The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters

13/05/2026

New Zealand's oldest amateur radio contest runs this Saturday 16th May for the 99th time. After a survey last year, a rule change to a one-night format is in place for 2026. This is to recognise the changes in operators availability and to modernise the contest to ensure it remains strong. The contest will take place on Saturday 16th May 2026 from 8pm NZST to 11pm NZST. The rules are here. https://nzart.org.nz/activities/contests/sangster-shield/

With 23 CW ops taking part in the recent Autumn Sprints, this is an opportunity to build on that. Think of it as 6 Sprints in a row! Or as Mark ZL3AB puts it, the Sangster ODI to the Sprints T20! 5W CW is plenty on 80m, see how many VKs you can work for double points!

The Sangster Shield Centenary is coming up in 2027, lets make 2026 a ripper!
Branch trophy: TONY FLETCHER (ZL2ALJ) MEMORIAL TROPHY. Top three entrants from each branch.

Any questions, contact me or Contest Manager Glenn ZL2KZ

73 and good luck in the contest,
Geoff ZL3GA

NZART Sangster Shield Presented to the amateurs of New Zealand by Ralph Sangster in 1927. It is NZART’s longest standing amateur contest. Ralph intended that the shield be awarded annually to the CW station obtaining the highest score in a low power contest. In this respect it should be pointed ou...

17/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H8axVeY4D/

Contact upcoming with New Zealand!

Students at Diamond Harbour School in Christchurch will talk live with Jack Hathaway on the ISS via ham radio.

Scheduled for Monday 20 April at 09:51 UTC | 5:51 AM ET | 9:51 PM NZST via IK1SLD telebridge.

Listen in Europe on 145.800 MHz.

11/04/2026

11/04/2026

As Cyclone Vaianu continues to move south, it is forecast to bring extremely strong winds, heavy rain and large swells to large parts of New Zealand over the weekend.

This storm has the potential to be a significant and damaging event. We know this will be unwelcome news for communities that have recently been affected by severe weather and are still recovering.

More rain falling on ground that’s already saturated, means impacts like fallen trees, landslides, flooding and dangerous river conditions are more likely.

Please stay safe in severe weather. If life, health or property is in danger, call 111 immediately.

During a storm, stay inside. Don't walk around outside. Don't drive unless necessary. Strong winds can fell trees and poles, tear off roofs, and cause branches and debris to fly at high speed.

Put safety first. Don’t take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.

Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater.

If you see a landslide, move out of its path and stay away from it. It is important to recognise the warning signs and act quickly.

When it is safe to do so, check on your neighbours and anyone who might need your help.

For advice on how to prepare for dangerous winds and severe weather visit GetReady.govt.nz

For local emergency updates, check your council's and Civil Defence Emergency Management Group’s websites and social media.

06/04/2026

The day you have all been waiting for (surely) has arrived with the ZL Sprints starting tonight (Tuesday) 7 April at 0800z (8pm NZST) and running every Tuesday in April.

It's 30min of CW followed by 30min of SSB and then 30min FT4 all on 80m.

Try to work as many stations as you can in any or all of the periods. Each mode is counted separately and you can work a station once per mode.

We are also running an additional NZART branch competition. Simply send me your branch number with your log and the scores from each branch will be added together. Obviously the more points you gain the bigger the branch score and a chance for branch bragging rights.

Make sure you send me your log after each round.

Remember also the best comments are published with the results.

More fun than having a malfunctioning toilet in space.

The rules are here:
https://nzart.org.nz/activities/contests/sprints/

73, Mark ZL3AB

ZL Autumn and Winter Sprints Objects: For amateur radio stations to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible within the 1.5 hour time limit To improve operator skills To have fun! Results ZL Sprints Results When: Each Tuesday in April and August:0800-0829 UTC (2000-2029 NZST) CW only...

28/03/2026

Just a reminder that the Low Band Contest is in two weeks on the 11/12th of April.
As per the rules it is this year on the 2nd weekend in April as Easter
falls on the 1st weekend.
73, Greg
ZL1GSG

VHF and Above Contests A number of popular VHF, UHF, SHF and EHF contests are run every year. Below are the rules applied to those contests, and you can find the dates for upcoming VHF and up contests in the NZART Contest Calendar Results from previous years contests are under the link to the right,...