Twin City Connections: The Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club Bridges the Border

Nestled in the unique cross-border region of Albury-Wodonga, straddling the Murray River which delineates New South Wales and Victoria, lies the Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club, known by its callsign VK2EWC. With Wodonga situated in Victoria and Albury in NSW (Latitude: 36 04 21S, Longitude: 146 55 00E, Grid square QF33KW), the club serves a vibrant community of radio enthusiasts from both states. New members and visitors are always warmly welcomed.

The club conducts its Business Meetings on the first Tuesday of each month (excluding January), commencing at 19:30 hours. These meetings are held at the 1st Lavington Scout Hall, located in Mutsch Street, Lavington NSW 2641, providing a central location for members to connect and discuss club matters.

Beyond their formal meetings, the Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club maintains an active presence on the airwaves through their regular club nets. Every Thursday night at 20:30 hours, members gather on 3.555 MHz for their HF net. Additionally, Monday nights at 20:00 hours are dedicated to a net utilizing the VK2RAY 2-meter linked repeater system, further fostering VHF communication within the region.

For those looking to join the ranks of licensed amateur radio operators, the club runs Foundation Courses as needed. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the club for information on currently available courses. Recognizing the desire for further advancement, the club also conducts study sessions throughout the year to assist members aiming to upgrade their licenses. Assessments are available at any time by contacting Erwin Bejsta VK3ERW at vk3erw@gmail.com to arrange a suitable date and time.

The Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club can be reached at PO Box 396, Albury NSW 2640, or through their website: http://www.awarc.org. Phone enquiries can be directed to 0417 485 949.

The dedicated committee members guiding the club include President Erwin Bejsta VK3ERW (0418 485 949), Secretary Ross Wheeler VK2DGY (0409 578 660), and Treasurer Peter Wohlhagen VK2PSW (0438 407 714).

Serving a unique cross-border community, the Albury Wodonga Amateur Radio Club continues to be a vital link for amateur radio enthusiasts in the region, fostering learning, connection, and a shared passion for the airwaves along the Murray River.