AUGUST 29th - 30th 2026 ALARA CONTEST
The 46th ALARA Contest will be held on the last weekend of August from Saturday the 29th to Sunday the 30th. THAT'S NEXT WEEKEND.
Start time is 0600 UTC on the 29th of August, finishing 24 hours later at 0559 UTC 30th of August.
All YLs, OMs, Scouts & Girl Guides are invited to participate and it is hoped that everyone will enjoy this friendly contest. It is a great opportunity to make contact with those we dont usually meet on air. Although we are slightly competitive, we do help each other by giving out numbers and spotting each other on Facebook.
The contest rules are available on the ALARA Contest webpage on the ALARA website. If you would like more information, please email
Information courtesy of WIA National News
WICEN – Amateur Radio Supporting Emergency Communications
SGARS Monthly Meeting – Wednesday 2 September 2026
How would emergency services communicate if the telephone network, mobile phones or other conventional communications systems were unavailable?
At the September meeting, SGARS welcomes Doug Rosser, VK2DCR, a member of WICEN NSW and VRA Rescue NSW, who will provide an insight into the important role amateur radio can play when communications infrastructure is damaged, overloaded or unavailable.
WICEN – the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network – is a volunteer organisation whose members provide emergency and safety communications using radio. In NSW, WICEN operates as a specialist communications support squad of VRA Rescue NSW, working within the State's emergency management and rescue framework.
WICEN operators are trained to establish and maintain communications in challenging circumstances. Depending on the situation, this can involve VHF and UHF radio networks, portable repeaters, HF communications and digital radio systems. WICEN can also provide radio-based messaging independent of the internet and conventional telecommunications networks.
While emergency communications are a major part of WICEN's role, its members also provide communications support for community events such as the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, charity events, navigation exercises and other activities where reliable communications are required over difficult or remote terrain.
About Doug Rosser VK2DCR
Doug has been involved with WICEN NSW for many years and has served in a number of roles, including Treasurer of WICEN NSW.
Doug's professional background in information technology, together with his extensive involvement in WICEN, provides an interesting perspective on the relationship between modern communications technology and the robust, independent communications capabilities that amateur radio can provide when conventional systems fail. His WICEN involvement dates back to at least 2012.
This promises to be an interesting and informative evening for anyone interested in emergency communications, radio technology, public safety or the practical applications of amateur radio.
Meeting Details
Wednesday 2 September 2026
7:30 pm start
Mortdale RSL
Address: 25 Macquarie Pl, Mortdale NSW 2223, Australia
All SGARS members and visitors are welcome.
With October fast approaching it is time to verify your NSW Working With Check (WWCC).
- If you have a current WWCC, check the expiry date is after the JOTA weekend 16th to 18th October 2026, or,
- You don't have a WWCC or your WWCC has expired, we recommend you apply NOW, as the process can take up to 4 weeks.WWCC for volunteers are FREE.
Information and link to apply for NSW WWCC can be found at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check
Volunteers attending JOTA and interacting with youth members will need a NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) and Scouts NSW Adult Helper registration.
If you can help, please put your hand up now! Last year’s team had 15 SGARS operators, and we need a similar level of support in 2026.
Interested please complete the JOTA Volunteer Form,
Thank you – and I look forward to another great JOTA at Boree!
Peter Rossini VK2BFF
SGARS JOTA Coordinator
SGARS JOTA 2026 – Volunteers Needed!
**Hello from Peter VK2BFF, SGARS JOTA Coordinator for 2026.**
For more than 30 years, the **St George Amateur Radio Society (SGARS)** has provided the Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) experience at the **Boree Regatta, Kurnell**. This year’s event will be held **16–18 October 2026 at Bonna Point Reserve, Kurnell**, with hundreds of Scouts and Guides expected to participate.
Our club station **VK2LE** will operate across **HF, VHF and UHF**, with Scouts taking part in supervised on-air contacts with other young people around the world. The ever-popular **radio fox hunt** will also return.
To make this happen, we need **SGARS members and amateur radio operators to join the JOTA team**.
We need volunteers for:
* 
Radio operating and supervising youth participants
* Fox hunt activities
* 
Equipment transport
* 
Station setup and pack-up
* 
Registration, liaison and general assistance
**You don't have to commit to the whole weekend** – a half-day, day, or longer will all make a difference.
### Important volunteer dates
* **ASAP:** Apply for WWCC if required
* **14 Sept:** Scouts NSW Adult Helper application
* **30 Sept:** Team roster finalised
* **7 Oct:** JOTA volunteer training
* **16 Oct:** Setup
* **17–18 Oct:** **JOTA Weekend**
* **18 Oct:** Pack-up
Volunteers attending the event and interacting with youth members will need a **NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC)** and Scouts NSW Adult Helper registration.
**If you can help, please put your hand up now!** Last year’s team had 15 SGARS operators, and we need a similar level of support in 2026.
**Interested please complete the JOTA Volunteer
Thank you – and I look forward to another great JOTA at Boree!
**Peter Rossini VK2BFF**
SGARS JOTA Coordinator
Full details and contest rules available in Upcoming Events
Digital Voice Codecs in Amateur Radio: Compressing Speech for the Airwaves
Following on from last year's Digital Data over HF Radio presentation, this session explores the fascinating world of digital voice codecs and how they make modern amateur radio communication possible.
Digital voice has transformed the way amateur radio operators communicate, enabling clear, efficient voice transmission across both VHF/UHF and HF bands while using significantly less bandwidth than traditional analogue methods. But how can high-quality speech be squeezed into such a small data stream?
This presentation answers that question by examining the technology behind today's most widely used digital voice systems.
Digital Voice in Amateur Radio
The session also examines the codecs currently used across the amateur radio community, including:
- Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) voice coding
- Open-source codecs used for HF digital voice
- The advantages and limitations of proprietary versus open implementations
Participants will gain an understanding of why different digital voice systems have evolved, and how codec selection influences compatibility, audio quality, and spectrum efficiency.
Beyond the Codec: Error Correction Matters
Compressing speech is only part of the challenge. Radio channels are noisy, signals fade, and data is often corrupted during transmission.
This presentation investigates how channel coding and forward error correction (FEC) work alongside speech codecs to improve reliability. We'll explore how different levels of error protection affect real-world performance, particularly under weak-signal HF conditions where every bit counts.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you're curious about digital voice, interested in how DMR works, experimenting with HF digital modes, or simply want to better understand the technology behind modern amateur radio communications, this presentation offers an informative and practical introduction to the field.
Join us as we uncover the engineering that allows clear speech to be transmitted using remarkably little bandwidth—and discover why digital voice continues to play an increasingly important role in amateur radio.
SGARS welcomes visitors – please join us.
The Remembrance Day Contest is an annual amateur radio event organised by the WIA. This contest commemorates the Amateurs who died during World War II and is designed to encourage friendly participation and help improve the operating skills of participants.
Amateurs will endeavour to contact amateurs in VK call areas, ZL and P29 on all bands except WARC bands. Modes allowed are PHONE, CW and RTTY as per the era remembered.
SGARS Club Station Details
- Date: Saturday,15 August 2026
- Location: Oatley Park
- Setup: From approximately 12:00 (midday)
- Operating: 13.30 (1.30 pm) for around 5 hours
- Likely site: Sheltered area near the back/top of the oval
Contact
- Peter VK2EMU
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contest Rules
Callbacks VK2RDX Mt. Bindo Sunday 5th July 2026
Morning Broadcast
VK2JTV
VK2GLK
VK2BMG
VK2KWX
VK2YJS
VK2EMU
Evening Broadcast
VK2EMU
VK2JTV
VK2CGR
MeshCore Network Sees Strong Growth Across Australia
Australia's MeshCore community has grown rapidly over the past 12 months, evolving from a small group of enthusiasts into one of the world's most active MeshCore networks. MeshCore uses low-power LoRa radios to provide encrypted messaging without relying on mobile phone or internet infrastructure.
Although no official figures are published, community activity suggests Australia now has an estimated 500 to 1,200 active users supported by around 120 to 210 dedicated repeater nodes, with a midpoint estimate of about 800 users and 160 repeaters.
The strongest growth has been in Victoria and New South Wales, where volunteer-built repeater networks now provide extensive regional coverage. As interest in resilient, off-grid communications continues to grow among hobbyists, emergency preparedness groups and outdoor enthusiasts, Australia is emerging as one of the leading MeshCore communities outside Europe.
Introduction to open-source LoRa-based MeshCore radio communication scheduled for Wednesday 1st July, 2026 at Mortdale RSL, commencing 7.30pm.
SGARS welcomes visitors – please join us.
Over 40 members and guests attended in person for the presentation on the MeshCore radio communications network, by Josh VK2MES. Others viewed the presentation live on YouTube, from as far away as Perth WA. Thank you to Josh for a very informative presentation and a fantastic effort.
MeshCore Network Presentation to be Live-Streamed
There has been significant interest in this presentation, so for those not able to attend in person at Mortdale RSL Club, the presentation will be live-streamed on YouTube, commencing at 8.00 pm Wednesday 1st July 2026. You can watch the presentation by using this link; Introduction to MeshCore
The presentation introduces MeshCore, an open-source LoRa-based mesh radio communication system designed primarily for:
- Emergency communications (EmComm)
- Off-grid community networking
- Infrastructure-independent messaging
Josh VK2MES explains:
- How mesh networking works
- Why MeshCore was created
- How it differs from Meshtastic
- Australian radio configurations and deployment practices
- Practical uses, hardware, and ways to get involved
Over 40 members and guests attended in person for the presentation on the MeshCore radio communications network, by Josh VK2MES. Others viewed the presentation live on YouTube, from as far away as Perth WA. Thank you to Josh for a very informative presentation and a fantastic effort.
The Sutherland Astronomical Society (SASI) will host a presentation exploring the fascinating world of amateur radio at the Green Point Observatory on Thursday, 2 July 2026, commencing at 7:30 pm.
Often known as “ham radio,” amateur radio is a worldwide hobby and public service that combines communication, technology, experimentation, and community involvement. Modern amateur radio extends far beyond traditional voice contacts, with operators using digital modes, satellites, computer networks, and advanced radio technologies to communicate around the globe. Amateur radio also plays an important role in providing emergency and disaster communications when conventional systems are unavailable.
The presentation will provide an introduction to amateur radio, outline the pathway to becoming a licensed amateur radio operator in Australia, and conclude with a look at one of the hobby’s most exciting areas—amateur radio satellites and how radio amateurs use them to communicate through space.
Whether you are curious about radio communications, interested in space and satellite technology, or considering becoming a licensed operator, this presentation will offer an informative overview of the hobby and its many opportunities.
Additional information can be found at the SASI website https://www.sasi.net.au/
RadioID.net has announced a new annual verification process for all registered users, effective from 1 July 2026. As RadioID.net IDs are required for access to DMR networks such as VK-DMR, BrandMeister, and TGIF, operators should ensure their registered email address is current and accessible.
Each year, on the anniversary of an account’s creation, RadioID.net will send an email requesting confirmation that the assigned ID(s) are still required and that account details remain accurate. Failure to respond may result in the ID(s) being temporarily deactivated and, after a reasonable period without contact, removed from the database and made available for reassignment.
Members are encouraged to log in to their RadioID.net account and verify their contact details before 1 July.
SGARS is pleased to welcome Greg ZL1GUD, well known from HamShack and as the editor of the popular New Zealand and Australian amateur radio magazine. Greg will be visiting the club to meet local amateur radio operators, share experiences from the amateur radio community on both sides of the Tasman, and learn more about the activities of SGARS members.
During his visit, Greg hopes to take photographs for possible inclusion in future magazine articles and features. This will be an excellent opportunity for members to meet Greg, showcase their stations and projects, and promote the vibrant amateur radio activities taking place within our club.
SGARS welcomes visitors – please join us.
The Society’s annual “SHOW and TELL” meeting is scheduled for Wednesday June 3, 2026 at Mortdale RSL, commencing 7.30pm.
Join us as members SHOW something interesting and TELL a story. Something old or new, mysterious or sentimental or historical, something built or bought, a hand-me-down or a surplus sales bargain. Perhaps it's working, perhaps the smoke has escaped, perhaps it's just a photo !
Members interested in presenting are requested to check-in at the RSL auditorium by 7pm, alternately drop an email to
SGARS welcomes visitors – please join us.
The VK Shires Contest is an annual amateur radio event organised by the WIA. Operators in Australia and overseas try to contact as many Australian shires as possible using HF SSB and CW. Contacts exchange callsigns, signal reports, and shire identifiers, with points awarded for contacts and unique shires worked.
The contest promotes operating skills, portable/mobile operation, and activity in regional areas.
SGARS Club Station Details
- Date: Saturday, 6 June 2026
- Location: Oatley Park
- Setup: From approximately 11:00 AM
- Operating: Midday for around 5 hours
- Likely site: Sheltered area near the back/top of the oval
Contact
- Peter VK2EMU
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amateur Radio - Training & Assessment - Information Session Wednesday 03 June 2026, 06:00pm
Amateur radio provides a hands-on way to learn about electronics, and telecommunications, excellent way to develop technical skills in a practical and enjoyable environment. Amateur radio also offers the opportunity to design and build radio equipment, experiment with communication modes, great way to explore radio science and improve problem-solving skills. Your pathway into Amateur Radio commences with the Foundation entry level qualification. Want to know more, come along to a free amateur radio information session, including self study and upcoming training and assessment weekend.
Members of our education team will be available from 6.00 pm on Wednesday evening, prior to our monthly meeting, in the Function Room (1st floor) at the Mortdale RSL Club.
Callbacks VK2RDX Mt. Bindo Sunday 24th May 2026
Morning Broadcast
VK2JTV
VK2KWX
VK2MTJ
VK2EKG
VK2YJS
VK2EMU
Evening Broadcast
VK2JTV
VK2EMU
VK2PBX
Callbacks VK2RDX Mt. Bindo Sunday 7th June 2026
Morning Broadcast
VK2JTV
VK2EMU
VK2BMG
VK2MTJ
VK2YJS
VK2EKG
Evening Broadcast
VK2PZ
VK2JTV
Introduction to open-source LoRa-based mesh radio communication scheduled for Wednesday 1st July, 2026 at Mortdale RSL, commencing 7.30pm.
The presentation introduces MeshCore, an open-source LoRa-based mesh radio communication system designed primarily for:
- Emergency communications (EmComm)
- Off-grid community networking
- Infrastructure-independent messaging
Josh VK2MES explains:
- How mesh networking works
- Why MeshCore was created
- How it differs from Meshtastic
- Australian radio configurations and deployment practices
- Practical uses, hardware, and ways to get involved
SGARS welcomes visitors – please join us.
Welcome to SGARS News
This is the location where The St George Amateur Radio Society publishes information about upcoming and recent club activities, meetings, presentation, contest and field events, and training and assessment sessions. News items will be added as information becomes available or is updated.
News items will become the single source of information for the website, including calendars and emails.
What is the SGARS News Feed?
The SGARS News Feed provides a way for readers to keep up to date instantaneously, using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) 2.0 syndication feed. This feature enables the sharing of content from the SGARS website with other websites or platforms that support RSS feeds, and also supports the use of third-party RSS services and components.
The SGARS News Feed can be downloaded into email clients, such as Thunderbird & Outlook, automatically as news items are added. Applications are available for other email clients such as Google Mail, Outlook etc. Applications are also available for Windows, IOS and Android platforms. Fluent Reader is free from Microsoft Store, and works well with Windows 11.
To start, go to www.sgars.org/news copy the SGARS News source link and paste into the RSS application.
https://www.sgars.org/index.php/sgars-news?format=feed&type=rss