Getting Started with Amateur Radio

Amateur radio, also known as “ham radio,” is a hobby and service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. It allows licensed operators to communicate across town, around New Zealand, or even worldwide without relying on the internet or phone networks.

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Regulations in New Zealand

Amateur radio in New Zealand is regulated under the Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Amateur Radio Operators). These set out the rights and responsibilities of operators, including frequency allocations and operating conditions.

You can read the current regulations here:

Radiocommunications Regulations (NZ Gazette Notice)

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How to Become a Licensed Amateur Radio Operator

To operate on amateur radio frequencies, you need to obtain an amateur radio licence. This involves passing an exam that covers basic electronics, operating practices, and radio regulations. Once licensed, you’ll be issued a unique callsign.

The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) provides resources, training, and information to help you prepare for your licence:

Learn how to become licensed with NZART

Check out Events & Meetings for the next HamCram.

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Operating Modes

Amateur radio offers a wide variety of ways to communicate:

• Analog Voice: The most common mode is FM on VHF/UHF and SSB (Single Side Band) on HF. These modes let you talk directly to other amateurs over local repeaters or long distances.
• CW (Morse Code): A traditional mode that is still popular worldwide for its efficiency and simplicity.
• Digital Modes: Modern modes such as FT8, JS8Call, PSK31, and DMR use computers or radios with built-in digital capability to send information efficiently, often under weak signal conditions.

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Beginner-Friendly Antennas

You don’t need an expensive or complicated antenna to get on the air. Many effective designs can be built at home with simple materials:

• Dipole Antenna: One of the simplest and most effective antennas for HF bands. Made of two wires cut to the right length and supported between two points.
• Vertical Antenna: Good for limited space. Can be built using telescopic poles, wire, or aluminium tubing.
• End-Fed Wire Antenna: Easy to install in a backyard or portable setup. Works well with a simple matching unit.
• 2m/70cm Ground Plane: A simple antenna for VHF/UHF, often built from wire or rods attached to a connector.
• Yagi Antenna: Widely used as a directional antenna on the HF, VHF and UHF bands.

Experimenting with antennas is one of the most rewarding aspects of amateur radio, and even simple designs can yield surprising results.

There are many resources available online to assist in designing antennas. Here are some tools recommended by club members:

• portable-antennas.com
• DL6WU Yagi-Uda antenna online calculator
• Gamma matching online calculator

connect with or use the ISS repeater via ARISS. Feel free to adapt the language to match your site style.

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Contacting the ISS Repeater (ARISS ) — What New Hams Can Do

One of the really exciting things for new amateur radio operators is being able to listen to — or even use — the ARISS repeater onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Here’s a guide on why it’s interesting, what’s required, and how to give it a go.

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Why Try to Contact the ISS Repeater?

• Unique Experience: Talking via a repeater in orbit is unlike any other repeater — it’s in space, moving fast, with all the challenges that brings (Doppler, short pass times, etc.).

• Educational Value: Great way to learn about satellite or space communications, orbital mechanics (because you need to track the ISS), radio propagation, and practical skills like Doppler correction.

• Community Fun: Many hams around the world follow ISS passes; hearing or contacting via the ISS connects you with that larger international community.

• Modes: ARISS supports several modes — voice, packet/APRS, SSTV, etc. So even if you can’t make a two‐way voice contact, you might still receive something interesting (images, data).

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What Equipment & Setup Do You Need

To have a realistic chance to hear or use the ISS repeater, you need a decent setup. Here are the essentials and what helps:

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Frequencies & Modes to Know

Here are the main frequencies and modes used by ARISS as of now. These may change, so always check the latest from ARISS (their “Current Status of ISS Stations” page).

• Voice / SSTV downlink: 145.800 MHz (worldwide)

• Voice uplink:
   • 144.490 MHz for ITU Regions 2 & 3 (Americas, Pacific, Southern Asia)
   • 145.20 MHz for Region 1 (Europe, Russia, Africa)

• Packet/APRS: 145.825 MHz (worldwide) and UHF packet at 437.550 MHz.

• Crossband Repeater Uplink / Downlink: Commonly uplink on 145.990 MHz with a 67 Hz CTCSS tone, downlink on 437.800 MHz.

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How To Actually Try It: Step-by-Step

Here’s a simple plan new hams can follow to try hearing or using the ISS repeater:

1. Check the ISS Pass Schedule

   • Use tracking tools (websites or apps) to find when ISS will pass over your location, with sufficient elevation (say > 20° or whatever your local terrain allows).

   • Also check if the ISS is expected to have the repeater turned on. ARISS posts status updates.

2. Prepare Your Equipment

   • Set up your radio and antenna ahead of time. Make sure you can point the antenna if directional, or mount vertical with as little obstruction as possible.

   • Make sure you know how to adjust frequencies for Doppler shift (especially on UHF downlink). Some radios let you preset a shift or manually adjust during the pass.

3. Tune to the Uplink and Downlink

   • If you plan to transmit, set your uplink frequency (e.g. 145.990 MHz plus correct tone) and downlink (e.g. 437.800 MHz) as per ARISS repeater settings.

   • Be ready to listen first, to get a feel for when the repeater is active and how strong the signal is.

4. Manage Timing and Doppler

   • As the ISS approaches, its speed toward you will shift the frequency upward; as it passes overhead and moves away, the frequency will shift downward. Adjust accordingly.

   • The window of opportunity is limited — maybe 5-10 minutes or less of usable signal during a pass, so be ready.

5. Make Contact / Use the Repeater

   • If transmitting: use proper protocol, callsign, etc. Be courteous and avoid transmitting unless you are sure you are using the correct uplink, tone, and timing.

   • If only listening: try to record, log the time, strength, maybe even share signal reports with other hams.

6. After the Pass

   • Review what went well or what failed: Did signal fade too fast? Was Doppler correction enough? Did antenna altitude or direction limit you?

   • Use feedback or reports from others to improve next attempt.

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Things to Watch Out For

• Crew Availability / Repeater Activity: The ISS repeater isn’t always active. Sometimes there are scheduled school contacts, special events, or the repeater is turned off for maintenance. Always check ARISS status.

• Legal & Licence Requirements: You must comply with New Zealand’s amateur radio regulations (or your country’s) when transmitting.

• Antenna Obstructions: Buildings, trees, hills can block low elevation passes.

• Weather / Polarisation Effects: Though less critical than for some satellites, things like rain fade or antenna polarization mismatch (linear vs circular) can reduce signal.

• Doppler Errors: Especially on UHF, the drift in frequency can make you miss the signal if you don’t adjust.

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Find Out More

The NZART website and local radio clubs such as Marlborough Amateur Radio Club are great places to connect with experienced operators, learn new skills, and get support as you begin your journey in amateur radio.