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.
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!
Hi I’m Michael‚ KB9VBR‚ and I’m on a mission to inspire and educate the amateur radio community. I’ve been a ham radio operator since 1999‚ so my interests are varied and run deep. But most of all‚ ham radio is more than a hobby; it’s a lifestyle that I enjoy and love to share with others.
My goal is to share positive and uplifting videos. I’ll answer your questions and take deeper dives into some of the mysterious parts of ham radio. Whether you are a new ham or a grizzled veteran‚ I’m sure there will be something you’ll like. Ham Radio Q&A answers your amateur radio questions and explores the different aspects of the hobby.
Ham Radio Q&A is brought to you by KB9VBR Antennas: Supplier of Amateur Radio, Land Mobile, Scanner, Low Power FM, and Airband VHF/UHF Antennas.
Volunteer for Walk MS – Columbia, SC – March 29th, 2025
Dear Columbia Amateur Radio Club Members and Friends,
We are excited to announce that the Columbia Amateur Radio Club will be supporting the Walk MS event in Columbia, SC on March 29th, 2025. This important event brings our community together to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis research and support. We are reaching out to you for your support in volunteering for event communications to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Event Overview: Walk MS is a nationwide event organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It aims to connect people living with MS and those who care about them, bringing us all closer to a world free of MS. Participants will walk various routes, raising funds to support research, programs, and services that improve the lives of those affected by MS.
Volunteer Details: We are seeking volunteers to assist with event communications on the day of the walk. Your help will be crucial in providing clear and efficient communication among event organizers, participants, and emergency services.
Event Hours:
Event Date: March 29th, 2025
Volunteer Hours: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:
Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel Street Columbia, SC 29201
Please consider lending your time and expertise to support this worthy cause. Your involvement will make a significant difference in the success of the event and the experience of all participants.
To sign up as a volunteer or for more information, please contact Jim Lathan by emailing [email protected] , visiting our website, and checking the club calendar for all the details.
We wanted to send a quick update on the Spotter Program at our office!
For those of you who have not taken the spotter training in a while and feel you may have forgotten some of the aspects of the training, we have uploaded a video to our YouTube page which serves as a shorter refresher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVF3_8nRkP4&t=7s
We have created a new private Facebook Group (NWS Columbia SKYWARN) for NWS Columbia Spotters to submit reports! In the coming days, we will send out invites to the email list that we have so be on the lookout for it! We hope that this will enable us to quickly receive trustworthy reports from the NWS Columbia Spotter community.
Thank you for all that you do! If there are any questions, please reach out to me, Chris Landolfi ([email protected])
-Chris
NOAA – National Weather Service
Columbia, SC Weather Forecast Office 2909 Aviation Way
West Columbia, SC 29170-2102 Phone: (803) 822-8135 Web: weather.gov/cae
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/nws-columbia-spotter-program-update%ef%bf%bc/
The September monthly meeting will be held on September 12th (Not the 5th) due to the 5th falling on Labor Day. We will meet at ETV at the usual time and will provide Zoom information the weekend prior to the meeting.
Also, don’t forget about Dinner before Meeting, where those who would like to have dinner prior to the club meeting will meet at California Dreaming at 5: pm.
Meeting topic: QRP Radios and testing antennas with WSPR.
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/columbia-amateur-radio-club-september-meeting/
September training and testing are now being planned and organized. If you are interested in becoming a licensed HAM, upgrading your current license, or even would like to assist with the class training sessions, send an email to [email protected] to place your name on the class schedule.
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-september-training-and-testing/
Greetings everyone! We will meet in person at the ETV building and encourage all to join us there. In case you can’t make the meeting below is Zoom meeting information for Monday.
Solar flare expected to hit Earth within days sparking power grid disruption after ‘canyon of fire’ burst from the Sun
SOURCE: The Sun
A SOLAR flare is expected to hit Earth within days and could spark magnetic storms and power grid disruptions. The potential for a solar storm comes after a recent eruption on the surface of the Sun that caused a “canyon of fire” to burst across the surface.
W4JLP asks that all monitor Amateur Radio Bands, make note of any disturbance, and report to ARRL / NOAA any noticeable issue or disturbance.
