From The CBRANZ Newsletter
(Posted in "Ten Four" - July 2006 Issue)
(Re-printed from CBRANZ Newsletter April 2006)

Had a question the other day asking how many PRS repeaters there were licenced in the country.  According to the Ministry of Economic Development there are 41.  These are issued licences not operational repeaters.  As many of these repeaters are privately owned, not all of these will be operating 24/7.  I know of at least 2 that are owned by farming contractors and mainly operate during equipment working hours.

Previously we have listed the repeaters in district areas (the 2006 Reference Book listed them this way) but the M of ED website lists them under the PRS number.  This time we will list them as per the M of ED listing.  You can copy them whatever way suits you.  Would remind the ideal of giving repeater information is to help you access a repeater while travelling and also if you are travelling with friends on more than one vehicle you don't use simplex on the repeaters channels in that area.
 
CHANNEL 1 (31)
Coopers Beach, Northland
Glenfield Auckland.  Situated near Hobsonville.
Pukemoremore, Waikato.  Between Hamilton and Cambridge.
Kimbolton, Manawatu/Wanganui.  This would be accessed from parts of SH2 (Dannevirke-Norsewood) and SH57 (Vinigar Hill).
Waitai Station, Cook Strait. D'Uriville Island between Patuki and Makahange.
Otematata, Waitaki Vallue SH83 (have accessed this one from between Kurow & Omarama).
Kaikoura, Marlborough.  Around South Bay.
Hamilton, Otago.  Approx 20k east of Patearoa 15k west of Hyde (on SH87).
 
CHANNEL 2 (32)
Wellsford, Northland.
Ohauiti, Bay of Plenty.  Covers around Tauranga area.
Cape Foulwind, West Coast.  Westport SH67a area.
Picton (Cook Strait ferry terminal), Marlborough.  Repeater approx halfway between Picton and Koromata.
Georgetown, Waitaki Valley SH83 and SH1 (have accessed it at many places on both SHs after passing Pukeuri.
 
CHANNEL 3 (33)
Ahipara, Northland.  Repeater inland and above Wainui junction.
Silverdale, Auckland.  Around Silverdale itself.
Wanganui.  In the township itself.
Taumarunui.  Approx 20km NNEast of Taumarunui, North North West of Mangakahu Valley approx 10km from SH4.
Huntly, Waikato.  Just north of Orini.
Tapanui, Otago.  Between Tapanui and Kelso.

CHANNEL 4 (34)
Ngunguru, Northland.  On peninsula east of Ngunura.
Awhitu Peninsula, South Auckland.  Approx 5k west of Te Toro.
Clifton, Hawkes Bay. Just outside of Clifton going towards Pohara.
Glandstone, Wairarapa.  Approx 10k south west of Glanstone.

CHANNEL 5 (35)
Waitakere, Auckland.  Close to Waiatarua township.
Poukawa, Hawkes Bay approx 10k south of Hastings and 4k east of SH2.
Purin, Waikato.  Approx 5k east of Purin.
Rays Hill, Marlborough.  Approx 8k south of Hillerston and 5k east of SH63.
Riversdale, Southland.  Approx 6k west of Mandeville (SH94)

CHANNEL 6 (36)
Three Mile Bush, Whangarei.  Approx 7k above Whangarei (SH1) and close to Ngararatunua.
Klondyke Road, Te Kohanga, Waikato.  Approx 8k inland from Port Waikato.
Blenheim, Marlborough  South end above Solar Heights.
Montalto, Canterbury.  Approx halfway between Mawaro and Albany 2k east of SH8.
Oware, Southland.  4k south east of Redan, 20k south east of Edenvale.
 
CHANNEL 7 (37)
Kimtons Rd, Whitford, Auckland.  Approx 3k north of Clevedon.
Hauturu, Waikato.  Approx halfway between Waitoma Valley and Tekoraka.
Morrisons Bush, Wellington.  East 8k of Battersea - north 10 of Martinborough.
Albury Hill, Canterbury.  Approx 10k west of Winscombe (SH8)
Nightcaps, Southland.  Approx 7k east of Ohio.
 
CHANNEL 8 (38)
Bombay, South Auckland.  Approx 5k east of Bombay.
Lincoln, Christchurch.  Springston 20k from SH1.
Argyle Hill, Riversdale, Southland.  approx 10k noreast of Waikaia.

None of the mileage for the various repeaters is accurate.  Repeaters can usually be addressed around 50k upwards and in some circumstances 150k.
 
We have endeavoured to give an idea the whereabouts of the various repeaters so you do not use that repeater's channels on simplex and most importantly the preceding info may be of help in an emergency situation.  It must be kept in mind not all repeaters may be available 24/7.
CBRANZ Council

Just For Your Information
(Posted in "Ten Four" - February 2006 Issue)

The NSCBRC would like to clarify a misconception that appears to be current.

This misconception is, that PRS repeater users should be required to pay for the privilege of using the repeaters either by donation or by joining the club. This may apply to other repeaters, although, according to the regulations it should not.

However, the NSCBRC PRS repeaters ie: PRS 1 & PRS 6 in Auckland and PRS 5 in Coromandel when activated are, and will be, free to air community service repeaters, with no requirement for users to subscribe in any way.

The NSCBRC raises funds by doing community event assistance for which we often get a donation. This goes towards equipment upgrade and maintenance and licence fees and the occasional social event. The annual club fee pays for the monthly magazine.

We also do not believe in switching off the repeater when we don't like the person using it - to that effect we have deactivated the remote control facility so that anyone who has worked out the control tones cannot switch it off and on at will. We only ask that you use the repeaters in a sensible manner and encourage others to do the same.

THank you and best wishes for the coming year.

Radio Spectrum Management Investigations
(Posted in "Ten Four" - September 2005 Issue)
(Re-printed from the 2005 CBRANZ Newsletter)

As quite a few members are also Amateurs, related to or know other amateurs, we would remind them the RSM Special Squad is still actively on the job and that the Amateur Operator Certificate Licence does not permit the establishment of beacons, repeaters or fixed links. These must be licenced separately.

In one recent case, Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) investigated, an amateur was experimenting with television systems and had set up a camera at another location. The installation allowed remote camera control and remote viewing. The owner of the equipment was under the incorrect impression that his amateur operator licence covered this installation. The amateur now has to licence the installation as an amateur fixed link.

A reminder to operators that we are required to pay a licence fee to the RSM. It appears the RSM now follow up on unpaid licence fees and also warns that you must notify RSM any change of address otherwise the licence is liable to be revoked as the following indicates:

In a recent case a company failed to advise RSM of its change to its billing address over a significant period of time, resulting in the non-payment of licence fees and eventually, the revocation of the firm's radio licence. Licencees are reminded that they are required to notify RSM of any changes to their address details, to avoid this type of licence revocation.

As activity in low power FM broadcasting is increasing around major population centre's, RSM are paying more attention to these transmitters to ensure they comply with the Low Power FM General User Radio Licence (LPFM GURL). If you are involved in any of this be warned, RSM are on the ball with this one and have already caught a couple of don't stick to the directives governing the LPFM GURL. It seems the day of doing what you want are now gone.

Recent cases have included:
HAMILTON: A transmitter with unintended emissions in a land mobile band and a transmitter installed in a high rise building without the building owner's knowledge or consent. In the latter case, the transmitter was concealed on the top of a cabinet in a lift machinery room. The programme was fed via an internet link from an unknown source. The building manager turned the transmitter off and removed the equipment (the size of a computer video card).

PALMERSON NORTH: Permitted use auditing in the UHF TV band led to the discovery of a Low Power TV broadcaster. Checks indicated that there was an issue with the broad-casting use as the GURL shows the band in use for audio video senders only.

A Technical Tangle
(Posted in "Ten Four" - September 2005 Issue)
(Re-printed from the "29-er" - December 2004 Issue)

On the Saturday morning of Queens Birthday weekend, Stan turned up with a multimeter that he had inherited from a work mate. It was a nice handy size, in a nice leather carrying case, and had a magnetic split clamp for AC measurement. It was a moving-coil meter - none of your digitals - made by Hioke, with a dial to select ohms, DC voltage, AC voltage or a choice of 5 alternative current ranges. An instruction booklet with circuit diagram was included.

Everything worked except for the single ohms range. With the terminals shorted the meter went to full scale and more, and no adjustment of the "zero" pot would bring it down to full scale. Stan gave it to me to diagnose. He also had a working digital meter and I used this for diagnosis.

The ohmmeter circuit was quite straightforward. A single AA cell, a fuse, a 15-ohm resistor, a 2000-ohm resistor and a 2000-ohm variable resistor. The circuit diagram identified each resistor with a number, but the actual meter did not. With the single exception of a red wire to the battery positive, all the wires were black. Most unfriendly.

I succeeded in tracing the components after several false trails. Everything measured near enough. On AC volts, the mains measured 230 volts. It was a complete mystery. Nothing was wrong but it wouldn't measure ohms correctly. Puzzle!!!

I studied the circuit diagram for any clues. At last the penny dropped. The fuse!! The circuit marked it as a "100mA, 9.5~11.7 ohms". I removed the fuse and measured it: 0.2ohm. Marked rating 2 Amps. Now I knew it had been an electrician's meter. "If the fuse blows, fit a bigger fuse." So the resistance of the fuse is a critical part of the circuit! We live and learn. Now Stand is out buying fuses, testing their resistance before buying. That would make him the ultimate picky customer, but that's what it takes to get this meter fully operational.

Alan

Recipe Corner
(Posted by Barbie (AK3666) - "Ten Four" - July 2005 Issue)

Scone Mix

2 rounded cups flour
2-1/2 rounded tsp's baking powder
knob of butter/margarine (about the size of a large egg)
5 oz milk mixed with 5 oz water

Baked Jam Roll

Berry or Plum Jam
Raisins or currants or mixed cake fruit

Sift flour and baking powder together. Add butter/ margarine and rub into flour with fingers until mix looks like breadcrumbs. Using a knife mix in most of of your milk/water mix. Add a little more if necessary. Mixture should be very sticky. Turn onto a floured board and dredge with flour. Knead lightly until outside is smooth and not sticky. Pat or roll into large rectangle approximately 1cm (1/2 inch) thick. Spread with jam, sprinkle with raisins/currants/mixed cake fruit. Roll (like a swiss roll), sealing ends. Place into a roasting dish (diagonally is okay). Add the following:

1-1/2 tbsp butter, 4-1/2 tbsp sugar and 1-1/2 cups boiling water. Mix together until butter melted (zap in microwave if necessary) then pour over roll. Sprinkle roll with extra white or raw sugar and bake for around 45 minutes at 180 Deg C. (350 Deg F.)

Pinwheel Scones

Make scone dough as above and roll out as above. Cream together 4 tbsp butter, or marge, 2/3 cup brown or white sugar and 3 tsp cinnamon. Spread over scone dough. Roll up and cute into 1-1/2 inch slices. Place in a sponge roll tin lined with baking paper and bake for around 20 minutes at 180 Deg C., until brown.

CB Gets Growth In NZ
Posted by Trevor (AK248) - "Ten Four" - May 2001 Issue

CB radio is alive, well and growing in NZ. This may seem a bit hard to be true but it is. CB radio growth can be tied to the growth in the 4WD market. With the growth of four wheel drives there is a subsequent growth in the membership of 4WD clubs. CB is one of the items strongly recommended that all members have. As an example the Auckland 4WD club has a current membership of 80 as at December last year (this includes married couples as one), every vehicle I have seen so far is fitted with a 26 MHz CB radio and a number are expanding to also include PRS as well. With Auckland looking at 100+ member vehicles in the next year that is at least 20 CB users a year increase. Remember this is only the Auckland club, and others are going through similar growth.
Typically a club run will start on channel 11 26 MHz depending on traffic the number of vehicles and if any other clubs are out then 9, 5 or 19 may also be used. Other clubs in Auckland includes North Shore and Waitemata. The vehicles that carry PRS will often have a handheld and a Mobile unit. The clear UHF signal is often used in vehicle recovery with a driver and some one outside on the h/held giving directions. Why? The PRS handheld's are small light convenient and cheap As for myself I run CB, PRS and 2 metre VHF (seeing as I have a Ham call also).

Added to this I have had the opportunity to join up with the Land Search and Rescue Transport operation, a most interesting outfit. Last weekend we were out at the annual Auckland SAREX based at Anawhata. This is a West Coast beach a very short distance up the coast from Piha. The land Transport section also run CB and PRS.

Typically CB is used for vehicle to base commas, mainly due to the extended range due to the nature of HF and long wave lengths, Channel depends on conditions and usage in the area of operation. The Amateurs as part of AREC sort of managed a listening watch (we provided base aerials and radio, if the coax was there then that also), however it is possible that the use of CB club members to manage a comms base might be an improvement in the use of CB at such events and may assist in increased usage to assist with such emergencies. Channel 6 PRS is also used for vehicle to vehicle work when in the Off road situation and h/held to vehicle when recovery is also required.

Tips 'n Tricks
Posted by Trevor (AK248) - "Ten Four" - May 2001 Issue

Does your car turn over a bit slow? If you have checked the battery and the terminals are nice and tight but, the motor turns a tad slow and is hard to start. Have you cleaned the terminals? Take the leads right off and give them a good clean and degrease. Do you have lead terminals on the leads? If so get rid of them and get something like brass. Lead on lead is like using 2 sponges and squashing them together to get a good connection.
There may be the odd person that does a spot of 4WD out there, so did you know that a tubeless tyre may be lowered to 18 PSI safely for 4WD. Further if you had a tubed tyre then you could lower the pressure to 5 or 6 PSI. Why do you do this? Well the answer is quite simple the decreased pressure results in increased surface area result in a flotation effect. You could even do this to a 2WD drive also if you were popping up somewhere like Muriwai beach.

The average $20 - $30 12V air compressor will take an average of three minutes to increase tire pressure by 8 PSI. That's a long time to re inflate 4 Average tubed mud tyres from 6 to 45 PSI when you let them down.

You have that little scratch in the paint on the door of the car but you don't want to do a serious cut on the whole car. Try a little bit of toothpaste as this is a very mild cutting agent and you can re polish the area you cut after without having to do the whole car.

Technical Tricks
Posted by Hawk - "Ten Four" - January 2001 Issue

How to reduce the chance of RF feedback.
This is really easy, just break the audio wire and add a 1 K Ohm resistor, then add a capacitor to each side of the resistor to ground ( as shown above ). You could also add a ferrite bead to the audio wire. These alterations will help to filter out the RF entering the set through the mike line.

Suggested Guidelines For Communications
Posted "Ten Four" - March 1998 Issue

1. Notify the communications Officer if you cannot attend the event ASAP. (If this is not possible - try and pass the message via another operator.)
2. Turn up to the events at the specified time.
3. A reasonable standard of dress is required at all times. (Be prepared for all weather conditions.)No shorts or open footwear to be worn while out on Point at motor racing events. Flag colour tops, i.e. Blue, Red, White, Green, Yellow should not be visible whilst on point duty at motor racing - wear your safety jacket!
4. A professional standard of language to be used at all times.
5. No intoxicating substances of any type to be consumed while on duty.
6. Traffic on Track (motor racing):
   Only drive in the correct direction around the circuit. Park where you are advised to on the day. Check you insurance policy to see if your vehicle is covered on a race track (whilst safely parked off the circuit).
7. Introduce yourself to the marshals on arrival at your point and ask the requirements re radio procedure.
8. Keep the marshals informed re radio traffic appropriate to your point. Transmit messages as required by your Point Chief. Keep all transmissions brief and specific. If detail is required, you will be asked.
9. One operator must monitor the radio at all times and be alert, particularly for track clearances.
10. If using a PA speaker, set the levels to suit your marshals.
11. Do not transmit un-necessarily. No chatter, comments or observations unless asked for please.
12. Radio Procedures:
    Always call Control first then identify your point. Listen to other calls so you don't repeat the same messages. Control will run the track clearances. If you are clear say `Point .... Clear'. If not, say `No, track is not clear' and then give a brief reason.
13. Always bring sufficient food an drink for the day incase there is not time for a lunch break.
14. Children (motor racing):
    Children will normally not be allowed on the race circuit. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Race Officials.
15. Animals are prohibited on the circuit.
16. Guests must comply with the guidelines. Your guests are your responsibility.
17. Operators will be positioned as circumstances permit. Where a special condition applies this will be taken into consideration, i.e., medical problems, marshalling requirements.
18. Whilst at an event please be circumspect with regard to language and behavior even when off duty, as the Club is judged by your actions.
19. The area around the `Control' operator is a quiet zone. Please co-operate in keeping it so.