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

LET’S GET RADIO-ACTIVE!

W4CAE in Your Pocket: Setting Up AllStar on Your Smartphone

“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…

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Important Club Events and Updates!

Important meeting and event details.

Hi everyone,

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.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Best regards, Jim

Lunch and Learn

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CARC October 2026 Meeting Presentation

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.

Google Maps: 1101 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia, SC 29201

GPS lat=33.9745966 lng=-81.0184317

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Zoom link and meeting access details are available on the CARC Club Calendar at W4CAE.com.

Visit the calendar here: *https://w4cae.com/club-calendar/

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-october-2026-meeting-presentation/

Brass Knuckle Gang (Get ur brass on the air)

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!

For more information, check out https://www.bkg.club/

73,

David Lauten, KF4HAW (BNG #249, SCOG)

803-807-1753

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/grass-knuckle-gang-get-ur-brass-on-the-air/

Optimizing SKYWARN Operations: Running Zello on Windows via BlueStacks

When severe weather kicks off, the hardest part of working net control or spotting isn’t the weather itself—it’s divided attention.

Zello is a fantastic tool for severe weather operations. It’s fast, reliable over cellular, and dead simple to organize into channels. But running it from a smartphone while trying to manage a desktop during an active storm is frustrating. Tapping away at a tiny phone screen while watching a couplet tighten on radar, typing in hail reports, and reading NWS Chat is a recipe for missed calls and mistakes.

By dropping Zello into the BlueStacks Android Emulator on your Windows PC, you can ditch the phone and build a clean, desktop-grade communications console right where your eyes already are.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/optimizing-skywarn-operations-running-zello-on-windows-via-bluestacks/

Important Club Events and Updates!

Important meeting and event details.

Hi everyone,

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.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Best regards, Jim

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/important-club-events-and-updates/

Nominations for 2027 Board of Directors are Open!

Dear Columbia Amateur Radio Club Members,

It’s time once again for the Columbia Amateur Radio Club to open nominations for Executive Board positions for the upcoming term. As outlined in the club bylaws at www.w4cae.com, nominations open in September and remain open through the November meeting. Voting eligibility and officer qualifications are also defined within the bylaws.

According to the bylaws, voting is limited to Regular Members in good standing—those who are current on dues and hold a valid amateur radio license. Associate Members and non‑licensed participants are not eligible to vote.

Officer qualifications, as stated in the bylaws, require nominees to be Regular Members in good standing. Members are encouraged to review the bylaws for full details.

Positions Open for Nomination:

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • W4CAE / CARC Trustee
  • Director (3 positions; Two-Year Directorship and One One-Year Directorship)

We encourage all members to participate by nominating themselves or fellow members who demonstrate leadership, commitment, and a passion for advancing amateur radio in the Midlands.

To submit a nomination, please email the Election Committee at: ColumbiaARC@gmail.com

Include the following:

  • Your name and call sign
  • The nominee’s name and call sign
  • The position you are nominating them for

Nominations will remain open through the November club meeting, with elections held immediately afterward as outlined in the bylaws.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Your participation keeps our club strong, active, and growing.

73, Jim Lathan, W4JLP President, Columbia Amateur Radio Club

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/nominations-for-november-2026-board-of-directors-are-open/

CARC Hamfest Hangout

Get Ready for the CARC Hamfest Hangout!

Calling all ham radio operators, builders, tinkerers, and tech enthusiasts! Join the Columbia Amateur Radio Club for a morning dedicated to all things Amateur Radio. Whether you’ve been on the air for decades or are just curious about the hobby, this event is for you!

When & Where:

** Date:** October 24, 2026

**Time:** 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM

**Location:** Potters Park — Elgin, SC

Why You Can’t Miss It:

**100% FREE:** No admission fees to attend, and **zero cost** to set up and sell!

Buy, Sell & Swap: Score incredible deals on gear, find that missing piece for your shack, or clear out your own ham shack extra inventory.

Live Demos: See cool setups, new digital modes, and gear in action.

Eye-to-Eye QSOs: Put faces to callsigns, catch up with old friends, and talk shop with the local ham community.

Talk-In Info:

Need directions on your way in? Tune into the Columbia Amateur Radio Club repeater:

Frequency: 147.330 MHz (+ offset)

PL Tone: 156.7 Hz

Grab your gear, bring your appetite for radio talk, and come hang out with us!

Potter Community Park – Town of Elgin, South Carolina https://share.google/Rat3oOUp24tlUskhj

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-hamfest-hangout/

W4CAE ARRL Summer Field Day 2026

Thanks to Don Taylor K4KGT for the photos.

Thanks to Mark KN4KRZ for the photos.

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/w4cae-arrl-summer-field-day-2026/