Wait what? Last month’s Ham and Eggs attendees received a USB key packed with tools and software for Winlink, JS8Call, and VARAChat. Perfect timing, there is training posted at ARES-SC.org that will take you through Winlink A-Z. More details are below:
NOTE: This is will a late evening event, it is posted to be a 7 pm PST time, making it 10 pm for the east coast.
The Columbia SKYWARN Team assists the Columbia National Weather Service with Ground-Truth weather observations during severe or dangerous weather. The Columbia NWS forecast area covers much of South Carolina and is divided into August/CSRA, Midlands, and Eastern Midlands.
The Columbia SKYWARM Team holds NETS and Virtual Training/Meetings weekly and monthly. More Information can be found at the Columbia Amateur Radio Club Calendar
Founded in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN Spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite, and other data, has enabled the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods. SKYWARN Storm Spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather minutes that can help save lives.
In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damage. The National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN with partner organizations to obtain critical weather information. SKYWARN is a volunteer program with 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather Spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. Although SKYWARN Spotters provide essential information for all weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, and more than 1,000 tornadoes. (Information courtesy of the Columbia NWS)
Interested in learning more, have questions, or want to sign up for training-Newsletter-meetings?
Community Emergency Response Team – CERT Training – STARTING Tuesday, October 10 at 6 PM at the Richland County EOC.
This is the 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team Class. This training is scheduled for three consecutive Tuesdays & Thursdays in October. We have openings and need additional participants to register with Sharon Long by the close of business on Wednesday, October 4, to avoid canceling this training.
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!
Greetings all! In this months Club meeting we will have a guest speaker, John P Gendron, NJ4Z, ARRL Section Manager, South Carolina. This will be an excellent opportunity to ask ARRL leadership questions and hear what is in store for the future of ARRL.
Zoom meeting details are below if you can’t attend the in-person meeting!
Reminder! Tonight is the CARC Events planning call, if you are planning to attend CARC’s ARRL Field Day event please join so you will be in the know! Also, a reminder that Hams and Eggs is this Saturday, see calendar for details. We will be going to Sesquicentennial State Park right after Hams and Eggs for a POTA Experience and to test AREDN Mesh Networking! This is a great time to ask questions and learn more about POTA and AREDN Mesh Networking.
Safety and Antenna Placement – Gary Hester, W4GWH I will be at Sesquicentennial State Park’s primitive area Saturday morning and can assist with your antenna placement and installation if needed. Since RF Exposure calculations have been required since early May, I would ask that you bring a copy either paper or digital. I will have flags and caution tape to mark off any restricted areas. Also, please be aware that there is a power line running across Site 4 to Site 1. There are a few dead or dying trees that I will have marked so watch out for falling branches when placing your antenna and/or tent if camping overnight. I will be available on the Club’s simplex frequency of 146.400 if you need to reach me.
Meal Planning and Preparations – Jean Covey and Charles McKinnis At 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 24th, we will take a little break from Field Day Activities for dinner. Charles McKinnis has graciously offered to grill our main course, grilled chicken. We are asking those who attend to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We will have limited ability to heat cold dishes, but, for those coming after 5 PM, we will be able to keep hot dishes warm until dinner. We want to make a list of foods being brought, so if you would please email Jean Covey at [email protected] with what you will be bringing it would be very helpful. Thank you.
GOTA – Get on the Air We will have a GOTA station setup and need to have a few volunteers operate the station during the day. The GOTA station will be active starting at 2:00 pm until late evening. Please stop by the GOTA station if you can spare 30 minutes to an hour. Join the Planning call to learn more about GOTA!
Meeting ID: 834 3060 4722 Passcode: 516014 One tap mobile +13017158592,,83430604722#,,,,*516014# US (Washington DC) +13052241968,,83430604722#,,,,*516014# US
On May 13th, the Columbia Amateur Radio Club will host its Spring Swapfest at the South Carolina Military Museum at 1 National Guard Rd, Columbia SC 29201. Gates open at 10 AM and Close at 4 PM. CARC Swapfest is free for those who want to buy, trade, and sell Ham Radio gear. For more information visit https://www.w4cae.com
This will be a bring your own table, tent or sell from your trunk, there will be lots of buying, selling, and trading, don’t miss this fantastic opportunity. For more information contact Jim W4JLP at [email protected]
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/carc-spring-swapfest/
If you are interested in WWII and South Carolina history you will probably enjoy this Sunday afternoon April 23, from 1 – 5 PM. Join us for a day of Radio to commemorate The Doolittle Raiders. The Columbia Big Band will be playing the music of the 40s. Lots of displays, even a HAM Radio operator passing messages to civilians around the country and the world, just like in 1942. At 4:00 PM, a special presentation on how South Carolina’s own helped the Raiders succeed, and later find the B-25 in Lake Murray. Admission is FREE.
Columbia Amateur Radio Club with be operating at the 81st Commemoration of The Doolittle Raid Sunday, April 23, 2023. We are looking for volunteers to help with setup, talking with visitors, handling QSOs, (Man the Radio), and logging. We will be arriving at 11:30 with plans to be on the air before 1:00 pm. All are welcome to stop by, we could use your help!
Permanent link to this article: https://w4cae.com/81st-commemoration-of-the-doolittle-raid/
