“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.
The October 2nd guest presenter is Matt Hall, KD4EOD, Trustee of W4FTK. Matt will cover FleetTalk, both the amateur side and the commercial side. He’s preparing a presentation and will bring some cool gadgets to show the group. He’s driving down from York County to make this presentation IN PERSON.
FleetTalk – W4FTK Presentation posted in Presentations.
Also, for the October 2 club meeting, Joe Wilson, KO4WAA, Richland ARES EC, has been actively promoting getting folks – especially ARES guys – involved with simplex, especially regarding emergency communications. Joe has a good plan that he wants to share with the club.
Other topics:
147.330 – Repeater Replacement Discussion
Club officer elections are scheduled for November 6, and there is a need for nominees.
September 16, 2023 Hams and Eggs will discuss the Who, the What, and the Why of Zello and Hamshack Holine. Don’t miss this special hands-on workshop and demonstration.
After Hams and Eggs, we will QSL to Sesquicentennial State Park Group Camping Area Site 2 for POTA. Bring your gear to activate or activate using radios there. Be your own DXpedition!
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/september-hams-and-eggs-zello-and-hamshack-hotline-workshops-followed-by-support-your-state-parks-pota/
Subject: Repeater 147.330 Status Update – Back Online
Dear CARC/W4CAE members and friends,
I hope this follow-up email finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an update on the status of Repeater 147.330.
I am pleased to inform you that Repeater 147.330 is now back online and fully operational. Our technical team is still evaluating the root cause and will work diligently to address the issues affecting its functionality, and I’m happy to report that the repeater is now ready to resume its services.
We understand the importance of this repeater to our users, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused during the downtime. We are committed to ensuring the reliability and performance of our equipment, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we worked to resolve the situation.
Please feel free to utilize Repeater 147.330 for your communication needs. Should you encounter any further issues or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Jim Lathan. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us maintain the highest level of service.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. We look forward to serving you through Repeater 147.330 and our other communication resources.
Best regards,
Jim Lathan Columbia Amateur Radio Club, President 803-669-6135
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/repeater-147-330-back-in-operation/
Subject: Repeater 147.330 Outage and Ongoing Resolution Efforts
Dear W4CAE members and friends!
I hope this message finds you well. I am bringing to your attention a recent issue regarding repeater 147.330. As of August 18, 2023, our Columbia repeater147.330 is currently experiencing an outage, rendering it unavailable for communications.
We understand the importance of this repeater in maintaining seamless communication within our community, and I want to assure you that our technical team is actively working to identify and address the underlying problem. We prioritize swiftly resolving the issue and reinstating the functionality of repeater 147.330.
Please be assured that we are committed to providing timely updates on the progress of our resolution efforts. We understand the impact that this outage might have on your operations and communications, and we are dedicated to minimizing any disruptions caused by this situation.
Our technical team is investigating the problem’s root cause and working diligently to implement the necessary repairs or adjustments. We will inform you about the developments and anticipated timeline for restoring repeater 147.330.
In the meantime, the W4CAE 146.775 repeater is online, and if you have any urgent communication needs or anything else we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Jim Lathan, directly. We are here to ensure that your communication requirements are met to the best of our abilities, even during this challenging period.
As a precaution, plans are in place to still have the Sunday Night Net on Club repeater 147.330. If, at the time of the Net, repeater 147.330 is still offline; the Net will use the Clubs 146.775 repeater, also known as the Ft. Jackson Repeater. Make sure you have the Ft. Jackson repeaters frequency, offset, and tone programmed in your radios:
Ft. Jackson: 146.775 (-) T156.7
We apologize for any inconvenience this outage may have caused and appreciate your understanding and patience as we work toward a resolution. We value your continued partnership and trust in our services.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We will update you on our progress and provide you with the necessary information as soon as it becomes available.
Best regards,
Jim Lathan Columbia Amateur Radio Club, President Jim.Lathan@gmail.com 803-669-6135
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/repeater-147-330-is-offline/
Bonus Points: 100% emergency power 800 Media Publicity 100 – Pending documentation Public location 100 Public information table 100 – Pending documentation W1AW Field Day message 100 – Pending documentation Site visit by invited elected official 100 Site visit by invited served agency 100 Educational activity 100 Youth participation (3 x 20, max of 100) 60 Safety Officer 100 – Pending documentation Social media 100 GOTA Station 20 GOTA Coach 100 Entry submitted via Web 50 Total bonus points 1,930
Score Summary: (Cabrillo log/dupe sheet file: W4CAE.dup) CW Digital Phone Total Total QSOs 72 10 14 Total Points 144 20 14 178 Claimed Score = (QSO points x power mult) = 356
UPDATE!!! We will not have access to Sesqui for Hams and Eggs; they are hosting Military Day, and all sites are booked. We will be meeting at a new venue; Lizards Thicket NE.
Join us for breakfast! Local friends and HAMS will meet every 3rd Saturday of the month for breakfast and fellowship. Meet with Friends, find an Elmer, ask questions, share your experiences, or discuss your next outing over breakfast.
