.

Please consider putting your name forward and making a contribution to the running of the Group. Please contact the Secretary to indicate your interest.

An interesting “Meal & Movie” evening

In those months which have five Thursdays, the normal programme of Special Interest Group meeting; Committee Meeting; Q-Bit production; and General Monthly meeting; is augmented with a “Meal & Movie” evening. Traditionally members have met under the projected clock at the Reading Cinema complex in Courtenay Place, grabbed a meal then attended the movie of choice.

This month was a little different in that instead of a movie we attended the science coffee evening sponsored by The Royal Society, which was held at Te Papa. The lecture was presented by Gillian Turner, on the subject of the Earth’s magnetic field. This was a fascinating talk, with excellent audience participation. There were many members of the Group present. See the July issue of Q-Bit journal for a review.

Guest speaker popular

For the main meeting in June we were entertained with a presentation by Mike Mendonca from City Operations, Wellington City Council. Mike talked about his time serving in N.Z. Forces overseas and also his current work with the City Council. This includes responsibility for the Wellington Emergency Management Office, including radio communications. Mike is an entertaining speaker and had some good stories to tell.

After the presentation some members took the opportunity to chat with Mike over coffee about disaster preparedness and communication matters.

73 from VK where I am currently working.

Dick ZL2TGQ
President