In the heart of Victoria’s gold country, where telegraph lines first connected mining settlements, the Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club (BAREC) continues a proud tradition of innovation. Established as the Midland Zone of the WIA, this club has evolved into a multifaceted hub where vintage wireless meets cutting-edge digital technology.
A Club Bridging Communities
BAREC uniquely serves both Bendigo and Castlemaine with:
• Monthly technical meetings (3rd Friday at Bendigo East Hall)
• Quarterly gatherings in historic Castlemaine
• Weekly Wednesday workshops (10am-1pm at clubrooms)
• Last Sunday coffee meetups in Castlemaine
"We’re preserving goldfields communication history while embracing new technologies," says President Neil Patton VK3ZVX.
On-Air Activities with Heritage Flair
The club maintains vibrant nets:
📻 Thursday 8pm: 80m LSB net (3.655MHz) - one of regional Victoria’s longest-running
📶 Tuesday 8pm: 2m net via VK3RCV repeater (147.150MHz)
🛰 Special interest groups including SOTA, POTA, and microprocessor projects
Training the Next Generation
With VK3AHA Mike Tobin leading instruction, BAREC offers:
✅ Comprehensive licensing courses (Foundation to Advanced)
✅ Youth electronics workshops (returning post-pandemic)
✅ Morse code mentoring for heritage operators
Community & Emergency Roles
The club actively:
• Maintains the VK3RCA repeater network
• Supports JOTA scouting events
• Provides emergency comms backup for the region
Join the Goldfields Airwaves
Visitors can:
1️⃣ Attend a Friday night technical meeting
2️⃣ Join the Wednesday morning workshops
3️⃣ Participate in special interest groups
Contact:
📞 0421 349 169 (Secretary) / 0466 424 184 (President)
🌐 barec.net.au
📍 35 Lansell St, East Bendigo (Monthly meetings)
In a region built on communication innovation, BAREC continues to connect communities - proving that amateur radio remains as vital today as when gold rush operators first tapped out Morse code across these hills.
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Follow The Australian for more stories about regional technology heritage.
[Did You Know?]
The club’s 80m net has been running continuously since the 1970s, often reaching stations across southern Australia. Their VK3RCV repeater on Mount Alexander provides coverage from Bendigo to the Macedon Ranges, following the path of historic gold escorts.
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