IARS

100 Years of Amateur Radio in Australia

The Illawarra Amateur Radio Society is pleased to announce a fantastic opportunity to set up a live Amateur Radio station at the world renowned – Wollongong Science Centre. This will be held on Sunday August 15th 2010 between 10am and 4pm. Wollongong Science Centre is located on Squires Way at Fairy Meadow. Ph 42865000

The Institute of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia, was established at a meeting in Sydney on 11 March 1910, Later to become the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) making it the world’s oldest continuing organization of its kind.

During World War I and World War 2 those who had gained experience as amateur wireless experimenters were called to duty as radio operators in the Australian Armed forces. Many brave amateur radio operators provided vital communications and many lost their lives in these wars.

The Illawarra Amateur Radio Society is honoured to have received permission to air the special event call sign VK100WIA. This call sign commemorates 100 Years of organised amateur radio operation in Australia.

This practical demonstration day will be held to celebrate 100 Years of Amateur Radio in Australia. Amateur radio is also commonly known as Ham Radio. Ham radio has been used for emergency communications on many occasions such as the Cyclone Tracy disaster in Darwin, The Indonesian Tsunami, the Earthquake in China and Haiti and the Victorian Bush Fires to name a few.

So come along to the Science Centre Sunday 15th August and listen to the big wide world of Amateur Radio. Better still, pick up a microphone and with some simple coaching, and have a radio conversation aided by our experienced Licensed Radio Operators. Unlike CB Radio, Amateur Radio provides world wide communications so who knows you may end up in conversation with Antarctica or some other exotic location.

The Illawarra Amateur Radio Society would like to thank the Wollongong Science Centre for their valued support in celebrating this momentous event and providing a prime location in the Centre for Science excellence in Australia.

We look forward to seeing you all there for a fun day.

Regards,
Tony Stone VK2TS
President – Illawarra Amateur Radio Society