Caboolture's Calling: A Club Rooted in History, Reaching for the Airwaves

Caboolture, Queensland - Nestled in the semi-rural expanse approximately 45km north of Brisbane, a town first etched onto the map in 1842, lies a beacon for amateur radio enthusiasts: the Caboolture Radio Club (VK4QD). Founded in 1992 and formally incorporated in 1999, this vibrant club shares a sprawling 5-hectare (12-acre) site with the Caboolture Scouts, a partnership forged on Department of Natural Resources land.

Housed within a repurposed WWII military building, the Caboolture Radio Club is far from a relic of the past. It actively engages with its community, providing crucial communications support for a diverse range of local events and organizations. From the Caboolture Scouts themselves to various sporting car clubs, rally organizers, horse endurance rides, and cycling events, the club's expertise ensures seamless coordination. Beyond their community service, members also enthusiastically participate in field days and various on-air contests, injecting a spirit of friendly competition into the hobby.

The club's logo is a thoughtful reflection of the region's rich history. The foreground depicts the Caboolture River, a vital waterway for the timber getters of the 19th and early 20th centuries, who floated prized red cedar logs from the D'Aguilar Ranges down to the coast for onward shipping. The central area of the logo represents the pastoral lands where early settlers cultivated sugar cane and cotton, among other crops. However, the most significant element is the carpet python. The very name of Caboolture is derived from the Brisbane Aboriginal language, pronounced "Kabul-tur," meaning "place of the carpet pythons." While these impressive snakes, capable of reaching lengths of four meters or more, are plentiful in the area, they are a harmless, non-poisonous presence, much like the welcoming spirit of the radio club itself.

The heart of the club beats every Saturday at 10:00 AM AEST within their club rooms, located at 169 Smiths Road, Caboolture QLD 4510. The club doors are open even earlier, from 08:00 AM AEST every Saturday, inviting members and visitors to gather and connect. For those navigating their way to the club, a friendly call on their repeater, VK4RCC 146.625mHz, can provide directional assistance. Notably, the Caboolture Radio Club also boasts what they believe to be the world's only beacon on the 2200-meter band, transmitting on a frequency of 137.444 kHz using the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) mode at a power of one watt – a testament to their diverse technical interests.

The Caboolture Radio Club hosts two regular on-air nets, fostering communication and camaraderie among members and the wider amateur radio community:

• Tuesday evenings at 19:30 AEST (09:30 UTC) on their repeater VK4RCC 146.625mHz.
• Friday evenings at 19:30 AEST (09:30 UTC) on 3.610mHz +/- QRM (currently suspended).

These nets typically run for three rounds and can extend for an hour or more, depending on participation. The club's repeater is consistently monitored, encouraging members and visitors to call in for a chat at any time outside of these scheduled nets. Alternatively, a visit to the club rooms on any Saturday morning from 09:00 AEST (23:00 UTC) offers a face-to-face connection. Directions to the club can always be obtained by checking in on the repeater.

For those aspiring to join the ranks of licensed amateur radio operators, the Caboolture Radio Club provides personalized mentorship and assistance to individuals interested in obtaining an Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency and license. Assessments are conducted on demand, with the club committed to working with individuals to provide timely and convenient assessment opportunities. Alan McLennan, VK4TG, serves as the club's training course coordinator, though a phone number is not provided, and inquiries should be directed via email.

The Caboolture Radio Club, rooted in the history of its region and actively engaged with its community, offers a welcoming and technically diverse environment for amateur radio enthusiasts of all levels. Their commitment to both on-air activity and community service ensures that the spirit of radio communication thrives in this corner of Queensland.