Per our agreement with ETV, our January Meeting will be on January 9th. The Meet and Eat and Club Meeting in our Club Calendar has been updated.
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.
Winlink for Emergency Communications: Beginners Workshop
Wait what? Last month’s Ham and Eggs attendees received a USB key packed with tools and software for Winlink, JS8Call, and VARAChat. Perfect timing, there is training posted at ARES-SC.org that will take you through Winlink A-Z. More details are below:
NOTE: This is will a late evening event, it is posted to be a 7 pm PST time, making it 10 pm for the east coast.
COLUMBIA SKYWARN STORM SPOTTERS TEAM
Midlands Skywarn Newsletter Sign-up
The Columbia SKYWARN Team assists the Columbia National Weather Service with Ground-Truth weather observations during severe or dangerous weather. The Columbia NWS forecast area covers much of South Carolina and is divided into August/CSRA, Midlands, and Eastern Midlands.
The Columbia SKYWARM Team holds NETS and Virtual Training/Meetings weekly and monthly. More Information can be found at the Columbia Amateur Radio Club Calendar
Important Links:
- How to Report Severe Weather to the NWS Office in Columbia: https://www.weather.gov/cae/severe_reports.html
- Storm Reporting to NWS: https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/report/
- Storm Prediction Center: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
- Richland County Emergency Preparedness: https://richlandcountysc.gov/Emergency-Preparedness
Founded in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN Spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite, and other data, has enabled the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods. SKYWARN Storm Spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather minutes that can help save lives.
In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damage. The National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN with partner organizations to obtain critical weather information. SKYWARN is a volunteer program with 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather Spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. Although SKYWARN Spotters provide essential information for all weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, and more than 1,000 tornadoes. (Information courtesy of the Columbia NWS)
Interested in learning more, have questions, or want to sign up for training-Newsletter-meetings?
Use the orange form at the bottom of the page to contact us, or visit the Columbia NWS at https://www.weather.gov/cae/skywarn.html
Community Emergency Response Team Training
Community Emergency Response Team – CERT Training – STARTING Tuesday, October 10 at 6 PM at the Richland County EOC.
This is the 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team Class. This training is scheduled for three consecutive Tuesdays & Thursdays in October. We have openings and need additional participants to register with Sharon Long by the close of business on Wednesday, October 4, to avoid canceling this training.
Link for the schedule: CERT October 2023 Link for the application: COMMUNICATIONS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM APPLICATION FORM
For more information, Contact Mark Goddard @ [email protected]
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.
January 2025 CARC Monthly Club Meeting: Meet KM6LYW: Innovator Behind DigiPi
We are excited to announce that at the January Club meeting, we have a special guest: Craig KM6LYW. Craig KM6LYW is a trailblazer in the amateur radio community, known for blending traditional ham radio practices with cutting-edge technology will be joining the Clubs Zoom meeting. As the creator of DigiPi, a compact, Raspberry Pi-based platform for digital communications, KM6LYW has made digital modes more accessible and affordable for amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide. The Club Zoom meeting details are at the end on this article.
The DigiPi is a versatile and user-friendly solution that supports popular digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, APRS, and more. By combining modern software with low-cost hardware, KM6LYW has empowered operators to explore the exciting world of digital amateur radio without needing expensive, specialized equipment.
Beyond developing the DigiPi, KM6LYW is passionate about supporting the ham radio community. He actively shares his knowledge, engages with fellow enthusiasts, and fosters innovation to ensure that digital amateur radio continues to thrive. Explore the world of digital amateur radio with KM6LYW and DigiPi—where tradition meets innovation.
In addition to exploring the exciting world of DigiPi and digital amateur radio, we’re excited to share that the club will offer our members a variety of amateur radio hobby items. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just starting, you’ll find a range of gear and accessories to enhance your amateur radio experience. These items are available on a donation basis, and all proceeds will go directly to supporting the club’s activities, resources, and outreach efforts. It’s a great way to get something you need while giving back to the community that keeps the hobby alive and thriving! Bring your $$$.
Here’s how you could present the additional topics for the meeting:
Additional Meeting Topics
Join us for a dynamic and informative meeting as we dive into several exciting topics, including:
- Harbison 50K Review: This is a look back at the event and the role amateur radio played in its success.
- Winter Field Day: Preparation and strategies for this popular event to hone emergency communication skills.
- South Carolina QSO Party: Tips for participating and maximizing your contact logs during this state-focused radio contest.
- Hams and Eggs & New Lunch and Learn: Discover these engaging opportunities to connect, share, and learn in a casual setting.
- Hands-On Experience: A practical session to explore and practice amateur radio techniques.
- April CARC Swapfest: Get a preview of this must-attend event for buying, selling, or trading amateur radio gear.
- ARRL Summer Field Day: Early planning for one of the most significant events in amateur radio, focusing on teamwork and readiness.
Whether you’re a long-time operator or new to the hobby, there’s something for everyone at this meeting. Don’t miss out!
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/january-2023-club-meeting/
ARRL School Club Roundup – CARC Members Highlight
Michael (KF4W) Teacher at Midlands Stem Charter School with Student on the Air
Every February and October, School Clubs all around the country get on the air and try to work as many contacts as possible. Groups are broken down into Elementary, Middle, High School, and Colleges.
Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/arrl-school-club-roundup-carc-members-highlight/
CARC Club Member Information Update Request
Greetings everyone!
We are in the process of cleaning up our Club roster and want to invite you all to update your information.
Updating your information will ensure the club roster is current and you will be notified of club activities and information.
Note: there must be a form for each member.
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-club-member-information-update-request/
Harbison 50k – January 7th, 2023
Hey CARC and area friends of Amateur Radio!
We’re planning for the Harbison 50k and need VOLUNTEERS!
Here are the details you’ll need at this point:
When – Saturday, January 7th
Where – Harbison State Forest
Pre-event meeting – via Zoom the night before!
Race Start – 7:30 am from the field in front of the gazebo.
The primary frequency will be 146.400 simplex – make sure you have a good antenna
The secondary frequency will be 147.330 2m
Continue readingPermanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/harbison-50k-january-7th-2023/
December Ham and Eggs Cancelled
With the holidays closing in on us fast, I have decided to cancel the Decembers Ham and Eggs event. Being so close to Christmas I want to give you all time to be with your families, we will resume Ham and Eggs in December, check the club calendar for new and exciting events planned.
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/december-ham-and-eggs-cancelled/
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/columbia-amateur-radio-club-christmas-party/
December 2022 Testing and Training
SCHEART will be offering Ham (Amateur) Radio classes in December of 2022. This is for Technician, General, and Extra. All classes will run from December 12th through 16th from 6 pm to 9 pm. Some classes will not take the whole week but will finish when all the material is covered. These classes run concurrently. You can only choose one of the classes.
We’re presenting the classes via video conference using Zoom (http://zoom.us ) If you didn’t have the time to attend in person before, now is your chance. Email me at [email protected]. I’ll forward your email to your instructor and they will send you an invitation to the video conference.
Here’s a tutorial on how to use zoom: https://tinyurl.com/y8hbdlvr
If you’ve never used videoconferencing before, Here are a couple of tips:
Use a headset or headphones. Any headphones that plug into your computer will do. Even the wired ones that came with your cell phone, if it’s using the 1/8” plug. This eliminates feedback when you unmute your microphone.
Mute your microphone when not speaking to the instructor. Otherwise, the class will hear any background noise from your computer.
Find the text/chat function and use it.
New hams will have to start out with the Technician course.
All classes are free. If you wish to attend, RSVP to [email protected]. Be sure to tell me which class you want to take and include your cell number.
Testing will be offered on December 17th at 08:30 am at SCETV headquarters, 1041 George Rogers Blvd in Columbia. We’ll take care of the administrative work first and start the testing when the admin work is done. Bring a photo ID, an original copy of any Ham Radio license, your FRN, and $10.00 cash. If a child is testing and has no photo I.D., bring a copy of a birth certificate.
If you are testing for the first time, you must bring your FCC Registration Number (FRN), which you can get here:https://tinyurl.com/yayymn28
If you’re coming for testing only, email us so we can plan accordingly.
Please refer any questions to [email protected]m
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/december-2022-testing-and-training/