Brisbane's High Achievers: The City of Brisbane Radio Society Reaches for the Horizon

Carindale, Queensland - What began in the 1970s as a casual interest group riding the wave of the CB radio craze has evolved into a formidable force on the Australian amateur radio landscape. The City of Brisbane Radio Society (VK4WIE) has consistently punched above its weight, its members driven by a passion for technical excellence and a thirst for on-air achievement.

Early success in Field Day events firmly established the club's competitive spirit. Notably, they clinched outright victory in the prestigious John Moyle Memorial Field Day Contest from a strategic location atop Mt Wolvi, near Gympie, and also triumphed twice in the VHF/UHF section, showcasing their prowess on the higher frequency bands.

Capitalizing on the burgeoning interest in Field Days in recent years, the club has invested significantly in building an extensive, trailer-based field day station. This mobile powerhouse boasts a comprehensive setup, including robust power supplies, a suite of radios, amplifiers, and antennas spanning bands from 6 meters all the way up to the microwave realm of 10 GHz. Their pursuit of optimal operating conditions has led them to elevated locations ranging from 200 to 1200 meters, strategically chosen to maximize their coverage across the vast expanse of Queensland and beyond on the bands above HF. Their commitment to competitive operating was evident in 2024 with entries in the Spring and Winter VHF/UHF field day contests, as well as the John Moyle Field Day.

Beyond their on-air endeavors, the club has a rich history of ambitious technical projects. Members have collaboratively designed and constructed high-power 2-meter and 70cm Larcan and NEC amplifiers, capable of delivering 300-400 Watts of output. Their innovative spirit extends to the microwave bands, with projects focused on building 1.2, 2.4, and 5.8 GHz transverters, pushing the boundaries of amateur radio technology.

The City of Brisbane Radio Society adopts a flexible meeting schedule to accommodate its members. They convene in person at the Carindale Library every second Tuesday of the month (with December and January subject to confirmation). On most other Tuesdays, the club initially connects via their 2-meter repeater before transitioning to a virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams, the link for which can be found on their website. The club warmly welcomes prospective members to join their gatherings. Their Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in conjunction with their March or April meetings, with annual membership fees due at that time.

The club's primary on-air activities revolve around participation in the major Field Day contests: the John Moyle Memorial Field Day, as well as the Winter, Spring, and Summer VHF/UHF Field Days. Demonstrating their proactive approach to finding optimal operating locations, they are also exploring potential overnight trips to scout promising contest sites.

The club's repeater infrastructure, while currently undergoing maintenance, has historically played a key role in their local communications: VK4RBR on 2 meters (147.350 + 600kHz, 91.5 tone) and 70cm (438.275 - 5 MHz, 91.5 tone), and their 6-meter repeater (53.975 - 1MHz). The 70cm and 6-meter repeaters are currently off-air until late 2025.

For those seeking to enter or advance within the amateur radio ranks, one of the club's members is accredited by ACMA as a license assessor. License assessments are scheduled based on individual requests. Inquiries regarding upcoming courses and assessments should be directed to the club secretary via email at vk4wiecbrs.secretary@gmail.com. Peter VK4APV serves as the club's training course coordinator, with contact details provided via email.

The City of Brisbane Radio Society, with its impressive track record in competitive operating and its history of ambitious technical projects, embodies a spirit of excellence and innovation within the Brisbane amateur radio community. Their commitment to both on-air achievement and technical exploration ensures that their signals continue to reach far and wide, pushing the boundaries of what is possible from their corner of Queensland.