About FRARS
The Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society (FRARS) was founded in 1982 by employees of Flight Refuelling (now Cobham PLC). The Society is an affiliated member of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).
FRARS is located near Wimborne and close to the popular tourist destinations of Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Purbeck.
FRARS is a large and very active club, based just five miles north of Poole in Dorset. The club has state of the art equipment for most of the radio bands available to amateur radio operators in the United Kingdom, from HF through to microwave.
The club members have a diverse range of interests within the amateur radio sphere, from HF, VHF/UHF to microwaves (EME). Contesting using voice, Morse and data is very popular. The club has also run electronics construction projects.
Separate HF and VHF/UHF shacks enable operators to use different bands without interference. With three permanent antenna masts there are beam antennas up all year round for multiple bands up to 23 cm.
There is a very capable EME (moonbounce) facility active on the microwave bands. This capability is being continually developed and the club hold a number of records for EME.
A small workshop gives room for both mechanical and electronics construction facilities as well as specialist test equipment.
FRARS runs regular training courses in the spacious meeting room for those looking to obtain an amateur radio license, or to progress to the next level.
The social aspect is not overlooked here either, with a spacious club room and a tea bar that’s always open on club nights and a friendly welcome assured.
FRARS is affiliated with the Cobham group which also gives members access to the excellent sports and social club where there is quality food and a well-stocked bar.
FRARS can be found on QRZ.com here.
If you would like more information about visiting the club or becoming a member then please contact the club secretary using the contact form here.
There are regular meetings every Wednesday and Sunday evening in the club house from 19:00 until 20:30. The club facilities are available every club night for members to use but anyone who is interested in becoming a member or who just wants to know “Hey! What’s this all about?” is more than welcome on either of the two nights and will receive a warm welcome.
Special days and set aside days :-
- The third Sunday of the month is ‘talk night’ where there is a guest speaker offering a talk on everything and anything, from home brew radios to home brew beer!
- The AGM is usually the last Sunday in November. This is a members only event.
- Committee meetings, which are also members only events, are held on the first Sunday or Wednesday of the month as below
January – Sunday
February – Wednesday
March – Sunday
April – Wednesday
May – Sunday
June – Wednesday
July – Sunday
August – Wednesday (but generally no meeting is held because of Hamfest preparations)
September – Sunday
October – Wednesday
November – Sunday
December – Wednesday
FRARS holds the callsigns G4RFR, G4R, G6SFR, G0FRR and you can find us on QRZ.com
FRARS – Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society
Merley Park Road, Broadstone, Wimborne BH21 3DA