Welcome to VK8DA
Darwin Amateur Radio Club
Amateur radio operators in Darwin form an interesting group who meet regularly to promote the interests of amateur radio and to share technical information and socialise.
Apart from pursuing our own personal interests, members of DARC operate Darwins' emergency radio network which includes personnel operating from cyclone shelters during an emergency. We also provide operators for organisations such as the Red Cross.
There are dozens of other radio operators operating throughout the Territory who interact on occasions - for example, when there are emergency warnings, they are able to activate radio links and share information.
The Darwin Amateur Radio Club
is one of the oldest clubs in Darwin. It provides emergency radio communication in times of need, as well as flexible communication networks for major social and sporting events throughout the Territory. The club is the agency through which Territorians can gain their amateur radio licences.
New Location for Weekly catch up
Tea, Coffee and maybe even some AR related commentary! 10AM until about 1PM each Thursday morning at the 97.7FM Radio studio (downstairs) located at 44 Dripstone Rd, Casuarina. (This is to the right of Casuarina Baptist Church) Visitors are very … Continued
DARC and Environmental Sustainability
Yes, the World Solar Challenge is on once more! And they needed our help. The Cambridge University Eco Racing team required two Raspberry Pi Zeros, but where were they going to find them in Darwin? Yes, that’s correct, DARC naturally! … Continued
Listen at your own risk! Podcasts by VK8VWA
On the club-night of 3 July 2019, Phil VK8VWA provided insight into the world of AR related Podcasts. A number of which are listed below : – Ham Talk Live! SolderSmoke The Doctor Is In Ham Nation QSO Today ARRL … Continued
Bombing of Darwin
DARC held a field day on 19 February to commemorate the 77th year since the bombing of Darwin Brian VK8BL and his team set up at the Qantas hanger in Philips St, which was bombed in 1942.Contacts were mainly made … Continued
FT4 beta release
Phil VK8VWA reports that there is a new mode out called FT4. It’s currently beta release. It’s a contesting version of FT8 with a 6 second T/R sequence. It will be interesting to see if it overtakes FT8. More … Continued
The truth about space junk
I’m a fan of ‘Conversations’ on ABC, with Richard Fidler (and now also Sarah Kanowski). This week (10th April) Richard’s guest was the a space archaeologist, Dr Alice Gorman. It’s a fasinating conversation with mention of Amateur Radio and the … Continued
Cosmonautics day/Yuri’s Night
If you are wanting to try your hand at SSTV then give the ISS a go. tune to 145.800Mhz FM! I use a couple of Android apps, Robot36 for decoding the SSTV Image (P120 mode) and the ISS Detector Satellite … Continued