At Ballarat Airport, between vintage aircraft hangars, an unassuming unit houses one of regional Victoria's most active amateur radio communities. The Ballarat Amateur Radio Group (BARG) has evolved from its 1960s origins into a modern hub where wireless tradition meets 21st-century technology.
A Clubhouse with History
The group's Unit 31 headquarters boasts:
• Fully-equipped radio shack with HF/VHF/UHF capabilities
• Dedicated construction workshop for member projects
• Air-conditioned meeting space with network infrastructure
• Airfield location ideal for aeronautical radio experiments
"We've come a long way from our early days meeting in members' homes," says President Ben Daniel VK3NRD. "Our airport location lets us experiment with aircraft communications too."
Flexible Monthly Gatherings
Understanding members' varied schedules, BARG offers:
🗓 Last Friday night monthly (7:30pm) - Technical meetings
🗓 Last Saturday morning monthly (11:00am) - Social gatherings with BBQ
📍 25 Boomerang Road, Mitchell Park (Ballarat Airport)
Recent activities have included:
• Antenna building workshops
• Digital mode demonstrations
• Historical research into Ballarat's 1923 radio club
Vibrant Club Culture
BARG maintains an active calendar:
📻 Weekly on-air operations with VK3BML callsign
📰 Monthly newsletter (11 issues annually)
🛒 Annual radio gear auction - A regional highlight
🏕 Field day operations including John Moyle contest
📡 Local repeater maintenance including IRLP nodes
Training & Community Service
The club provides:
✅ Licensing assessments for all grades
✅ JOTA support for scout groups
✅ Technical assistance for member projects
Join the Goldfields Airwaves
Visitors are welcome to:
1️⃣ Attend a Friday tech night or Saturday social
2️⃣ Participate in weekly on-air activities
3️⃣ Explore airfield radio operations
Contact:
📞 0401 244 331 (President)
🌐 barg.org.au
📍 Unit 31, 25 Boomerang Rd, Ballarat Airport
In a city built on gold rush communications, BARG continues the tradition - proving that in the digital age, amateur radio remains as relevant as ever.
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[Did You Know?]
The club's airport location provides unique opportunities for aircraft communications experiments. Their VK3BML callsign has been heard via aircraft scatter propagation over 500km distant. Historical research suggests Ballarat may have hosted one of Victoria's earliest radio clubs in 1923.
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