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.
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®
Whether you are a seasoned contester, a digital mode enthusiast, or a brand-new ham looking to make your first contact, Field Day is the ultimate “open house” for our hobby. It’s part emergency exercise, part contest, and 100% community.
Every year, Field Day reminds us why we do what we do. In an era where communication is often taken for granted, the 2026 focus remains clear: Science, Skill, and Service.
The goal isn’t just to rack up points; it’s to prove that when the grid goes down, and the “normal” world goes quiet, amateur radio operators are ready. This year, we are placing a special emphasis on:
A successful Field Day doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of teamwork and early preparation. We are calling on all club members to step up and help make 2026 our best year yet.
Here is how you can jump in right now:
Event Details at a Glance:
- When: June 27 (1800 UTC) to June 28 (2059 UTC)
- Where: TBD – will update as soon as possible
- Objective: To contact as many stations as possible and learn to operate in abnormal situations.
Let’s show the world what we can do! Check your email for the next planning meeting date, or reach out to the Club President to volunteer for a specific role.
Calling all Hams, Preppers, Techies, and Radio-Curious!
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club is heading to the pines for a Ham Hangout at beautiful Sesquicentennial State Park! Whether you’ve been licensed for 40 years or have never even touched a radio, this event is for YOU.
What’s the vibe?
Think “Science Lab meets Backyard BBQ.” We’re setting up portable stations, firing up the grill, and showing off what modern radio can really do.
What to expect:
GOTA Station (Get On The Air): Want to try making a contact? Our mentors will walk you through it—no license required to try it out!
Off-Grid Messaging: See Meshtastic (mesh texting), Winlink (email over radio), and FT8 in action.
Emergency Power: Check out solar panels, LiFePO4 battery setups, and field-ready gear.
Family Comms: Demos of GMRS, FRS, and Zello for staying connected when cell towers fail.
Food & Fellowship
We’ll have the grill hot and the antennas high. Bring a lawn chair, your family, and all your “how does that work?” questions.
When: March 21, 2026, 10:30 am to 8 PM
Where: Sesquicentennial State Park
Who: Licensed Hams, FRS/GMRS/MURS users, makers and tech enthusiasts, families, and friends!
Let’s build community, share some “Elmering” (mentoring), and enjoy the great outdoors together.
#HamRadio #W4CAE #ColumbiaSC #POTA #Meshtastic #EmergencyPrep #AmateurRadio #SesquiStatePark
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“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…
Whether you’re a DMR pro or strictly an analog operator, we’ve got you covered:
Thanks to the Allstar link, you can participate in the TGIF Net using your standard 2M radio. You get the reach of digital with the simplicity of analog—no codeplugs or hotspots required. Just tune your radio to 147.330 and join the conversation.
Net Start: Friday, April 3rd @ 8:30 PM Analog Access: 147.330 Repeater Digital Access: TGIF Talk Group 31665
Dust off the mic, grab a cold drink, and help us make some noise on the airwaves! 📻✨
#HamRadio #AmateurRadio #TGIFNet #CARC #W4CAE #DMR #Allstar #FridayNightNet #ColumbiaSC
Join us at 7pm on Google Meet to discuss upcoming events that include:
Winter Field Day-1/24-25/26
SC QSO Party-2/28/26
Click the link below to join the meeting. Watch this post for updated meeting links for each Wednesday throughout January 2026.
CARC Planning Call
Wednesday, January 21 · 7:00 – 8:00pm
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/gjc-sujg-bz
73, CARC
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/january-7th-2026-planning-call-info/
Welcome to 2026! I hope everyone had a safe, relaxing, and joyful holiday season and is ready for another exciting year with the Columbia Amateur Radio Club.
We’re kicking off the new year on Monday, January 5th, at 7pm at the ETV Building and this is an important meeting you won’t want to miss. January is shaping up to be one of our busiest months, and your attendance and involvement are more important than ever. Zoom meeting details can be found in the Club calendar. Columbia Amateur Radio Club Calendar
January 5th Club Meeting Highlights7pm, 1041 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia, SC 29201
Feature Presentation:
We’re excited to welcome The Smoking Ape as our featured presenter for the evening. This is sure to be an engaging and entertaining presentation—don’t miss it!
New Name Badges Are In!
If you attended the 2025 Christmas Party and/or Hams and Eggs, a new CARC name badge will be available for pickup at the meeting. More details at the club meeting!!!
Key Topics for Discussion:
We’ll be covering several upcoming events and activities, including:
These events require planning, participation, and teamwork. Your input matters, and January sets the tone for the rest of the year.
Why This Meeting Matters
January is a critical month for CARC. Decisions are being made, events are being finalized, and opportunities to get involved are everywhere. Strong attendance ensures we continue to grow, serve our community, and have fun doing what we love—radio.
Let’s start 2026 strong, together.
I look forward to seeing everyone on January 5th!
73,
Jim Lathan, W4JLP
President
Columbia Amateur Radio Club
W4CAE
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/january-5th-carc-meeting/
Dear Columbia Amateur Radio Club Members,
As the year comes to a close and the holiday lights brighten our homes and airwaves, the Board of Directors and I want to take a moment to wish each of you a happy and joyous holiday season.
May your Hanukkah be filled with light and warmth, your Christmas be merry and bright, and may the New Year bring happiness, good health, and many exciting contacts both on and off the air.
Thank you for being such a wonderful part of the Columbia Amateur Radio Club. Your friendship, enthusiasm, and dedication make this club truly special. Whether it’s public service, club events, POTA activations, or just good conversation on the radio, it’s been a pleasure sharing another great year with you.
As we look ahead, we’re excited for a bright New Year filled with learning, laughter, service, and strong signals.
On behalf of the CARC Executive Board, I would like to extend warm holiday wishes to you and your families.
73,
Jim Lathan, W4JLP
President, Columbia Amateur Radio Club
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/warm-holiday-wishes-from-columbia-amateur-radio-club/
Join us for a CARC Lunch & Learn on January 10th 2026 hosted at Little Pigs BBQ from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM! This will be a relaxed, hands-on day focused on learning, experimenting, and sharing knowledge across all things amateur radio.
🔧 Elmer Help:
Bring your questions—big or small! Experienced Elmers will be available to help with anything and everything radio.
📡 Digital Modes Assistance:
Need help getting on the air digitally? We’ll have members ready to assist with setup and troubleshooting for:
🖨️ 3D Printing Demonstration:
Learn how 3D printing can enhance your ham projects—from enclosures to tools and custom accessories.
🔨 Show & Tell / Project Help:
Bring your radios, kits, in-progress builds, or puzzling problems. This is a great opportunity to share what you’re working on or get help overcoming challenges.
As a thank-you for allowing us to use their smaller dining space, please be prepared to purchase lunch from Little Pigs BBQ during the event.
Please keep an eye on this post for updated information about the event.
Looking forward to a great day of learning and fellowship—see you there!
73, CARC
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/december-2025-carc-lunch-learn/
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-2025-christmas-party-photos/
Thank you to those who voted in person or by mail in ballot at the November 2025 club meeting. Below is a list of who was elected for the 2026 calendar year.
President- Jim Lathan W4JLP
Vice President- Paul Finan N4PRF
Treasurer- Amanda McKinnis K4ASM
Secretary- Wes Munn KJ4FIG
Director- Steve Ross W4LED, Noah Bergervin W7RPX (Two Year Term)
Trustee- Robert Bogan N2RB
73, CARC
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-2026-board-of-directors-election-results/
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/ham-eggs-in-the-park-october-2025/
