Mark your calendars! The most anticipated event in amateur radio is just around the corner. ARRL Field Day 2026 is officially set for the fourth full weekend in June: June 27–28, 2026.
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.
The 2026 Message: “Resilience Through Connection”
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:
Emergency Preparedness: Testing our gear in “less-than-optimal” conditions.
Technical Growth: Experimenting with new antennas, solar power, and portable deployments.
Public Outreach: Showing our neighbors that ham radio is a modern, vital resource for the community.
Call to Action: Start Planning NOW!
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:
Join a Committee: We need leads for Site Selection, Antenna Safety, Food/Logistics, and Public Relations.
Inventory Your Gear: Dust off those portable rigs, check your battery health, and inspect your coax. Don’t wait until June 26th to find a blown fuse!
The GOTA Station: We need “coaches” for our Get On The Air station. If you enjoy mentoring new hams or curious visitors, this is your time to shine.
Bonus Point Hunting: From satellite contacts to copying the W1AW bulletin, there are dozens of ways to boost our club score. Who wants to take the lead on the Section Manager message this year?
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.
“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…
Join W4CAE for Field Day 2026: The Year of the Club!
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club (W4CAE) invites all hams and enthusiasts to join us for ARRL Field Day 2026 at Sesquicentennial State Park! Starting June 27th at 8:00 AM, we’ll be operating through the night until noon on Sunday.
As part of the ARRL Year of the Club, we are celebrating the local groups that serve as the backbone of our hobby. Come out to the primitive camping area for portable stations, person-to-person QSOs, and on-site VE Testing.
Dinner is on us! We’ll be serving up a catered BBQ spread on Saturday evening—because great radio work deserves great food.
Stay Informed: It is crucial to join all planning calls, attend our May and June Club meetings, and join the Hams and Eggs Breakfasts. For the latest updates, keep a close watch on https://www.W4CAE.com and our Facebook page.
We have plenty of room for visiting groups and individual operators. See you there!
Last June, the FCC’s Technical Advisory Committee asked licensed and unlicensed users of the electromagnetic spectrum to answer some questions about the noise they were experiencing and whether or not it was affecting their services. Specifically, they asked:
Is there a noise floor problem?
Where does the problem exist? Spectrally? Spatially? Temporally?
Is there quantitative evidence of the overall increase in the total integrated noise floor across various segments of the radio frequency spectrum?
It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of John Crockett, W3KH. After a long bout with cancer, John passed peacefully the morning of Oct. 12, surrounded by his beloved family and wife, Karen. John and Karen had their 40th wedding anniversary days before.
Amateur radio and emergency communications had no greater advocate in South Carolina than John Crockett. His tireless devotion to service led to the establishment of the SCHEART network, the SC DMR network and countless other innovations of immeasurable service to the people of South Carolina.
A memorial service for John will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
Memorial gifts may be made to Palmetto Health Foundation, designated for Palmetto Health Cancers and mailed to: Palmetto Health Foundation, Wells Fargo Processing Center P.O. Box 602575, Charlotte, NC 28260-2575; or ETV Endowment, 401 East Kennedy St., Suite B-1, Spartanburg, SC 29302.
Cards may be sent to his family: 1409 Marina Road, Irmo, SC 29068
The board of directors for the Columbia Amateur Radio Club is proud to announce the launch of our newly-developed website!
Our website has long been an invaluable resource for new hams, club members, net participants and those seeking a ham radio license. Getting information out to club members and the ham community is more important now than it’s ever been, particularly with the influx of new hams in the area. The hobby is growing, and so is our club.
As we continue preparations for the 2026 ARRL Summer Field Day, we have an important request that will help us plan for a smooth and enjoyable weekend.
ARRL Field Day: June 27–28, 2026 Location: Sesquicentennial State Park: Primative Camping Area
Setup & Arrival CARC members may begin arriving Friday, June 26th, after 2:00 PM. Primitive campers may choose any available spot within the five designated camping sections, each of which is suitable for up to five tent campers.
Expanded Field Day Activities – Saturday • Park opens at 8:00 AM • Saturday Morning: Amateur Radio Testing session • Operating & Logging: HF, VHF/UHF, digital modes, and multi‑operator stations throughout the weekend • Technical Demonstrations: Digital modes (FT8, JS8Call, Winlink), Meshtastic, Poclink, hotspot technologies, and more • Community Engagement: Visitors are welcome to observe, learn, and get on the air • Hands‑On Learning: Antenna setup, power management, go‑kits, and emergency‑communications demonstrations
Sunday Activities • Park opens at 8:00 AM • Continued operating and logging until Field Day concludes • Tear‑down and pack‑up operations begin late morning • Final QSO pushes, equipment checks, and site cleanup • Special Worship Service: This year, we will host a Sunday worship service at the park featuring a live stream from The Belonging Co (https://thebelonging.com). All are welcome to join Nick, K4NAS, and Jim, W4JLP, for this uplifting and energetic service.
Dinner Planning – We Need Your Input As we prepare and plan for Field Day, we need your input on Saturday evening’s dinner. The club will be providing dinner around 5:30 PM, but we need an accurate headcount to ensure we have enough for everyone.
Andy, KK4DSD, presented “An Introduction to Operating Digital Modes” during the club’s August 1 meeting.
The board of directors for the Columbia Amateur Radio Club is proud to announce the launch of our newly-developed website!