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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/

📡 Columbia Amateur Radio Club Elections — November 2026

The future of CARC is built by its members! The Columbia Amateur Radio Club will host its annual Club Officer Elections on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM during our regular club meeting at SCETV (1101 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia, SC 29201).

Whether you are a seasoned operator or newly licensed, your voice and vote play an essential role in guiding our repeaters, technical projects, community service nets, and field events for the year ahead. All members are encouraged to attend, participate, and cast their ballot!

🗳️ Voting Eligibility & Absentee Mail-In Options

To cast a ballot—either in person or by mail—you must have your club dues up to date and be a member in good standing with the Columbia Amateur Radio Club.

Can’t make it to ETV in person? You can still make your vote count via mail-in absentee ballot:

  1. Click HERE to download the PDF Mail-In Ballot (or insert current ballot link).
  2. Mark your choices and place the completed ballot into a sealed envelope.
  3. Sign your name across the glued flap on the back of the sealed envelope.
  4. Mail it to the club address:CARC, PO Box 595, Columbia, SC 29202
  5. Postmark Deadline: All mailed ballots must be postmarked by October 28, 2026.

Note: Nominations and write-ins are welcomed on absentee ballots as well as from the floor during the November 2 meeting.

📋 Expectations of Elected Board Members

Serving on the CARC Board is an active, rewarding commitment to supporting our membership, maintaining robust club repeater infrastructure, and leading our public service initiatives. Candidates standing for election are expected to uphold the following standards:

  • Regular Attendance & Vacancy Policy: Attend monthly club meetings at ETV and participate in scheduled Board of Directors meetings (in-person or virtual). Officers and directors are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of regular meetings and may miss no more than two consecutive meetings without prior excused notice. Unexcused absences exceeding this threshold will result in the seat being reviewed by the Board and considered vacant, initiating appointment or special election procedures under club bylaws.
  • Operational Oversight & Governance: Collaborate closely on club decisions, budget approvals, technical repeater maintenance plans, and compliance with CARC bylaws.
  • Active Event Leadership: Champion signature club activities throughout the year—including ARRL Field Day, public service communications, local hamfests, and license examination sessions.
  • Mentorship & Community Ambassador: Serve as an approachable guide for newcomers, foster active Elmering, and keep members engaged across our local frequencies and nets.

🏛️ Role-Specific Highlights

  • President & Vice President: Steer executive leadership, coordinate meeting agendas, drive long-range vision, and represent CARC across regional amateur radio events.
  • Secretary: Accurately record and publish meeting minutes, oversee official club correspondence, and preserve historical records.
  • Treasurer: Manage finances, maintain active membership dues records, file necessary administrative paperwork, and present regular financial statements.
  • Directors (At-Large): Provide independent governance, champion membership interests during board sessions, and lead key committee initiatives.
  • Trustee: Ensure strict FCC license compliance, proper operation, and physical security of club callsigns and repeater facilities.

📝 Current Ballot

Below is the current ballot lineup. Write-in candidates may be submitted on your mail-in ballot or directly in person at the meeting. To write in someone on the absentee ballot or in person during voting at the November 2 club meeting.

PositionNameCallIncumbent
PresidentJim LathanW4JLPYes
Vice PresidentPaul FinanN4PRFYes
TreasurerAmanda McKinnisK4ASMYes
SecretaryWes MunnKJ4FIGYes
Director (2 year term)Brad CarltonKN4LPJ
2 slots to be filledJohn KiselicaW4SFXYes
Nick PatonK4NAS
TrusteeDon TaylorK4KGT
Mike WieberN4BQQ

Let’s make this year’s election a strong showing of member participation and club spirit. See you at ETV on November 2nd!

73, CARC

Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/%f0%9f%93%a1-columbia-amateur-radio-club-elections-november-2026/