NZ Net News 195, 10 Oct 2026

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Featured key

The HEC Semi-Closed Dual Paddle is available from the usual online sites and its features are described as:

1. Stainless steel base and non-ferrous metal oxidation treatment
2. 3.5mm interface; plug and play; easy to store
3. Semi-closed structure and dust-proof design
4. Contacts are copper plated with silver
5. Easy to fine-tune by adjusting the metric fine thread of its screw
6. Four-bearing structure, eliminating clearance to install

HEC also makes the JG19 dual paddle with magnetic return, featured in NZ Net News 154.

HEC stands for Ham Everyday Contact.

Quick notes

Current net frequency: 3535.0 kHz (due to poor local propagation on 40m)

Ryan ZL4RY has been QRQ lately, thanks to his bug (pictured), which was a nice gift from Bede ZL4KX. “I used a little WD-40 and some cotton swabs to give it a bit of a clean without losing all of the patina,” says Ryan. “I was able to take it apart and put it back together successfully too! I’ll leave the base and nameplate looking wonderfully aged. I also used a paperclip as a stabiliser on the dot spring, which seems to really improve the sound.” Yes, it sounds FB.

30m feedback invited. It has been almost one year since NZART reduced the CW sub-band to make room for an SSB sub-band on 30 metres. This was a one-year trial, so now would be a good time for radio amateurs to provide feedback on the change, which you can send to president@nzart.org.nz

The Oceania DX Contest (CW) is this weekend. Here’s a chance to add some new countries to your log as the rest of the world seeks contacts in our region. This HF contest starts at 0600 UTC Saturday and continues for 24 hours. The exchange is RST plus serial number. Get details.

Begali key owners no longer have to spend time dusting their keys, thanks to some really nice looking key covers from QSOparts.com which has just introduced a cover for the Begali HST single-lever model too.

Editor wanted. ZL1NZ plans to step down as editor and publisher of this newsletter at the end of the year. If you’re an NZ Net member and would like to produce a net newsletter (starting any time between now and the end of this year) please contact ZL1NZ to discuss.

Photo flashback

Ship radio officer, not in uniform, wearing headphones and typing

Aboard Island Mariner in 1978

He may have been casually dressed, but this R/O was right up to speed: his straight key parked on a shelf, while his Vibro-Keyer paddle (with “sand colour” base) was ready for action. The ship was the bulker Island Mariner.

Net numbers

NR37 R ZL1NZ 47/44 AUCKLAND Ø8ØØZ 2OCT26
=
NZ NET
=
SEP QNI VK2AWG 1 VK3DRQ 24 VK4PN 13 YJØBP 1
ZL1AJY 4 ZL1ANY 29 ZL1AYN 3 ZL1BDS 24 ZL1NZ 25 
ZL1PX 26 ZL2GD 14 ZL2LN 18 ZL2TE 12 ZL3TK 29
ZL4FZ 13 ZL4GW 12 ZL4KX 8 ZL4LDY 2 ZL4RY 23
TOTAL 277 QTC 88
=
ZL1NZ

Video: YO3AAJ at the key

Net tip: QSL

We continue our look at Q signals with QSL.

As a question, QSL? means “Can you acknowledge receipt?”

As a reply, or a statement, QSL means “I acknowledge receipt.”

On NZ Net, we use QSL to acknowledge successful receipt of a radiogram. We generally use the simpler R for routine acknowledgments.

» Download the Essential Q Signals

The A-Z of Q Signals

A well-run CW net is a lovely thing to experience. Communication between stations is quick and concise, and the net business is conducted with minimal time wasted.

As CW operators, we have many techniques to communicate quickly and efficiently. And if we know and use these techniques, we can often match or exceed the speed and accuracy of voice communication.

One of our most important tools is the set of Q Signals (or Q Codes), and in this series we look at the “essential” ones, in alphabetical order.

Yaesu sale

ZL1NZ has a selection of Yaesu FT-101 series equipment for sale. Special deals for NZ Net members. And – of course – every transceiver has the optional CW filter. Contact ZL1NZ for a list.

Morse challenge

Send your answer via radiogram (or email if no propagation) to ZL1NZ.

The answers to our previous Morse Challenge: The two stations that closed on 30 Sep 1993 were Auckland Radio ZLD and Wellington Radio ZLW. You can read about the closures, and hear recordings of the final transmissions, at the links in the previous sentence. Correct answers were received from OE1HFC, VK3DRQ, VK6RR, ZL1ANY, ZL1AYN, ZL2KE, ZL3TK and ZL4CU.

Advertising archive

Advert for RT Communication Systems Ltd in Christchurch, 1993

Break-In, Dec 1993

NZ Net tally board

Suggestions?

If you have suggestions on how to make the NZ Net better, or things you’d like to see covered in these newsletters, please contact ZL1NZ.

Articles and photos will be gratefully received but please do not submit AI-generated content.

—

Neil Sanderson ZL1NZ, Net Manager
New Zealand Net (NZ NET)