What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur Radio, also affectionally known as “Ham Radio”, is
a hobby of constructing, experimenting, and communicating
with radio equipment.
In New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (Radio Spectrum Management) issues
licenses
to Radio Hams. Once licensed, an amateur can operate radio
equipment from home, from their vehicles or from anywhere
in New Zealand. Several radio frequencies have been set
aside for Amateur Radio. Using these frequencies any
amateur radio operator can talk across town or around
the world.
The scope and possibilities are endless – from talking
across town to your local repeater, to operating in
international contests or talking through Amateur
Radio satellites.
Who can be Hams?
Anyone can become a Ham, there is no age limit or any other
barrier to becoming a Ham. Some famous Musicians, Actors,
Kings and Prime Ministers are Hams, but most are people from
all walks of life who like communicating and experimenting with
radio
and electronics. Young people find Amateur Radio a great
training ground, older people find “Ham Radio” an absorbing
retirement hobby.
Amateur Radio is more than a hobby, it is also a service. Hams
willingly contribute their time, equipment, and
operating skills
whenever the need arises, especially during Civil Defence
emergencies as well as search and rescue operations. The
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) are a
subgroup of NZART that assists emergency communications
for the Emergency Services.
How do I become a Ham?
Passing a Ham license is quite easy. For an Amateur Radio
license, you need to correctly answer at least forty out
of sixty questions from a multi-choice question paper.
The questions cover radio theory and regulations. A
good way to start is to download
the study guides from here
NZART Study Guides and
you can also download the public domain
question generator at NZART Question Generator.
As a newly licensed Ham you will be able to operate
on amateur bands below 5MHz or above 25MHz.
After
three months operation and with fifty logged contacts you
will be able to operate on all New Zealand amateur bands
including those between 5 MHz and 25MHz.
Where do I get more information?
The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Inc.) is
a non-profit association of Amateur Radio Operators. NZART
has branches and instructors in most of the larger cities
and towns. For more information on Amateur Radio and
details of a club near
you, check out the
NZART website
or contact The Business Manager at NZART Headquaters,
via email
Business Manager
Regulations - The rules Explained
Take a look at the process on what you need to know with the
regulations, for establishing and operating an Amateur Radio Station in
New Zealand, and what to do once you have passed your exam.
This also list's the frequencies and bands, you are allowed to operate
in. Click on the link below.
Regulation Procedures
PLEASE NOTE:
At the time I added this PDF link, it was the latest version I found.
This is for reference only, I have found that some links found inside
this pdf are no longer working. As NZART do updates from time to time,
please check that the information you have seen is still current
and valid. Please do advise me if you do come across a later version
or if any changes are found.
My contact details are below.
Papakura Radio Club ZL1VK Branch 65
As I am a member of this radio club, if you would like to join our club or you would like more information about the
Papakura Radio Club, on who we are etc, you can contact via email ZL1VK
our club secretary Ian Ashley ZL1AOX
Thank you for visiting my website. I can be contacted by clicking on
my mail-to link below or via qrz.com under either of my New Zealand
callsigns
