Bundaberg's Long-Standing Signals: Fostering Ham Spirit Since 1961

Bundaberg, Queensland - The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club Inc. (VK4BW), a proud affiliate of the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), has been a cornerstone of the local amateur radio community since its establishment on September 21st, 1961. With a strong and enduring membership, the club actively fosters entry into the hobby through Foundation Licence training and regularly scheduled practical workshops designed to share knowledge and enhance the skills of its members.

Beyond general amateur radio activities, the Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club also hosts an active WICEN (Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network) group, conducting regular theory and practical training sessions throughout the year to ensure preparedness for emergency communications.

The club maintains a robust repeater network across the region:

• VK4RBU on 146.800 MHz and 438.775 MHz, located on Mount Goonanaman, providing coverage from Gympie to Miriam Vale.
• VK4RBG on 147.800 MHz, situated within Bundaberg city itself.
• VK4RBW on 439.775 MHz, located on Mount Watalgan, offering coverage south to Childers and well north of Miriam Vale.

The club's administrative rhythm includes a monthly Management Committee meeting. Quarterly club meetings, which are followed by an "item of interest" presentation, are held on the last Saturday of February, May, August, and November at the SES Headquarters on Kendalls Road, Bundaberg, commencing at 1400 hours.

The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club actively operates a club net on their VK4RBG 2-meter repeater (147.800 MHz) every Monday evening at 7:30 pm local time.

The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club's website (http://www.barc.asn.au) serves as a comprehensive resource, providing a full calendar of events and a regularly updated news section.

The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club holds its quarterly meetings at the SES Headquarters on Kendalls Road, Bundaberg.

For those seeking to obtain their amateur radio license, the club has an ACMA-registered exam assessor within its membership.

The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club can be contacted at P.O. Box 129, Bundaberg QLD 4670, via their website (http://www.barc.asn.au), or by phone at 0428 515 039.

The dedicated committee members leading the club include President Ross Orpin VK4JRO (07 4155 2665), Secretary Michael Talan (0428 515 039), and Treasurer Margaret Beimers VK4FHAM (07 4151 3097).

With a rich history spanning over six decades, the Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club continues to be a vital hub for amateur radio enthusiasts in the Bundaberg region. Their commitment to training, community engagement through WICEN, and active on-air presence ensures a vibrant and supportive environment for both newcomers and experienced operators alike.