They Walk Among Us

They’re right under our noses yet we don’t notice them. Some just listen but others might be transmitting as you read this, perhaps even in code. They might not use the internet or phone to communicate with each other, and they’re often found in backyard shacks.

Have you noticed strange antennae as you walk around your neighbourhood? Should you be afraid?

Well, they’re not quite the aliens of a B-grade 1960s movie, but they are a subculture of intelligent beings that is relatively invisible to most of us.

These are the HAM radio enthusiasts who communicate across the world by high frequency (short wave) radio by bouncing signals off the ionosphere. Some have even been known to bounce them off the Moon.

Radio and astronomy have gone hand-in-hand for a very long time, with Australia home to some of the most impressive radiotelescopes in the world. But there are more humble rigs as well in amateur hands.

For the anniversary of the first Moon walk, the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society has been granted the special licence to use the one-off anniversary radio call sign VI3MOON from July 16-24.

To discover more, keep an ear open on the airwaves by visiting our Events page for updates from time to time.

Over.