HOBART, TASMANIA – Perched atop the Queen's Domain in Hobart, the Radio & Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania Inc. (REAST) operates from a site steeped in wireless history: the former Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) Marine Wireless Station. This venerable structure, originally erected in 1912 to house a spark transmitter to assist the Mawson Expedition to Antarctica, now serves as the vibrant hub for a club of approximately 120 members. REAST itself was formed in 2004, inheriting the mantle from the WIA Tasmanian Division Southern Branch.
The historic station (club callsign VK7OTC, with the club also using VK7WCN) is a locus of regular activity, demonstrating a dynamic blend of social interaction and technical pursuit. Every Wednesday afternoon, it hosts social gatherings from 12 noon to 3 pm, fostering camaraderie. The first Wednesday evening of each month is dedicated to a formal presentation night, commencing at 7:30 pm. On all other Wednesday evenings, the premises buzz with the activity of a dedicated Digital Amateur Television (DATV) experimenters group, who often gather from around 6 pm before their formal 7:30 pm start, utilising a dedicated DATV studio. This consistent weekly engagement underscores a thriving club culture.
REAST adeptly marries its historical setting with contemporary amateur radio practices. The active DATV group is a prime example of this, and the club extends its reach by streaming most of its events to its YouTube channel, broadening accessibility for a wider audience. It also administers the "Tasmanian Devil award" and ensures the local amateur community is kept informed through weekly Sunday morning broadcasts of the WIA National News (9 am) and the VK7 Amateur Radio News (9:30 am).
A significant focus for REAST is the cultivation of new talent and the advancement of existing operators. The club boasts two Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) accredited assessors: Reg Emmett (VK7KK), who also serves as the training course coordinator, and Specialist Assessor Justin Giles-Clark (VK7TW). Regular assessments and training courses are offered for all levels of amateur radio licenses, with details of upcoming events available on the club's comprehensive website (reast.asn.au).
Under the leadership of President Hayden Honeywood (VK7HH), Secretary Lance Conry (VK7ZA), and Treasurer David Goodrick (VK7DMG), REAST successfully stewards its historic inheritance while fostering a dynamic and forward-looking amateur radio community. By offering a rich tapestry of social interaction, technical experimentation (particularly in DATV), public information services, and robust training programs, the Radio & Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania ensures that the spirit of radio innovation continues to transmit strongly from its historically significant Queen's Domain outpost at 100 Upper Domain Road.
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