Image: PEARS (Click on image for larger view.)
In June 1995 I relocated to Mossel Bay from Pretoria. At that stage there were only one repeater in the Southern Cape Area and that was the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater which belonged to Eskom. The radio amateurs living in this area were given permission to use this repeater on condition that if Eskom needs it, the permission to use the repeater will be withdrawn. A little bit of background will explain the title of this article more clearly. Before relocating to Mossel Bay I was a member of the then "Verwoerdburg Amateur Radio Club" today called the Centurion Amateur Radio Club. At that stage the club had an excellent club house and a fully equipped radio shack as well as other amenities. The members of this dynamic club was very active. The clubhouse was open to all members and visitors from other clubs every Friday evening and once a month for a club meeting on a Saturday afternoon. Apart from this there were many outdoor and indoor activities to many to mention here now. I stayed about 3 km from the club and needless to say that I seldomly miss out on any activities or gathering at the club house. My work at that stage decided in May 1995 that they need my services in Mossel Bay and I had to relocate.
Image: 145.700 Mhz George Repeater (PEARS) (Click on image for larger view.)
Upon my arrival in Mossel Bay I learned that there was a club called "The Garden Radio Route Club" and that one meeting was held a month at various venues as they did not have a club house. Needless to say that the two meter radio and antenna was installed before moving into my current location. I put the radio on scan and monitored all the amateur radio frequencies. Not a sound to hear either on simplex or the repeater. After some inquiries I was told that there is only two or three radio amateurs chatting on a Tuesday evening on the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater. Disappointment is not the word when you come from an area where there was active radio communications on various repeaters every single day. I suddenly felt very lonely as a radio amateur in the Southern Cape. What was even worse is the fact that activity on the repeater entailed gardening and daily chores which has nothing to do with amateur radio. Well I did not sit and mope about the lack of activity and decided to join the club and create as much amateur radio activity as possible. Easier said then done as I was seen as a "inkommer" newcomer who wants to change everything. Once again I was on my own, a very lonely radio amateur!!
The next month a surprise was awaiting me. The club AGM was held and the outgoing chairman of the club was not available for re-election. While I went to buy something for my dry throat I heard a locomotion that they want me back in the meeting asap. I was nominated as chairman and they want to know if I would accept the nomination. Well to cut it short I was elected as chairman of the club.
With the assistance of other club members we soon created many amateur radio activities. The attendance at club meetings sky-rocketed and the repeater was active on a daily basis. No this is not because of me but the many radio amateurs that joined the club and then created activities on and of the air. At each monthly meeting we had a lucky draw, demonstration and short lecture. We were privileged to use the then "George Technical College" facilities and equipment. Needless to mention that one of he college lecturers was a radio amateur. Gone was the days moving from one venue to another. The future of the Garden Route Radio Club looked promising. After a two year stint as chairman of the club it was time to hand the reins to someone else. Casey ZS1AAS took the reins and continued leading the club and its members for several years.
Image: Repeater Network Today (PEARS) Click on image for larger view.
Well through the years amateur radio and clubs evolved in the Southern Cape and Garden Route Area. I hope I and others never experience the very lonely amateur radio syndrome like I experienced in June 1995. Today there are a few amateur radio clubs in this area with the latest addition of the Cape Coast Radio Club situated in Plettenberg Bay. Welcome and best wishes to the new Club and its activities!!
Finally: Never become a very lonely radio amateur. Do not accept the loneliness. Do something about it and create activities. Get radio amateurs to join in fun activities and you will be surprised to see more and more joining and tuning in. Take the initiative if nobody else is interested and promote activities as you move forward. You will be amazed at the positive outcome! Stay away from negativity and keep the ball rolling even if you have to go it alone.
Ed. I was a member of a few clubs in years gone by. For some years I "go it alone" due to various reasons but today and in the future I will never be a very lonely radio amateur. Thankfully this has never been the case since June 1995. I am so grateful for a full and happy amateur radio "career" be it with or without a amateur radio club!!
