Lakes VHF radio group issues emergency funding call

After half a century of providing safety for boaties on Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, a ham radio group is issuing a funding Mayday of its own.

As the summer season approaches Roy’s Peak Radio Users is urging locals and visitors to prioritise safety by joining and helping maintain its vital VHF (Very High Frequency) communication network.

“For over 50 years Roy’s Peak Radio Users (Formally Upper Clutha Radio Telephone Users Association) has been at the heart of lake safety, providing reliable radio communication services through VHF Channel 66 and Channel 4,” group chairperson Ian Brown said.

“This service ensures that boaters, lake users, and local commercial operators can stay connected, have peace of mind, and access help when needed most.

“If there is a major event in the area it is our unit that may be the most important comms site in the area - with our own power and radio units but all community or individually funded.”

However, the not-for profit group appears to have fallen through the cracks when it comes to funding.

“We need $6,000 to $7,000 a year to maintain the unit. So, we are undertaking a final membership drive.”

The alternative would mean shutting down or selling up, Mr Brown said.

The importance of VHF communications was recently recognised by the Government, with Transport Minister Simeon Brown announcing $2.3 million in funding for Amateur Radio Emergency Communication (AREC), a national, not-for-profit, registered charitable organisation made up of 47 groups and 370 volunteers spread across New Zealand.

However, the Roys Peak group is run “semi commercially”, and chairman Ian Brown believes that makes the group ineligible to be part of AREC.

The district council also seems to be unable to find funding, he said.

“It’s just frustrating, as I keep getting mixed messages from QLDC, who pay thousands a year in running costs for the unit in Queenstown but tell me we aren’t eligible as we don’t have an airport, on one hand, then on the other hand employees tell me they thought funding was available. 

“Their new waterways health and safety policy of each craft having to have two forms of communications also points at VHF being one of the most viable forms of emergency communication but thats as far as their responsibility goes.

“I was also told by one person that Maritime NZ have funding available, then when i contacted them I was told ‘no’, they don’t help with operations like ours.”

Mr Brown said the Roys Peak website had just been updated.

“It’s now easier than ever to become a supporting member, with online membership purchasing available. By joining, you not only maintain this vital service, but also gain access to a community of listeners ready to respond in emergencies—an invaluable safety-net for anyone exploring the lakes.”

Membership is $66.15 annually (plus a one off $30 joining fee), to receive access to VHF radio channel 66 (Wanaka) & channel 4 (Hãwea) for safety and general communications on the lakes.

Main image (supplied): A repeater being installed on Mt Maude, last year to boost VHF radio signals for the Roys Peak Users group.