Centenary of Organised Amateur Radio in Tasmania

The month of June 2023 sees the centenary celebration of organised amateur radio in Tasmania.

There are a huge number of activities happening throughout the month of June and beyond. These include:

• Operation of the Special Centenary callsign – VK7WIA

  • Any Amateur Radio Operator with a VK7 callsign and based in Tasmania can apply to operate the special event callsign for a short period in the month of June.

  • Watch this space for the link to the rostering and logging system that will be come available very soon.

  • Contact person for the operation of the VK7WIA callsign is Reg Emmett VK7KK – regemm@ozemail.com.au

Trevor obtained the call 7AA in 1922. When international communication became possible, it became necessary to add letters to identify the countries, hence the “A” for Australia.

• Special QSL cards will be available as a physical card or an electronic card via LOTW.

Hobart Radio Research Club QSL Card (circa 1930s)

• Special Centenary Award Certificate will be available for those amateurs who meet the following centenary award conditions:

  • At least one RF phone contact;

  • 10 Contacts with VK7WIA within VK/ZL

  • 5 Contacts with VK7WIA outside VK/ZL

  • There will be special Tassie Devil Award – Centenary Endorsements available

Bill Nicholas, VK7WR, won the hidden transmitter hunt at the Field Day in Hobart in 1935.

• Open Days held around the State – amateur radio historic and working displays open to the public:

  • SOUTH – Saturday June 10th – Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania Inc – Queens Domain Clubrooms, Hobart

    • Contact Rod Finlayson VK7TRF – roja3kel@yahoo.com.au

  • NORTH – Saturday June 17th – Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club Inc. – Scout Hall Archer St, Rocherlea, Launceston

    • Contact Peter Dowde VK7PD – pdowde@bigpond.com

  • NORTH WEST – Saturday June 24th – North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club Inc. – Scout Hall Alexandra Road Ulverstone

    • Contact Eric van de Neut VK7EV – ericvdneut1@bigpond.com

• Media Opportunities to promote amateur Radio to the general public.

  • Contact person is Reg Emmett VK7KK – regemm@ozemail.com.au

• Amateur Radio Magazine will have features on VK7 History starting in the May/June edition with a history of amateur radio in Tasmania (VK7).

• WIA National News Broadcast will be coming from VK7 on the 18th June 2023.

• And many more activities – watch this space.

This event is support by our national representative body the Wireless Institute of Australia. Some of the amateurs at an exhibition in Launceston.

The VK7 Centenary is:

• Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW

• Reg Emmett VK7KK

• Rod Finlayson VK7TRF

• Peter Dowde VK7PD

• Eric Van De Neut VK7EV

• Mike Jenner VK7FB

• Linda Luther VK7QP

• Phil Corby VK7ZAX

Committee contact email is: vk7tw@wia.org.au

Len Crooks VK7BQ in his Shack in May 1969.

Content supplied by: Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania Inc.

Craig. vk3ncr