About the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Incorporated (AHARS).
The Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Inc. (AHARS) was formed as the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society on the 10th February 1983 at the Blackwood War Memorial Hall.
The Society was incorporated on 21st July 1983. However AHARS can trace its roots back to one of the first radio club in South Australia, the Blackwood Radio Club which was formed in 1923 and was active until around 1937.
AHARS is South Australia's largest amateur radio club with about 185 members (as of Dec 2020). Perhaps it is the diversity of member's ages and backgrounds that has seen the club steadily grow over the years, with good help from an experienced and active Committee
You don't have to be a licensed amateur to join us. Talks and activities also cover electronics and the use of computers, etc.
Members of AHARS have a wide range of interests.
AHARS holds monthly meetings, on the third Thursday of every month, at the Blackwood Community Centre, 4 Young Street, Blackwood. Everyone is welcome.
The Society was incorporated on 21st July 1983. However AHARS can trace its roots back to one of the first radio club in South Australia, the Blackwood Radio Club which was formed in 1923 and was active until around 1937.
AHARS is South Australia's largest amateur radio club with about 185 members (as of Dec 2020). Perhaps it is the diversity of member's ages and backgrounds that has seen the club steadily grow over the years, with good help from an experienced and active Committee
You don't have to be a licensed amateur to join us. Talks and activities also cover electronics and the use of computers, etc.
Members of AHARS have a wide range of interests.
AHARS holds monthly meetings, on the third Thursday of every month, at the Blackwood Community Centre, 4 Young Street, Blackwood. Everyone is welcome.
Our activities & functions.
Regular keynote speakers
Most meetings have an experienced qualified speaker address the group.
Topics range from the simple and practical, to the occasionally highly technical, or light hearted dissertation.
Topics range from the simple and practical, to the occasionally highly technical, or light hearted dissertation.
Training and examinations
AHARS examiners conduct several examinations during the year.
This is for Foundation licence courses and upgrades to Standard and Advanced.
Further info can be found on the 'Licences and examinations' page.
This is for Foundation licence courses and upgrades to Standard and Advanced.
Further info can be found on the 'Licences and examinations' page.
Regular gatherings
A social get together is held at the AHARS shack, each second Saturday of the month.
A technical morning is held at the AHARS shack, each 4th Saturday of the month.
On the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, a regular luncheon is held at the Blackwood RSL, Brighton Parade, Blackwood. All are welcome.
A technical morning is held at the AHARS shack, each 4th Saturday of the month.
On the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, a regular luncheon is held at the Blackwood RSL, Brighton Parade, Blackwood. All are welcome.
Assistance to WICEN in car
rallies
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For some years, members of AHARS have assisted the Wireless Institute Communications Emergency Network (WICEN) in providing radio communications in the field for various automobile and cycle rallies. In particular, since 1998, they have assisted with the Classic Adelaide Rally held over five days near the end of each year and since 2001 have assisted with the Coopers Car Rally held each mid year over a two day weekend.
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Club projects
We have an annual club construction evening.
During the year there are several other club projects.
During the year there are several other club projects.
Visits to other clubs and
venues
AHARS often holds visits to other clubs and various venues.
Examples include the Port Adelaide Military Museum, the former OTC station at McLaren Vale, the ABC, the Weather Bureau, and the South Australian Aviation Museum.
Examples include the Port Adelaide Military Museum, the former OTC station at McLaren Vale, the ABC, the Weather Bureau, and the South Australian Aviation Museum.
Buy and Sell
A major public Buy and Sell event is held in November each year. New and used amateur radio equipment is up for grabs.
Commercial sellers are also in attendance.
Other members buy and sells held during the year.
Commercial sellers are also in attendance.
Other members buy and sells held during the year.
QSL facility
The AHARS provides a QSL card service for its members, with QSL cards being received via the WIA Inwards QSL Bureau.
The AHARS QSL Manager is John VK5EMI.
Field Days
Once or twice a year, members are invited to participate in radio activities in various locations, including the International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (ILLW) event on Kangaroo Island, the various park activity days for the VK5 Parks program & WWFF, and also the John Moyle Field Day at 'Wombaroo' in the Mallee region.
These activities provide a good opportunity to learn contesting and other skills, and to socialise
with other members.
These activities provide a good opportunity to learn contesting and other skills, and to socialise
with other members.
Displays
AHARS has established public displays at a number of local country shows, including Port Elliot, Strathalbyn, and Callington.
This is an excellent opportunity to promote the hobby of amateur radio to the wider community and hopefully encourage others to join our ranks.
This is an excellent opportunity to promote the hobby of amateur radio to the wider community and hopefully encourage others to join our ranks.
Symposiums
AHARS has held a number of symposiums including the 'Welcome to Amateur Radio' day, and the VK5 SOTA & Parks symposium.
Social activities
At least two club dinners are held annually.
Club barbecues are also held.
Club barbecues are also held.
Club Net
Every Monday night at 8.00 p.m. (South Australian local time) the weekly club net is held on the VK5RAD repeater (147.00 mhz - 600 kHz offset).
Net controllers include Jim VK5TR, Dean VK5LB, Barry VK5BW, Roy VK5NRG, David VK5LSB, Lyle VK5WL, & Steve VK5AIM.
All licenced amateurs are welcome.
Net controllers include Jim VK5TR, Dean VK5LB, Barry VK5BW, Roy VK5NRG, David VK5LSB, Lyle VK5WL, & Steve VK5AIM.
All licenced amateurs are welcome.
Sponsorship of Awards
AHARS proudly sponsors the very popular VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, which promotes portable operation from South Australia's National Parks and Conservation Parks.
Sponsorship of Oceania
DX Contest
AHARS also proudly sponsors two trophies in the Oceania DX Contest.
- Top Entrant from VK5 in Phone Single Operator All Band Low Power category.
- Top Entrant from VK5 in CW Single Operator All Band Low Power category.
QSL card checking
Two of AHARS members, Paul VK5PAS and John VK5BJE have offered to check the QSL cards of members for various awards.
Paul VK5PAS is an official card checker for the ARRL DXCC program, and the various CQ Awards.
Paul VK5PAS is an official card checker for the ARRL DXCC program, and the various CQ Awards.
Deceased estates
This is a service provided to the families of deceased members in responsibly disposing of their amateur radio equipment, and returning those monies back to their estate and family.
WIA broadcast
Most weekends you can hear an AHARS segment in the VK5 Local News on the WIA Broadcast.
For details on when and where to hear the broadcast please see the WIA website.
For details on when and where to hear the broadcast please see the WIA website.
Sponsorship - Blackwood
High School
The AHARS sponsors two awards valued at $50.00 each for students at the Blackwood High School.
Special events
During July 2014 AHARS donated an amount of money to Trees for Life, to go towards regrowth programs after the very significant fires in the Billiatt Conservation Park.
AHARS library
AHARS has a wide variety of books and magazines that are available for loan from the shack.