Digital Operations

Experimentation

W4FSV

Breadboard Radio – Ham Radio Kits that are easy to build and fun to use!

KM4ACK

Build-a-Pi will allow you to get up and running fast with a Raspberry Pi for ham radio.

Emergency Communications

Voice Operations

Education

ARRL Special Service Club Award

Congratulations! The SSC status has been approved for the Columbia Amateur Radio Club, W4CAE.

Thank you for being so supportive of amateur radio.

Sincerely,
Mike Walters, W8ZY
Field Services Manager
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®

Columbia Amateur Radio Club is now a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador!

The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is now a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador.

The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is excited to collaborate with NOAA/NWS to help strengthen our nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water, and climate events. If you would like more information, please visit the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador Frequently Asked Questions. And if you need any additional information, email WRN anytime at [email protected]. You can also find WRN on X (previously Twitter) @WRNAmbassadors.

Announcement: Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest – April 26, 2025 is still on!

$10 per Seller / Vendor

The Columbia Amateur Radio Club (CARC) is thrilled to invite amateur radio enthusiasts, hobbyists, and collectors to our Annual Swapfest in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina! This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a fantastic opportunity to buy, sell, and trade amateur radio gear, meet fellow hams, and participate in the vibrant community of amateur radio operators. Please note the traffic pattern in the image above, and note that the parking lot is divided into two sections: visitors and sellers/vendors. The event will open to the public at 8:00 am, and the club set up is from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. THIS IS A GUIDED EVENT. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PARKING LOT.

Event Details:

  • Event Name: Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest
  • Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  • Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC
  • Admission: FREE. See the Important Information section for vendor/seller details.
  • Event Type: Regular Hamfest
  • ARRL Section: SC
  • ARRL Division: RK
  • Talk-In Frequency: 147.330 + PL 156.7Hz
  • Website: www.w4cae.com

(more…)

ARRL FIELD DAY 2025

Get Ready for the ARRL Digital Contest: A Celebration of Digital Communication in Amateur Radio

ARRL Digital Contest

June 7-8 2025

Amateur radio operators, enthusiasts, and tech lovers, it’s time to mark your calendars for the ARRL Digital Contest, an exciting event hosted by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Whether you’re a seasoned digital mode operator or a newcomer eager to dive into digital communications, this contest offers a unique opportunity to showcase your skills, connect with operators worldwide, and earn recognition in the ham radio community.

What Is the ARRL Digital Contest?

The ARRL Digital Contest is an annual competition designed to encourage the use of digital modes in amateur radio. Digital communication methods, including popular modes like FT8, PSK31, RTTY, and more, have become vital in ham radio. They allow operators to make contacts with minimal power, even under challenging propagation conditions, and the contest provides a platform for enthusiasts to challenge themselves and improve their digital mode proficiency.

Participants in the contest are tasked with making as many valid contacts as possible with other operators using digital modes, which can include short-range local exchanges and long-distance contacts across continents. The event is a great way to engage with a global community, exchange QSO information, and compete for awards and recognition.

(more…)
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Announcement: Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest – April 26, 2025 is still on!

$10 per Seller / Vendor

The Columbia Amateur Radio Club (CARC) is thrilled to invite amateur radio enthusiasts, hobbyists, and collectors to our Annual Swapfest in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina! This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a fantastic opportunity to buy, sell, and trade amateur radio gear, meet fellow hams, and participate in the vibrant community of amateur radio operators. Please note the traffic pattern in the image above, and note that the parking lot is divided into two sections: visitors and sellers/vendors. The event will open to the public at 8:00 am, and the club set up is from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. THIS IS A GUIDED EVENT. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PARKING LOT.

Event Details:

  • Event Name: Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest
  • Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  • Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC
  • Admission: FREE. See the Important Information section for vendor/seller details.
  • Event Type: Regular Hamfest
  • ARRL Section: SC
  • ARRL Division: RK
  • Talk-In Frequency: 147.330 + PL 156.7Hz
  • Website: www.w4cae.com

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/announcement-columbia-amateur-radio-club-swapfest-april-26-2025/

ARRL Summer Field 2025, Start preparing now!

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/arrl-summer-field-2025-start-preparing-now/

Get Ready for the ARRL Digital Contest: A Celebration of Digital Communication in Amateur Radio

ARRL Digital Contest

June 7-8 2025

Amateur radio operators, enthusiasts, and tech lovers, it’s time to mark your calendars for the ARRL Digital Contest, an exciting event hosted by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Whether you’re a seasoned digital mode operator or a newcomer eager to dive into digital communications, this contest offers a unique opportunity to showcase your skills, connect with operators worldwide, and earn recognition in the ham radio community.

What Is the ARRL Digital Contest?

The ARRL Digital Contest is an annual competition designed to encourage the use of digital modes in amateur radio. Digital communication methods, including popular modes like FT8, PSK31, RTTY, and more, have become vital in ham radio. They allow operators to make contacts with minimal power, even under challenging propagation conditions, and the contest provides a platform for enthusiasts to challenge themselves and improve their digital mode proficiency.

Participants in the contest are tasked with making as many valid contacts as possible with other operators using digital modes, which can include short-range local exchanges and long-distance contacts across continents. The event is a great way to engage with a global community, exchange QSO information, and compete for awards and recognition.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/get-ready-for-the-arrl-digital-contest-a-celebration-of-digital-communication-in-amateur-radio/

Final Planning Call for the CARC SWAPFEST!

📣 You’re Invited: Final Planning Call for the CARC SWAPFEST!

Are you ready for an amazing day at the Columbia Amateur Radio Club SWAPFEST? Whether you’re already helping out or just curious to learn more, we’d love to have you join us for our final planning call before the big event!

This is a great opportunity to:

  • Get the latest updates on the event schedule
  • Learn how you can get involved
  • Discuss weather considerations and contingency plans
  • Ask questions and share ideas

📅 When: Wednesday, April 23
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)
💻 Where: Online via Google Meet
🔗 Join here: https://meet.google.com/dzk-nayn-aho

Everyone is welcome—whether you’re a long-time member or a new face looking to connect with fellow amateur radio enthusiasts. Let’s make this year’s SWAPFEST the best one yet!

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/final-planning-call-for-the-carc-swapfest/

Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act Re-Introduced

From the ARRL Division News Roanoke Division Email:

ANTENNA RELIEF BILL REINTRODUCED – Identical versions of The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act have been reintroduced in Congress in both the House and the Senate. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would require homeowner associations to accommodate the needs of FCC-licensed Amateur Radio operators by prohibiting the enforcement of private land use restrictions that ban, prevent, or require the approval of the installation or use of Amateur Radio station antennas. Among other provisions, this legislation would prohibit homeowner association rules that would preclude or ban Amateur Radio antennas, specify an approval process for installing Amateur Radio antennas, and provide a federal private right of action to Amateur Radio operators in disputed cases. The bill numbers are HR1094 for the House version and S459 for the Senate bill. ARRL will be coordinating a grassroots campaign to have members contact their congressional representatives for support.

The text of the House Bill can be found at the link below:

Click to access HR1094%20House%20Private%20Land%20Use%20Bill.pdf

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/amateur-radio-emergency-preparedness-act-re-introduced/

February 2025 CARC Monthly Club Meeting: Meet KB9VBR-Michael Martens

About Michael from his Youtube bio:

Hi I’m Michael‚ KB9VBR‚ and I’m on a mission to inspire and educate the amateur radio community. I’ve been a ham radio operator since 1999‚ so my interests are varied and run deep. But most of all‚ ham radio is more than a hobby; it’s a lifestyle that I enjoy and love to share with others.

My goal is to share positive and uplifting videos. I’ll answer your questions and take deeper dives into some of the mysterious parts of ham radio. Whether you are a new ham or a grizzled veteran‚ I’m sure there will be something you’ll like. Ham Radio Q&A answers your amateur radio questions and explores the different aspects of the hobby.

Ham Radio Q&A is brought to you by KB9VBR Antennas: Supplier of Amateur Radio, Land Mobile, Scanner, Low Power FM, and Airband VHF/UHF Antennas.

Find out more at: http://www.jpole-antenna.com

KB9VBR Youtube Channel

Additional Meeting Topics & Upcoming Events

  • Winter Field Day 2025 Review
  • SC QSO Party
  • Ham & Eggs / New Lunch and Learn
  • April CARC Swapfest
  • ARRL Summer Field Day 2025

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85333006112?pwd=SIMA5UTJzYEEf1RPh8rfmIjWbyZMzP.1

Meeting ID: 853 3300 6112
Passcode: 132652

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/february-2025-carc-monthly-club-meeting-meet-kb9vbr-michael-martens/

Harbison 2025 50K Race Photos

Below are some pictures from the different check point (CP) stations.

CP 13- Paul N4PRF & Adam W4AEL

CP 9- Joe K04WAA

CP 3- John W4SFX & Caden W3DEA

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/harbison-2025-50k-race-photos/