Wellington VHF Group, Inc: Online.

ZL2JOTA & ZL4JOTA. The Group was invited to again contribute to the Jamboree activities of the Paparangi Scout Group during the weekend 17 – 18 October. Led by Mark Foster ZL1VMF, Rob Wallace ZL2WAL, and Tom Clarke ZL2TDD, a JOTA station was set up at the Paparangi Scout hall. A UHF radio was set up and many contacts were made throughout N.Z. via the National System. A VHF radio was used to contact VK, W and other overseas countries via IRLP on the local 730 repeater. All the scouts names were added to a blackboard list and then ticked off as they did their turn on the radio, to ensure that they all experienced the thrill of contacting other scouts via radio. The Paparangi activity was run using the special Callsign ZL2JOTA, which proved to be a novelty.

I regret that I was unable to attend this activity, instead attending a family reunion in South Taranaki that weekend. I was able to make contact with our Paparangi team using the National System via Mt Egmont and spoke with two young ladies, Caitlin from Ngaio Group and Michelle from Paparangi Group. I was impressed by how articulate these young people were on the microphone, perhaps they’d like to take their interest in radio further with an Amateur licence in future. As a further novelty and a bit of fun, I was given the Callsign ZL4JOTA for the weekend, and used this for the contacts I had.

Thank you to those involved, we can’t underestimate the value of encouraging young people to experience Amateur radio in this way.

Annual General Meeting We had a good turn-out of Members to the AGM on 29th October. It’s a very healthy sign to have so many Members contribute to the Group by attending and voting. As a result, the Executive, the Committee, the Trustees and all of the other positions were filled, plus one new member was elected to the Committee. (See inside front page of Q-Bit Journal for details). Thank you to all those who chose to support the Group, by coming along to the AGM and voting. Your participation is appreciated.

Remits Two remits were discussed and approved by the AGM. These have now been presented to NZART for consideration. The period for receiving remits is open until Xmas, so if you have any subject you wish to raise, please call me, or contact any member of the Committee.

Projects In my report to the AGM I listed the projects that we currently have underway. (This list was also printed in the copy of my report, which was published in our Q-Bit journal). I am pleased to be able to advise you that two of those projects have recently been completed.

First of all during the weekend of 31 October - 1 November, a small team installed backup batteries and a new charger/power supply at Taupo 9825 national system. This was a cooperative effort with Taupo Branch. Second, the new UHF repeater Ngaio 955 was installed on Sunday 14th November. Thank you to all those who contributed to these two worthwhile projects. See the front page of the website for pictures and more details of both these activities.

As the more settled weather permits we will be working away at the other projects and activities we have planned. Again, I ask that if you are interested in participating in any of this work, then please contact Peter Ford, the Projects Coordinator. Many hands make light work!

Christmas Greetings. As this is the last issue of the Presidents Column before Xmas, I extend best wishes for a safe and relaxing holiday period to you and your families on behalf of the Committee.

Dick Greenbank ZL2TGQ
President, Wellington VHF Group Inc