Gladstone's Strong Signals: Connecting the Region Through Amateur Radio

Gladstone, Queensland - The Gladstone Amateur Radio Club, Incorporated (VK4GLA), is a dedicated organization serving the Gladstone region of Central Queensland, Australia. Committed to promoting and supporting the engaging hobby of Amateur Radio, the club fosters a strong sense of community and technical exploration among its members.

The club maintains a vital repeater network across the region. Their town repeater site, VK4RGT, is located at Maurice Hill, between Gladstone and Calliope, operating on 146.625 MHz with a 91.5 Hz tone for analog users and 438.050 MHz utilizing an MMDVM Dashboard accessible at VK4RGT.duckdns.org.

Further extending their reach, VK4RGA is their Kroombit Tops repeater site, seamlessly linking with the Central Highlands Amateur Radio Club network throughout the Bowen Basin, Mackay, and Airlie Beach on 147.375 MHz with a +600 Hz offset and a 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone. Additionally, a second 2-meter repeater, operating on 146.900 MHz with a -600 Hz offset and a 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone, is linked to the Bundaberg's Mount Goonanaman repeater, VK4RBU.

Demonstrating their commitment to community service, the Gladstone Amateur Radio Club has also installed a UHF CB repeater on Channel 04 at the VK4RGA site. This service provides crucial radio communications for residents of the Kroombit Tops National Park, the Boyne Valley, and the surrounding local community, particularly vital during disaster situations such as severe weather events when other communication methods may fail.

Club meetings are currently held at 6:30 PM on the first Monday of every month (except January) at the SES Headquarters, located on Lamington Drive in Gladstone.

The Gladstone Amateur Radio Club engages in a variety of activities and events to keep their members active and involved, including:

• Activation of the HMAS Gladstone Museum Ship
• Participation in HF Contests
• Portable Operating events
• Tinker and Project Days
• An Annual Gathering Event
• Monthly Club Meetings

The Gladstone Amateur Radio Club meets at the SES Building on Lamington Drive in Gladstone Qld 4680.

The Gladstone Amateur Radio Club can be contacted at PO Box 128 Gladstone DC QLD 4680, or by phone at 0477 166 712.

The dedicated committee members leading the club include President Lawrie Ellis VK4LE (0477 166 712), Secretary John Moynihan VK4FJM (0407 165 795), and Treasurer Mark Caon VK4XMC (0419 780 959).

The Gladstone Amateur Radio Club plays a vital role in connecting the Gladstone region through its extensive repeater network and engaging activities. Their commitment to both the hobby and community service makes them a valuable asset to Central Queensland's amateur radio landscape.