Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Various Wellington AREC Sections will be working together to support this multisport event on Sunday 3 April 2016. The event is being arranged by Ross ZL2UAC. The event web site is here:
http://poriruagrandtraverse.co.nz/
More than 20 DMR portables and mobiles will be used for this event on the AREC ZL-TRBO network ZK talkgroup.
At the SIG for July 2015 Code plug update and overview the new ZL-TRBO codeplug structure was presented by Jeff ZL2JG. These codeplug are now available at AREC.info Downloads for download.
A description of the various talkgroups are available at the AREC DMR Network page. Lastly some interesting links have been put up on the Event & Links page of the AREC.info website.
Since the DMR system was set up at Colonial Knob, a number of enhancements and extensions have occurred. The code plugs determine the radio front panel channel setup, and changes have been made to make the radio easier to use when moving around the Wellington region, to support new DMR repeaters, and allow for the upcoming frequency changes. Support for the analogue channels has been made within the local zone, and plenty of channels added to make the radios usable in a number of situations.
Two news items this month worth sharing. The first is a great story that appeared in The Dominion Post and available here:
Using the Spark free WiFi zones for Internet access
Need a digital radio hotspot for an AREC operation, a demonstration at a branch meeting, or something like the recent VHF Convention?
Telecom, now Spark, operate a network of more than 1,000 WiFi access points conveniently located on many public telephone call boxes around the country. The commercial terms of the service are essentially free WiFi for Spark on-account mobile customers subject to a 1GB limit per day for up to five devices per account.
AREC has a public facing website AREC Today with general interest stories designed to inform non-amateurs about AREC and what we do. It's also designed to highlight interesting material for key stakeholders, such as the AREC SLA partners including the Rescue Coordination Centre RCCNZ, Police, and NZ SAR.
The AREC AGM was held on Thursday 30 October. At the meeting John ZL4JY presented a report on the activity over the past year, summarized below.
Introduction
Most of the Group's AREC activity is in support of SAR and Police, our contribution is set out below. Members have supported neighbouring branches, including a dedicated AREC evening at Titahi Bay Branch 42. The Group continues to assist with the Wellington Wander Search supporting Police searching for missing Alzheimer's suffers.
The AREC Management Team arrived on site at the Branch 46 Clubrooms shared with SAR in sunny Masterton this morning to find a real SAR operation underway! National Director Jeff Sayer ZL4JS welcomed visitors while managing search comms on a VHF handheld.
John ZL4JY Area Manager Central was on hand to represent our interests with area managers from Northern, Southern, and Midlands (ZK1, ZK8, ZK9, and ZK4 call areas).
