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CARC Christmas Party

RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26th!

Get ready for the highlight of the year – our CARC 2025 Christmas Celebration at the charming Little Pigs Barbecue, 4927 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC! This place, conveniently situated near I-20, I-77, and Percival Road (SC Hwy 12), is all set to welcome us for a festive feast!

Think of your favorite dessert and bring it along, perhaps a beverage too if tea or lemonade doesn’t delight you. Don’t worry about payment, we’ve got it sorted – choose between a quick online payment via PayPal located on Club website or simply pay at the entrance.

Do us a favor, drop an email to [email protected] to tell us you’re coming and the number of your joyful troop!

Reaching Little Pigs Barbecue is easy peasy! Follow our directions and you’ll find the place lit up, ready to welcome you with mouthwatering aromas. Got questions? We’re just a phone call away at 803-669-6135. We’re buzzing with excitement to make this Christmas Celebration unforgettable! Can’t wait to see you there!

Little Pigs BBQ 4927 Alpine Rd, Columbia, SC 29223

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Payment can be submitted by cash, check or Paypal. Please note Paypal has an additional $2.00 fee.

RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26th!

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-christmas-party/

(tr)uSDX

This little radio was shown at the November 4th club meeting by Jim Lathan W4JLP.

It can be purchased as a kit ~$90.00 or a ready to operate ~$140.00. Make sure to order via the official suppliers list here. You will receive a serial number with an official kit/radio and need the serial number to download future firmware upgrades.

Here is the main website for the radio and more information. https://dl2man.de/

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/trusdx/

12v UPS for Mini PC

Mike- N7ETA

A few years ago, I decided to upgrade my PC. In researching, I found a mini fan-less PC that runs on a 12v wall wart. After researching my software wouldn’t have any issues I purchased and installed the software I use.

The only issue I had was that even with my off the shelf UPS system the PC would reboot during bad weather. I investigated and found the wall wart was susceptible to power line transits.I thought about using one of my ham radio power supplies, which I thought was way over kill.

Searching the internet I found that battery operation was preferable. But then again it was much more than I needed. Then on “YouTube” I found them using an oversize AA with a voltage of 3.7v. This is actually called a 18650 cell as the designated size. What was impressive was the different capacities viable on “Amazon”. These cost from $2.25 in multiples and capacities from 2000mah to 9900mah 

More research indicated I could build a DIY UPS with no switching time and a fairly large run time. Since the most time I have been without power has been less than 1 hour. So I sat down and worked out a wiring diagram. The schematics program I use is called “Fritzing”.  Here is a link to the webpage for the software. https://fritzing.org/

Here is the parts list, cost supplier.

12v 18650 UPS BOM
QTYLabelPart TypeUnitPart NumberSupplier
1CaseEnclosure$18.99Blue Metal Enclosure.7 x 4.33 x 3.1 inchAmazon
1120vac to 12vdcS-350-60 Power Supply$12.9812v @ 5ampAmazon
15.15V OutGeneric female header – 2 pins$1.44Terminal Binding Post Spring Clip 2-WayAmazon
1AC1AC Power$1.83Inlet Module Plug Socket Power EntryAmazon
3Bat118650 Battery$5.973.7v @ 9900maAmazon
1C1Electrolytic Capacitor$0.35470ufAmazon
1D1Rectifier Diode$0.051N4007Amazon
1DS2Y-5-DC5V1DS2Y-12-DC12V$1.00HK19F-DC 5V-SHG Signal RelayAmazon
1LED1LED$0.043mm Green (570nm)Amazon
1R1Resistor$0.05470kΩAmazon
1S1Push-button$0.53Momentary (NO)Amazon
1TP1BMS Li-ion Charger$0.643S 12V 10A 18650 Lithium Battery Protection BoardAmazon
1U1Buck converter$3.24Mini-360 Step-up DC-DCAmazon
1VM1Voltmeter$2.163 digit LED  (2 wire)Amazon
Total$49.27

Here are a couple of pictures of the finished unit.

The Future-

Since I also operate a couple of Raspberry Pi’s 24/7, I am refining the schematic with a couple of changes and will build one for 5v.

Mike- N7ETA (Extra Terrestrial Amateur)

Do you have a project you would like to share on our webpage?

If so please send a brief write-up with info, pictures and any other information to the webmaster, John W4SFX at [email protected]

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/12v-ups-for-mini-pc/

Ham Radio Dashboard

Here is a great tutorial on how to get your Ham Radio Dashboard up and running. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIdqMQTGNSc

You can download the zipped files down below.

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/ham-radio-dashboard/

2024 SCQSO Party Results

A special thank you to all who participated! Fantastic results!

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/2024-scqso-party-results/

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/columbia-amateur-radio-club-is-now-a-weather-ready-nation-ambassador/

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®

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/12340-2/