Welcome to RADARC
Thames Valley’s leading Amateur Radio Club since 1934
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.
Further online interaction happens via our busy ‘Discord’ community and our members’ Google group. Occasionally we run ad-hoc zoom natter sessions perhaps supporting an on-air net.
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! We take part in CW, SSB and VHF field days where people are welcome to camp overnight.
Our outreach activities include working with local scout groups for events such as Jamboree on the air and practical activities such as building and experimenting with radio kits.
RADARC welcomes 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.
Other local radio groups we are delighted to work with include:
Thames Valley Repeater Group (“TVRG”)
Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society
Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club
Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club
We are also proud to be part of the thriving Reading area diverse technical and scientific community. Here’s a small sample:
Reading Hackspace (Rlab) Reading’s very own makerspace sporting a wide variety of amazing tools, equipment and people.
Reading Geek night organising a wide variety of evening talks and Science in Reading
Reading Repair Café leading the way in making society more sustainable whilst promoting learning about how things work.
Reading Library of Things (RLOT) is an imaginative initiative making a fantastic range of resources (tools etc.) available to Reading folk whilst saving the planet and de-cluttering your garage!
- 24th April 2025
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Dr. Elizabeth Bruton: Women in Signals Intelligence (zoom)
24th April 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKVia zoom, former Science Museum curator and regular RADARC invited speaker Liz Bruton explores the little-known role of women in signals intelligence, from secret codes used by Mary, Queen of Scots, through to women working in cyber security today.
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- 1st May 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
1st May 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 8th May 2025
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Photo Competition (rescheduled)
8th May 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 10th May 2025
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VHF Field Day prep and RADARC barbecue
10th May 2025 - 11th May 2025 @
Binfield, UK
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- 11th May 2025
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VHF Field Day prep and RADARC barbecue
10th May 2025 - 11th May 2025 @
Binfield, UK
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- 15th May 2025
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- 22nd May 2025
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meeting TBA
22nd May 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKMeeting TBA
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- 29th May 2025
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Activity TBA
29th May 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKActivity TBA
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- 5th June 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
5th June 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 7th June 2025
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NFD (CW Field Day)
7th June 2025 - 8th June 2025 @
Sonning Farm, University of Reading Sonning Farm, Charvil Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6TH, UKNFD (CW)
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- 8th June 2025
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NFD (CW Field Day)
7th June 2025 - 8th June 2025 @
Sonning Farm, University of Reading Sonning Farm, Charvil Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6TH, UKNFD (CW)
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- 12th June 2025
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"Using AI to write Applications" by Dr. Stewart Bryant G3YSX
12th June 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKThis evening we extend a warm RADARC welcome to Dr. Stewart Bryant G3YSX who kindly joins us from Crawley Amateur Radio Club.
Stewart will kindly give an in-person lecture on how AI is revolutionising the art of creating software covering how large language models such as ChatGPT and Google Bard/Gemini have the ability to transform the way that we write software.
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- 19th June 2025
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- 26th June 2025
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Nick 'The Vic' M0NTV on Tour
26th June 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKNick M0NTV "The Vic" celebrates, in person, with us the tiny miracles achieved with QRP construction and operating.
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- 3rd July 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
3rd July 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 5th July 2025
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- 6th July 2025
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- 10th July 2025
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- 17th July 2025
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- 24th July 2025
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- 31st July 2025
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- 7th August 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
7th August 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 14th August 2025
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Meeting TBA
14th August 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 21st August 2025
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- 28th August 2025
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Meeting TBA
28th August 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 4th September 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
4th September 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 6th September 2025
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SSB Field Day
6th September 2025 - 7th September 2025 @
Sonning Farm, University of Reading Sonning Farm, Charvil Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6TH, UK
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- 7th September 2025
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SSB Field Day
6th September 2025 - 7th September 2025 @
Sonning Farm, University of Reading Sonning Farm, Charvil Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6TH, UK
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- 11th September 2025
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The UK’s ‘Hidden figures’ - (some) women’s technical contributions to the Cold War Space Race (zoom)
11th September 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKA warm RADARC welcome to Dr. Nina Baker via zoom.
You have probably heard of NASA’s ‘Hidden Figures’ women, but what about those of the UK? Dr Nina Baker will bring to life some engineering stories with which members may not be so familiar – those of some pioneering women engineers and scientists working in the UK in the Cold War and Space Race era of the twentieth century.
Dr Nina Baker has had a varied career, having become a merchant navy deck officer on leaving school and taken an engineering design degree in her 30s, from the University of Warwick. She then gained a PhD in concrete durability from the University of Liverpool. She has lived with her family in Glasgow since 1989, working variously as a materials lecturer in further education and as a research administrator and, until 2017, as an elected city councillor. Now retired from all that, her interest in promoting STEM careers for girls has led her to become an independent researcher, mainly specialising in the history of women in engineering.
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- 18th September 2025
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- 25th September 2025
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Meeting TBA
25th September 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 2nd October 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
2nd October 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 9th October 2025
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Meeting TBA
9th October 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 16th October 2025
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- 23rd October 2025
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Autumn Junk Sale
23rd October 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKDonated 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
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- 6th November 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
6th November 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 13th November 2025
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The Great Construction Contest
13th November 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKTo 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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- 20th November 2025
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- 27th November 2025
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Meeting TBA
27th November 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 4th December 2025
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
4th December 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 11th December 2025
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RADARC AGM
11th December 2025 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
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- 18th December 2025
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- 1st January 2026
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
1st January 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 15th January 2026
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- 5th February 2026
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
5th February 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 19th February 2026
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- 5th March 2026
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
5th March 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 19th March 2026
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- 2nd April 2026
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Construction Evening, venue TBD
2nd April 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In person construction evening.
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- 16th April 2026
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