A Long History on the Airwaves: The Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio Club

Founded in 1948 by a group of enthusiastic amateurs in the Moorabbin area, the Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio Club (MDRC), operating under the callsigns VK3APC, VK3RMC, and VK3RKM, boasts a rich heritage. Their initial weekly gatherings took place in a radio shop owned by Col Gibson VK3FO in Centre Road, Bentleigh. In 2018, the club proudly celebrated its 70th anniversary, and the ongoing project of compiling its history invites contributions of recollections and anecdotes from members past and present.

A major highlight on the MDRC calendar is their annual Hamfest, held each May. This significant event is a cornerstone of the Victorian amateur radio scene, consistently being the largest of its kind in the state. Further details can be found on the club's website at www.mdrc.org.au.

The club holds its regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, although members are advised to check the website for any schedule changes. Additionally, every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM, the club's senior members convene for a relaxed coffee and chat session led by Leon VK3DTL, with visitors always welcome (again, checking the website for any COVID-related updates is recommended).

The MDRC clubrooms are located within the Combined Clubs complex at 33-35 Turner Road, Highett, Victoria (Melways reference 77 J9). Entry is via the gate on Turner Road, and the clubrooms can be identified by the antennas on the roof.

MDRC maintains an active presence on the airwaves through its regular Club Nets:

• Wednesday @ 20:00hrs local: Participants can join via the VK3RMC 147.325MHz Repeater (91.5Hz tone), the VK3RKM 147.075MHz Repeater (91.5Hz tone), DMR Talk Group 3801, 146.550MHz FM, and 3.567MHz LSB. The net controller is Tony VK3CAT.
• Old Timers Net: Mon-Fri @ 16:45hrs local: This net operates on 146.550MHz FM.

For those interested in pursuing amateur radio licensing, Graeme Lewis VK3GL is the key contact for details and can be reached at 0418 171 601 or via email at vk3gl@bigpond.com. Graeme also serves as the club's training course coordinator.

The Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio Club can be contacted at PO Box 58, Highett Vic 3190, or through their website. Phone enquiries can be directed to 0402 893 361.

The dedicated committee members leading the MDRC include President Ian Foster VK3ST (0435 926 361), Secretary Ken VK3KIM (0402 893 361), and Treasurer Alan VK3AJK (0414 488 258).

With a long and distinguished history, the Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio Club continues to be a vibrant and active part of the Victorian amateur radio community, fostering camaraderie, learning, and a strong presence on the airwaves.