The Frequency

 

June  2008

Year 7   No.5        

Newsletter of the Amateur Radio Christian Fellowship (N.Z.)

 

To all members, families and friends of ARCF, we send greetings. Now in the heart of winter, we wait for the shortest day in just over one week – then on to the springtime.  Again we must say how encouraging it is to hear many of you on the Saturday and Sunday nets, and how much the help of Trevor ZL2TN and Kelvin ZL1LY is appreciated week by week as they take the netmaster's helm. Some of our members and families are passing through difficult times, and we know that many of you will remember these folk in your times of prayer.

 

Fellowship News

 

Bob ZL1BMA – (Hamilton) On Saturday 7 June, Bob had an accident while checking some concrete at his local Church, resulting in hospitalization with a broken ankle. Son David ZL1UTS emailed requesting prayer, and this was conveyed to all those with email facility.  It was expected that surgery could be delayed due to certain medical factors, but our prayer is that all is going as smoothly as possible, with minimal pain. We also remember Mary Ann, that strength will be given during this time of extra concern. A message has been conveyed to Bob on behalf of all members, and our prayers will remain with this faithful couple.

 

Lindsay ZL2KS (of “True Light fm”, Palmerston North) – Lindsay writes: “I have finished writing my autobiography. It is in proofreader’s hands at the moment. Only a small booklet, but hoping to put it on our web site [“True Light fm”] for it to be used by the Lord … in audio and PDF file”. [Remainder of email below]

 

New Member – We extend a warm welcome to Hugh ZL2BHK of New Plymouth. We were privileged to have Hugh and Jennifer stay with us during this past week, on their way through from Invercargill (Jennifer’s former home) where they were married on 1 June. Jennifer and I have known each other since teenage years, and it is lovely to welcome Hugh into our circle of friends, and into this Fellowship. His Father, Joe Johnson, ZL2GA was one of six surviving founding members who attended the NZART Golden Jubilee Conference in Auckland in 1976.

 

Ron ZL2OY – We have just received a welcome letter from Ron who is now resident in Huntleigh Retirement Village in Karori. Ron is planning an overseas trip from 18 June – 26 July. He will spend 4 nights with Alan ZL2TAG and Averil in Thailand, and will wish them God’s blessing on behalf of us all. Since moving into Huntleigh, Ron has been unable to make radio contacts due to his situation there, but after his holiday hopes to install a transceiver in his car and go to a better location for skeds! [We look forward to that] Ron’s trip will include time in Sweden to contact a relative, then to UK, including London, York and Scotland. His family background is lowland Scottish. Ron is thankful to God that he is able to make this trip, and has asked for prayers for safety. Indeed we shall Ron – and we remember Sharon too. The Lord keep you in His care, and bring you safely home.

 

James ZL3FV – (Hokitika)  Graham ZL3NZ and James spent some good time together today (Saturday 14 June) when James, visiting his brother in Christchurch hospital awaiting surgery, called out on us. The Lord bless James and Sarah, and we trust the surgery will go well for James’ brother.

 

Further Matters for your consideration and prayer

 

David ZL1UTS – David has asked for the prayers of fellow Christian hams that help and support may be obtained to enable sufficient rest breaks for family in their particular circumstance. May David also be aware of God’s presence as he faces ongoing health challenges.

 

Lindsay ZL2KS – As Eril, Lindsay’s wife faces surgery on 24 June, we would ask members to pray for this couple. Our prayers will remain with Eril before, during and following surgery.

 

Adam ZL1VI – We continue to remember Adam who has recently lost his Father, that he is guided in this next stage of his life.

 

John ZL3TR – We think of John as he faces ongoing health challenges, that he will know God’s grace, comfort and peace every day. Thanks to James ZL3IJ who regularly conveys John’s greeting.

 

Ross ZL4AZI – Stan ZL4OW advised us last month that Ross has recently undergone major surgery with extensive hospitalization. Some may recall that many months ago Ross came onto our nets with Stan in Oamaru, and we enjoyed his participation. We pray for ongoing recovery and strength.

 

Kelvin ZL1LY – With a diabetic review coming up, we know Kelvin would be comforted to know many are praying for him as he faces the challenges of a condition so prevalent these days.

 

May God’s covering rest over this entire Fellowship – those on missionary service, our VK members, and any others unwell at this time. Please continue to pray for those mentioned in recent letters. From our records, the following celebrate birthdays in June:  Ron ZL2OY (3rd); Warren ZL3LC (15th); Hart ZL2AFU (25th). The blessing of God be with you through this coming year.

 

Snippets from the Past

 

I have learned some interesting facts from reading a book on the history of Amateur Radio in New Zealand, loaned by Stan ZL4OW, and will share a few of these another time.          

     

In a recent phone call from David ZL1UFE, he advised that his Uncle once had a “peddle radio”. On the Australian Flying Doctor Service web site, in the section depicting the early days of the service, a girl can be seen pedalling such a radio. Thank you David for this information.  And still with the past, it was interesting to read in a cutting from the Otago Daily Times about the recent NZART Conference in Dunedin. As an “add on”, 30 members of the association went to Shag Valley Station, near Palmerston, to visit the site of the first transworld radio broadcast in 1924. Amateur radio experimenter and operator Frank Bell made history on the evening of 18 October 1924, when he transmitted Morse code messages from his home in Shag Valley. The short-wave signals were received and replied to by London-based amateur operator Cecil Goyder. At the time, this was not only the first amateur radio contact around the world, but also the first radio transmission of any kind to be sent and received at such a distance. The radio gear has been preserved, and Frank Bell’s son Alf (now at Lake Hayes) was pictured beside the equipment.

 

A Word from Graham ZL3NZ

 

I have no idea where the last month has gone. All I can say is it has been enjoyable. I will be contacting everyone this month re renewing your year's subscription, and also a very important survey to establish if there is enough interest for an Echolink net (in "conference" mode) in the very near future. This is one occasion when I would really appreciate your taking a few minutes to fill in some questions and send them to me so that all may have their say about "what day" "what time" you would like to try an Echolink net. I will correlate your answers and have it on the most voted day and time.   

 

In Conclusion

 

For all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a destiny planned from the beginning of time. This destiny is God’s very best for us in the long term, even though we may strongly disagree while passing through the trials. But it is surely important that, if we know our feet are walking a selfish path, we make it a priority to seek out this destiny, within the parameters of the freedoms God allows, and make our will to be in agreement with His.

           

The story is told of how Queen Victoria, when still a young child, was purposely never told of her true destiny. Her teachers had difficulty in motivating her, training her. So one day it was decided she should be informed that she would one day be Queen of England. Upon hearing this, Victoria quietly said, “Then I will be good”. The realisation of her destiny, her high calling, gave her a sense of responsibility that profoundly affected her conduct from then on.

           

For those outside of God’s will or destiny, life is fraught with uncertainty. New York Real Estate developer Larry Silverstein had an obsession to add the great Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre to his holdings. Several weeks before those two skyscrapers were destroyed, he had obtained a 99-year lease for that centre worth $3.2 billion. This surely proves life’s uncertainty, and the need to align our will with God’s. Rather than live our lives in selfish presumption, we should say, as written in James 4:15, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that”. Herein is safety, herein is contentment, joy and peace. 

            Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me;

            And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;

            But I ask Thee for a present mind, intent on pleasing Thee.

 

In Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Prayer of Acceptance”, he wrote, “You will lay on me no more than I can bear. You make all things work together for the good of your children.”

 

73, and God’s blessing be on you all. Thank you for your faithfulness and encouragement.

 

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