ZL2VH: Upper Hutt Branch 63 NZART
ZL2VH is the call-sign for Upper Hutt Branch 63 NZART. We are the Upper Hutt Amateur Radio Club. We're involved in a wide range of activities associated with amateur radio, from basic radio operation and volunteer activities to radio theory, use of new digital communications methods and experimentation.The repeater is actively used by amateur radio operators in Blenheim, Nelson, Masterton, and Taranaki, making it a popular and reliable link for regional communications throughout New Zealand.
This combination of wide RF coverage and internet connectivity provides an excellent platform for local, regional, and international amateur radio contacts.
730 Repeater and IRLP Access
The 730 repeater, which hosts IRLP Node #6713, provides excellent FM voice coverage across much of the lower North Island and upper South Island.
The node now supports EchoIRLP (EchoLink), allowing users to access the repeater from smartphones using the EchoLink app or from a PC using EchoLink software. The system is designed to not allow cross connections between the two services.
EchoLink Node: ZL2VH-R (#555710)
IRLP Node: #6713
Useful Links:
🌐 IRLP User Guide
🌐 IRLP Node 6713 Status
🌐 New Zealand IRLP Nodes
Project 5 – Mt Climie UHF PRS Repeater
PRS5 is now LIVE!!! (21 October 2026)
Installation is now complete, and the repeater is fully operational throughout the Hutt Valley and other coverage areas.
Make a DonationIf you would like to support Project 5 and help ensure this community repeater remains available for years to come, your contribution will help keep this important communications asset operating for the wider PRS community, please visit: 🌐 https://prs4climie.nz/
Repeaters
-
The three D-Star repeaters, '5425', '860' and '1292' have all been upgraded to the latest versions of the ICOM D-Star models - ID-RP2010V, ID-RP4010V and ID-RP1200VD. Both '5425' and '860' repeaters were upgraded in October/November 2024. '1292' was upgraded in May 2026. We wish to thank RWB Communications (ICOM agents in New Zealand) for their support of these upgrades.
-
Branch 63 owns, operates and maintains a large number of repeaters, which are situated on Mt Climie Track in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
-
The 730 repeater, which carries IRLP Node #6713, offers excellent FM voice coverage across much of the lower North Island and upper South Island.
The node now carries EchoIRLP (EchoLink). This makes the repeater accessible via Phone apps and via PC using EchoLink software.
ZL2VH-R Node No: 555710.
If you're new to IRLP, you can find the user guide here.
Status page for the 6713 Node is here.
For a list of the other nodes in New Zealand look here.
The repeater is actively used by operators in Blenheim, Nelson, Masterton, and Taranaki, making it a popular link for regional communication.
Beacons
Branch 63 operates two amateur radio beacons for the benefit of the wider New Zealand and international amateur radio community:
A 3 cm band propagation beacon on 10,368.275 MHz, located at Climie.
A 10 m band beacon on 28.229 MHz, transmitting from the club rooms in Upper Hutt.
The 3 cm (10,368.275 MHz) propagation beacon was returned to service following repairs and has been operating reliably since 6 April 2026.
- ZL Beacon Status (updated 14 June 2026)
- ZL2VHX Mt Climie 10 GHz Beacon
- ZL2MHF Upper Hutt 28.229 MHz Beacon
SDR Receiver
Branch 63 operates a KiwiSDR Receiver at Climie for the benefit of the wider New Zealand radio amateur community.
The link below will take you to the SDR http://123.255.47.67:8073KiwiSDR - ZL2VH Upper Hutt, New Zealand. Grid Square: RE78NU.
Antenna: End fed long wire - 860 m ASL
Location (lat, lon) (-41.150409, 175.143457)