Peninsula Connections: The Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club - Active Since 1979

The Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club (SPARC), proudly operating under the callsign VK3BSP, has been a vibrant part of the Southern Mornington Peninsula amateur radio community since its formation on June 4th, 1979, at a meeting held in Rosebud. After several relocations, the club established its permanent headquarters in 2019 at the Vern Wright Reserve, Elizabeth Avenue, Capel Sound.

Since its inception, SPARC has flourished into a highly active club, drawing a diverse membership from across the Southern Mornington Peninsula. A major annual event hosted by SPARC is the popular Rosebud RadioFest, held each November at the Eastbourne Primary School, attracting enthusiasts from near and far.

SPARC fosters regular engagement through its twice-weekly meetings at the SPARC Clubrooms, located at the Vern Wright Reserve, 66C Elizabeth Avenue, Capel Sound VIC 3940. Members gather every Thursday and Saturday morning from 9:30 am until 12 noon, providing ample opportunity for connection and shared activities.

SPARC members also maintain a strong on-air presence through their weekly nets:

• A 2-meter net takes place every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM via the VK3RSP repeater on Arthurs Seat. This repeater operates with an output frequency of 146.675 MHz, a negative offset of 600 kHz, and a CTCSS tone of 88.5 Hz. Notably, VK3RSP is sponsored and maintained by SPARC as a valuable service to amateur radio operators in the region and also provides a free access IRLP Node, Node 6330, connected through this repeater.
• An 80-meter net is held every Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM on 3640 kHz, or slightly higher in the event of QRM (interference).

SPARC is committed to fostering the growth of amateur radio and conducts courses for individuals aspiring to obtain their Foundation or Standard licenses. Assessments are also conveniently conducted by SPARC assessors at mutually agreed-upon times. Further details regarding training and assessment can be found on the SPARC website at www.sparc.asn.au. Information on upcoming courses and assessments is also regularly posted on their website. John Remington VK3WR serves as the club's training course coordinator and can be contacted at 0449 030 704.

The Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club can be reached at P.O. Box 206, Rosebud Victoria 3939, or through their website. Phone enquiries can be directed to 0408 476 884.

The dedicated committee members leading SPARC include President Chris Higgins VK3JTL (0408 476 884), Secretary Peter McDonald VK3EKV (0412 041 424), and Treasurer Grant Coward VK3GDC (0418 587 424).

Serving the scenic Southern Mornington Peninsula, the Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club provides a welcoming and active community for amateur radio enthusiasts, offering regular meetings, on-air activities, and comprehensive training and assessment support.