The National System is coming to Gisborne!

On Sunday, 13 May 2007 Steve ZL2RI, Warren ZL2AJ, Arnie ZL1CAX, and Jim ZL2IA installed a temporary pole and a pair of antennas for the extension of the National System. Steve and Alan ZL2AOP had done a lot of preparation work putting together a 7M steel pole and associated hardware. John ZL2JI has rewound a transformer so that the low voltage AC power system can be upgraded to handle all of the equipment. Roger ZL2RC is putting the finishing touches on the equipment rack as well as burning in and testing the new power supply so that we will have confidence that it will work properly when installed and be sure that even if it fails it will not affect our hosts.

The November 2007 branch meeting agreed to purchase an invertor to power all equipment at site. Steve ZL2RI is coordinating it installation, the battery, and update to the rack. Roger, ZL2RC, is burning in the repeater at his Gisborne QTH and invites members to help give it a workout on the air. The national system link should be installed the first week of 2008.

Photos by ZL2AJ, ZL2IA, and ZL2RI.