CRARC

Monthly General Meeting
2025-01-22 20:00 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. Doors open at 7:30pm for an 8pm start.
This meeting is a planning session that we have dubbed the “CRARC 2025” night where we ask members what they would like to see for the rest of the year and more importantly seek support from members to provide or assist in those presentations. Come along have a coffee or tea and chat with your fellow members whilst we plan what will be happening this year.

Tech Night / Open Shack
2025-02-19 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
Tech Night is about members coming together informally to discuss subjects and projects relevant to AR and assist members in practical advice and assistance with technical issues that they may have. During the evening the Radio Room will be operational for all members to utilise.

Memory Walk – Canberra
2025-02-23 06:00 - 13:00 | Commonwealth Park Carpark South, Commonwealth Park Carpark South, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
The Canberra Memory Walk is a fundraising event run by Dementia Australia. WICEN ACT has been asked by WICEN VK2 to assist with communications for this years event – this is a low key activity for us essentially setting up a local area repeater, handing out/recovering radio gear to their volunteers and making sure the comms work for the event. This means we only need 2-3 people. A call for volunteers will go out shortly.

(Annual) Monthly General Meeting
2025-02-26 20:00 - 21:30 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. Doors open at 7:30pm for an 8pm start.
This months meeting will be the Annual General Meeting – doors opening at 7:30 for an 8pm kickoff.

Foundation Qualification Course
2025-03-15 08:00 - 2025-03-16 17:00, 2025-05-17 08:00 - 2025-05-18 17:00, 2025-07-19 08:00 - 2025-07-20 17:00, 2025-09-20 08:00 - 2025-09-21 17:00, 2025-11-08 08:00 - 2025-11-09 17:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
Information on our courses can be found on https://www.crarc.org.au/education/

Tech Night / Open Shack
2025-03-19 19:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
A presentation (in the main hall on the screen) will be given on the DigiPi Project. This is a separate project from the Allstar project that Graeme gave a brief introduction on last tech night.

Like the Allstar project, it is built on Raspberry Pi hardware (and can be a low cost Pi Zero 2w). The DigiPi project provides data Modes ( for both Mobile and Base Radios (HF and VHF/UHF), as well Handy talkies using a variety of audio/ptt interfaces including USB Radios, so if you have been wanting to dip your toes into the data modes, such as APRS Digipeater, APRS Packet radio, APRS Webchat, JS8Call, FT8, SSTV, ARDOP, FLDigi, Winlink Email, and other packet modes.

Not just for home, but perfect for SOTAs/POTAs as it instantly reverts to a Hotspot (when the normal network is not available) that you can connect a tablet to, as almost everything runs in a Browser Window (that’s right FT8/JS8Call,APRS web chat).

Anyway, you can learn more at this tech-night, but if you have no interest, Graeme will be available in the normal Tech Night room, working on preparing radios and I am sure he would love a hand.

There will also be a demonstration of a working AllStar Node for those interested.

As always there will be Tea, Coffee and Biscuits.

Rally of Canberra 2025
2025-03-21 12:00 - 2025-03-23 20:00 | ACT
The Rally of Canberra for 2025 will be held in the forests around the ACT. This is the largest event that WICEN ACT supports and needs a large number of WICEN volunteers to provide the necessary assistance. The rally runs on the weekend of 21-23 March, but there will also be significant assistance needed in the weeks prior to setup a number of portable repeaters and other equipment as well as the week following to uninstall it all.
Phil VK1PL is still looking to pull back from the running of these events and is looking for several people to take on parts of this role. It does entail a reasonable amount of effort in the lead up to the event including attending a number of meetings with the event organisers to ensure that the communications side of the event is not an after thought. If you are interested in this, please reach out to Phil and discuss what is involved and what you feel you can bring to the party.

Monthly General Meeting
2025-03-26 20:00 - 21:30, 2025-04-23 20:00 - 21:30 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. Doors open at 7:30pm for an 8pm start.
The main part of the meeting will be a presentation on a topic of interest and it’s also an opportunity for local Amateurs to get to know each other. More details for this meeting will be posted closer to the date.

Tech Night / Open Shack
2025-05-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-07-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-10-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-11-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
Tech Night is about members coming together informally to discuss subjects and projects relevant to AR and assist members in practical advice and assistance with technical issues that they may have. During the evening the Radio Room will be operational for all members to utilise.
Please note the earlier start time of 6:30pm which is consistent with new timings also being trialed for the monthly general meetings.

Monthly General Meeting
2025-05-28 18:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. We are starting a trial of an earlier start so that members can get home earlier and not be on the road heading home late at night. Doors open at 6:30pm for a start shortly thereafter.
This months topic will be a presentation by Bob VK1ED on Linux:
With the current Windows 10 End of Life, there are going to be a number of workstations / laptops that will be replaced. Yet, whilst this hardware struggled to keep up with a ridiculously bloated Windows, it runs extremely well under Linux. Amateurs are well known for reusing / repurposing equipment and probably more so with the End of Windows 10.

Has the Linux Desktop improved to be mainstream?
Discussion on which is the best Linux distribution for Ham Radio Apps
Whether to use a Prepared Distribution already packaged with useful apps or install the apps separately on your selected Distribution
Why is strength in numbers important?
What are the advantages for using Linux?
What is good easy to use Distro?
Show and tell of Demonstration of Linux Laptop
Are there any logging applications that are good for Linux
What backup options are available, especially if I keep my logs on there.?

Tech Night / Open Shack
2025-06-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
Technight is upon us again this Wednesday at the Mt Mugga Scout Hall at 1830hrs.
The subject for general discussion is Computer Aided Antenna Modelling. So if you are keen to attempt this activity, bring your laptop and we will supply some software that will possibly confuse you as much as it has us.
We believe that knowing how to use these programs, even at a basic level, will be of great benefit to most if not all Hams. Malcolm (VK1MAL) will be imparting his considerable knowledge whilst the rest of us will hopefully learn.
If there are any other members who have some knowledge on the subject please turn up and join in.
As it has been in the past, Pizza, Coffee, Tea and biscuits will be available.
All we ask is a donation of $5.00/head to cover the cost of the Pizzas.

Monthly General Meeting
2025-06-25 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-07-23 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-08-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. Doors open at 6:30pm for a start shortly thereafter.
The main part of the meeting will be a presentation on a topic of interest and it’s also an opportunity for local Amateurs to get to know each other. More details for this meeting will be posted closer to the date.

Tech Night / Open Shack
2025-09-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
Tech Night is about members coming together informally to discuss subjects and projects relevant to AR and assist members in practical advice and assistance with technical issues that they may have. During the evening the Radio Room will be operational for all members to utilise.
Please note the earlier start time of 6:30pm which is consistent with new timings also being trialed for the monthly general meetings.
Pizza, Coffee, Tea and Biscuits will be available. For those who wish to partake in the Pizza just a $5.00 donation is requested.

Now, as to the subjects that may be discussed we have a number ranging from Working Bees, SouthFest, Club Promotion and more.
On the technical side, Greg VK1ZO is providing some basic electronic kits for people to assemble (solder) and have some fun.
We will also have some familiarisation exercises with the TB8100 repeaters that we have obtained for Club use.
I also noted on the Reflector that a Member was having some issues programming a Baofeng DMR radio so if anyone has similar issues, bring your radios along and we will see if we can assist.

Monthly General Meeting
2025-09-24 18:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. Doors open at 6:30pm for a start shortly thereafter.
The main part of the meeting will be a presentation on a topic of interest and it’s also an opportunity for local Amateurs to get to know each other.
This will be a flowerpot building session. We will be building the 2m “flowerpot” coaxial dipole antennas (in a rollup configuration for portable operations. This is a very compact yet good performing antenna that significantly improves 2m performance over the HT antennas and can still be used with other radios including mobile rigs.
Sufficient materials have been obtained to manufacture approximately 30 antennas and these will be available on a cost recovery basis – $15 for club members and $20 for non members. Payment for materials will be on the night (prior to commencing construction) and will be accepted by either cash or paypal.
We will also have tools and test gear for the construction activity, but if you have them handy, it would be useful to bring along a small sharp knife (i.e. a utility knife/stanley knife) and some snippers/scissors (suitable for cutting the coax braid) as participants will likely outnumber the tools we will have available on the night.
IMPORTANT: we need prior confirmation to ensure that we have enough materials available. If you are intending to participate in an antenna build at the meeting, please visit http://thq.fyi/se/oFRzaxw to confirm you wish to attend. Note there are options to select that you want to pay on the night or alternatively pay online prior to the meeting. We anticipate having a small number of components for additional attendees but don’t count on this, quantities of additional components will be limited – please let us know if you want to participate in the antenna build night to lock in component availability.

Brookvale Horse Endurance Ride
2025-10-19 06:00 - 19:00 | Brookvale Ride HQ
The Brookvale Horse Endurance event that was scheduled for the 19th and 20th of October 2025 has been cancelled by the ACT Endurance Riders Association.
No further assistance for the event is required.

Monthly General Meeting
2025-10-22 18:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, CRARC hold a General Meeting for members and visitors. Doors open at 6:30pm for a start shortly thereafter.
The main part of the meeting will be a presentation on a topic of interest and it’s also an opportunity for local Amateurs to get to know each other.
This month will have a presentation by Ian VK1DI on the VKFF scheme – the Australian arm of the World Wide Flora & Fauna in amateur radio, abbreviated as WWFF which is an international amateur radio program, the purpose of which is to: draw attention to the importance of protecting nature, flora and fauna, and to encourage the development of radio skills, especially in portable operations. This is timely given the 2025 VKFF National Get Together is being held in Canberra on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th, & Monday 27th October 2025 (the weekend after our meeting).

SouthFest 2025 - Come and Visit the CRARC Stand
2025-11-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Tuggeranong Laneways, Anketell St, Greenway, ACT, Australia
SouthFest is on again on the 15th November 2025, utilising the Tuggeranong Town Centre (Anketell St, Laneways, Health Centre Carpark, and Cowlishaw St).
CRARC will again host a stand at this event to promote Amateur Radio and CRARC. This year we will be in the Carpark area opposite the Tuggeranong College so please come and find us!
To make it easier, we will be on site no. C7 + C8. Tuggeranong Town Centre (Anketell St, Laneways, Health Centre Carpark, and Cowlishaw St)
We expect to have a radio setup with Antenna, so if you can’t make it for the day, listen out for us. We might post some frequencies once we are setup, probably on VK1-Reflector.
Tuggeranong Town Centre (Anketell St, Laneways, Health Centre Carpark, and Cowlishaw St)

Monthly General Meeting - EOY function
2025-11-26 18:30 - 21:00 | Mt Mugga Scout Hall, 17 Astrolabe St, Red Hill, ACT, 2603, Australia
The November meeting is our last scheduled monthly general meeting for the year and runs as an end of year function to finish out the year.

As usual we will be conducting a get together meeting with a BBQ and other food items – the lead for which is being taken on by Bruce VK1BB, his family and committee members. We would very much appreciate assistance in the provision of this – for those wanting to help out, please email the committee on committee@crarc.org.au to advise of your availability or simply help out on the night.
