Ratingen, Germany — Nestled in a cozy clubhouse near the city's water playground, the DARC Ortsverband Ratingen (R12) has been a beacon for radio enthusiasts since 1959. What began as a postwar gathering of wireless pioneers now thrives as a hub for both vintage radio nostalgia and cutting-edge digital communication.
Weekly Rituals & Wireless Wisdom
Every Monday evening from 19:00-21:00, members converge at their Heinrich-Hertz-Straße 32a clubhouse (a fitting address for radio buffs!) to:
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Tinker with antennas and troubleshoot gear
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Mentor newcomers through license courses (including Germany’s new simplified Class "N" entry-level license)
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Debate electromagnetic interference (EMVU) issues affecting local communities
On-Air Hotspots
The club maintains two lively frequencies:
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144.775 MHz (2m band) for local chats
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433.550 MHz (70cm band) for wider-reaching digital modes
Their historic DK0RC club callsign—first issued in 1976—still graces QSL cards exchanged with contacts worldwide.
Tech-Savvy Tradition
Blending old and new, R12 offers:
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Multimedia training rooms for IT and radio software workshops
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Field days testing portable setups in nature
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Support for DB0RTG repeater station users
"We’ve got members who built crystal radios in the 1950s and teens streaming via satellites," says chairman Stefan Zugowski (DL1ESZ). "That’s the magic of amateur radio—it evolves but never gets old."
Join the Conversation
Visitors are welcome at weekly meetups or via airwaves. Next session: Tonight at 19:00—bring your curiosity (and maybe a soldering iron).
Contact: dl1esz@darc.de | Follow DK0RC on QRZ.com
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