New Zealand Net News Nr 5, 1 June 2019

This is a fortnightly newsletter about the New Zealand Net.
If you would like to subscribe, please contact ZL1NZ.

Highlights

We have just finished the month of May and next week on the net I’ll send the monthly report as a QNC (message to all stations) but I wanted to share some exciting news without delay: our total QNI (checkins) for the month was ONE HUNDRED! Thanks everyone.

A few days ago David ZL2WT, a former ships’ Radio Officer, checked into the net as ZL6FF using his 1950s Marconi ship station, comprising an Oceanspan transmitter, Atalanta receiver and Electra receiver. Nice to hear the old gear.

The NZ Net will be on the air on Queen’s Birthday Monday.

Spotted on the internet (author unknown)

In days of old, when hams were bold
and sideband not invented,
the word was passed by pounding brass
and all were quite contented.

Traffic List

I try to send at least one piece of formal traffic on the net each week. Hope you were able to copy this recent example during the net, but in case you missed it:

175 YEARS AGO ON 24TH
MAY 1844 THE FIRST TELEGRAPH
MESSAGE WAS SENT OVER A
DISTANCE OF 61KM FROM WASHINGTON
TO BALTIMORE BY SAMUEL MORSE

SKN Winter Edition

After Straight Key Night last December, participants said they’d like to see SKN held twice a year.

And so, the first SKN – Winter Edition will be held next weekend, 8-9pm Sunday 9 June, on 80m. The power limit is 100W. Full details are at maritimeradio.org/skn

Net tip: The Morse abbreviation “C”

A short and simple net tip this time…

The Morse abbreviation “C” means “Yes” (like the Spanish word “Si”) and “N” means “No.”

“C” should not be confused with “R” which means “Received” (like “Roger” on voice modes).

So you might hear something like this on the net:

QRV?

C (or if the person is feeling talkative: QRV or GA)

If conditions are poor then it may be useful to actually spell out “Yes” and “No.”

Suggestions?

If you have suggestions on how to make the net better, or things you’d like to see covered in these updates, please contact ZL1NZ. You might even like to write something for the newsletter.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon on the NZ Net!

Neil ZL1NZ