Mönchengladbach, Germany — The Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club (DARC) Ortsverband Mönchengladbach, affectionately known as ROMEO10, is gearing up for a milestone celebration: 90 years of amateur radio in the city. The festivities, set for 17 May 2025, will take place at the historic Hephata Evangelical Foundation, promising a day of nostalgia, innovation, and community spirit.
A Century of Wireless Passion
Since its inception in the 1930s, the Mönchengladbach club has been a hub for radio enthusiasts, fostering technical ingenuity and international camaraderie. Today, its members—ranging from seasoned "OMs" (Old Men, a traditional ham radio term) to young "YLs" (Young Ladies)—continue to push boundaries in digital and analog communication.
Upcoming Events: From Field Days to Contests
The club’s calendar is packed with activities:
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16 March: FM Roundtable on 145.6125 MHz
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21 March: Club Night at HQ
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23 March: C4FM Digital Roundtable on 439.5875 MHz
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30 March: FM Roundtable returns
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4 April: Annual General Meeting
A highlight this summer is the Lammersdorf Field Day (12–14 July), where members will set up portable stations in the Eifel region, testing long-range communications and new antenna designs.
Honoring Legends, Welcoming Newcomers
The club recently mourned the loss of two stalwarts:
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Günter "Gunny" Schulte, DJ5JH (SK), a ham since the 1950s, passed at 84.
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Walter Kilius, DL1WKM, a 50-year DARC veteran, left a void in the community.
But there’s also joy:
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Peter DL5JA was honored for 40 years of membership.
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Christoph DF7CB earned accolades for his FT4/FT8 contest prowess.
Tech Talk: Satellites, AI, and LoRa
Innovation thrives in Mönchengladbach:
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Stefan DB1LZ demoed QO-100 satellite operations.
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Thomas DL2OAH presented a groundbreaking lecture on AI-assisted radio drift analysis.
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The club’s LoRa-APRS gateway now tracks amateur signals across the city.
Community Outreach
From school rallies to city festivals, ROMEO10 brings radio to the public:
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Stadtteilfest Dahl (26 May): Kids learned Morse code and soldered circuits.
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SMS Group "Family Day": Thousands glimpsed vintage radios and modern FT8 digital modes.
Join the Fun!
"Amateur radio isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifeline," says club chairman Stefan DB1LZ. "Whether you’re into satellites, emergency comms, or just making friends worldwide, there’s a place for you here."
Next meeting: 21 March, 20:00 at HQ (Alte Spinnerei). Guests welcome!
Contact: DARC R10 Website | Twitter: @ROMEO10_MG
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