We will be involved in Launching a Weather Balloon with the Physics Department at WCU! The Balloon will make it’s first run This Saturday, October 13 beginning at the Jackson County Airport. It will be flying as K4WCU-11 on APRS, and will be equipped with (among other things) a camera, a SPOT II GPS, and a beacon transmitter (433.920MHz).

We ask that all reports be sent to “balloon at wcuradio dot com”. Anyone who wishes to assist to learn more, or participate, please contact the club. (see the contact us tab)

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0pOUNAiFhzp2nvv1tbUhMKXbnXzUx3rrB

We will be having our next meeting Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 7PM in the Rogers Room, in the University Center. Talk in will be on the club repeater, K4WCU 444.975+ 131.8. We will also be available by phone – (828) 515-1426 (or 5151-HAM).

We are still attempting to give away a free testing session, by raffle! (No Entry Cost- just promise us you will study 🙂 ) There was no winner this past month, so will are continuing to give away tickets, and the chance to win is still out there!

As for a program following the business portion of the meeting, we will most likely be speaking on the proper use of IRLP, and will leave room for question regarding the basics session we had last month. Hope to see you all there!

Greetings all!

You may have seen us at Valley Ballyhoo Today! We are excited to introduce you into the fun and exciting world of Amateur (HAM) Radio! Our next meeting is Thursday August 23, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the Belk Building, Second Floor by the vending machines. We will feature a program that introduces the basics of Radio, how it works, and have a demo followed by an opportunity for anyone to operate.

For Directions, Talk in, or Questions please do not hesitate to call or email us (Check the contact us tab). Good luck in your first days of classes this year!

Interested in Public Service?

The Blue Ridge Breakaway is this Saturday, August 18, 2012. The Blue Ridge Breakaway (BRB) is a 100 Mile Bike Race with several routes (some shortened) that tours the Blue Ridge Parkway and covers various parts of Haywood County (NC). Ham Radio Operators are needed to provide communications for this event, as most places are spotty or provide no cell phone coverage. If you are interested, please email us (email at WCURadio dot Com) or visit the Haywood County ARC’s Website at WNCHamRadio.org and contact the HCARC Directly. Radio Operators are being stationed at Rest Stops, operating SAG Vehicles, Running the County’s Emergency Management Communications Trailer, as well as reporting to the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. Hope to see you there!

CARGO is pleased to announce that we now have a VE Team here in the club, what does this mean? It means we can administer a test for you to receive your Amateur License! We are planning to offer these tests routinely after every meeting, and also by request. We are also capable of administering with a FULL extra class VE Team, this will allow for participants to test all the way up to extra class!

We’d like to congratulate Todd Michael, KK4KRN, as the first person to be tested under our team.

We look forward to hearing you all on the air, and helping you get there when you’re ready!

Our group name, “Cullowhee Amateur Radio Group” has been changed to the “Catamount Amateur Radio Group” to comply with Western’s RSO Policies. Still the same great CARGO acronym and the same great people, waiting to help you join us on the air today!

73 All!

Greetings! We will be holding our next club meeting on Thursday July 26, 2012, at the Picnic area. We will be having a cook-out again, Brink your own meat, drinks and whatever else you may want, we will supply the charcoal! This meeting will be co-ordinated on the K4WCU repeater due to lack of coverage on the 700 machine. Please see the repeater tab above for frequency information. If you do not have a radio and need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us! (828) 5151-HAM.

Don’t miss Field day, Amateur Radio’s largest annual event! This year we will be participating with the Haywood County Amateur Radio Club. Event time runs from 2PM Saturday, to 2PM Sunday EST. Ever been wondering what Radio is all about, or never used an HF rig to go around the world? This is your chance! Come see us and have some fun. We will be operating next to the SECU in Waynesville, near the old Wal-Mart off 23/74. More information can be obtained by emailing Daniel at WCU Radio dot com. See you there!

We will be holding our next club meeting at 5 PM, Wednesday June 27, 2012 at the Picnic Area on WCU’s Campus. This will be a BYOM Event (Bring Your Own Meat) and a cook-out! We will supply the charcoal, and are hoping to have a foxhunt to follow (starting around 6 or 6:30, pending approval from the University’s Police Department. Radio Coverage at the picnic area is minimal, so please call (828) 5151-HAM (515-1426) for directions or co-ordination. We should also be listening on 446.175 Simplex.

See you there!

Our next club meeting will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 7PM on the second floor of the Belk Building (at Western Carolina University). We will meet in the lobby on the second floor near the vending machines.

Our Program for the evening will include the basics of How Radios and Repeaters work, along with an IRLP demonstration, and explanation of how it works.

You do not need to be a member to attend, and in fact, attendance by local HAMs and those who are interested is strongly encouraged!  Co-ordination and talk-in will be provided on the 444.700+ (131.8) Machine, or by calling the club’s phone number 828.5151.HAM. See you there!