Upper Hutt Hams: A Weekly Hub for Communication and Technical Advancement

Upper Hutt, NZ – For radio enthusiasts in the Upper Hutt region, the Upper Hutt amateur radio branch (Branch Number 63) stands as a vibrant and exceptionally active hub for communication, technical exploration, and community engagement. With weekly meetings and a sophisticated array of repeaters covering various bands and digital modes, this dedicated group keeps the airwaves buzzing and fosters a thriving local "ham" community.

The club holds its gatherings at the Rural Fire Station, located at 18 Park Street, Upper Hutt 5018. This accessible venue provides a comfortable space for their frequent meetings. For postal correspondence, their address is PO Box 57238, Porirua 5247.

Dedicated Leadership and Extensive Technical Management

The Upper Hutt branch is guided by a committed team of officers who ensure smooth club operations and a strong focus on crucial amateur radio functions, particularly in maintaining their extensive repeater network and promoting contesting:

• President, Repeater Admin & Club Callsign Trustee: M.S. Gooding (Callsign ZL2UFI) leads the branch, oversees the technical administration of their repeaters, and manages the club's on-air identity. He can be reached at mark@foxtrot.co.nz.
• Secretary & Repeater Trustee & Exam Supervisor: J.E. Southam (Callsign ZL2UGL) handles the club's administration, contributes to repeater maintenance, and guides new aspirants into the hobby. He can be contacted at justin.southam@xtra.co.nz.
• Treasurer & Exam Supervisor: G.F. Smith (Callsign ZL2ACT) manages the club's finances and is also an active Exam Supervisor. He can be reached at gavinfsmith63@gmail.com.
• Repeater Trustee: John Wysocki (Callsign ZL2TWS) is a key figure in managing the club's repeater infrastructure. He is also listed as a Repeater Trustee (possibly for the Climie 730 node). He can be reached at zl2tws@wysocki.nz.
• Contest Manager & Exam Supervisor: Steven Gilberd (Callsign ZL4NT) orchestrates the club's participation in amateur radio contests and is a dedicated Exam Supervisor. He can be reached at steve@erayd.net.

Weekly Meetings and Advanced Repeater Network

The Upper Hutt branch offers an exceptional level of engagement with its frequent meeting schedule:

• General Meetings: Held every Friday night at 7:30 PM NZT at the Rural Fire Station. These weekly gatherings are a fantastic opportunity for members to discuss club news, share technical insights, work on projects, and socialize.
• Committee Meetings: Held as required, indicating a flexible but responsive governance structure.

The club boasts an impressive array of advanced repeater systems, primarily located on Climie, a significant site for radio communications:

• IRLP Node 6713: Available on the Climie 730 repeater.
• D-STAR: Available on Climie 5425 and Climie 860.
• 23 cm Repeater: Available on Climie 1292.
• 6 m Repeater: Available on Climie 53.950 MHz.

This diverse repeater network caters to various operating modes and bands, providing extensive coverage and connectivity for members across the region.

Fostering New Talent: Dedicated Exam Supervisors

The Upper Hutt branch is highly committed to fostering new talent, boasting a strong team of Exam Supervisors ready to guide aspiring radio amateurs through the licensing process:

• Steven Gilberd (Callsign ZL4NT), steve@erayd.net
• G.F. Smith (Callsign ZL2ACT), gavinfsmith63@gmail.com
• J.E. Southam (Callsign ZL2UGL), justin.southam@xtra.co.nz
• M.J. Wills (Callsign ZL2IQ), murray@murraywills.com

Whether you're a seasoned "ham" looking for a highly active local community, an aspiring radio amateur keen to earn your license, or simply interested in the cutting-edge of wireless communication, the Upper Hutt amateur radio branch offers a welcoming and engaging environment.

For more details on the Upper Hutt amateur radio group and their activities, visit their website at https://zl2vh.nz/ or drop by their club rooms on a Friday evening!