Profiles Of Australian CB Clubs
THE SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICT CB RADIO CLUB (Whiskey Delta CB Club)
......affiliated with
(Based in Warrnambool, Victoria.)
P.O. Box 620,
Warrnambool, Victoria, 3280.
Submitted by Perc, WD 30, Secretary.
The Club was first born before legalisation at a meeting of 25 interested CB
Radio Operators which included people from all walks of life, including business
people and farmers. As it was illegal to operate CB Radios other than low
powered AM walkie talkies for bush communications it was decided to call the
newly formed Club, The Warrnambool Four Wheel Drive Club which meant that people
were now talking to each other as members of the Club on walkie talkies, some
with only one channel. One very keen operator who had an 11 element beam hidden
amongst the trees at his fairly remote property was in daily contact with
friends in America while working with 1/2 to 1 watt of power. He was later
to visit many of these friends. Sadly, he is no longer a Club member.
Upon legalisation of the CBRS, a meeting was held in the Warrnambool Red Cross
Hall at which I attended, along with 30 to 40 members of the Four Wheel Club,
and like myself, about 150 interested radio operators. At this meeting a new
Club was formed and named the South Western District CB Radio Club which is
still the official name of the Club. However, most operators found the long name
tedious and over time was shortened by most members to Whiskey Delta CB Club.
The Club since forming has held an on air meetings once a week in the evenings.
The night has changed over the years from time to time, and now has an on air
session at 8 PM on Mondays on 22 LSB. Originally, these sessions were conducted
on AM, but with new CB Radio and in particular SSB sets being acquired, it was
decided that as a result of many members situated in remote areas that the
broadcasts would be conducted on LSB. This was a superior mode and has been the
format for the broadcasts for many years.
The Club has held monthly meetings at various halls over the years, with an
average attendance of 50 members, with lots of outings, fund raisers, BBQ'S,
disabled radio days, and field radio excursions being held. These days the Club
has a small, hardcore group of radio operators, and now hold meetings on a
quarterly basis. These may be held at a member's home, which might include a BBQ
after the meeting, or at a Counter Lunch, or other such format.
Membership into the club also includes an Associate Membership which is
available to all operators. This involves a one off payment of $10.00 for which
the member receives a quantity of QSL Cards, an Associate member's number and
information about our district. Retention of the number requires advice to the
Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting in April each year.
The Club now has a membership of 10 financial members, having recently lost a
very keen member in WD 24, Peter from Portland. Peter passed away on November 1,
2000 and will be sadly missed. It also has 1 Life Member, Chris, WD 17, who is a
keen shortwave and scanner listener. We also have a very keen DX operator in
Barry, WD 103, mostly operating on 16 and 35 LSB. He has had contacts all over
the World as well as Australia wide.
This has been a very brief history of the Club of which I have been a member
since legalisation of the CBRS, having retained the same number over this
period.
Club contact can be established by emailing the President, Kevin, WD 91. (email
link below)
email
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