VI8ANZAC is on the air

The Darwin Amateur Radio Club (DARC) continues to be active with the VI8ANZAC callsign to mark the Albert Chalmers Borella journey re-enactment - and has caused many dog-piles on the bands. DARC President Gary Gibson VK8GN reports that concentration has been on 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m. The lower bands are a bit of a challenge during the Australian northern wet season with very high noise levels.

There have been good openings to Europe on 10m, and many other countries including VK are being worked all the bands. High interest has been generated in VI8ANZAC going by the large number of look-ups on QRZ.com

The commemorative event marks the historic trek to enlist in WWI by Albert Borella. The 33 year old went from Tennant Creek to Darwin which then had no sign-up point, and on to Townsville in Queensland by boat for enlistment. Albert Borella served at Gallipoli in 1915 for two months, before going to the Western Front in France and Belgium. He was wounded in action, decorated with the Military Medal, mentioned by Winston Churchill in military dispatches, and for valour in combat - awarded the Victoria Cross.

Each April 25 is ANZAC Day in Australia, to honour those who fought for the first time as the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) at Gallipoli in Turkey, then elsewhere, and the service men and women in all subsequent conflicts.

This year is the Centenary of ANZAC. A number of events are being held in Australia and aboard. The Darwin Amateur Radio Club has the WIA ANZAC 100 callsign VI8ANZAC until March 3.

Click Here To Return To Previous Page