The Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club of Australia's membership
has been growing steadily, but we know many more operators are eligible to apply.
Despite the name,
"Old Timer" is a long-standing ham radio greeting which has no bearing on age.

Membership of the RAOTC is available to persons who have held
or have been qualified to hold any amateur licence for 25 years.
In other words, if you obtained a BOCP or any other such relevant commercial,
or scholastic certificate or degree which is dated prior to 1974,
then you're a membership candidate.

A brief history of RAOTC as it concerns VK6.
The group was originally formed in VK3
from a suggestion at a dinner held in Melbourne in February 1974.

It was the Australian equivalent of the ARRL "Quarter Century Club"
and other overseas old timer's clubs, membership being open to an AOCP holder
or commercial equivalent of 25 or more years standing.

The inaugural gathering in VK6 was held at the old Savoy Hotel
on the 28th August 1979 and was attended by 15 amateurs.
This was the start of monthly get-togethers which eventually extended into fortnightly meetings,
one in the city and the other in a nearby suburb.

For several years the monthly Australia wide net on 14 MHz was operated from Perth.

Permission was obtained to utilize the callsign OTN in each division as required,
i.e. VK3OTN, VK6OTN etc.
Ultimately the broadcasts reverted to VK3 into the present day set-up.

Fees initially were $2. for life membership.
This became impracticable with rising postal costs
plus the emergence of the magazine "OTN",
the journal of the RAOTC which first appeared in March 1985.

This excellent historical publication continues and is now published twice a year.
Inevitably fees had to rise to $5. per year.
Life membership is $100,
but absolutely free for the 90 years and over.

VK6 began to incorporate local RAOTC news and events
into the excellent weekly DX and interstate RTTY news.

The RAOTC membership in W.A.
has never had any formal structure
as we are all members of the federal body,
the broadcasts, both federal and local have proved invaluable.

The fortnightly social gatherings, are totally informal,
in excellent venues and provide forums for discussion
that ramble from crystal sets to computer techniques as well as
invaluable social contacts ranging from the earliest pioneers to today's membership.

It is noticeable too that the original concepts of hams helping one another
is still very much alive and well,
especially amongst members struggling with new techniques.

One of the more attractive benefits of membership
is the interesting presented magazine which contains historical articles
as well as its technical and often humorous content.

There are Australia-wide monthly news bulletins
on the 2, 20, 40 and 80 metre bands
to cater for all members,
as the RAOTC is an all-states organisation.

There are luncheons twice a month in WA,
on the 2nd Tuesday at the Bayswater Hotel and
on the 4th Tuesday somewhere in Fremantle, except December,
visitors are made very welcome at the luncheons.

New 'Had your licence for 10 Year's, membership' - Phone for details

Western Australian Contact's
VK6HC - Lee - 08-9293-2658
VK6CW - Clem - 08-9459-4835 - email

Written by Lee VK6HC

WIA WA - AR Guide
WA - Special Interest Group - Radio Amateur "Old Timer" Club
Perth Luncheon Group

AR Guide index    - WA index