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VK2RDX Mt Bindo Repeater Update

For over four decades the VK2RDX 2m repeater at Mt Bindo, has provided coverage from Sydney across the Blue Mountains and west to Bathurst and Orange. Overtime the repeater's performance did decline, so in recent years a team of dedicated amateur radio operators from Sydney and Bathurst areas, have been working to restore and improve the VK2RDX site. The work included removing rust and corrosion causing passive inter-modulation issues and receiver de-sensing, refurbishing antenna systems, replacing the original "REX" 2m repeater with a newer ex-commercial equipment, new customised repeater controller based on the design by John Drew VK5DJ and upgrading and expanding power supply capacity.

The 2m FM repeater operates on 146.650 MHz with a negative 600 kHz input offset. This repeater also features "Smart Squelch", activated by users transmitting a 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone on the repeater input, improving receiver sensitivity by 2 to 3 dB, beneficial for mobile and distance stations. The repeater will operate normally without the 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone.

On Sunday, the 2m FM repeater re-broadcasts the morning and afternoon news from the studios of Amateur Radio NSW in Dural. The previous weekend saw the most call backs for the last 12 months, following the morning broadcast. With the assistance of Amateur Radio NSW, the repeater team have also installed a 70cm DMR repeater, part of the RadNet and VKDMR networks, operating on 438.1500 MHz with a input frequency of 431.1500 MHz.

All amateur radio operators are welcome to use the VK2RDX repeaters. The VK2RDX site is sponsored by The St George Amateur Radio Society.

COVID-19 2022 Update - Return to "in person" gatherings

Following a recent survey of St George Amateur Radio Society (SGARS) members, the committee is pleased to announce a return to "in person" gatherings and meetings, commencing Wednesday 4th May 2022.

All persons attending an SGARS gathering or meeting should;

follow all Public Health Orders or Directives, current at the time, and,
notify the SGARS secretary as soon as possible, if you receive a positive COVID test result within 7 days of attending an SGARS gathering or meeting, and,
respect the decision by others attending the gathering or meeting, to exercise or not, COVID safe precautions, such as wearing a mask, social distancing.

The SGARS committee has imposed a mandatory sign-in policy for all attending. You must ensure that SGARS has your current email address so that you can be notified should the SGARS committee receive advice of a positive COVID-19 case. Visitor contact information will be destroyed 28 days after the gathering or meeting.

Please consider NOT attending and SGARS gathering or meeting, if in the 72 hours (3 days) period prior;

you have been feeling unwell, and / or,
you are or have been a close contact of someone who has been feeling unwell,

irrespective of the result of a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

SGARS 2022 Executive Committee

At the December 2021 meeting of The St George Amateur Radio Society Inc, members elected an executive committee for 2022, as follows;

Cameron McKay VK2RA / VK2CKP- President 

Chris Howarth VK2CJH - Vice President

Greg Bain VK2OX / VK2GSB- Secretary 

Peter O'Connell VK2EMU - Treasurer  & Publicity Officer

Brian Clarke VK2GCE - Committee Member

Paul Howarth VK2GX - Committee Member

Wal Pearce VK2ACE - Committee Member

Roland Riede VK2YAD - Committee Member

Tony Edward VK2ALE - Committee Member

Membership to SGARS

Membership is open to the St George Amateur Radio Society.

Current Membership application forms are available on line by clicking HERE.

If you do not have someone to nominate you, please submit the form anyway and we will try and find someone.

Membership fees are $30.00 per annum. Joining fee of $5.00.

Membership Application Forms can be sent either by;

in person to the Secretary at one of our regular gatherings,
email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
mail to PO Box 530 Engadine NSW 2233

Licence Training & Assessment 2020 - COVID19 Update

Obtaining an amateur radio licence is easy with the Foundation entry level accreditation. There is no morse code to learn, you don't need technical qualifications and there are no age limits.

The St George Amateur Radio Society (SGARS) will be holding weekend amateur radio licence training courses and assessments throughout 2020, within the St George/Sutherland Shire.

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