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Christchurch West Amateur Radio Club Inc

ZL3VV NZART Branch 56

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Auburn Park Riccarton Road (opposite National Bank) Upper Riccarton Christchurch
Postal address P O Box 31095 Ilam Christchurch 8444 New Zealand

Club News and Events

Mike’s Computer Corner

Ham VoIP modes

Echolink :- This is one of my favourite VoIP modes, as it is so easy to use. You simply download the software from http://www.echolink.org/ it’s under 3Mb so it won’t blow your broadband cap. Installing and configuring the software is very easy for any PC user, Setting up your broadband modem to port forward to your PC can be a little difficult, but not impossible! http://www.portforward.com is a fantastic site to help you setup your router/modem. On the bright side dial up and broadband users who connect to their router/modem via USB will have no issues. Warehouse Stationery has some really good cheap headsets and mics. You can use the local 438.400Mhz repeater here in Christchurch to test, or even listen and talk without using you computer.

IRLP:- This needs a Linux operating system, and an interface board currently $188 USD. Best to just use the 145.625MHz repeater, go to my web page http://www.hamradio.co.nz For more information check out http://www.irlp.net/

CQ100:- This program is the newest on the block, it acts like a virtual HF radio. You tune around a virtual HF environment. This gives you the feeling that you are tuning an HF transceiver. This program offers crystal clear contacts and is a great mode for rag-chewing with fellow hams. The only downside is it’s cost at $32 USD per year to register. But you get a free 90 day trial period to see what it’s like. Fire up that computer and register your callsign at https://qsonet.com/ once registered you can use the program.


EQSO:- This is one of the older VOIP modes, a very basic screen, with limited features. You join a conference server where a number of hams are normally talking about weather and what antenna type is best- something we all need to know - you’ll need to listen for a while to understand what the current topic is. Download at http://www.eqso.net/ another freebee so give it a go!
Non-Ham VoIP modes

Skype:- Is taking the world by storm, this is the most popular internet communications mode for families wanting to keep in contact. This program is ideally suited for people overseas, that want to stay in touch with out paying a teleco a small fortune. It also takes a web camera so you can have a real time video conference with others all over the world. A number of hams use this mode to organise a sked times on the HF bands, or still communicate during poor propagation times. This program is designed for one to one communication using Text, voice or video This is like having a second phone line in the shack, I use it to talk to fellow hams all over the world and locally, it rings on my computer and does not wake my XYL or Baby Sophie which is important for us night owls. Download at http://www.skype.com

MSN Messenger:- Another very popular text chat program, this allows you to text chat, share file with anyone on the internet that has downloaded and is running MSN. It offers similar text and file sharing as Skype above, but MSN has been around a lot longer. You’ll find a number of people have a MSN or Skype username, us ham usually use our callsigns. Download at http://people.live.com/

73 Mike ZL3TMB

Club Meetings

General - Fourth Tuesday at 7.30pm

Committee - Third Tuesday at 7.30pm

Free & Easy - Second Wednesday at 1.30pm

Activities Evening, Theory and Morse Training - Tuesdays at 7.30pm as needed. NB: These sessions will be run by various people, to share the load.

Club Station ZL3VV - Operates every Tuesday from 6.30pm

CARDS - Canterbury Amateur Radio Development Society -Third Wednesday at 7.30pm

Vintage Radio Society - alternate months First Tuesday at 7.30pm

All meetings and activities are held at our clubrooms at Auburn Park Riccarton Road (Opposite National Bank) Upper Riccarton Christchurch