Manning Valley's Airwave Advocates: The Taree & District Amateur Radio Club

Nestled within the scenic Manning Valley and its surrounds, the Taree & District Amateur Radio Club Inc., proudly known by its callsign VK2FRE, stands as a small yet dynamic collective of radio enthusiasts. This dedicated club plays a vital role in connecting the region, maintaining two voice repeaters that ensure comprehensive coverage for its membership.

Beyond their own network, VK2FRE has also embraced community support, having successfully installed and now maintaining the local CB repeater BEL01. This initiative was made possible through a generous grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), highlighting the club's commitment to broader communication within the region.

The seeds of this active club were sown in the mid to late 1970s, thanks to the vision of the late Geoff Hunziker VK2BGF and a dedicated team of amateur radio operators. Over the years, VK2FRE has been instrumental in nurturing new generations of "hams," with Geoff and others providing invaluable tuition and support to aspiring amateurs, leading to the acquisition of various amateur call signs within the community.

New faces are always welcomed into the fold, reflecting the club's inclusive spirit.

The club's meetings take place on the first Monday evening of each month, commencing at 7:00 pm local time. Keen to keep things interesting, the meeting venue varies each month. Prospective attendees are encouraged to inquire about the location via the club's repeaters or by emailing the secretary. Members and visitors alike are warmly invited to participate in these gatherings. It's worth noting that the club takes a recess in January, with no formal meeting held that month. However, the airwaves remain active with club nets continuing on the other Monday evenings via the 2-meter repeater. Members are also advised that the March meeting is traditionally the club's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

VK2FRE maintains a strong on-air presence with their weekly net, held every Monday evening at 19:30 hours on the VK2REE 146.675 MHz frequency. The net controller operates under the club's callsign VK2FRE, and all licensed amateur radio operators are encouraged to join in the conversation.

The club's two VK2REE repeaters are strategically located atop Mt. Ganghat, providing reliable coverage across the region. The 70cm repeater operates on 438.325 MHz and boasts both C4FM/FDMA digital and FM capabilities with automatic input and output mode detection. To cater to older transceivers, it transmits a CTCSS output tone of 91.5 Hz, which users can engage via their tone squelch to mitigate digital signal noise. Importantly, accessing the 70cm repeater now requires a CTCSS transmit tone of 91.5 Hz.

The 2-meter repeater operates on 146.675 MHz and requires a CTCSS access tone of 123 Hz. Its input accepts both C4FM/FDMA digital and analog FM signals, while its output is fixed in analog FM mode. The repeater also transmits a CTCSS tone of 123 Hz, aiding mobile and remote stations in identifying the necessary access tone. Furthermore, the 2-meter repeater offers ECHOLINK connectivity, expanding its reach and accessibility.

While the Taree & District Amateur Radio Club does not currently conduct formal licensing courses, their members are a valuable resource, readily offering guidance and assistance to those looking to enter the world of amateur radio – all you need to do is ask.

For those seeking to connect with VK2FRE, their postal address is PO BOX 712, TAREE NSW 2430. You can also find them on Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/Taree-and-District-Amateur-Radio-Club-166828297216229/. For direct contact, the club can be reached by phone at 0467 801 757 or via email.

The dedicated individuals leading the Taree & District Amateur Radio Club include President Ross Barlin VK2DVZ (0428 491 437), Secretary Peter Shade VK2ZPS (0407 231 438), and Treasurer Glen Steep VK2YOJ (02 6552 5077).

The Taree & District Amateur Radio Club may be small in number, but their active participation and community spirit ensure that the airwaves across the Manning Valley remain a vibrant space for communication, connection, and the enduring fascination with amateur radio.