Connecting the Hastings: The Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club Celebrates a Golden Milestone

For over half a century, the airwaves across the Hastings region have resonated with the dedicated signals of the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club (ORARC), proudly holding the callsign VK2BOR. Founded in Port Macquarie on the 2nd of October 1971, the club marked its significant 50th anniversary in 2021, a testament to its enduring commitment to fostering the vibrant hobby of amateur radio and its associated electronics.

From its inception, ORARC has been driven by a clear mission: to cultivate an interest in the scientific advancements of radio communications, to provide a supportive hub for learning and knowledge exchange, and to champion the interests of amateur radio enthusiasts within the broader community. The club actively engages with authorities on policy matters, organises engaging events, and supports worthy projects, all in the spirit of furthering the aims and objectives of the amateur radio fraternity.

The heart of ORARC's activities beats within the SES complex located at 13 Central Road, Port Macquarie, which serves as the venue for their regular gatherings. Members convene for their Monthly General Meetings on the first Saturday of each month at 2 pm, providing a forum for club business and shared enthusiasm. Additionally, the club fosters a more casual atmosphere with their Friday Night gatherings on the third Friday of the month at 7 pm at the same location. For those seeking a mid-week connection, an informal Coffee Morning takes place at The Hill cafe in Thrumster at 10 am on the second Thursday of each month, with visitors always welcomed.

Looking ahead, the next Monthly General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, the 3rd of May 2025, at 2 pm in the SES Building. The April Coffee Morning will be held at The Hill cafe on Thursday, the 10th of April 2025, at 10 am. Notably, the April Friday Night Get Together will occur on the second Friday, the 11th of April 2025, due to the Good Friday and ANZAC Day public holidays falling on the subsequent Fridays.

A highlight on the ORARC calendar is their 49th annual Field Day, set to take place on the King's Birthday long weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the 7th and 8th of June 2025. Members and visitors are warmly invited to the Wauchope Showground Hall in High Street, Wauchope, for a weekend of amateur radio excitement. The event will feature the traditional Field Day attractions, including fox hunts on both days and a disposals area for members to sell their equipment (commission-free). Attendees can also look forward to a barbeque lunch on both days, with a bacon and egg breakfast available on Sunday morning, which is designated as the main trading day. The Field Day dinner will be held on Saturday night at 5 pm in the Seaview Room at the Port Macquarie Golf Club. Camping is permitted at the pet-friendly Wauchope Showground, with powered sites for RVs or caravans available for $20 per night for two people, and tent sites for $10 per night. Bookings can be made by contacting the on-site caretaker at 0475 111 074.

ORARC maintains regular on-air presence through their club nets, held every Sunday morning at 09:00 hours and every Thursday evening at 19:30 hours local time on the 146.700 VK2RPM repeater. All enthusiasts are encouraged to join in. It's important to note that accessing the VK2RPM repeater requires a 91.5 Hz CTCSS sub-audible tone. For those outside the repeater's coverage area, EchoLink provides a valuable alternative for participation.

Beyond the social and operational aspects, ORARC is deeply committed to education and training. They offer comprehensive training courses for all levels of amateur radio licensing – Foundation, Standard, and Advanced. A Foundation Licence Training weekend is organised in the SES Building in Port Macquarie when sufficient candidates register. Assessments for all licence grades are available for self-study candidates with reasonable notice, and are now offered free of charge, although written exams can only be attempted once every three months. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the Club's Learning Organiser, Larry Lindsay VK2CLL (NA-007), at their earliest convenience (AH 02 6587 1155).

For those seeking to connect with the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club, further information can be found on their website at http://www.orarc.org. General enquiries can be directed to their PO Box 712, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, or via phone at 0427 947 921.

The dedicated committee members driving ORARC include President Henry Lundell VK2ZHE (02 6582 0534), Secretary Dr Peter Fletcher VK2HPF (02 6582 5191), and Treasurer Dennis Meade VK2DAM (02 6582 2998). Each can be contacted via the provided phone numbers.

The Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club continues to be a cornerstone of the amateur radio community in the Hastings region, fostering technical knowledge, community spirit, and a passion for the airwaves that has endured for over five decades.