NZART Southland Branch 37

10/05/2026

28/03/2026

Hi everyone 👋

Our April newsletter is out now—check it out for all the latest updates!

📅 Next Club Meeting
Join us at the club rooms 14th April at 7:30 PM for a hands-on demonstration by Matchil ZL4AH, showcasing his flower pot antenna. Should be a great night!

🔧 Sunday Club Open Days
We’re now opening the club rooms every Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Come along to work on projects, have a yarn, or jump on the club shack and get on air in a relaxed setting.

📻 Equipment for Sale (on behalf of Crosbie ZL4CHS)
We’ve got a range of gear available, including:
• Icom IC-751A HF Transceiver
• Home-built power supply
• Yaesu FT-707 HF Transceiver
• Eddystone Model S.640
• Plus other bits and pieces

If anything catches your eye, flick me a message with an offer. There’ll also be a viewing window tomorrow (Sunday) from 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

20/03/2026

Joeys Island POTA Activation

A bit of a different kind of adventure today! Daniel headed out to Joeys Island to take part in something called Parks On The Air (POTA) – a worldwide amateur radio activity where operators set up in parks or special locations and make contacts with people all over the world.

Using a portable radio and antenna, he was able to talk to other radio enthusiasts from the island, all while enjoying some incredible conditions and scenery.

Getting there was half the fun – he definitely wasn’t expecting to be wading waist deep through the water to reach the island! 😄

It’s a great mix of technology, the outdoors, and a bit of adventure – and a cool way to connect with people across the globe from a pretty special spot right here in Southland.

07/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AeNvdnmYQ/

26/01/2026

RNZ interviews Warren Harris ZL2AJ about amateur radio!

After two on a Monday means it's time to hit the clubs! Jesse has chatted to the Hawkes Bay Racing Lawnmower Club ... the Christchurch Quilters... Manawatu Cactus and Succulent Society among others. If you have a club you'd like Jesse to join for the day, please get in touch .. we'd love to hear fro...

14/10/2025

Last night, the radio club had a fascinating visit to the Leipzig Aerosol and Cloud Remote Observations System (LACROS) and MetService weather station at Invercargill Airport! Huge thanks to Mike Bailey and the Tropos team for sharing their amazing work with us. The setups were truly fascinating! 🌤️

20/09/2025

We're saddened to share the news of Neville Checketts ZL4OX's passing. Neville left us yesterday at 11am at Southland Hospital, surrounded by the echoes of a remarkable life dedicated to amateur radio and community.

Neville's journey with Branch 37 began in 1957, back when he was still at intermediate school – what an early start to a lifelong passion! He was part of memorable moments like the annual SAREX at Mid Dome, operating CW on 3900KHz with an ARC-5 transmitter and a ZC1 on 5680KHz – showcasing his early skills in AREC. Neville played a pivotal role in nurturing newcomers: he helped start beginners' classes in 1969 at the clubrooms on Thursday nights, continued tutoring at Southland Polytechnic from 1981, and saw the circle complete when classes returned to the new clubrooms in 1991. His leadership was outstanding – Neville stepped into the role of AREC Section Leader in December 1973 following Alan Frame's (ZL4GA) passing, serving until 2012. He was instrumental in big projects like securing a new communications van (on the road by November 1974) and championing the club's new home – presenting a proposal in 1989, chairing the building committee, and celebrating the official opening on 27 July 1991. Radio classes there helped bring a steady stream of new members. Neville was deeply valued by the community: he was awarded Life Membership of the Southland Branch and served in various roles, including as a Councillor for NZART in 1976. His legacy is one of dedication, friendship, and growing the amateur radio spirit in Southland.

Our thoughts are with Neville's family and friends. He'll be remembered fondly by many for his contributions and warm involvement in the amateur radio community.

29/08/2025

IT'S HAM CRAM TIME! 🚨📻 The 2025 Southland Ham Cram course is underway!

29/06/2025

Join the World of Amateur Radio!

Discover the exciting world of amateur radio and unlock new possibilities:

• Communicate globally, even without internet or cell phone coverage
• Play a vital role in emergency communications, search & rescue, and civil defence
• Support your community and events through public service
• Build and test your own electronics projects
• Explore amateur radio satellites
• Get started without breaking the bank – no expensive equipment required!

HamCram Weekend Course

Join our upcoming HamCram course in Invercargill and take the first step towards obtaining your Amateur Radio License.

Course Details:

• Date: 30th & 31st August 2025
• Cost: $30 (registration required, link: https://shorturl.at/PGviw)
• What to expect: Basic instruction in radio and electronics, self-study, and an opportunity to take the Amateur Radio Exam.
• License Fee: $80 (lifetime Amateur Radio Licence, including first-year’s NZART membership) Free for students under 20.

Don’t miss out! Register now and start your amateur radio journey!

13/06/2025

NZART Southland is thrilled to see the SBHS Radio Club roaring back to life! We're happy to support the next gen of radio enthusiasts and can't wait to see what the future holds for these young upcoming Ham's. Big thanks to John Taylor for his awesome donation - it's fantastic to see the community coming together to nurture young talent!

Did you know that Southland Boys' High School once had an active Radio Club? The first record of it appears in the Southlandian of 1965.

We’re excited to announce that the SBHS Radio Club is making a comeback! Tyrone McLeod (Year 11) will be leading the new group as we bring this tradition back to life.

A heartfelt thank you to Daniel Erickson, Secretary of the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) and AREC, for his generous donation of two two-way radios, three chargers, two mini radios, and other equipment to support the (re)launch of the club.