The history of the North Shore Branch starts way back in 1934, when six enthusiasts decided to form the North Shore Radio Club. From this early start the membership grew and we have in the branch today 35 financial members including three of the early gang, Bert Batty 1HQ, Tay Hayward 1DG, and Jif Fleming 1IH. The club affiliated with N.Z.A.R.T., becoming the North Shore Branch in October, 1945.

In the early days meetings were held at members' homes and various other convenient places. For the last five years the Waitemata Power Board's Test rooms in Takapuna became our regular meeting place, but one of the things always in mind has been "our own clubrooms." The war of course brought to a standstill most club activities, but a small group carried on. In 1947 it was decided that something must be done about our own club rooms, and an Alluvial Gold Art Union was organised. Stan 1AB did much useful work arranging for the printing of 8,000 tickets and the distribution of them to all members and other N.Z.A.R.T. branches. Wally 1PN turned out to be the master ticket seller, selling over 1000. Everybody, however, did their bit, culminating in an all day drive the day before the closing date. On this day no less than 1,600 tickets were sold. The whole effort resulted in the sum of ₤150 being raised.

With this in hand our activities really commenced, and all members were busy searching the district for a suitable building site. Bert 1HQ then advised we had been offered a share in two very large pine trees, if we were prepared to fell them. This offer was accepted and several weekends were spent felling and cutting ready for the mill. Sore muscles were the order of the day but the gang came back for more each week. This resulted in a lot of fine looking logs resting peacefully in the valley with roadway several hundred yards up the hillside. Haulage to the road presented a problem until Roger 1SG came to light with bulldozer assistance. This made easy work of the job and in no time the logs were ready on the roadside. After milling we were the possessors of many hundreds of feet of first grade timber, which was duly stacked one fine meeting night, under Wally 1PN's new house. During this time envious eyes were cast on pieces of land owned by the local Borough Council and so in August, 1948, Wally 1PN and Keith 1LM waited as a deputation on the Takapuna Council requesting the possibility of a lease of suitable property.

The Council kindly agreed to help us in this direction and negotiations for a lease were commenced. Unavoidable delays occurred at this stage, while we continued our meetings at the Power Board's Test rooms, until finally in March, 1950, the lease was signed. We could now make some real progress. The Building Committee comprising Bert 1HQ, Roger 1SG and Keith 1LM got down to work, and with the aid of Mr. Bill Dymock, plans were prepared. It was agreed that finances limited the building to some 300 square feet but provision was made for later extension to twice this size.

Considerable argument developed as to the most suitable type of roofing, and after hearing the proponents of fibrolite, aluminium and malthoid, the final decision was in favour of the malthoid, the walls to be of fibrolite. We decided to do the entire building job ourselves, even though we had no qualified builder in our ranks. Wally 1PN having built his own house was unanimously declared to be foreman in charge. Wally did a fine job but we were soon able to forecast accurately his opening remarks when returning to the job after an absence of a few hours. "Who the h-- did that?" And every time he looked at the roof, "I think we'd better have a bit more bracing!" A large tree on the section was promptly taken down and removed by 1PN and Ken Morrison for firewood. We rather think they regretted this action as it turned out to be pretty tough. The site was now cleared and the foundation blocks put in.

With King's Birthday weekend now rapidly approaching a drive was made to get everything ready for commencing erection. A record crowd gathered at 1PN's, where the framing was all laid out and cut. During the holiday week-end no fewer than twenty-eight of our members turned up to help and it was to us a grand feeling to see the framework completed. Some of us found that punching four inch nails was even harder than punching the key. Gradually the building took shape, as the roof went on, and the walls were covered. Flooring timber caused a serious hold up, though it at least developed among the older members a surprising agility in leaping across the joists. Eventually Lance 1RJ worked the oracle and the flooring arrived after one or two false alarms.

We had now arrived at the stage where a date could be set for the opening of the Clubrooms.

Labour Day weekend was to be the big day and the last few weeks prior to this saw feverish activity. There was much to be done and all the materials were now on hand. Efforts were concentrated on finishing the interior for the opening, leaving the outside, the building by this time being completely waterproof. As will be seen from the photos quite a lot remains to be done on the outside. The walls and ceiling were lined with Pinex, and the interior finishing completed.

Then came the painting. With the aid of Shorty 1AGA's portable (?) spray painting outfit, Roger 1SG and Bert 1ADS did a fine job, though there was some doubt at one stage whether Bert had been painting the clubroom or himself.

While this was going on, another party with a truck man-handled several tons of rocks to form a suitable approach from the roadway. The last job of all was a grand and glorious clean up and the installation of the Branch transmitter ZL1WO using a 34ft. vertical ZC1 whip. The opening ceremony took place on the Saturday evening starting at 8 p.m. The branch Chairman, Ken Morrison, welcomed a large crowd including many visitors. Representatives of Northland, Western Suburbs and Auckland branches were present, as were also our two Radio Inspectors.

Our local Mayor, Mr John Guiniven and one of the Councilors, Mr Henderson, were present and at the conclusion of the proceedings the Mayor declared the Clubrooms open and switched on ZL1WO. Stan Waite 1AB, as will be evident a ham of long standing, gave a most interesting talk on the development of ham radio. Stan was presented later in the evening with a clock as a mark of appreciation for his efforts for the branch during the past years. Monty Miller 1HA, Dave Andrews 1ACK and Harry Presswood 1QT spoke on behalf of their respective branches and Harold Boyd 1CH, replied on behalf of the association, after which our Mayor, Mr Guiniven expressed pleasure at the work members had done both on emergency and in connection with the Clubrooms, and assured us of his support in the future.

Supper was then served and a general rag chew developed bringing the evening to a successful conclusion. Well, chaps, there it is. At last we have our own Clubrooms and though the outside requires more work before it is finished, we can sit back a bit and consolidate. Organisation of Branch equipment for emergency use, instruction of young members, and last but not least the acquiring of funds for expanding the building--all are on the agenda.

The thanks of the Branch are due to certain "Key" men who turned up so regularly and also the wives who put up with the many absences. However, those home jobs are now getting the necessary attention so all is well. We trust that this will provide inspiration to any other Branch, in similar trouble over Clubrooms. What we did others can do and believe us, it is a great feeling to walk into your own Clubrooms.

AUCKLAND AND NORTH SHORE BEANO By J. L. Carrel, ZL1HL *
From Break-In for November 1948 pp 9, 32.

The second combined Auckland-North Shore Beano, which was held at the Commodore Lounge on Saturday, October 9th, proved an unqualified success.
....At 8 p.m. the programme opened with the introduction of chairmen, Harold 1CH of Auckland, with Jim 1GF of North Shore. A toast, "The King," was followed, much to the amusement of all present, by the entry of the M.C., King (Ed. 1BE) Farouk, followed at the clap of his hands by his band of stalwart slaves, 1QP, 1SJ, 1DW, 1WA, 1OL, 1MS, and Fred Powell) who, at the bidding of their master, attended to the liquid needs of the guests. King Farouk, as befits an Arab potentate, was appropriately clad in Sheik's attire (complete with wristlet watch!), while his slaves presented an exotic spectacle with their flowing white robes and red fez caps and sashes at their waists.

There were about 160 present and, in welcoming the visitors, of whom there were many, Harold, 1CH, revealed that Hams from as far a field as Whangarei, Dargaville, Thames, Waiuku, and the Waikato area had traveled to Auckland especially for the occasion. Toasts were drunk to "The Association, "Kindred Clubs," "The P. and T. Department," and "The Visitors." The 1st District Vice-President, Bert, 1HQ, when responding on behalf of the Association, pointed out that the guests present represented a very large part of the Association, whose success depended very largely on the activity of each member.

He asked that all should become active members, taking part in contests, contributing to "Break-In," and sending forward ideas to Headquarters. Bert concluded his remarks with a timely appeal to each member to bring along a new member. Mr. D. McMahon, District Radio Inspector, in responding on behalf of the P. and T. Department, emphasised the Association's need of public goodwill due to the increasing pressure being brought to bear on amateur bands by commercial interests.

The department acted as a buffer between the amateurs and the public, said Mr. McMahon, and he illustrated the point by telling of a complaint made by a BCL who suffered from interference from a YL Ham who, because she worked in a kapok factory was known on the air as "Kapok Liz." In proposing a toast to "Absent Friends," the Auckland chairman regretted the absence of two of the best-known members of the Association, Fred Leader and Gordon Salt, 1CK. Fred is at present in hospital, but everyone was pleased to learn that he is in good spirits and making progress towards a complete recovery.

Among the guests was "Pop," 1IZ, who was celebrating his seventy-second birthday. To his surprise and obvious delight, a cake, complete with candles, was wheeled in with great ceremony. "Pop" explained that he was just a new-comer to Ham radio, having obtained his license in 1936, but expressed the hope that he would still be operating on his hundredth birthday, a sentiment endorsed by all present. During the course of the evening items were capably presented by Tex Doyle (Hill Billy), Bob Harwood (piano-accordion), Alan Matthews (magician), and Bill Todd (comedian).

A pair of 717A's was the prize for the lucky winner of the competition, in which entrants estimated the resonant frequency of a length of wire hanging on the wall, while a length of 300 ohm feed line was won for the best story. Raffles for an electric jug and a bottle of gin were drawn and the winners announced. An amusing sidelight was the presentation of the second prize for the best story.

This was a transmitting tube of very early vintage, complete with authority from the R.I. to the winner to use 10 watts on its 35 amp filament. The highlight of the evening's entertainments was the presentation of the film, "Hams in Hollywood" by Bert, 1JO, capably assisted by Seth, 1KJ (sound effects), and Harold, 1CH (commentary).

There were glimpses of well known local Hams "at home," together with an explanation of how Des, 1WA, obtains the extra power he needs for his ZC1 to work the DX. The heads of the tables were appropriately decorated with scale models of 10-metre beams on lattice towers, which anyone would be proud to own, and, in addition, N.Z.A.R.T. pennants were displayed in prominent positions. Two large globes emphasised the worldwide scope of the amateur movement.

During the suppertime guests circulated their QSL's for autographing by those present. All present agreed that the success of the evening was due to the thought and hard work devoted to the organization by Bert, 1JO, and his band of Auckland-North Shore assistants, and wish to say again, "Thanks, Bert." For those of the visitors who were able to linger in Auckland over the Sunday, a programme of visiting and entertaining was drawn up.

A Brief History By H. W. BATTY, ZL1HQ
From Break-In for October 1969 pp 279 - 280. Author Bert Batty, ZL1HQ. Branch 29

The North Shore Branch had its beginnings in 1935 when two or three young men met at a private home to discuss amateur radio, and someone suggested the idea of forming a club and canvassing the district for members.

This was carried out and the first gathering the writer attended, was held at the Stanley Point home of Vaughan Wilson, ZL1JW, now ZL2VW. Soon the numbers swelled and to avoid wearing out our welcome at the Wilson’s' meetings were held at various ham shacks and private homes in rotation. The gatherings were not restricted to licensed hams; anyone, old or young, who was interested in some phase of radio communication or broadcasting, be he an operator or a listener, was welcome and the need for a central clubroom became pressing.

In May 1937, through someone who knew someone, we were fortunate in being able to rent the Toch-H League clubrooms in Lake Road. It was situated under a private house and had a ping pong table, supper facilities, and space enough for our purposes. A transmitting license was taken out with the call of ZL1MA. Meetings were held here till April 1939 when the building changed hands and we lost our club rooms.

During this period various projects were carried out, including the building of a receiver and a transmitter. It is most unfortunate that the roll of members during those first few years has become lost, but from memory and a roll in 1936 it appears that at least half our numbers were listeners or prospective hams and include the following: V. Wilson ZL1JW, D. Thompson ZL1KB, R. St. Clair ZL1HG, H. Batty ZL1HQ, J. Fleming ZL1IH and also A. Dephoff, A. Whitley, L. Berlyn, R. Knight, W. Seagar, G. Wright, R. Reeston, E. Steel, S. Tattam and Messrs Tidham and Hutchison. By 1939 the following names had been added: A. Amos ZL1GZ, R. Allard ZL1UN, K. Wellington ZL1LM, S. Waite ZL1AB, M. Walker ZL1AU, Max Ward ZL1PE, J. Fish ZL1GF. From July 1938, thanks to Mr. A. Dephoff, meetings were held in the large lounge of his home in Waitemata Road, providing a very friendly and congenial atmosphere.

During war time when all our transmitting gear was safely locked away and stored, one successful project was the building of a tape machine to copy Morse code with the idea of correcting and improving sending.

The fact that the fast moving pen splattered ink all over the operator and the walls was a minor matter, but it seemed only a short while before we had to move again. We were back to meetings in private homes, and although this does make for very pleasant and closely knit group discussions, it is not fair to the home owners. However in August 1945, thanks to the efforts of Stan ZL1AB, a small room became available at the Waitemata Power Board's meter test rooms, and this move soon proved to be a great help to the club since it was central, and being in the meter testing department, many interesting talks and demonstrations were organised during which Ham gear or any electrical devices could be tested under proper conditions, with as many meters as one could desire on the test benches. Under these ideal conditions, the North Shore Radio Club became the North Shore (Auckland) Branch on October 8th, 1945. With steadily increasing membership by 1948, the need for our own club rooms became more and more pressing and various schemes for raising money were tried out.

A big Art Union (legal), with alluvial gold as the prize raised ₤150, Wally ZL1PN proving himself to be the champion ticket seller by selling 1000. Quick raffles were run at meetings, and a building fund box threepence per member per meeting was the order.

In 1948 a new station license, ZL1WO was taken out and is still current. Around this time the A.R.E.C. Section was very active, and as operating practice cycle road races were given radio coverage and field days were organised wherein wives and families were taken to a beach picnic while some of the men retired to the nearby hills with portable rigs to work other sections of A.R.E.C. During 1949 a novel contest was arranged (The North Shore-Northland) Scramble, which consisted of just one hour's operation on a Sunday morning, the aim being to get as many phone contacts as possible in the hour. This was a lot of fun and may bear repeating in other branches.

By July 1949 plans and specifications for our building were finalised, the Borough Council had granted the use of a small plot of land and building got under way. The timber for the job cost us nothing in cash, but quite something in hard work. A Mr. S. Tattam had offered the Branch a half share in two very large pine trees in exchange for the labour in felling, trimming, cross cutting and all the cleaning-up necessary to prepare the logs for milling.

Our share would result in several hundred feet of sawn timber over and above the amount required to build the club rooms. A cash bonus of about ₤60 helped to compensate the members for some weeks of aching backs, tired muscles and blistered hands and with much satisfaction we were at last able to gaze on a mountain of logs ready for milling. The only trouble was, they were in a gully with the nearest road 100 yards away, uphill. This was where Roger ZL1SG came to light with bulldozer assistance and soon the logs were safely delivered to the mill. Were our troubles over?-- not at all, for before we knew what had happened, we had thousands of feet of first grade timber, but no place to put it. Then someone remembered that Wally 1PN had just moved into a new house with a big empty basement, more hard work and blisters, but our timber was safe.

The building committee ZL's 1HQ, 1SG, and 1LM enlisted the aid of Bill Dymock, a builder, and since Wally 1PU had just finished his own house, he was made foreman and work began in earnest. King's Birthday week-end saw a large crowd at Wally's place where the framing was laid out and cut, then taken to the site where no less than 28 members turned up to help. It was a grand feeling to see the framework going up but some of us found punching 4" nails a deal harder than punching a key. Flooring timber caused a serious hold-up but this was eventually overcome when ZL1RJ found where he could buy some.

All the materials now being on hand, an opening date was forecast for Labour Day and all effort was made to finish the interior and make the building weatherproof. When the time came for painting ZL1AGA offered the use of his portable? (transportable) spray paint outfit and the job was finally finished with half the paint on the walls and the other half on the painters.

During this time another party with a truck man-handled loads of rock to form an approach path from the street to the club room over some rugged ground. The last job of all was a grand and glorious clean-up and the installation of the Branch transmitter ZL1WO and a 30 foot whip antenna.

The opening ceremony took place on a Saturday evening at 8 p.m. The branch chairman Ken Morrison welcomed a large crowd with representatives from Northland, Western Suburbs, Auckland branch, and our two Radio Inspectors. Our local Mayor, Mr John Guinevan and Councilor Henderson were present and at the conclusion of the proceedings, the Mayor declared the club rooms open and switched on ZL1WO. Stan Waite ZL1AB then gave a most interesting talk on the development of Ham radio. Stan was later presented with a clock as a mark of appreciation for his good work on behalf of the branch. Supper and a general rag chew brought the evening to a successful conclusion.

The North Shore Branch has kept going since then and has passed through some very low patches when only a few of the old stalwarts kept up attendance, but coming to the present time, due to a large extent to good publicity work at schools and fairs by Jumbo, ZL1HV, we have had a very pleasing influx of young boys for coaching for Ham exams, and of those who have sat their exams so far, very good marks have been achieved. This increase in numbers has made the club room quite definitely too small and negotiations for some form of extra space is under way

The activities of the branch these days include the monthly meeting which normally includes a lecture or demonstration, two nights per month or more on coaching new hams, committee meetings, and at least one night when new gear or gadgets are displayed and discussed.

The annual Field Day is always popular and is entered more in a spirit of fun and enjoyment of a week-end outing than as a serious effort to win at all costs. The Ladies are not forgotten and a dinner evening or a social evening for the XYL's and YL's is an annual event and the year winds up with the Christmas Party (men only).

Although the A.R.E.C. activities have declined, more is being done towards Civil Defence and soon all the Branch's station gear will be installed and operated from the Castor Bay C.D. Headquarters. * 4 Waratah Road, Auckland.

[Notes: 1. This text is as published in Break-In, with misspellings (Toch-H for Toc H, Thompson for Thomson (ZL1KB), 1PU for 1PN) and non-conformist punctuation.
2. The asterisked address at the end is the author's QTH, even though no matching asterisk appears in the text. ]