“Did you know your smartphone can double as a powerful handheld transceiver? Whether you’re away from your shack or out of range of a local repeater, the AllStar Link network keeps you connected. This guide walks you through the essential steps to get your mobile device configured for AllStar—from obtaining your mandatory FCC documentation to…
Here is a list of our upcoming events email with expanded details.
Saturday, September 26th – Lunch & Learn: We’re hosting a hands-on technical workshop featuring the new ARRL VE Testing Tablet system, demonstrations of the NanoVNA and TinySA for antenna and radio testing, and radio programming assistance. Multiple stations will be set up so members can rotate through and learn at their own pace. Mentors are encouraged to join us in guiding newer hams and those seeking to expand their technical skills. Lunch will be provided, and the day will be filled with learning, eating, and fellowship.
October 5th – Columbia Amateur Radio Club Meeting: This meeting will focus on planning for our upcoming November Club Elections, Christmas Party, Winter Field Day, and other seasonal activities. We’ll also share updates on club projects, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming training sessions. Members are encouraged to attend to stay informed and help shape the direction of our events.
October 24th – Fall Swap Fest, Held at Potter Community Park in Elgin, SC, is perfect for buying, selling, and trading amateur radio gear. Whether you’re looking for radios, antennas, test equipment, accessories, or unique finds, the Swap Fest is a great opportunity to connect with fellow hams and discover new equipment. Bring your own items to sell or simply come browse and enjoy the day.
December 7th – Columbia Amateur Radio Club Christmas Gathering: We’ll be celebrating the holiday season at Little Pigs BBQ on Alpine Road in Columbia, SC. This annual gathering is a chance to enjoy great food, fellowship, and fun with club members and families. More details on menu options, activities, and gift exchanges will be shared as we get closer.
January 16th, 2027 – Harbison 50K: The club will once again support this major trail running event. Volunteer roles may include radio communications, checkpoint support, and safety monitoring. More details will be shared soon, and we encourage members to participate in this important community service opportunity.
January 23rd, 2027 – Winter Field Day: Plans are well underway for the 2027 event. This year’s event will include expanded operating positions, improved shelter setups, and additional training opportunities. Members who wish to camp with us should make their reservations now, as spots fill quickly. This is one of our most enjoyable operating events of the year, combining radio, camping, and camaraderie.
More details for all events will be posted at w4cae.com, Facebook, Club Calendar and discussed at club meetings and gatherings. Planning meetings will also be added to the club calendar. We encourage all members to join in, stay informed, and get their questions answered.
It’s that wonderful time of year again! The Columbia Amateur Radio Club invites you to join us for our annual Christmas Party — a fun evening of food, fellowship, and radio camaraderie!
📍 Location: Little Pigs BBQ 🕕 Time: 12/7/26 @ 6:00 PM 💲 Cost: $10 per person or $25 for a family of three or more
I want to take a moment to sincerely thank all of you for your votes and your continued confidence in me. I am truly honored to serve as your Columbia Amateur Radio Club President again in 2027. Our club thrives because of the dedication of our volunteers, and I want to recognize and deeply thank the members who have stepped up to take on leadership positions for the upcoming year. We are incredibly fortunate to have the following members on our 2027 Executive Board:
Vice President: Paul Finan (N4PRF)
Treasurer: Amanda McKinnis (K4ASM)
Secretary: Wes Munn (KJ4FIG)
Directors (Two-Year Term): Brad Carlton (KN4LPJ) and John Kiselica (W4SFX)
Director (One-Year Term): Nick Paton (K4NAS)
Trustee: Don Taylor (K4KGT)
Appointed Past-President: Dan Cunningham (K9DBC)
Additionally, during our November Club Meeting, we established two new action committees to tackle some of our exciting upcoming infrastructure projects:
Ft. Jackson Repeater Upgrade Project: Chaired by Mike Wieber (N4BQQ)
Winlink Node for the 330 Tower: Chaired by Don Taylor (K4KGT)
To all those who volunteered to serve on these action committees—thank you. We know your expertise and skill will ensure these projects are a complete success.
2026 CARC Christmas Party
It’s that wonderful time of year again! The club invites you to our annual Christmas Party for a fun evening of food, fellowship, and radio camaraderie. We’re heading back to one of our club’s favorite gathering spots, Little Pigs BBQ, with some awesome prizes and plenty of holiday cheer.
What to bring: Your favorite dessert to share with everyone! Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, it’s always a treat to sample everyone’s favorites.
RSVP: Please let our Christmas Party Committee Co-Chairs, Sandy and Ray Knight, know if you plan to attend by emailing Sandy at sfknight58@hotmail.com so we can get an accurate headcount for the evening.
Looking Ahead: Get Involved!
As we move into the end of the year and look toward 2027, we have a packed schedule of fantastic activities and events to coordinate. Here is a quick look at what is on the horizon:
Harbison 50k Communications Support
Winter Field Day 2027
South Carolina QSO Party
Spring Ham Hangout (March): Join us at Sesquicentennial State Park for “Will it Antenna?”—a day dedicated to exploring various antennas and their capabilities!
To make all these events a success, we ask for your help and participation. I highly encourage you to get involved by joining our Wednesday Planning calls. You can find the schedule and connection details on our updated club calendar at https://w4cae.com/club-calendar/.
Finally, don’t forget to keep an eye out for our regular community gatherings! Our Lunch and Learns and Hams and Eggs Breakfasts will be continuing. These are excellent, laid-back opportunities to share a meal, pick the brains of our local Elmers, and enjoy some great ragchew.
Thank you all for another great year of amateur radio and community. I look forward to seeing you at Little Pigs!
73,
Jim Lathan (W4JLP), President, Columbia Amateur Radio Club
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/2027-carc-board-christmas-party-event-highlights/
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is thrilled to officially move electronic testing forward on behalf of the ARRL! This is a massive milestone that will streamline the testing process immensely for everyone looking to get licensed or upgrade their ticket.
Please note that our first actual testing session will be for SCHEART.US on December 12th at SCETV. Because of this, it is crucial that we are as prepared as possible!
To coordinate our upcoming rollout and ensure everything runs smoothly, we are hosting a CARC Planning Call on November 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM. We would love to have all of our volunteer VEs join us!
Full details and testing specifics can be found on our club calendar at w4cae.com/club-calendar.
Thank you all for your incredible dedication and hard work—let’s make this rollout a huge success!
73,
Paul Finan, N4PRF
Vice President, Columbia Amateur Radio Club (W4CAE)
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/big-news-for-the-greater-midlands-ve-community/
Thank you to those who voted in person or by mail in ballot at the November 2026 club meeting. Below is a list of who was elected for the 2027 calendar year.
President- Jim Lathan W4JLP
Vice President- Paul Finan N4PRF
Treasurer- Amanda McKinnis K4ASM
Secretary- Wes Munn KJ4FIG
Directors- Brad Carlton KN4LPJ, John Kiselica W4SFX (Two Year Term)
Director- Nick Paton K4NAS (One Year Term)
Trustee- Don Taylor K4KGT
73, CARC
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-2026-november-election-results/
At our September club meeting, I reviewed the radio kit that lets me transmit CW on 2 meters. Jim also asked me to share a few words about the Brass Knuckle Gang (BNG), and if you like Morse code with a healthy dose of fun, this is for you.
A friend calls amateur radio the “hobby of hobbies,” and the BNG is living proof. We are a lighthearted group of CW enthusiasts proud to be “law-abiding, FCC-respecting, 2-meter CW or bust!” The name comes straight from traditional straight-key operators “pounding brass.”
Started by Forrest Stephenson (KI7QCF) in Utah, the group is growing quickly—especially among SOTA and POTA activators bringing VHF CW to the field. Most members hop on the air using sub-$30 Quansheng HTs running custom firmware capable of CW transmission and sidetone practice.
To get “jumped into” the BNG, all it takes is one confirmed 2-meter CW QSO with an active member. As the South Carolina OG, I keep 2m CW rigs ready to go. Track me down after a monthly meeting, at Ham & Eggs, or at the next tailgate, and let’s get you on the roster!
October 5th Featured Presenter: Anthony from HelioClock!
We’re excited to announce that Anthony Watts, KA9NWM — creator of HelioClock — will be our featured presenter at the Columbia Amateur Radio Club meeting on October 5th!
HelioClock has been making waves across the amateur‑radio community, debuting at major events like the Huntsville Hamfest and earning praise as a HamClock/Geochron‑class dashboard built for modern operators. https://helioclock.com/
Anthony will walk us through the HelioClock system — an always‑on, all‑in‑one RF situational‑awareness display designed for ham shacks, emergency operations centers, and anyone who needs real‑time radio and environmental data at a glance.
Why This Is a Must‑See Presentation
HelioClock brings together the tools operators normally spread across multiple screens:
– Live HF band conditions and space‑weather indicators
– Grey line maps and global propagation context
– DX cluster activity and contest information
– POTA and AMSAT pass tracking
– Real‑time data feeds, weather alerts, and world maps
– Integrated RTL‑SDR waterfall and tuning controls for AM/FM/SSB monitoring
This is more than a shack display — it’s a full RF cockpit built on Raspberry Pi hardware, giving operators a powerful, subscription‑free dashboard that boots from a simple SD card.
Anthony will also share insights from the development process, answer questions, and demonstrate how HelioClock can enhance everyday operating, emergency communications, and club‑station awareness.
Meeting Details
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, at 7 pm, at the ETV building on George Rogers Blvd, next to the football stadium. You do not have to be a member to join our meetings; we welcome newcomers to the hobby.
2026 CARC Christmas Party
Looking Ahead: Get Involved!
