📡 Columbia Amateur Radio Club Update
We hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy Labor Day on September 1st!
Just a reminder — our next Club Meeting is Monday, September 8th at 7:00 PM.
📋 September Meeting Agenda Highlights
- Supporting Girl Scouts’ “Love State Parks Day”
- Scouts Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) preparations
- Fall Club Field Day planning and activities
- September is Emergency Preparedness Awareness Month
Feature Presenter:
Ham Radio Prep and World Radio League are related platforms created by the same founder, James Cribbs (N0WRL), to modernize and expand participation in amateur radio. Ham Radio Prep offers multimedia courses to help individuals obtain their licenses, while World Radio League is a logging and social networking application for operators once they are on the air.
Ham Radio Prep
- Purpose: To simplify and modernize the process of studying for and passing FCC amateur radio license exams for all license levels (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra).
- Educational approach: Ham Radio Prep employs a multimedia approach that incorporates video lessons, written materials, interactive games, and practice quizzes to cater to diverse learning styles.
- Key features:
- All-in-one platform: Provides a comprehensive course system to prepare for all three FCC license exams.
- Guarantee: Offers a money-back guarantee to students who don’t pass their exam on the first try, provided they complete the course material and practice tests.
- Mobile app: Includes a mobile app to help users study on the go.
- Creator’s motivation: Cribbs was inspired to create the platform after struggling with outdated study materials when he was preparing for his own license.
World Radio League (WRL)
- Purpose: Launched in 2023, WRL is designed to bridge the gap between getting a ham radio license and actively engaging in the hobby. It provides a modern, easy-to-use platform for logging contacts and competing in contests.
- Transition for new hams: The platform was developed after noticing many Ham Radio Prep students would get their license but then become overwhelmed and leave the hobby. WRL was created to give new hams a simple starting point with its web-based logging system.
- Key features:
- Web and mobile logger: Offers an easy-to-use logbook accessible via a web browser and mobile app for logging contacts on the go.
- Contesting: Includes features for live contest scoring with real-time leaderboards and dynamic maps.
- Specialized logging: Supports popular activities like Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA).
- Community and awards: Allows hams to connect with others, track their logging statistics, and earn awards for their operating achievements.
🔔 Looking Ahead
As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to start thinking about Club Elections. During our November Club Meeting, we’ll be accepting nominations for officer positions. Please consider stepping up and helping to lead our club into 2026!
We look forward to seeing everyone on September 8th!