Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society: Preserving SA's Wireless Heritage

Nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society (AHARS) stands as one of South Australia's oldest and most active radio clubs. With callsigns VK5BAR and VK5CWL, this society continues a proud tradition of technical innovation and community service from its Blackwood base.

A Calendar Packed with Activity

AHARS offers dual monthly gatherings:
🗓 3rd Thursday Evening (7:30pm) - General meetings
🔧 1st Saturday Morning (10:00am) - Technical workshops
📍 Blackwood Uniting Church Hall, 266 Main Road

Recent activities have featured:
• Antenna design and construction workshops
• Digital mode demonstrations (FT8, JS8)
• Historical presentations on SA's radio heritage

Training the Next Generation

Under Paul Hoffmann VK5PH, the club provides:
✅ Foundation license courses
✅ Exam preparation sessions
✅ Mentoring for new operators

"We're seeing renewed interest from younger tech enthusiasts," notes President John Kent VK5RJ.

Community Engagement

The society actively:
📻 Maintains regular on-air nets (check website)
🏕 Participates in field day operations
🛠 Supports youth STEM initiatives

Join the Hills Radio Community

Visitors can:
1️⃣ Attend a Thursday meeting or Saturday workshop
2️⃣ Explore license training opportunities
3️⃣ Connect with local radio history

Contact:
📞 0407 661 239 (President)
🌐 ahars.au
📍 266 Main Rd, Blackwood (Monthly meetings)

In an era of digital communication, AHARS keeps the art of radio alive in the Adelaide Hills - where every contact carries both technical challenge and community spirit.

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Follow The Australian for more stories about technological heritage.

[Did You Know?]
The society's VK5BAR callsign has been in continuous use since the mid-20th century, making it one of South Australia's most historically significant amateur identifiers. Their hillside location provides exceptional radio propagation characteristics.