''You can do a lot of things with the hobby and you don't have to spend a lot of money, you can get a cheap hand held transceiver. You don't have to spend thousands and thousands, but you do have to have a licence.
''We're talking to hams who have the same interests as us - that's the interesting thing about it and the thrust of what amateur radio is all about.''
Andrew says the crucial difference between amateur radio and other forms of communication is that people are talking to one another using aerials.
''We are talking aerial to aerial - it could be to people on the other side of the world. We don't need a telephone or a cell tower.''
Treasure/secretary Syd Rowe says there are ham radio operators throughout the world.
''It's the joy of being able to tune up a transceiver and try and contact another ham in Australia, Fiji, America, Canada, England - even Russia.''
The club has members who are accredited to assess those wanting to take the licence exam.
''You have to do studying to get your licence,'' says Andrew.
''So you have to want to and enjoy mucking around with radios. It's not the old man mentality people think it is because there's a lot of new technology in the hobby. The equipment's more sophisticated than it ever has been.''
There are also various competitions and sports branches to the hobby, says Andrew.
Meeting up at the club rooms and sharing stories and skills is also an enjoyable part of the hobby, says Andrew.
''It's a chance for us to say 'hi, how are you doing, what have you been up to', to show off projects and anything you want to do - it's enjoyable like any club.''
Syd's role on the hall committee was the link that saw the club move its base to Paengaroa.
''Syd is the secretary of the hall committee and it had a room that wasn't being used. We had a look at it and thought it would suit us.''
Sponsorship, in particular from the One Foundation and the Lion Foundation helped refurbish the rooms.
''Other outfits have given us stuff at cost price or trade price to help us on our way,'' says Syd.
The club meets every Saturday afternoon.