Over and out: Keith Stickland and Barry Wilson at the Belmont society headquarters. Picture Tommy Ritchie 55113
Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG radio operators are hamming up communication to win back a younger generation from the internet.
While seasoned ham radio enthusiasts palpitate over a crackly voice bouncing off transmitters from distant places, contemporary communicators prefer a few quick mouse clicks into cyberspace.
But Geelong Radio and Electronics Society secretary Keith Strickland said amateur radio could co-exist with the internet.
“We’ve now got radio facilities we can use over the internet,” he said.
“I can get on the internet here with my radio, go through a beacon and that beacon will send my transmission via the internet to someone in England or America, anywhere.”
However, Mr Strickland conceded the internet had turned most youths off learning to communicate by radio.
The youngest registered Geelong amateur operator was just 14 but most were aged 50 to 70, he said.
“We’ve had a couple of school groups we’ve been tutoring over the past three or four years and it has been quite successful. A lot of those kids have got our amateur foundation licence.”
Celebrating 100 years of involvement in amateur radio this week, Mr Strickland said the society was offering the chance for the public to communicate with international operators on a special radio call sign until Monday.
A radio museum at old Geelong Gaol would also excite history buffs during the centenary celebrations.
Mr Strickland said Geelong Radio and Electronics Society would be open from 10am to 5pm until Monday during the celebrations at 237A High Street, Belmont.
