News

• 2019 - What a SAREX. Whanganui/Taranaki Combined
• 2019 - Conference Group photo
• 2019 - Life Membership for Rosemary Boshier ZL1RO
• 2019 - Obituary for Celia Reed ZL1ALK
• 2017 - Thelma Souper Contest Results
• 2017 - Myrtle Earland WARO Achievement Award

What a SAREX.
Whanganui/Taranaki Combined, 2019.

It took a lot of planning. We knew that Comms was not going to be easy with the Base planned for the Community Center in Waverley, South Taranaki, and the search area planned for about 30 kms inland in the ranges.

Bruce ZL3BN from Taranaki, Brian ZL2ADL and I began setting up equipment, aerials, radios, computers etc. while we waited for Jill ZL2DBO to arrive after her commitments. Graeme ZL2GZ from Palmerston North was also on his way after work. Poor Graeme was only a couple of kms away from the Base when we realized we had unplanned problems with the repeater. Something had gone wrong from when it was flown in earlier in the day. Not to be deterred Graeme proceeded to turn around and drive all the way back to Feilding about 2 hours away to pick up another and then return.

We had a gathering of all involved in the SAREX with the Incident Staff about expectations. Beds and sleeping arrangements were set up, (no Jill didn't quite sleep under the table!) and we all turned in fairly early. Brian and I, and Bruce had our motorhomes so sleeping arrangements for us were a bit more comfortable.

Next morning it was up early because we all needed to be on deck by 7am. The weather wasn't great but the teams were allocated, and equipment issued to each. There was to be 10 teams of 4 in the field. It was going to be busy. As well as that there were the "Rabbits." One single and a pair that had gone in the day before as the "lost parties."

The NH90 helicopter arrived from Ohakea at 8am. And the first 3 teams to go into the field did their revision of winch training before heading off to their designated assignment. Less than 30 minutes later they were back. The weather had closed in, in the drop area so they couldn't be dropped or winched off. All the other teams then used the wait time to do their winch training to waiting for a clearance in the weather. Then it was the catch cry "Hurry up and wait." By mid day the first 3 teams were in as the weather lifted briefly. Some had also been taken in to a road end to tramp to the search area. As the day wore on it became obvious the weather was getting even worse but all 10 teams were in and on task. By 5 though it was decided to get the teams into shelter as the weather wasnt lifting and they all needed to be safe for the night. This was achieved by about 6.30pm. In the meantime the "Rabbits" had also hunkered down and were keeping HQ informed of their circumstances and more importantly the weather. A quick meal was then provided while the Incident Leaders got their heads together. After a chat with others once again we all retired fairly early. Brian and I kept a listening watch on all channels being used from the operation in our van.

Sunday after a very bad weather night we were getting check ins by 6.45. The "Head Shed" decided that they needed to plan more on getting the teams in the field into areas where they could meet for a helicopter lift if the weather was to have a bit of a break. The NH 90 was back at 8am and flew straight into the search area to check the weather but at that time it was certainly "no go." The weather and low cloud was just not good enough... Arrangements were set up to get the "Rabbits" back with the search teams. There was the small problem however of one of them having twisted an ankle. For messages it was a very busy time. One team was able to walk out to the road in the back of Stratford and were picked up by vehicles. By 2pm there was a very small break in the weather and 3 more teams who had met up were able to be uplifted and brought back to base for a debrief then they headed home. 6 to go. Every so often there would be a small break in the weather and the NH90 would wait often in the area ready to swoop in and pick up when it occurred. Those left had met up and had with them 2 of the "Rabbits", the other having been brought out earlier with other teams. It was decided to head these 3 teams to a Hut in the area as the weather was just not improving and it was thought they may need to stay a night longer than intended. Suddenly the NH90 reported that they had spotted a short opening in the weather and we asked the teams to get to a set clear area as quickly as possible to try and lift them out. I bet they more than walked!! The helicopter was right and at 5.30 much to everyone relief the last 3 teams and the 2 "Rabbits" were out and back at Base. By the time all the gear was packed up and checks made that all was well, we headed for home at about 7pm arriving home here at about 8.30, very tired but still able to smile. The repeater was left behind for another day!

As a weekend it was very, very valuable. It certainly didn't go as planned but was a very good learning experience. It was good to see that as far Comms goes, Taranaki and Whanganui were very similar and on the same page. There were things we all learnt using SARTrack and it was good to have a technical whiz on hand to show us even quicker and more advanced ways to handle the programme that we used. There weren't any big problems with Coms after the initial Repeater problem though trying to handle information with people coming in and out of where we were working, and especially with the NH 90 outside with its engines running made things difficult on occasions. The advanced station run by Graeme ZL2GZ was well appreciated and he got home even later than we did.

It was great to have 2 YLs running the Base for periods together and the comments and double looks from HQ staff when they came in often were interesting to note although very friendly and supportive. We had nothing but good comments from both the Incident Management, and the teams. "Great Coms" was the comment as the teams came through.

See girls can do, and do do, anything. A loooooong weekend though but very interesting. It was great to work with Jill again too.

Cathy ZL2ADK.

NZART Conference Group Photo

Back row from left Heather ZL2TYF, Topsy ZL2LS, Ngaire ZL2UJT, Lynnette ZL1LL, Lynn ZL2LKW, Maxine ZL1FW, Jeanette ZL3DYL, Margaret ZL1MB.

Next row from left Val ZL2FO, Marlene ZL1MYL, Jill ZL2DBO, Ann ZL2UTR, Sue ZL1UIU.

Front row from left Cathy ZL2ADK, Mark ZL2UFI (NZART President), Bev ZL3OV.

Life Membership for
Rosemary Boshier ZL1RO

Rosemary Joined WARO in 1997, during this time she has been a member of NZART and also Branch 29.

She is an examiner for NZART for her Branch and helping interested persons sit and pass their amateur radio license.

Rosemary has been WARO�s Official Braodcast Officer for many years now, working with Jim Meachen on the monthly NZART official broadcasts.

Rosemary has also been a regular Net Controller on the Sunday Evening Auckland YL net. She is also the Net Controller for the 5th Monday of every month when ever this should occur for the WARO Monday night net.

Rosemary always until recently, attended all NZART Conference and all WARO get togethers. The reason now is her husband�s poor health making traveling long distances impossible.

Rosemary is always the first person to offer assistance or give advice to new amateurs both male and female. Rosemary has a very friendly attitude which is an asset to WARO.

WARO Executive approved this nomination at Conference in New Plymouth. As Rosemary was unable to attend she was called on the phone to let her know of her award and she was speechless and most grateful indeed.

Congratulations Rosemary well deserved.

Obituary - Celia Reed ZL1ALK

It was at the 35th NZART Conference in Hamilton that the first YL meeting took place with Celia being one of those ladies. As a result of this meeting an 80m net began on Tuesday 11th July 1961. Celia was one of the eight ladies that were on air that night. The first meeting to form a club (WARO) was held in the Brents Hotel Rotorua on 10th March 1962 with seven YL�s including Celia. Set of rules were drawn up and subscriptions were set.

Celia�s involvement with amateur radio goes back well over fifty years, she had the attitude if you can�t beat them join them, so she did.

Celia was born in Hamilton, and moved to Papakura to attend Ardmore Teachers Training College in 1953, where she met her husband Geoff ZL1AKY. They were married in 1956 and had three sons. She did a little teaching before and after her sons grew up, then worked as a technician in the High School a job she thoroughly enjoyed.

When she married Geoff in 1956 she knew he was a radio amateur but she had no idea that the hobby would be a life time passion. She attended classes which Geoff was taking at night school and passed the examination including 12 wpm Morse and came on the air using a second-hand World War Two ZC1.

During her time on the radio she did lots of radio orientated activities from fox hunting, mobile rallies, chasing awards and traveling and meeting up with the people that she spoke to on the air.

Celia loved meeting her DX YL�s, this was a highlight when she travelled overseas to visit her family, she made sure she meet up with her DX sponsors.

Celia was awarded Life Membership to WARO in 1962 and Life membership to NZART in 2018. This was a great surprise to her being given Life Membership to NZART, this was given for all the work she has done over the years for Amateur radio and for all the work relating to Women in Amateur radio an award well deserved.

She loved going to Junk sales/ Market days, and said that she hopes to stay on the air as long as her antenna stays upright and her rig keeps working. These she missed in later years after the passing of her Husband.

Celia�s interests were reading, gardening, and volunteer work at the Church coffee shop, Save the Children, Meals on wheels, and the Cancer Society.

In February 2019 Celia was moved into a nursing home in Rotorua as her health had deteriorated and so she was close to one of her sons.

Celia felt privileged to have met so many interesting people through amateur radio, and had made some life long friends along the way. Celia passed away peacefully on the 11th May 2019 in Rotorua and is survived by her three sons her grand children and her great grand children.

A beautiful soul now at rest.

Myrtle Earland WARO Achievement Award 2017

Ngaire Jury ZL2UJT receiving the trophy from Cathy Purdie ZL2ADK.

Ngaire has been a member of WARO since 1989. She is the co-editor of the WARO Break In page and is one of our Monday night net controllers, who is also happy to stand in for others when they are not available. Along with this Ngaire has organized several YL get togethers in the Taranaki region, and is one of the organisers of the very popular Taranaki Award. She participates fully in the Thelma Souper Memorial Contest each year winning it once and being highly placed in other years. She along with Graham her OM, are regular attendees of NZART Conferences, and are part of the Branch 27 Field Day teams. She also enjoys participating in the ALARA contest and was 1st ZL YL recently. Ngaire contributes often to the Australian Ladies magazine, and enjoys being in contact with a lot of the YK girls on the Echolink net. She has been a keen supporter of the YL activity week. Ngaire enjoys construction activities with this hobby and works hard to encourage new and younger members of her Branch to give things a try.

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Thelma Souper Contest 2017 Results

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