Tauranga Hams: Connecting the Bay of Plenty on Air and In Person

Tauranga, NZ – For radio enthusiasts across the vibrant Bay of Plenty, the Tauranga amateur radio branch (Branch Number 39) serves as a dynamic hub for communication, technical exploration, and community engagement. With bi-monthly meetings and a robust network of repeaters, this dedicated group keeps the airwaves buzzing across the picturesque region.

While their meeting locations may vary, members and interested parties are always notified of the current venue. The club's postal address is 71 Paterson Street, Tauranga 3116.

Guiding the Waves: Dedicated Leadership and Technical Expertise

The Tauranga branch is led by a committed team of officers, ensuring both smooth club operations and a strong focus on crucial amateur radio functions:

• President: K.R. Hampshire (Callsign ZL1KRH) leads the branch, and can be reached at zl1krh@gmail.com.
• Secretary: P. Price (Callsign ZL1GI) handles the club's administration and can be contacted at pgprice7@gmail.com.

The club benefits from the expertise of its Branch Repeater Trustees, Neill Ellis (ZL1TAJ) and John Cullen (ZL1BVA). John Cullen (ZL1BVA) also serves as the Club Callsign Trustee and an Exam Supervisor (zl1bva@gmail.com), playing a crucial role in nurturing new talent. Another dedicated Exam Supervisor is W.J. Richardson (Callsign ZL1APD), reachable at bilric@kinect.co.nz.

Bi-Monthly Meetings and Extensive Repeater Network

The Tauranga branch offers a consistent schedule for its members to gather, learn, and connect:

• General Meetings: These are held bi-monthly on the second Thursday at 7:30 PM (February, April, June, August, October, December). As locations can vary, members are encouraged to stay informed through club communications.

Beyond in-person gatherings, the Tauranga branch maintains a highly active presence on the airwaves with an impressive array of repeaters, primarily located on Mt Minden:

• 2m FM Repeater: Operating on 146.800 MHz with a -600 kHz split.
• 70cm Digital Voice (DV) Repeater (Mt Minden - ZL1TPD C): This advanced repeater operates on 433.075 MHz with a +5 MHz split, supporting D-Star, Fusion, and DMR modes.
• 70cm Digital Voice (DV) Repeater (Papamoa - ZL1TPD B): Extending coverage to Papamoa, this repeater operates on 433.025 MHz with a +5 MHz split, also supporting D-Star, Fusion, and DMR modes.

This comprehensive repeater network allows for seamless local and regional communication, catering to a wide range of digital and analogue modes.

Whether you're a seasoned "ham" looking for a vibrant local community, an aspiring radio amateur keen to earn your license, or simply interested in the world of wireless communication and its technical advancements, the Tauranga amateur radio branch offers a welcoming and engaging environment.

For more details on the Tauranga amateur radio group and their activities, reach out to their dedicated officers or tune into their repeaters!