Ian ZL1OGX

Having been licensed since 1987, just a new comer, I was issued the call GM1XOG. I worked mostly on 6Mtrs.  Being very close to the magical DXCC with 15w for a long time out of a Yaesu FT690r plus a small linear and a HB9CV for the antenna.  I managed the VUCC with relative ease after all there was a big lift what with the upcoming solar max.

After several years of playing on 50Mhz a few of my friends whom I had gone through the RAE with pushed me into doing the morse assessment, after passing I held on to the GM1XOG and got MM3XOG to go with it.

Coming to ZL land in 2003, I just brought the VHF/UHF handy, all the rest of the kit was due to be packed into the container and shipped off.  Once the gear arrived I set about getting a proper ZL call.  I applied to the MED with all my documents from the UK and asking for ZL1XOG, only to be told that the ‘X’ series was not issued, at that time, so they moved the ‘x’ to the rear and gave me ZL1OGX.

Once all sorted I set about getting a G5RV up and digging out the radio from the container stuff, the XYL was a bit miffed that the station was almost the first thing unpacked.

I have to say that operating from ZL has been interesting, you don’t quite have 50 – 60 DXCC countries on your door step, band conditions are totally different to what I experienced in GM land, it’s been a learning curve.

The Diamond CP-6 Multiband Vertical

So today I still use the rig I brought over an Icom IC-706Mk2 with its ATU the AT-180 added a Heil mic to it.  The antenna has changed to a Diamond CP-6 vertical, the wife was complaining about the number of wires about the section.

Currently I’m sitting at 176 worked countries, yes not a lot but not too bad with 100w and a vertical and having to go to the office.  Also I’m playing about with digital modes at the moment, it’s fun working EU on 20-30w.

Also in some of my spare time I look after the website of Branch 29 – NorthShore, www.qsl.net/zl1ab if you want a wee look.

QSL Direct, Bureau or LoTW

73 Ian, ZL1OGX

Mike, ZL2CC at the ZM4T Contest Site

I was born back in 1945 in Nottingham England, my interest in radio started when I was about 5 years old. My father bought me a crystal set kit for my birthday. It didn’t work so was sent back. (lots of my experimental/home brewing has ended up like this) HI. My next brush with radio was when I was about 14. I joined the Army Cadet Force. Our regiment was the Royal Gloucester Hussars, and besides shooting for the regiment at Bisley, I also trained as a radio operator. I loved it and became quite efficient at ‘netting’ (zero beating) the No19 set well before the ‘net now’ was given. I wasn’t so keen on operating the No9 set. This was a portable???? backpack set that with batteries weighed a ton. Then as always with young lads other things came along, like girls and cars. Emigration, marriage and family then meant that until the 1980’s radio never came back into my life. That was when the family went to the UK for a working holiday.

CB radio came to the UK in the 80’s and after a dabble with this very restricted (in those days) form of communication and experimenting with antennas for CB, I looked at becoming a Ham. I took the City and Guilds Radio Examination in 1983 and took out a licence in 1984, when I could afford a rig. I was licenced as G1NFD and restricted to above 30 MHz. No problem. I had fun with RTTY and SSTV on vhf mainly mobile, along with DFing until I took the CW test and obtained full privileges in 1989. I then became G0LBP and had all bands covered from home, until I met Phil, now ZL2RVW. Phil was by then a DXer and contester and persuaded me to give it a try and after a visit by members of the local club to Germany, we formed a contest club with a few others. Phil has emigrated to ZL and we are now back in friendly competition. With the skills Phil taught me and from reading books on DXing, I find I can crack most pileups if they are running split. An efficient station now became the priority. Most antennas came down and I concentrated on the 15M band from home and the contest club tried most contests but concentrated on 160M and VHF contests. By choosing the contests we stood a chance in, we did win or become highly placed in a lot of contests and formed relationships with several good contesters.

Upon returning to New Zealand in 1996, I was given the call of ZL2CC and when my ex-wife (a Gisborne girl) returned to the UK, I took up radio a bit more seriously. After meeting and marrying an amateur friendly woman, things started to move. I found that a mono band antenna is 10db better than a tri-bander and there is no substitute for height. I now run a 3 ele mono for 20m, a 2 ele mono for 17m and a 160m Carolina Windom for 40 thru’ 160m.
Radio interests are DXing, Contesting and antennas. Station is capable of HF psk31, rtty, SSTV, JT65as well as ssb and a little cw. Also UHF, VHF packet and APRS. You may see me on PSK31 on 30m, or JT65 any band including 160m.

Mike Looking for Multipliers at ZM4T

My antennas consist of three element mono band beams for 20m and 17m at approx 50ft, a Carolina Windom for 160m thru’ 10m at 50ft plus 80m single loop quad SW/NE and 40m single loop quad SW/NE. Rigs are FT757GX for data and FT1000d for main HF with an Ameritron AL811 amp. IC725 for portable/back up use. I am a member of ARRL, NZART, CDXC and the Pacific DXers. Ex-writer of the DX section of the NZART magazine ‘Break-In’ and a proud member of the East Coast Contesters ZM4T. I was honoured to be a member of the ZL7T DXpedition to Chatham Island 2009. I also run a local LPFM radio station. “Radio Waihora” on 88.3 MHz.
While I still tell newcomers to concentrate on a good antenna and forget the linear, I do run a small 811 linear sometimes.

I have been Chairman of the Loughborough Radio club in the UK and President of the Gisborne club. I was an exam tutor and registered novice tutor in the UK, and have strong views on the old novice system and the new UK and VK foundation licence. I believe that when we dropped CW as the gateway to HF, we should have replaced it with a staged examination.

As I said at the start, I am a part time DXer. Radio is just one of my hobbies. I am also a member of the local pistol club and American Car club. My skills are also varied being an A grade motor mechanic, heavy truck driver, building services design engineer and alarm technician. I am always willing to learn something new or different, and run PSK, RTTY and pactor However, I very rarely work local stations other than the local repeater, but who knows? Maybe I’ll hear you on top band one Sunday night as I chat to ZL2RS, a local ham on 1855.

BCNU Mike ZL2CC
DXCC count still climbing.
Te Karaka, nr Gisborne.

Barry (Baz) is an old timer with a wealth of knowledge from the “Old days” Most old timers have. He was born in New Zealand in 1935 and has been a ham for most of his life with a wide range of interests including HF CW DXing and contesting. boat anchor vintage radios, home building gear especially antennas. He collects morse keys and headphones and is a member of FISTS#9026, Other interests :Food & wine, music,literature,aviation, travel. He has sailed the South Pacific extensively, also US West Coast, Western Mediterranean. He has two adult daughters (fine arts graduates) one in Chiangmai, other in London.

For many years Barry operated from his Homestay on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. His wonderful location known as “Signal Hill” was a superb DX location as shown below.

Signal Hill looking out over the Hauraki Gulf

BArry, ZL1DD looking for DX

He was first licensed in 1953 but the pressures of family and work kept him from being very active on radio much of his life. Moving to Waiheke gave him the opportunity to set up his dream radio station and he enjoyed sharing it with others. He had a Yaesu FT1000D, Viewstar 2x 3-500z Linear amplifier and a Toshiba laptop.

The Giant Force 12 Antenna

The antennas were a Force 12 C-4SXL rotary beam, two elements on 10,15,20, and 40m with15m tower. Site is 90m above the beach and the station got out very well. 80m used a dipole at 20m fed with 450 ohm ladder line to antenna tuners so he could work all HF bands with this antenna.

Barry had a dedicated radio shack with a bed and an extensive radio library,
including QST collection back to 1928. There was a well equipped home workshop for radio and general construction, repair and maintenance. He worked mainly HF CW and Waiheke Island (OC201) and it was in demand from DX stations. He entertained many overseas visitors during his stay there including Bob Whelan, the President of RSGB in 2002 G3PJT alias ZL4CC working the 2001 Commonwealth Contest. He came sixth overall, best score from Oceania.

Overseas radio visitors to date include: Jukka OH2BR, Hans SM3TLG, Bill K6KM, Bob G3PJT, Kevin VK3DAP, Nico PA0MIR, John W1CU (ZL1/W1CU) Barry operated overseas with calls such as G4COP, GW4COP, A35CN, ZK1CM, ZM1BN/A as well as ZL1BN/W, ZL1BN/VE etc. For much of his radio life his callsign was ZL1BN. When his old friend Bert ZL1DD went SK his family asked him to take the callsign Bert’s family have been on the island since pioneer days and his father before him was the first ever holder of the callsign.

Barry has been in Thailand since 2006. Unfortunately there is no reciprocal license in HS so he has operated from RAST club station HS0AC in Bangkok That station was destroyed in floods but a new station will hopefully be operational again soon. He has been helping to build the HS0ZIA new super station out of Chiangmia and also on team working contests from there. In 2011 he got call XU7AEL and operated from Sihanoukville for 3 months in 2012. Rumour has it that Barry may try Vietnam 2014. He will be returning to ZL in 2013 to stay with his old mate Ken at ZL1AIH/ ZM1A.

73 de Baz

A LIFETIME HOBBY THAT HAS NEVER WANED

Over 60 years ago I heard about Amateur Radio while attending the PN Boys’ High School where I met the late Phil Howell (ZL3 ?) then science master, who introduced a small group of keen young students to the hobby after school one afternoon a week in the science lab. It was around that time local hams were receiving their gear back and permission to operate after World War 2. I was particularly thrilled to hear them on my home built “Hiker’s Two” with plug-in coils for the short wave bands. Later to be replaced by a 4 valve TRF receiver.

After High School, a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship, motorcycling, cars and social activities took precedence and it was 1954 before I finally managed the Ham ticket on my second attempt, CW and the eventual HF permit followed as did the home construction of receivers and transmitters from original AM into the SSB era. Many hours were spent in construction and I guess the separate SSB receiver and homebrew filter transmitter was the greatest challenge. I worked over 200 DXCC countries with this equipment. It was 1975 before I picked up a trashed Drake TR3 and after a week was on the air with that which started a ‘love affair’ with Drake gear which I still use daily. I must acknowledge the helpful advice I got during the homebrew AM years from the late Gary McDonell ZL2SO and in SSB from many groups who gathered in the evenings in those early years on 80m to help one another.

Bitten by the incurable DX chasing disease, required better antennas, operating all hours just to accumulate piles of QSL’s and a few more awards on the wall.

After 28 years of carpentry and back trouble I went back to night school for advanced qualifications, which opened new job opportunities, became a building inspector for a short period then finished my working years as a Polytech lecturer in Construction for 19 years.
48 years ago I married my wife Jill we have four boys who are all married and working in different parts of the world.

I have always tried to keep the hobby in perspective and not let it interfere with the more important things in life, none of the family have really been interested in the hobby as such. I think they feel one is enough. All but the first 3 years of my life have been spent at the same address, here antenna erection has not been a problem but who can guess what is ahead in the next sun spot cycle.

73, Bryan ZL2AFT

Ted Minchin ZL1MT

Back in the 1970s, RTTY was a hot subject on the ham radio scene as commercial interests dumped their metal monsters and went “glass” That’s how I first met Ted. A mutual friend Dick Boulton, ZL1FL was a great fan of the green keys and had a Selcal system operating on 3545 khz 24/7. Once a week the NZ Amateur Radio Teletype Society had a weekly net of 20 or 30 ZLs where ideas were exchanged and plots were hatched. Ted was ZL1BOY then and in league with Dick to liberate as many machines as possible from the Post Office.

Ted just loved the machinery and could really make the old Creeds hum. Or should I say rattle and hum. Not only was Ted into the Teletype machines but he also had an interest in all things mechanical, electrical or electronic. Eventually RTTY was overtaken by technology and the teletype group folded and we all went our separate ways. Over many years we always used to compete for bargains at the various junk sales and Ted and I enjoyed each other’s company often over a cup of coffee. When I became quite ill in 2001 Ted rang me and said “Hey no worries Lee, I had the same thing many years ago and have undergone the same treatment as you. You’ll be fine.” I needed that and Ted gave me a call every now and then to see how I was doing and offer encouragement. Ironically, his illness came back during the last 18 months and it I was able to offer encouragement to him. We last met on the day of the Cambridge Junk sale at his home and he was desperately ill but still thinking about ham radio and interested in what was on offer. We will miss him. He was one of the “nice guys” of ham radio and will be long remembered. Ted passed away on 27th May, 2006

Rob – ZL2US

I was born in New Zealand in 1950 and now live near Napier at Pakowhai in Hawke’s Bay on the East coast of the North Island. The area is one of the best fruit and wine growing regions in the world and the climate is great with summer temperatures around 25C daily and over 2300 hours of sunshine a year. Life is good with at least 40 wineries in the area

The equipment at ZL2US currently consists of an Icom 756 Pro, Icom 746 Pro, an Ameritron amplifier with Icom VHF and UHF radios. Antennas include a TH6DXX, TH3, 6M yagi for HF on a 70′ foldover mast, a full wave 160 metre horizontal loop and dipoles for LF. The antenna farm is shared with my sheep on 2 acres.

Antenna System at ZL2US

Licensed as ZL2RFL in 2005, I recently changed to ZL2US. In 2012 In managed to place a new DXCC certificate up on the wall and currently am working towards 200 countries. Although I do work DX when it’s around the majority of my amateur radio contacts are casual ragchewing and socializing with my friends. I belong to NZART Hawkes Bay Branch 13. The sea not too far from us is a good place for my other hobby of fishing out on my 26′ Bayliner in Hawke Bay. My wife Sue is also a ham ( ZL2DC ) and we have 2 sons in their early 30s and 4 grandchildren.

73 es Happy DXing

Rob

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Chris ZL2DX has been an active DXer and contester, originally with the ZM2K team.  He has operated under his own call from ZL7, ZL8 and ZL9 from his postings with the Department of Conservation to these islands in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Chris is a member of the ARRL A-1 Operators Club, a founding member of the ZM2K Contest Team and was a team member of the ZL8RI DXpedition to Raoul Island in 1996.  He is currently very active on EME with more than 60 countries worked on 2 metres“off the moon”.

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I developed an interest in electronics/electrics around 10 yrs old… dissecting perfectly functioning torches and radios… became a ham at age 26 years and 44 before obtaining an HF licence. Slow learner… huh…

I have two mentors, ZL4OW Stan and W0WOI (ex-W5USM) Bill. Both offered great encouragement and always had time to talk thru my silly questions. My first contact with ham radio came when I visited ZL4OW at his shack at about age 14. He even let me talk to an Aussie. I followed the SW/MW listening version of DXing for almost 30 years. Then fellow MW/SW DXer and correspondent of mine for several year, Bill Smith stayed with us for a week. He convinced me to learn CW and get on HF.

I began practicing the arduous 5 wpm and was in the throes of making a date with the Otago Branch boys to sit the test when word came out that the CW requirement was to be dropped… I thought it would be a shame to waste all that practice so went ahead and passed to test anyway.

First VHF set-up as ZL4TFX was an Icom IC22A and a home-brew 4 element yagi, later progressing to a damn good 5/8 colinear. First HF set-up was a Kenwood TS830S and Supreme (yuk!) 3 element monobander. Now, I have a pretty good set-up, an Icom IC746PRO, 3 element Steppir up 10m and a 12m vertical combined with an SGC coupler.

Future plans are dictated by solar events. An 80 metre long centre-fed dipole from a portable operation sloping down from a convenient clifftop approx 60 m high… I figure that with the sunspot cycle declining, the higher freqs will become deserted so I need to spend more time on the top band etc. The cliff-top operation is a temporary solution and I might get to use it for a week a time at most.

My interest is the challenge of working towards goals, e.g. DXCC, contesting etc but nothing beats when a DX station answers your CQ call… e.g. 7Q7BP calling me on 30m!

I’ve only been seriously hamming for a couple of years and my very tolerant wife hasn’t called in the lawyers… yet. Seriously, the hobby answers my passion for radio and there are many branches an interested hobbyist can go down to find some enjoyment. You can even find something enjoyable related to the hobby without even owning a radio.

My contemporaries are anyone who works DX first and ragchews later… much later…

I have two boys, 13 and 16, and a partner who have no interest whatsoever in ham radio. If I wasn’t into radio, I’d be playing lots of golf… and I guess they prefer I was totally absorbed with the  former. At least, with ham radio, I am at home and can be prised away from the set for fatherly/husbandly duties.

73, Paul ZL4PW

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I was born in Lincoln, England in 1934 and at the age of 15 I joined the Royal Navy and trained for 16 months as a Telegraphist  and passed out at 25wpm before going to sea this was very handy as some of the area broadcasts reached 30-35 wpm depending on the amount of tfc they had. At this time , morse was the only means of communication at sea except for a small amount of VHF close range voice so CW became a second language. During my time in the Navy, apart from shipboard operating, I spent 3 years at Capetown Radio/ZSC and 18 months at Singapore/GYL  mostly ship/shore operating 100% cw. When I finished with the Navy I came to NZ and worked for a while with NZPO and then moved to Waiouru at HMNZS Irirangi as a civilian operator and it was during this time that two of my workmates Rex/ZL2ASM and Bill/ZL2VS coaxed me into taking the exam, I passed and received a Grade 1 certificate in 1970 as ZL2AQK.

My first rig was an old ZC1 11 watts of chirp and it took me 3 hours to get my first DX, a VK2, rst 33? if I remember correctly but the seed was sown. I did graduate to an EICO720 40 watts CW TX with a Collins 51J4 RX and a G5RV before I was posted to Melbourne and became VK3AYO with a TS820s and a vertical. Apart from award hunting I got the VKDXCC certificate. I returned and settled in Marton where I at last got a beam and started DX’ing seriously and received my  ARRL DXCC award in 1982.  My original call was re-issued whilst I was overseas but I was lucky that Bill was transferring to ZL1 and I was able to get ZL2VS. I spent many sleepless hours working the rare ones and finally got #1 on the Honor Roll. I then turned my attention to IOTA and before I pulled the big plug for good I received the coveted 750 Plaque from RSGB only the second one in NZ  (Ramon/ZL1ARY was first) and 89^th issued in the world. I finished with almost 900 confirmed. I did a solo dxpedition to Chatham Island as ZM7VS clocked up almost 6,000 QSO’s in 10 days 75%cw. I was very happy to give some EU’s their first Chatham contacts. The highlight of my time as a ham was my solo participation in the Cyclone Val affair when I was the only comms in and out of Apia for about 5 days, a very exhausting but rewarding experience. I was very proud to receive the Certificate of Merit from NZART for this operation.

73/88 de Dusty was ZL2VS

Note from Lee ZL2AL: Dusty achieved No. Honour roll and has now given up Amateur Radio and is into breeding and keeping songbirds

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