As a forerunner in the South African amateur radio community, the West Rand Club is a dynamic hub of activity and a key contributor to the SARL. We are dedicated to fostering the next generation of operators through our proven Radio Amateur Exam training program, which has proudly guided hundreds of newcomers to licensing success. Boasting a robust network of over 150 members, we offer the ultimate community for radio enthusiasts of all levels.

A Brief History

On the 4th November 1948 amateur radio in South Africa advanced a step further when the West Rand Branch of the South African Radio League (SARL) was formed.

The inaugural meeting was held at Max -Pickett’s (ZS6LG) residence, where enthusiastic members gathered in their numbers. On request, Bob Taylor (ZS6CO) temporarily took the chair to explain the meeting’s objectives and to gauge the attendees’ feelings regarding the formation of a new branch. Following a unanimous vote in favour of the proposal, the meeting resolved to petition the SARL for recognition of the West Rand Branch, covering the Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, and Randfontein magisterial districts.

Charles Olivier (ZS6KP) was elected as the first Chairman of the West Rand Branch of the SARL.

As the branch rapidly expanded, the members’ lounges quickly grew too small to hold the gathering crowds, prompting them to seek out larger venues. Fritz Meltzer, who served as the Randfontein Town Clerk, arranged permission for the group to utilize the Randfontein Town Hall. Meetings progressed through various community venues on the West Rand, namely the Consolidated Mines recreation hall, the Florida MOTH Hall, the Bantjies Recreation Hall, and the Roodepoort Scout Hall. As the branch grew, it established a dedicated club infrastructure that moved through several historic locations: starting in Roodepoort, moving to Bodenstein Street, then to the old Gallo Centre, and finally settling on Kroton Street in Weltevredenpark.

In the early 1990s, the SARL transitioned its local structure from “branches” to “clubs,” a change that was formalized at the Annual General Meeting around 1992. Under the old system, branches were strictly required to have 100% official, paid-up national SARL members. Switching to a club structure granted local groups the independence to set their own policies regarding the ratio of SARL to non-SARL members, providing greater flexibility for local growth.

Thus the West Rand Branch of the SARL changed its name to the West Rand Amateur Radio Club. Although the club remains a member of the SARL, it is now an independent organization governed by its own constitution.