What and Who are the Manawatu AREC?
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) is the public service arm of Amateur Radio in New Zealand. Many hams (amateur radio operators) get involved in providing communications for events, Search and Rescue and Civil Defence at different levels. The word ‘Amateur’ in AREC means only that our members are unpaid. Our goal has always been to achieve the highest professional standards.
Members of the Manawatu Amateur Radio Society facilitate operations for this at a local level, which we refer to as the Manawatu AREC Group. Collectively, members of this group provide support for event communications and search and rescue operations at local, regional and national levels.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications organisation was formed by the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Inc) (NZART) in 1932 after the Napier earthquake to train licensed amateur radio operators in providing reliable communications over the length of the country for any type of emergency. Full encouragement was given by the then New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department and they made available special station identifiers for emergency communications on the amateur radio allocated bands. It has become accepted among Amateur Radio operators that these unique “E” calls have priority over all other users of the widely-spaced amateur radio frequencies.
Since the formation of AREC in 1932, communications have been provided for thousands of emergency events ranging from searches to natural disasters to civil emergencies and for total or partial loss of telephone communications.
There are 80 AREC “Sections” throughout the country – each attached to a “Branch” of NZART and each with their own appointed Section Leader. Area Managers are appointed for the Northern, Central, Midlands and Southern areas by the National Council of NZART. as are the National Director of AREC and his Deputy and the National Secretary. All members of the organisation are unpaid volunteers.
The parent body of AREC is still the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Inc). Not only do they provide encouragement, but they support AREC fully whenever called upon for assistance with finance, advice or any other administrative requirement.
The word ‘Amateur’ in AREC means only that they are unpaid. Their goal has always been to achieve the highest professional standards. Members are drawn from every walk of life and all professions.
Manawatu AREC doesn't just look after Search & Rescue or Civil Defence, we can also help out with communications for any Sporting or Community events as well. If you require any assistance for the next event you have on, please get in contact with us, and we can see what we can do to help.
Contact Details:
Darren Sharland Graeme Richards
021 239 065 021 149 8267
Email: arec@zl2ko.org.nz
We are always on the lookout for new members to join our ranks! Please get in contact with us, we would love to discuss bringing you aboard.
Contact Details:
Darren Sharland Graeme Richards
021 239 065 021 149 8267
Email: arec@zl2ko.org.nz
Manawatu AREC Photo Gallery
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