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The Frequency |
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May 2008 Year 7
No.4 |
Newsletter of the Amateur
Radio Christian Fellowship (N.Z.) |
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We
greet all members, families and friends of the NZ Amateur Radio Christian Fellowship,
in this first month of winter. Some very significant world events have occurred
since the last Newsletter, affecting millions of people. Perhaps a significant
event has also occurred in your life
which, while not affecting so many, may have had a big impact on your own
circumstances.
As
believers in our awesome God, this universe’s Creator, we do not fear, but we
trust Him to bring the very best for us out of every situation. Already we have
had white, crisp lawns, and icy cold days, meaning that the best of the flowers
are now over, and the big garden cleanup has started.
Following are some items of news
gathered from the radio nets and elsewhere, which we hope you will find
interesting. Remember there is always a warm welcome to all who check in to
nets.
Fellowship News
Trevor ZL2TN – On 16 April Trevor lost
his brother Stanley, with the funeral on Saturday 19 April. Our thoughts and
prayers remain with Trevor, Ruth and family just now. Even with the assurance of
eternal life, we who are left miss so much those who are taken.
Alan ZL2TAG and Averil left on 7 May
to return to missionary service in Thailand. While we sadly did not see them
this visit, we know that Stan ZL4OW was blessed to have them visit him in
Weston, Oamaru. As Alan and Averil
leave the safety and comparative predictability of life here at home, the
prayers of many in the Fellowship will be with them as they obey the “Great
Commission”. God’s blessing be on them both.
Sydney ZL1BRS and Matiria called in to
see us on their journey from the Nelson area back home to Dunedin. What a
wonderful time we spent together over a cup of tea! While Graham and Sydney
talked radio, Matiria and I (Mary) chatted of other things! These meetings with
other members are a bright spot in our lives, and we would remind any of you
who pass by on the main highway, you are always so welcome.
Keith ZL3AHL has had a recent spell in
hospital undergoing a cardiac procedure, which has thankfully been successful.
It has often been difficult for us here to copy Keith on air, but Gary ZL3SV has made it possible via
EchoLink for Keith to be heard much better.
Stan ZL4OW has recently spent two or
three weeks up in the Christchurch/Ashburton area with family. We pray God’s protection
as Stan travels that busy road so often, giving support to family.
From our records we see that David
ZL1UFE, Bruce ZL4BEP, Garry ZL2BME and Louis ZL1USN celebrated birthdays in the
month of April, and we wish God’s blessing on you all. There may be others
whose d.o.b. is not known to us. This is for you too.
Those Members who have not been so
well, and are in need of prayer
We
remember Bob ZL1BMA; David ZL1UTS; John ZL3TR;
Peter ZL1CDF; Keith ZL3AHL; Hans
ZL1JA (son); Stan ZL4OW (daughter); Kelvin ZL1LY.
There
may be others not known to us, or who would rather not be mentioned; but you
are known to our Lord. You are included here, too. May you receive God’s grace
and healing.
A Word from Graham ZL3NZ Finally after a 6 month wait my replacement
parts for the SteppIR antenna have arrived and I will be out side as soon as I
finish typing this to assemble the very last element. Everything is mounted on
mast and all the electrics to the 3 antenna motors and the rotator are wired
and were tested yesterday. When on 40 meters the entire 68 feet of copper strip
will be extended out inside the fibre glass elements in the form of a full size
folded dipole. Final testing and fitting of my 160/80meter DX-A Twin Sloper to
the tower should be completed next week. We should then have all 12 bands 160
to 70 cm on the one tower.
Ham Shacks, Brass Pounders &
Rag Chewers (Published by NZ Assn of Radio Transmitters)
Stan
ZL4OW kindly sent this book for us to read. In it Ian Dougherty ZL4JQ recalls
how in 1906, two pupils at Otago Boys’ High School, (14) and Rawson Stark (15)
began their wireless experiments. They teamed up with Cyril Brandon (14) an
apprentice electrical engineer, until finally the trio established a link
between their homes in the Dunedin suburbs of Andersons Bay, Ravensbourne and
Kew. To quote from the book: “On the
night of 10 September 1908, two of their three home-based stations were used to
send the first official wireless message between land-based stations in New
Zealand. Messages were exchanged across Otago Harbour between Stark’s home in Andersons Bay and
Hicks’ home in Ravensbourne.” Many thanks Stan. We will enjoy
it!
It is interesting to go even further
back, to when radio was just a concept in someone’s mind. On reading from the
internet’s Wikipedia site, one finds that the experiments of Marconi in 1894 developed from even
earlier experiments. In fact, “disputes persisted as to who could claim sole
credit for this obvious boon to mankind”. James
Maxwell is noted for performing the theoretical physical research that
correctly predicted the existence of radio waves; while Heinrich Hertz was the experimental physicist who created radio
waves in a controlled laboratory manner. But neither of these men devised systems
for actual general use or described the application of the technology. Eight
years even prior to Hertz’s experiments, and nearly 20 years before Marconi’s
demonstrations, David E. Hughes
induced electromagnetic waves in a signalling system. He transmitted Morse code
by an induction apparatus. But finally it was Marconi who by 1894 began to understand that radio waves could be
used for wireless communications, and was transmitting radio signals for about a
mile by the end of 1895. Most of you will already know this – but some of us
are still learning!
In Conclusion
It
was interesting to read an article from the website www.thetorah.tv/library This article is like many which have been
circulating for years, yet much of what is contained here with regard to the
end of our age is happening before our eyes. To quote: “All that man can hold onto for security is about to crumble … economic
collapse, famine, disease …”. To
this list can be added those recorded in Scripture and spoken of by our Lord
Himself: “..wars and rumours of wars …
nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom … famines and
earthquakes in various places … many will turn away from the faith … many false
prophets will appear and deceive many … because of increase in wickedness, the
love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Gospel of Matthew); “ …On the
earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of
the sea.” (Luke’s Gospel); St Peter in his second
letter writes: “… in the last days
scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” (NIV trans.)
Probably many reading this can recall
attending meetings years ago where the “Last Days Message” was preached. Could
those preachers but live today and see things as they are now, their message
would be even more urgent. Just as the
Lord Jesus returned to His Father, He is coming again, just as He promised, and
the signs of His return are beginning to become too numerous to ignore. Are we ready, should He come back today?
The largest type used by most newspapers for headlines
of astounding events has been called “second coming” type. These heavy, black
letters are reserved for only the most amazing front-page news stories. The end
of wars, moon landings, natural disasters and other events of significance. One
day mankind will witness the event for which the “second coming” type was named
– the return of Jesus Christ. Our Lord did not explain exactly when He would
return, but He reassured His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for
them and one day “come again”.(John 14) When He does come back, it will indeed be a headline
event. (Dave Egner in “Daily Bread”)
When
Christ the Lord returns to reign, the world will know of that event,
For everyone shall see His face, and know the reason He
was sent. (Hess)
Even
so, come, Lord Jesus!
73
and God’s blessing be on you all, until He comes.
Graham
ZL3NZ and Mary ZL3MD
Fellowship
Motto
To do good and to communicate
forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)
Contact us: Graham or Mary
Dacombe, 20 Allin Drive, Waikuku Beach 7402 North Canterbury
Phone: 03-312 7782 Fax: 03-312 7783 Email: arcf@xtra.co.nz
Nets: Saturdays 7.30 p.m. on 3.650 MHz – Sundays 4
p.m. on 7.050 MHz
Website www.arcf.co.nz