Rockhampton's Robust Signals: The Rockhampton & District Amateur Radio Club

Rockhampton, Queensland - The Rockhampton & District Amateur Radio Club (VK4WIR) serves the Central Queensland region with a strong network of repeaters and a long-standing commitment to the amateur radio community. Their repeater infrastructure includes:

• 2M Repeater VK4RAR: 146.700 MHz (Access Tone 91.5 Hz), also featuring EchoLink & IRLP Node 6973 and APRS on 145.175 MHz.
• 2M Repeater VK4RWN (WOWAN): 146.725 MHz, linked to VK4RAR in Rockhampton.
• UHF 70 CM Repeater VK4RAR: 438.225 MHz (Access Tone 91.5 Hz), linked to the Central Highlands repeater network.
• DSTAR Repeater VK4RAR (Mt Archer, Rockhampton): 438.350 MHz down, 431.350 MHz up.
• FM Linking: Extends from Byfield VK4RBF to Wowan VK4RWN via Rockhampton VK4RAR 2M (146.700 MHz) on Mt Archer (604m). All repeaters require a 91.5 Hz access tone.

The RADAR Club holds its AGM at the March meeting each year. The committee for 2024 comprises President Leon Powell VK4JH (0417 753 457), Vice President Gerard Knott VK4CAU, Treasurer Leigh Wilson VK4YLW, and Secretary Adam Bulloch VK4HAA (0413 292 548).

Regular club meetings take place on the 3rd MONDAY of every month at the ROCKHAMPTON SPORTS CLUB, 1 LION CK RD, WANDAL Rockhampton, commencing at 7:00 pm. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.

The RADAR Club VK4WIR also hosts two weekly on-air nets:

• Sunday Morning Net (starting 2300UTC / 9:00 am local): The National News followed by Q News is broadcast via the 2M repeater (VK4RAR 146.700 MHz, 91.5 Hz tone) from the QTH of Mike VK4JT, followed by a call-back session.
• 80m Net (Tuesday evening commencing 0930UTC / 7:30 pm local): The VK4WIR 80m net is conducted on 3.613 MHz by net controller Brian VK4LH.

The RADAR Club has a long-standing involvement with rally car organizations, providing valued communications for Championship rally events. They also assist with communications during disasters when required.

A highly anticipated annual event is the FAMOUS CLAIRVIEW WEEKEND, held the weekend after the May Day weekend at the CLAIRVIEW BARRACRAB CARAVAN PARK. This get-together, now in its third decade, is a popular event for members of the RADAR Club and the Mackay Amateur Radio Club, attracting enthusiasts from various local clubs for an enjoyable weekend.

The RADAR CLUB ROCKHAMPTON - ANNUAL DINNER is another key event, offering a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for local and visiting amateurs and their families to enjoy fine dining, camaraderie, games, and good company. It is held annually at the Frenchville Sports Club, commencing at 6:30 pm. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to contact the assistant secretary (Clive VK4ACC on 0429 632 815) to assist with catering arrangements.

The RADAR Club meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Rockhampton Sports Club, 1 Lion Ck Rd, Wandal Rockhampton at 7 pm. For inquiries and assessment information, contact Clive VK4ACC on 0429 632 815. The club's website (http://www.radarclub.org.au) provides comprehensive information.

Amateur radio tuition, assessments, and assistance are readily available through Clive Sait VK4ACC, an ACMA-accredited assessor. Assessments are provided free of charge. Foundation Manuals are also available from Clive. Contact him on 0429 632 815 to arrange manual pickup and assessment bookings. Clive is also available to help organize training and education for new licenses and upgrades. Further information can be found on the RADAR Club website.

Clive Sait VK4ACC serves as the club's training course coordinator and assessor (0429 632 815).

The Rockhampton & District Amateur Radio Club can be contacted at C.Sait UNIT 906 / 102 VICTORIA PARADE, Rockhampton Queensland 4700, via their website (http://www.radarclub.org.au), or by phone at 0429 632 815 or 07 4927 1216.

The current committee members are President Leon Powell VK4JH (0417 753 457), Secretary Adam Bulloch VK4HAA (0413 292 548), and Treasurer Leigh Wilson VK4YLW (0475 683 431).

The Rockhampton & District Amateur Radio Club is a vibrant and active organization, providing a strong community for amateur radio enthusiasts in the Central Queensland region, with a focus on both on-air activities and community engagement.