Welcome to RADARC!
Thames Valley’s leading Amateur Radio Club since 1934
Based in Reading, our activities are generally at 8pm on Thursdays, and the 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!
Finally, we are proud to support the MCR21 BBC outside broadcast van restoration project.
- 1st October 2026
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
1st October 2026 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 8th October 2026
-
-
Vintage computing evening
8th October 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKVintage computing evening.
-
- 15th October 2026
-
- 22nd October 2026
-
-
Autumn Grand Junk Sale
22nd October 2026 @ 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.
Start time: 8pm
Please note: if you are willing/able to park on the road nearby it would be appreciated as the car park does get very busy.
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
-
- 29th October 2026
-
-
Vin G4JTR's Top Band Net
29th October 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
There will be a top band net on Thursday eve. 29th October starting at 20.00 hours. There will also be a zoom chat session.
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 29th. 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.
radarcm0aaa@gmail.com
-
- 5th November 2026
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
5th November 2026 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 12th November 2026
-
-
The Great Construction Contest
12th November 2026 @ 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.
-
- 19th November 2026
-
- 26th November 2026
-
-
ATV, BATC and test gear: Dave G8GQK
26th November 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKATV, BATC and test gear: Dave G8GQK
-
- 3rd December 2026
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
3rd December 2026 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 10th December 2026
-
-
AGM
10th December 2026 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKAGM
-
- 17th December 2026
-
- 7th January 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
7th January 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 14th January 2027
-
-
Meeting TBA
14th January 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKMeeting TBA
-
- 21st January 2027
-
- 28th January 2027
-
-
Meeting TBA
28th January 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKmeeting TBA
-
- 4th February 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
4th February 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 11th February 2027
-
-
Meeting TBA
11th February 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
-
- 18th February 2027
-
- 25th February 2027
-
-
Photograph Festival
25th February 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKMeeting TBA
-
- 4th March 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
4th March 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 11th March 2027
-
-
Meeting TBA
11th March 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
-
- 18th March 2027
-
- 25th March 2027
-
-
Spring Junk Sale
25th March 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
-
- 1st April 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
1st April 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 8th April 2027
-
-
Meeting TBA
8th April 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UKMeeting TBA
-
- 15th April 2027
-
- 22nd April 2027
-
-
Meeting TBA
22nd April 2027 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA, UK
-
- 6th May 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
6th May 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 20th May 2027
-
- 3rd June 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
3rd June 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 17th June 2027
-
- 1st July 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
1st July 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 15th July 2027
-
- 5th August 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
5th August 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 19th August 2027
-
- 2nd September 2027
-
-
Construction Evening, RRFC
2nd September 2027 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST, UKIn person construction evening.
-
- 16th September 2027
-