Digital Operations

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.

Emergency Communications

Voice Operations

Education

Get Ready for the Big One: ARRL Field Day 2026!

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:

  1. Join a Committee: We need leads for Site Selection, Antenna Safety, Food/Logistics, and Public Relations.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

W4CAE in Your Pocket: Setting Up AllStar on Your Smartphone

“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…

(more…)

Field Day 2026: The Year of the Club!

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!

More details to come!

Previous Next

January 5th CARC Meeting

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 Highlights

7pm, 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:

  • First-ever CARC Lunch and Learn
  • Hams and Eggs
  • Harbison 50K (volunteers and planning)
  • Winter Field Day
  • SCQSO Party

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/

Warm Holiday Wishes from Columbia Amateur Radio Club

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/

January 2026 CARC Lunch & Learn

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.

What to Expect

🔧 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:

  • DMR
  • D-Star
  • Yaesu Fusion
  • Hotspots
  • And other digital modes

🖨️ 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.

Food Information

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/

CARC 2025 Christmas Party Photos

Thanks to Caden W3DEA, Noah W7RPX and Don Taylor K4KGT for sharing the photos.

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-2025-christmas-party-photos/

CARC 2026 Board of Directors Election Results

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/

Ham & Eggs In The Park October 2025

Special thanks to Phil KD4O for taking and sharing these great photos.

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/ham-eggs-in-the-park-october-2025/

Columbia Amateur Radio Club – November 2025 Meeting

Join us for the November meeting of the Columbia Amateur Radio Club (CARC) on Monday, November 3, 2025, at our usual location — ETV Headquarters — and on Zoom for those who can’t attend in person.

This month’s meeting will feature club officer elections for the upcoming year. Your participation is important — come cast your vote and help shape the future direction of our club! See the website post below for more details on voting and absentee ballot requirements.

Following the elections, we’re excited to welcome a special Zoom presentation from the Long Island CW Club (LICW). The LICW is well-known for promoting Morse code training and camaraderie among hams worldwide. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn more about CW operations, training programs, and how you can get involved.

LICW Webpage

Please note the zoom meeting will not start till 7:30pm. Voting will take place in person from 7pm-7:30pm and then the LICW club will start to present at 7:30pm.

Meeting Details:

  • Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Location: ETV Headquarters (and via Zoom)
  • Topics: Club Officer Elections & Long Island CW Club Presentation

All members and guests are welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or newly licensed, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss!

Zoom details-https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86149943593?pwd=N6jxm9D8kSGplYCgBnuT0Qq6buPaWu.1

Meeting ID: 861 4994 3593
Passcode: 802075

73, CARC

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/columbia-amateur-radio-club-november-2025-meeting/