Who is the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club?
The Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club was formed over 50 years ago (on 9th February 1971 to be precise) by like-minded radio enthusiasts in the North Brisbane area. Club membership is inclusive and open to anyone with an interest in electronics and communications technology.
Activities. The Club has a range of activities and areas of interest, from HF, VHF and UHF voice communications to digital radio, microwave operation and amateur television. We have a well-equipped test and repair bench to enable members to work on projects with technical equipment most of us couldn’t afford by ourselves.
Radio room. The Club has an operational radio room with HF, VHF and UHF transceivers, utilising analogue and digital modes, and a variety of antenna systems, for members to come along and use.
Monday night meetings. Monday is the main meeting night with the Clubhouse open from 6:30pm. The 1st Monday is a general chit-chat night; 2nd Monday is a Fox Hunting night (details on fox-hunting are explained below); 3rd Monday is a Business Meeting from 7:30pm; and the 4th Monday is a Tech Talk. Business meeting nights are also BBQ nights with snags and other goodies available prior to the meeting, and at a modest cost.
Wednesday mornings. The Club is also open a number of times during the week. Wednesday mornings from 9:00am the club is open for our retired members to meet, have a cuppa and a chat, with the fourth Wednesday of the month being Partners Day. So, spouses and partners are invited to come along join in, and see what their other half gets up to at the Club.
Friday & Saturday. Friday night is Projects Night from 6.30pm where members can bring their projects along to use the test and repair bench and discuss issues with those more knowledgeable than themselves. Saturday mornings, the Club is open from 8:30am for general socializing and project work.
Training. The Club provides training and examinations to assist people to get their Amateur Radio licences. Check out the “Training” page for details.
Competitions & field activities. The Club is actively involved in national and international radio competitions where the idea is to make as many contacts as possible and accumulate points. Club members also get involved in the international program for Summits on the Air (SOTA), Parks on the Air (POTA) and World Wide Fauna & Flora (WWFF) where portable equipment is set up in the great outdoors and hilltops or national parks are “activated”. We also hold 4×4 weekends in conjunction with SOTA, Parks and microwave activity days.
John Moyle Field Day. The annual John Moyle Field Day (third weekend in March) is a highlight on the calendar where members go into a field location (often Murrenbong Scout Camp at Whiteside), set up a multi-band and multi-operator field station and spend the whole weekend competing. There could be a few cold beers and a decent campfire cook-up involved as well.
Jamboree on the Air. JOTA is an annual international communications weekend for the Scouting movement, usually held on the third full weekend of October. Boys and girls in Scouting get on the air (assisted by Club members) and can talk with other Scouts around the country and perhaps even around the world. All via Amateur Radio. Operating sites are Murrenbong Scout Camp (Whiteside) and Baden Powell Park (Samford).
Tech talks. The Club has monthly Tech Talks where people with particular expertise come along and address members on their area of expertise. And, it’s not always directly about radio. Past Tech Talks have been recorded and are available for viewing on YouTube. The links are on the “Media & Publishing” page.
Nets. Radio is all about communication, so the Club holds regular on-air nets to do this. Details are on the “Home” page.
UHF and above. Microwave activity is a specialised area and there are a number of Club members who are actively involved in building and operating equipment and antennas in this challenging arena. Regular events are held to test the equipment – and have an enjoyable time doing it! The “23 on 23” days are held on weekends falling on the 23rd day of the month and involve activity on 1296 MHz. Regular Microwave Activity Days (MAD for short) are conducted with members going to exotic high points and attempting distance communications via microwave bands. To get the equipment tuned up and tested, the Club also hold microwave “shoot-outs” for operators across South-East Queensland.
Redfest. Annually around the Easter holiday period, the Club holds Redfest, an Amateur Radio flea market, along with commercial electronics and radio retailers, active radio displays, raffles and good food. Venue is St Michael’s College at Caboolture
Committee for 2023 – 2024
Message from John Saunders (President)
The Club Committee of Management for 2023-2024 is there to serve the Club and the members. Each of my team are committed and hard working blokes with a passion for Amateur Radio. Our role is to support members in this great hobby of ours; to provide solid, consistent and accountable leadership; and to see the Club flourish and prosper. I would hope that all members see their Committee members as approachable and always prepared to listen.
BSB and Bank Account details.
For membership renewals, etc. You never know when you’re going to need this info!
Account name: Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Inc;
BSB: 124068
Account number: 10180383