Welcome to RADARC

Thames Valley’s leading Amateur Radio Club since 1934 – this year celebrating our 90th birthday!

RADARC is a very active amateur radio club based in Reading, Berkshire, UK.

Our activities are generally at 8pm on Thursdays, and the vast majority of our meetings are run as hybrid sessions – with both local and remote speakers, and open to those on Zoom as well as in-person audiences in all cases.

Further online interaction happens via the ‘Discord’ platform, first introduced as an experiment in response to the pandemic, and via our members’ Google group.

In the summer we run social and practical events/sessions (“antenna evenings”). Generally there is no online element to these, although you may well hear us on the air!

Our members and their activities have enabled RADARC to receive the RSGB club of the year in 2010 and 2013, and in 2016 we received the Regional award from the RSGB.

We welcome all who wish to learn about radio, electronics and indeed all aspects of amateur radio. Dates of meetings can be found on our events page.

17th October 2024
24th October 2024
  • Autumn Junk Sale

    24th October 2024 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

    Donated pre-loved "stuff" is sold in support of the club so it's a great opportunity for a clear out.

    Venue: 2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA https://what3words.com/bowls.blame.lace

    Start time: 8pm

    The auction will start at 8pm sharp so it's best to arrive early (eg. 7:30pm) to have a look at the wares and get your raffle ticket (see below).

    Please bring along any unwanted broadly tech based items in order to support the club. Also bring your cash along to buy -er- lots of useful stuff!

    If you've not been before....here's how it works.
    If you wish to take part in the auction, you need your "number". Get this BEFORE the auction starts (in the form of a raffle ticket) from the accounting crew (David M0DHO, Barry M0SQZ). If you win an item, please shout out your number so they can record what you have bought.

    Please note:
    * If you successfully bid on something, you'll need to wait until the end (10pm) to settle up.

    * If you bring junk along and it doesn't sell then please be prepared to take it home with you.

    * Any on-commission items need to be marked clearly with the name of the beneficiary.

    * Particularly David M0DHO on the books has a tough job making sure that everything squares up. Please listen to directions from David and Barry. Communications here are key to making this work.

    Finally,

    * Even if you don't wish to buy, the evening is always entertaining.

    * Prices tend to be extremely affordable!

    * If we have time to run refreshments then we will do so but please bring your own mug. At the very least we'll get the biscuit box out.

    * Marvel at how Denis G4KWT manages the PA. The perfect example of some that works so well you simply don't notice it.

    * THANKYOU to all volunteers and indeed everyone as the junk sales are vital in supporting the club!

    If I have missed anything then please let me know.

    No zoom session this time.

    73

    John
    G4RDC

    See more details

31st October 2024
  • G4JTR Top Band Net

    31st October 2024 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Hi to all Club members

    It has been suggested that we try an experimental Club net on Top Band, on Thursday eve. 31st October starting at 20.00hours.

    I have been asked to co-ordinate this by John, G4RDC and I’m happy to do this.

    I understand that not many members will have this capability at the moment but here is an opportunity to see how well you can lash up a system for local contacts. I suggest the following simple approach. 

    Antennas.

    We are not looking for NVIS ionospheric propagation, what is needed for a local net of stations a few Km apart, I think,  is local ground wave propagation. This means having some component of radiation with vertical polarisation  from the antenna.  An inverted L is ideal. It can be non-resonant  and shorter  than a 1/4 wave, provided your ATU will resonate it.   The ATU can be at the feed point  if you use a remote auto ATU, or in the shack, where the coax feeder will act as a crude counterpoise.   An additional  wire  counterpoise  at the feed point may probably help but not necessarily.

    Strapped feeders on a doublet is good.  A short loaded vertical resonated on top band,  if you already have, one will work.

    If you run a full sized antenna for more serious Top Band work, I expect it will be fine for local contacts.

    Power Level.

    I am proposing a net frequency  of 1850KHz  LSB or just below in the high power all mode section of 1840 to 1850KHz. The lowest dial reading we can use on LSB is 1843KHz. This means we can use in excess of 32W   but I will probably limit my power to 50W. Your power  may be limited by “RF in the shack” issues.

    So, in summary, I will call on 1850KHz at 20.00 on the 31st.  Or on  the best frequency clear of QRN  just  below and co-ordinate the net as Net Controller and pass it round according to the list of callers.

    Best of Luck,

    Vin, G4JTR.

    See more details

7th November 2024
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    7th November 2024 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

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14th November 2024
  • The Great Construction Contest

    14th November 2024

    To all you creative people out there. It's time to think about impressing the membership with your skills and ingenuity!

    As usual, entrants will give a short (5 minutes or so) presentation on their entry.

    There are two cups to be won, as voted by the whole membership in attendance. Software, hardware, old technology, new technology: all is valid and gets its chance on account of cleverness, quality of construction, complexity or simple brilliance - they all count toward the popular vote for the winner and runner up cups, to be presented on the night.

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21st November 2024
28th November 2024
  • A Celebration of 90 Years of RADARC

    28th November 2024 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

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5th December 2024
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    5th December 2024 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

12th December 2024
  • RADARC AGM

    12th December 2024 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

    RADARC AGM

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19th December 2024
2nd January 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    2nd January 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

9th January 2025
  • SDR Without the Math by Mike Richards G4WNC

    9th January 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

    Acclaimed Practical Wireless author Mike Richards G4WNC joins us in person for a talk entitled "SDR Without the Math"

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16th January 2025
23rd January 2025
  • Meeting TBC

    23rd January 2025
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

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6th February 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    6th February 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

13th February 2025
  • Photo Competition

    13th February 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

    Our annual photo competition.

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20th February 2025
27th February 2025
  • Meeting TBC

    27th February 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK

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6th March 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    6th March 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

20th March 2025
3rd April 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    3rd April 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

17th April 2025
1st May 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    1st May 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

15th May 2025
5th June 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    5th June 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

19th June 2025
3rd July 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    3rd July 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

17th July 2025
7th August 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    7th August 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

21st August 2025
4th September 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    4th September 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

18th September 2025
2nd October 2025
  • Construction Evening, RRFC

    2nd October 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park/Sonning La, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UK

    In person construction evening usually in the upstairs room or outside, bar is open.

    See more details

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