In the shadow of the Richmond Ranges, the Nelson Amateur Radio Club (Branch 26) has been quietly connecting New Zealand's top of the south since 1958. Based at the Enner Glynn Scout Hall, this vibrant group blends old-school radio craft with modern digital innovation, serving everyone from maritime operators to backcountry trampers.
Monthly Meetups with Mountain Views
The club maintains a packed calendar:
📅 3rd Wednesday monthly (Feb-Nov): General meetings at 7:30pm
💻 1st Wednesday: Committee sessions via Skype
📍 Enner Glynn Scout Hall, Tuckett Place - where the airwaves meet Abel Tasman vistas
"Half our members could be checking in from yachts in the Sounds or huts in Kahurangi," laughs President Steve Robinson ZL2STR. "That's the beauty of radio here."
On-Air Connections
Nelson's unique geography inspires their net schedule:
🌄 Sunday 9am: HF net on 3890kHz (reaching the West Coast)
🌊 Sunday 8:15pm: VHF net on 7025kHz (linking coastal communities)
📱 Facebook Group: Real-time updates for 120+ members
Emergency Readiness
The club's AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications) team, led by Eric Humphries ZL2HEM, provides:
✅ Civil Defence coordination support
✅ Repeater maintenance across challenging terrain
✅ Storm response training with local emergency services
Youth & Licensing
With Connor Brennan ZL4XY as Youth Officer, Branch 26 is nurturing next-gen talent:
🎓 Exam sessions supervised by five accredited instructors
🛠️ Hands-on workshops at Nelson MakerSpace
📡 School STEM programs demonstrating radio science
Join the Airwaves
Visit: 3rd Wednesdays at Enner Glynn Scout Hall
Contact: Secretary Topsy Scott ZL2LS (zl2ls@outlook.com)
Details: Branch26 Blog
In a region where mobile coverage remains patchy, these radio enthusiasts keep Nelson connected - proving that sometimes the most reliable technology isn't 5G, but good old-fashioned radio waves.
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[Did You Know?]
The club's Sunday HF net regularly reaches Antarctica via skywave propagation. Their ZL2BHF trustee callsign has been used for special events commemorating local aviation history.
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