Wellington VHF Group, Inc: Online.

The Belmont tower was re-erected by the contractors, United Group Ltd, on Tuesday 10 June. As can be seen in the photographs it once again stands resplendent. From an initial inspection the contractor's work looks well done.

After the recent decision made around required maintenance of the Belmont Repeater site, work has begun in earnest. Some photos here for those interested. (Apologies for anyone who noticed the photos were missing overnight!)

Whilst in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA on business, a QSO on a local 2M repeater with some friendly locals indicated that the regular monthly meeting of the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club was due to be held that week at a venue only a few miles from where I was staying.

On Thursday 27 March the trees under the 11kV supply line to the Belmont Tower were cut down to form a permanent clear corridor. On the evening of Friday 28 March 2008 the 11kV supply was restored to Belmont.

As you will see from my last entry, power to Belmont was disconnected due to the significant fire hazard posed by trees touching the 11kV power lines.

I am pleased to inform you that unless extenuating circumstances present themselves a permanent power line corridor will be cut through the trees tomorrow (Thursday). If all goes to plan power should be able to be reconnected by the weekend.

Brian Fearnley
President
Wellington VHF Group Inc

There may be some disruption to Belmont services over the next week.

A number of trees have grown up into the 11kV supply line to the Belmont site and present a significant forest-fire hazard to the landlord's forest. As such the power has been disconnected. Until the power can be restored it will be attempted to run reduced services on a combination of batteries and a mobile generator.

The new National System node TAUPO 9825 was commissioned at Maroanui on Saturday 8th March. The frequency is 439.825MHz, negative split. Generally, the station provides coverage of the greater Taupo area out to;

North : Tokoroa (SH-1) North-east : Waiotapu (SH-5 toward Rotorua) East : Reporoa; some coverage of SH-5 toward Napier West : Mangakino; SH-32 west side of Lake Taupo South : Turangi; Desert Road Summit Congratulations to the project team comprising, from Wellington, Steve ZL2KG, Peter ZL3TC, Gavin ZL2TVM, Dick ZL2TGQ, Jim ZL1TYF, and from Taupo, Kelvin ZL1KU, Graham ZL1BVO, Graeme ZL1BU, and Peter ZL2UEW. A full report has been published in Q-Bit journal, and Break-In Volume 81 No. 3 May/June 2008. Maroanui tower : Image ZL2TGQ

[Make sure you've click 'Read More' for the full story!]

On 18 February Kordia Manawatu advised Wellington VHF Group that the linking antenna for the National System feed from Wharite to Egmont was broken. The link still worked, but obviously there was a need to effect repairs as soon as possible.

The Broken antenna upon arrival of the repair team.

21 January 2008

Welcome to the first entry of the President Blog for 2008! I trust you are all back with us safe and well after the Christmas New Year period.

At the December committee meeting we set the direction for 2008. The overarching direction like always is to support people doing Ham Radio. The things that should catch our attention are those that will enable people to do Ham radio and those that impeded it.

This from David ZL2SX:

At the NZART Council Face to Face meeting, NZART President Bruce ZL2WP anounced the resignation of David ZL2SX from the postion of FMTAG Chairman, due to health reasons.

David had said that although he is well now, he does not expect to be able to give the role the attention it requires over the next few years, and it was better to step aside now.

Doug ZL2TAR indicated to that he is happy to continue as FMTAG secretary.

We understand that Council is making enquiries about a tempory FMTAG chairman, and will advertise the postion and aims to have a new chairman very soon.

Council thanked David for his long invovlement and work in the role, and wished him the best.