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

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/

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.

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

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

Thanks to Don Taylor K4KGT for the photos.

Thanks to Mark KN4KRZ for the photos.