In a modest weatherboard building at Teralba, the Westlakes Amateur Radio Club (WARC) has been making waves since 1964. What began as a high school radio club now operates one of regional NSW's most active amateur radio hubs, complete with its own land, towers, and the distinction of housing the WIA QSL Bureau for northern NSW.
A Clubhouse Like No Other
The club's York Street headquarters boasts:
• Fully-equipped radio shack with HF/VHF/UHF capabilities
• Classroom and meeting spaces
• On-site towers supporting repeaters VK2RTZ and VK2RZL
• Legendary Saturday sausage sizzles before monthly meetings
"We're one of the few clubs in Australia that owns its property outright," says President Barrie Downward VK2QG. "It gives us freedom to experiment and grow."
Nets for Every Interest
WARC's airwaves hum with activity:
📻 Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:30am - 40m SSB net (7115kHz)
📺 Tuesday 7:30pm - SSTV net (146.775MHz)
📡 Saturday 8am - Information net (146.775MHz)
🔢 Sunday 8am - DMR Talk Group 3802
The club also runs a weekly broadcast every Saturday at 9am, keeping members informed.
Training with a Personal Touch
Training officer Jeff Stokes VK2JET emphasizes their flexible approach:
✔ Foundation to Advanced assessments
✔ One-on-one mentoring
✔ Hands-on equipment training
"We've helped everyone from 12-year-olds to 80-year-olds get licensed," Stokes notes.
September Field Day: A Hunter Institution
The club's annual September event features:
• Radio equipment vendors
• "Preloved gear" auctions
• Famous Westlakes BBQ
• On-air contest operations
Visit the Hub of Hunter Radio
With Wednesday and Saturday openings, visitors can:
1️⃣ Tour the QSL Bureau operations
2️⃣ Try SSTV or digital modes
3️⃣ Join the vibrant community
Contact:
📞 02 4906 0456 (24hr answering service)
🌐 westlakesarc.org.au
📍 2E York St, Teralba (Sat 9am-3pm/Wed 9:30am-12pm)
In an era of disposable technology, Westlakes ARC keeps the spirit of hands-on radio alive - complete with warm welcomes and warmer cups of tea.
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Follow The Australian for more stories about technological heritage.
[Did You Know?]
The club's 40m net regularly reaches listeners across the Pacific, while their DMR system connects members to digital networks worldwide - all from their unassuming Teralba clubhouse.
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