GCARS - The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society Inc.

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GCARS - The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society Inc.

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GCARS is a group of radio and electronics enthusiasts based on Queensland's Gold Coast. New members and guests are always welcome! Amateur Radio.

13/10/2026

Another Gold Coast Hamfest coming up next month. This will be our 49th year of continuous GCARS Hamfests. There's still table space available, so book early. https://www.gcars.com.au/etn/gold-coast-hamfest-2/

08/09/2026

The Pacific Airshow held on the weekend of 14-16 August was a great success!

GCARS involvement was similar to previous years. GCARS had volunteers at the Southport airport: Chris, VK4CBX, Ed, VK4JEN and Matt, VK4MGM. Coolangatta airport: Mark, VK4DMH, George, VK4GUM, Geoff, VK4DLA and Jamie, VK4XD. At the tower was Aidan, VK4APM and Ken, VK2KEN. Our responsibility was to the Air Boss team who is responsible for the entire show’s demonstration of aircraft and ground displays. GCARS provided vital information from the respective airports as to when a particular aircraft was warming up, taxiing, take off and safe return to the airport. Using a 70cm repeater located at Springbrook allowed all parties to communicate these movements and the tower would report movements to the Air Boss team to ensure that the programme was on time according to the schedule.

“Well done” and “Much appreciated ” was the word from the Air Boss at the end of the show on Sunday. He followed by saying, “We couldn’t have done it without you”.

A big pat on the back for the GCARS volunteers!

18/07/2026

A long day for GCARS members today as we supported with radio comms at the Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge. Ed VK4JEN, Ashleigh VK4DRA and myself (Mark VK4DMH), relaying status, logistics and medical incidents messages for the 630 participants. The two track areas on Austinville Rd that we manned are totally void of Mobilephone and Commercial 2-way, so Amateurs Radio operators provide the radio coverage for the “black holes” so a duty-of-care is provided.

16/07/2026

That time of the year again when GCARS operators provide radio support to the Kokoda Challenge, this weekend on the Gold Coast. A very simple setup with two operators out along a very remote road at Austinville, providing radio comms for medical, logistics, transport messages etc, back to the Nerang Command Centre. The area has no mobilephone coverage and very unreliable communications for emergency services. It’s good to be supporting a local charity, where they have over 2,000 participants walking, jogging or running the 96km bush tracks in memory of Australia’s WW2 Diggers.

22/02/2026

It saddens me to report that Roger Bowden VK2LRB has recently gone Silent Key (passed away). Roger was a GCARS member for many years, and was frequently heard on the GCARS Nets. If I recall correctly, he may have been a Net Controller at one stage. He was a good friend of Reg VK2MNM (also SK) as they both lived in the NSW rural village of Crabbes Creek. In the past he had attended GCARS events like the Hamfest, Christmas Gatherings, Tours, Field Events and Presentations. Roger was also a radio operator for his local Marine Rescue base. Yes, he was frequently reminded that his radio callsign VK2LRB had a relationship to the music group Little River Band. Condolences to Roger's wife Anne and their children.

14/02/2026

POTA (Parks on the Air) presentation by Mark Perry VK4EMP, at GCARS (14/2/26). Mark is the Qld representative for POTA, and has many years of experience. Comprehensive details on enrollment, rules, frequencies & modes, logbooks, what are parks, equipment etc.

13/02/2026

Farewell ceremony today for Greg Ackman VK4BBX, best know for his 2-way antenna business Mobile One. Greg, a local GC resident, was tragically killed in a recent aircraft crash here on the Gold Coast. He attended the GCARS Hamfest for many years, selling his Mobile One products. Greg started making antennas as a 14 year old, then officially went into business when he turned 21 years of age. He was also a key player in the 1970’s, in getting Citizen Band radio legalised in Australia. Greg’s main passion was flying, which lead him to getting GCARS involved with the Pacific Airshow. I heard today about Greg’s charity work, Angel Flight, flying hundreds of flights from the outback with sick children to make their medical appointments in the large cities. 73 Greg, aka Bush Bandit … Cleared for your final flight, Blue skies and tailwinds

27/01/2026

More sad news with another Silent Key. Gold Coast AR Op. and Director of Mobile One antennas, Greg Ackman (VK4BBX), passed away from injuries following an aircraft crash yesterday. Greg regularly attended our Gold Coast Hamfest, selling his Mobile One brand equipment and assorted 2nd hand transceivers. Greg was passionate about flying, taking off on regular interstate flights in one of his aircraft. He will be sadly missed, especially his bartering on equipment at many of the SE Qld Hamfests. Our thoughts and prayers to Greg’s wife Tracy and their children. 73 good friend.

14/01/2026

A farewell today to GCARS member Stephan Sharp VK2ARS, who went Silent Key a few weeks back. Steve was a recently retired fireman, member of the VRA and SES, and Army Reservist. A large rollup of representatives from these agencies as well as members of GCARS and Summerland Amateur Radio clubs. Steve will be sadly missed by everyone,a true gentleman, and well respected community member. 73 good friend.

Address

85 Harper Street, Molendinar
Gold Coast, QLD
4214

Opening Hours

1:30pm - 4pm

Website

http://www.gcars.com.au/

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