July Presentation – Community Outreach – Men’s Sheds and Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio in Men’s Sheds: Community Outreach Through Science, Technology and Connection

Amateur radio offers Men’s Sheds a powerful new way to connect with members who may not be drawn to traditional woodworking, metalworking or workshop activities. For many people, the attraction is technology, science, communications, electronics, weather, computers, space, emergency communications and lifelong learning. An amateur radio program gives these members a place to belong, contribute and keep learning, while still delivering the core Men’s Shed goals of social connection, purpose, wellbeing and practical community benefit.

Modern amateur radio is far more than the old stereotype of Morse keys and glowing valves, although those still have their place. Today it includes digital communications, satellites, software defined radio, mesh networking, radio astronomy, weather satellite reception, citizen science, electronics projects and emergency communications. A Men’s Shed radio program can introduce members to all of these areas, from making a first radio contact across Australia to tracking satellites, receiving weather images, building simple antennas and contributing real data to propagation and space weather projects.

The community benefits are significant. Amateur radio can help reduce social isolation, encourage participation, support mental health, build confidence and provide opportunities for skills transfer between generations. It also helps strengthen community resilience by developing local communications knowledge and emergency preparedness. With partnerships involving amateur radio clubs, schools, Scouts, libraries, universities, STEM groups and emergency service organisations, a Men’s Shed radio program can become a genuine community outreach hub.

Bob VK7BS will be giving us a presentation on how amateur radio has extended the community outreach from his local Men’s Shed and the key elements that need to be in place to nurture and grow it.

When – Wednesday 1st July 2026 from 7:30pm
Where – Queens Domain Clubrooms and Streamed.