Amateur radio clubs as regional media networks

Amateur radio clubs as regional media networks

Since the earliest days of wireless electronic communication, amateur experimenters have sought to conquer distance, forming networks to extend their communication, and clubs and societies to provide social, technical, and political support. Australia’s national amateur radio society, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) formed in 1910 as an umbrella organisation linking many local radio clubs across the regions. These clubs continue to flourish, providing a regional local media network, additionally linking nationally through the WIA, they provide nationally networked news and information to their members. Practices that encourage exploration of regions include the affordance of safer travel through regular radio contact, and awards dedicated to visiting national parks, islands, and mountains to practice mobile communications.

Local radio clubs across Australia continue to play a significant social networking role for radio amateurs. Clubs host regular lectures, maker-spaces and construction events, dinner gatherings, trips, and daily scheduled group meeting times for on-air social interactions. This paper surveys the history and function of these radio clubs as actor networks affording connectivity and social engagement across regions.