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.
Radiation Resistance, SWR and Resonance
Radiation resistance is that part of an antenna’s feed point resistance that is caused by the radiation of electromagnetic waves from the antenna, as opposed to loss resistance which generally causes the antenna to heat up. The total of radiation … Continued
Installing new air -con at Knucky Lagoon.
New air-con/new pipes/old wiring and coin machine . VK8RR
Reminder: Annual General Meeting March 1st
Don’t forget The AGM this Wednesday evening at 19:00 Notice of Annual General Meeting
What is Return Loss?
In telecommunications, return loss is the loss of power in the signal returned/reflected by a discontinuity in a transmission line. This discontinuity can be a mismatch with the terminating load or with a device inserted in the line. It is … Continued
VI8BOD Station
The portable station set up at the old Qantas Hanger getting ready for a weekend of operation of the commemorative call sign VI8BOD The station has dipoles on 40 20 and 15 meters as well a rotate able tri-band beam … Continued
How Much Power gets Lost due to SWR?
Reflected power is not necessarily lost power My Radio has reduced power because my antenna has an S.W.R. of 2.5 : 1 If I use an antenna tuner in the shack to keep my transmitter happy, how much power will … Continued
Fitting PL259 connectors to RG6 Coax.
If you are going to use RG6 cable for an Amateur Radio installation you would be best advised not to use the standard “F” connector. The F connector makes a good low loss connector for receiving but is not suitable … Continued
The Darwin Disaster December 1974
The following is a scan of an article written by the late Pierce Healy VK2APQ in the now no longer published March 1975 edition of Electronics Australia Magazine. This article details the involvement of Amateur Radio in Post cyclone communications. … Continued
Ham radio assists in sea rescue
A sea rescue Amateur Radio Emergency Communications In July 2012 Mike Hall VK8MH took part in the Sail Timor Leste boat rally on board his highly modified Triton 24 Colleen, along with his crew, brothers Gary and Geoff and his … Continued