We are also on Facebook! To follow us there, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SC.Midlands.ARES
Announcements / Important Dates to Save
ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND TEST (9 May 2026)
The Department of Defense will host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD) Crossband Test. For more than 50 years, military and amateur stations have taken part in this event, which is an interoperability exercise between hobbyist and government radio stations. The AFD Crossband Test, open to all licensed amateur radio operators, is a unique opportunity to test two-way communication between military communicators and radio stations in the Amateur Radio Service (ARS). These tests provide opportunities and challenges for radio operators to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise scenario that does not impact any public or private communications. Military stations will transmit on selected military frequencies and will announce the specific ARS frequencies monitored. All times are ZULU (Z), and all frequencies are Upper Side Band (USB) unless otherwise noted.
See attached document or this link for more details = https://www.dodmars.org/mars-comex-information-website/armed-forces-day?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Richland CERT Quarterly Meeting dates – May 21, August 20, November 19 – More information will be provided as dates approach
Lake Murray Ride of Champions on Saturday, June 13 – The Columbia ARC will again be providing communications support for this evet and they need volunteers. From an ARES standpoint it is an excellent opportunity for us to practice our deployment and remote communications skills, so consider helping if you are able. We hope to also practice other communication modes and technologies if we have adequate participation and opportunity. The hours are roughly 0800 – 1200. There are around 16 critical sites and quite a few important ones, and it would be great to have two-person teams so, you can see they need a lot of us to step up.
For race details: https://event.racereach.com/lk-mur/details#whenandwheresec
To sign up or get additional information contact Jim Lathan @ jim.lathan@gmail.com
Upcoming Club Meetings :
Columbia Amateur Radio Club – First Monday of month at 7:00pm – ETV Bldg. George Rogers Blvd. Columbia
Amateur Radio Club Saluda (ARCS) – 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm at Grice Manor, 101 Liberty Lane, Saluda
Dutch Fork Amateur Radio Group – Third Thursday of each month – Around 7:00–8:00 PM – 230 Depot St, Little Mountain EOC
Ridge Amateur Radio Club – 4th Tuesday of each month – 7:00 PM – Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station (West Hwy 23)
ARES VHF Sunday NETS – 10 May 2026 – 2000 (8:00 PM) – local SCHEART repeater (Columbia 146.715 Tone 91.5) Since we are no longer in hurricane season, the hurricane nets have been moved to a monthly Sunday event. Questions or concerns contact Robert (WR8RW) at: robert.webster@ares-sc.org
Hurricane Season Approaching – As hurricane season is approaching, we all, whether in SKYWARN or not, can benefit from reviewing the following document provide by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It is one of the new or improved offerings the NHC has for the upcoming season.
Here is the link: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/2026NHCNewProductsAndServices.pdf.
NWS Skywarn – scheduled activities
2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM – Skywarn Check-in Net on FleetTalk for Spotters with amateur radio licenses.
3rd Tuesday of the month @ 7:00 PM – Zoom call for all Spotters (hams and non-hams) and others who have an interest in hazardous weather response.
Please contact Mark Goddard, KN4KRZ at goddard.mw@gmail.com or Tim Starr, K4RHK at k4rhk1958@gmail.com for information about becoming a Skywarn Spotter.
HAM Radio 101 at the Park – Hayward Community Park – 312 Savany Hunt Creek Rd, Gaston (every Saturday at 10 AM) All hams or future hams, that want help in radio operation, licensing, antenna building, CW, QRP, vintage, solar power, contesting, Winlink or just plan Ham Radio 101..I will be at. Other very experienced hams may also be there with me. For more information – Richard Kline- KQ4AMK- 803 347 5566
Upstate ARES net on Thursday night at 1930 on the K9OH repeaters. – If you are in the midlands you can connect via 444.875Mhz +5 Offset, PL 91.5. You can also access via Allstar node 417860. They take check-ins for ARES Area 1, 2, & 3. Check in when you can.
Pass The Bill – Because of work, school or other family needs, many Hams live in communities with private land restrictions that prohibit the installation of Amateur Radio antennas outside their residence and may not have the choice to live in an area without such restrictions.
ARRL has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign aimed at securing the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles.
We are asked to help, regardless of whether we live in a restricted area. It only takes a few minutes.
1 – Go to this site: https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/
2 – Enter your Call Sign. (The system populates the necessary information to send your support letter)
3 – Verify your information and correct any errors.
4 – Click the ‘Send My Letters’ button.
This is the letter that will be sent to your senators and representatives under your name, with your contact information. https://send-a-letter.org/hoasampleletter/
These are the bills you will be supporting. U.S. House: H.R. 1094 U.S. Senate: S. 459
VarAC Wednesday – We are currently looking at VarAC as another tool for our Emergency Communications tool chest. It does appear to have functionality that would fill some of our current gaps and we will be passing on more information about that as we progress with testing.
We continue to encourage everyone to participate in the Winlink Wednesday exercise to become, or maintain, proficiency in that application. At the same time, since you will already have your gear set up, start/continue learning about VarAC. They also have a weekly digital ham radio net using VarAC, appropriately named VarAC Wednesday . To learn more go to: https://www.varacwednesday.net/
Net Control Station Coverage
– Would you like to be a Net Control? The position of Net Control is crucial to effective emergency communications and a skill we all need to attain. Our weekly nets are the place to learn and perfect that skill and we encourage each member to sign up for one of the nets with which you feel comfortable.
Training is a purpose of the nets so no one is expected to be skilled at it before they sign up.
To be added to this schedule, Email Joe Wilson, KO4WAA, at jwilso75@yahoo.com or Mark Goddard, KN4KRZ, at goddard.mw@gmail.com.
SC Midlands ARES Training Net Script
Blank version of the script for Net Control Station operators to fill in, linked here:
SC Midlands ARES Training Net Script
Richland County ARES Emergency Net Script
Blank version of the script for Net Control Station operators to use during an emergency, linked here:
Richland County ARES Emergency Net Script
Archive announcements and/or near-term business
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test on the Horizon: Start Planning Now
This nationwide exercise is the chance to test your personal emergency operating skills and the readiness of your communications equipment and accessories in a simulated emergency-like deployment. ARRL Field Organization leaders at the Section and local levels, and many other volunteers who are active in public service and emergency communications, are developing emergency-like scenarios in consultation with a variety of agencies and organizations for whom radio amateurs are known to provide service during emergencies.
ARES, National Traffic System (NTS), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), SKYWARN, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), other allied groups, and public-service oriented radio amateurs are among those who are eligible to participate in the exercise and to practice emergency operation plans, nets and procedures. For this year’s test, there will be bonus points for cooperation with Army MARS stations and sharing information between MARS and amateur radio stations.
Prepare for Hurricane and Storm Season in South Carolina – We are in that time of year.
Don’t want to be only a bearer of bad news this week but, what happened in Texas was such a horrific reminder of our encounter with Helene and the fact that weather is often so unpredictable, sometimes with tragic consequences.
It is also a reminder of the importance of what we do and the need to do it well, both as a SKYWARN spotter, and ARES volunteer, for accurate information and warning, and emergency support. If you are not already, become a SKYWARN spotter and ARES volunteer. Then be active and prepared.
Good sources of hurricane preparation information:
SCEMD Guidance – https://scemd.org/stay-informed/publications/hurricane-guide/
NWS Guidance – https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan
SKYWARN information and link to online spotter training: https://www.weather.gov/cae/skywarn.html
WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center
Amateur Radio station WX4NHC is located at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. The station has been totally assembled from donated equipment and is operated by an organized group of volunteer amateur radio operators since 1980. Read about its history.
WX4NHC activates whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of landfall in the areas of the western Atlantic, the Caribbean or the eastern Pacific. The team of operators also provides emergency backup communications from NHC to NWS Offices and other agencies in case of local landfall. The NHC operators work in conjunction with the Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP WX-Talk Hurricane Net and other volunteer networks to collect real-time surface reports for the NHC hurricane specialists via amateur radio using many modes such as HF and VHF/UHF voice, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, EchoLink and IRLP, and Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). Input also comes from two non-amateur volunteer weather observer networks–ON-NHC (Observers Network), and CWOP (Citizens Weather Observers Program), using on-line reporting, email and fax. WX4NHC also relays hurricane advisories via the amateur radio nets to the hurricane affected areas and governmental agencies when conventional means of communications have been interrupted.
Observers’ surface reports provide the forecasters with supplemental weather and damage data that are not normally available to them and are frequently incorporated into their advisories as they provide a human perspective and eyewitness accounts of what people are experiencing during a hurricane. The WX4NHC team has been nationally recognized for its volunteer international humanitarian efforts by the National Hurricane Conference and the South Florida Hurricane Conference.
HF Short-Haul Antenna Solutions Exercises – There is a need to improve our HF short-distance communication capabilities. This need was highlighted during our last CommEx which stretched our VHF/UHF simplex skills and the need for additional options for reaching stations beyond those in our line-of-site. We plan to focus on this for the next couple of months. The tentative plan includes the following:
1) Select a good NVIS antenna solution for our emergency frequencies
2) Hold a ‘Build’ session to assist those who need help.
3) Conduct a practice exercise on Saturday, May 31, for everyone to test their antenna.
4) Conduct an exercise during Field Day, Saturday, June 28 (Incorporate Winlink HF P2P)
To accomplish all of this we need volunteers to plan and conduct the exercises and plan to participate.
The new ARES Database system – If you have not already, register on the site and add your contact information, training, certificates and capabilities. Navigate around the new system and get familiar with it. This system, and the information it will contain, are vital to managing ARES volunteer resources for training and activations. Let me know of any problems or issues with signing up.
To access the portal: Go to https://portal.aressc.us
New Leadership in District 3 – Most of you probably saw the recent statewide announcement but I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize our new leaders in District 3.
If you are on any of these folks teams, reach out, let them know you are there, and find out what you can do to support them and your team.
Ed Knowles K4ERK – Assistant District Emergency Coordinator (ADEC) – SC District 3
Rick Prosser AB4MG – Emergency Coordinator (EC) – Lexington County
Michael Blackburn KQ4DNM – Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) – Lexington
Gary Anderson K4HGA – Emergency Coordinator (EC) – Kershaw County
Ron Jarosz – KB1ND – Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) – Kershaw County
Although the salary and accompanying prestige is significant, please join me in also offering our congratulations and thanks.
It is really great and much appreciated that these folks were willing to take on these responsibilities and, will be very beneficial towards the success of our program.
Another New Richland EMD HAM Repeater – We now have an additional repeater, K4MWN that is operational and ready for your use. It will eventually become part of the EMD Ham repeater network that will serve as our primary Richland County ARES designated repeater for emergencies. The frequency is 145.370, negative offset, DCS/DPL code is 311.
Plans are also underway to make improvements to the antenna of our other recently added repeater W4DZF to enhance coverage.
If you do not already have it programmed into your radios this is the information. The Repeater Input: 144.6700 MHz / Output: 145.2700 MHz / DCS Code: 632.0
If you are not familiar with DCS, this is a good link for information: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/DCS
QRP Vintage Meetup – Every Saturday, 10 to 12 https://qrpsc.com is our new website.
Call Richard Kline for more info – 803 347 5566 – ..bring your rigs. Also, for new hams. We will have instructions and how to operate both phone and CW.
Heyward Community Park, 312 Savany Hunt Creek Rd, Gaston, SC (Exit 119 0n 26 S, 21 / 176 S ~ 4.2 mi, Turn R)
New Net Schedules – Over the last couple months we have had a fluctuating schedule for our nets. This was unfortunate but due to adding our new District 3 Zoom net, trying to settle on net nights/times that were most accessible, and working around holidays, it was necessary. We have settled on a schedule that should accommodate most of the folks in our 7 counties who wish to attend. The new schedule, each month:
1st Thursday 1900 hrs. – ARES District 3 Zoom net
2nd Thursday 1900 hrs. – SC Midlands ARES Training Net
3rd Thursday 1900 hrs. – Central SC VHF Simplex Net (Preempted once per quarter by the Joint Richland CERT/ARES Meeting – 1800 hrs. – Dates to be announced.
4th Thursday 1900 hrs. – SC Midlands ARES Training Net
5th Thursday 1800 hrs – SC Midlands ARES Dinner and Social (For 2025 – Jan 30, May 29, July 31, Oct 30)
Winlink – All about Winlink
Why Winlink? Voice is not always the optimal communication option. Consider: you’re on a noisy HF band requiring repeats and/or relays, or you have a long list of supplies needed for an evacuation shelter, or you want to send a photograph from a disaster scene to emergency management. Winlink is a practical and reliable option in these instances.
On-line resources to learn about Winlink:
Winlink Basics
In about 10 minutes, this YouTube video will help new users install Winlink software and set up an account to be able to send traffic using Winlink Telnet which requires only a computer with internet access; no radio is required. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qSLghO6RgFU
Beyond Winlink Basics
After you’ve learned Telnet, you’ll want to expand your capabilities by adding your radio. Some radios are equipped with sound cards needed for digital traffic. Others will need an interface such as a SignaLink a Digirig or a DRA. Several excellent online resources that you can reference to help with this include Winlink.org, RATPAC, and Wavetalkers.
Consider also
Members of local clubs and/or ARES groups who have Winlink experience and expertise can help you learn Winlink and help you successfully connect your radio. Lastly, you can certainly search Google, YouTube, IO Groups, even Facebook to find resources and online communities that can provide helpful information on Winlink or just about whatever or pretty much any aspect of the amateur radio hobby.
Winlink practice opportunities:
Winlink Wednesday – Originating from Virginia since 2016, Winlink Wednesday provides another opportunity to practice using different modes. Instructions: https://winlinkwednesday.net/ Most recent check-in map: https://www.qsl.net/kw4shp/WinlinkWed/WWmap.html
Florida Winlink Net Check in to this net any day of the week W4AKH Winlink Net Map of last 14 days of check-ins: W4AKH Florida Winlink Net
National Weather Service – SKYWARN Weather links
Midlands Skywarn – Recent/Current Business
How do I submit a report to NWS Columbia? It depends, find your options here: Methods available to submit reports to NWS Columbia Rev. 4.16.26
Last Skywarn Midlands Zoom Call 4.21.26 Skywarn Midlands Zoom presentation
South Carolina Midlands Skywarn Flyer Rev. 4.6.26 South Carolina Midlands Skywarn Flyer Rev. 4.6.26
Learn about CoCoRaHS CoCoRaHS – Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network
NWS Nashville – Weather 101 1-hour Classes ongoing March, April and May ’26 – Review the schedule and register here: NWS Nashville’s Weather101
Here is a link for all of the Weather 101 presentations in pdf format: Weather101 Class Presentations (Thanks Michael, KX4TKO, for sharing this!)
Handy Weather Reference Links
NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Blitzortung.org – Live Lightning Map
\NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook for Columbia, SC
Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Storm/Hurricane Outlook (noaa.gov)
Skywarn Storm Spotter Program (weather.gov)
Weather Spotter Field Guide NOAA NWS June 2011
Skywarn Storm Spotter Training Schedule 2024 (weather.gov)
Information for Amateur Radio Operators (weather.gov)
NWS spotter refresher training For those of you who have not taken the spotter training in a while and feel you may have forgotten some of the aspects of the training, we have uploaded a video to our YouTube page which serves as a short refresher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVF3_8nRkP4&t=7s
Storm Spotter Facebook page If you are interested in joining the Storm Spotter Facebook page, please follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/586466339632587
Other links worth knowing about
Space weather – From Spaceweather.com – SpaceWeather.com
RATPAC Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee available online here: RATPAC (google.com).
RICHLAND CERT – Communications Emergency Response Team
Richland ARES CERT
Congratulations to the first group of Richland ARES members to join the Richland County Communications Emergency Response Team (CERT). An important role for ARES is to help with emergency communications of “served agencies.” Richland County Emergency Services is certainly a served agency that we want to be able to help when the need arises. With guidance from David E. Bagwell Jr., W4DZF, this group has completed established prerequisite requirements to work in the Richland EOC and assist with emergency communications. We look forward to learning to operate communication systems in the Richland EOC and we are exploring other opportunities to collaborate with Richland County Emergency Services. If you are interested in joining this group, there will be additional opportunities. Please contact Mark, KN4KRZ, at goddard.mw@gmail.com. Pictured (Left to right): W1GTT, W4GWH, KN4KRZ, KK4HTR, W1MRC, KM4RCN, K4AJJ
What do Richland CERT guys/gals do? Find out here!
Richland CERT members work with Richland County Emergency Services to serve our community in time of need. The presentation linked below describes the equipment and processes CERT members learn and practice as we prepare for potential emergency activations.
Think you might have an interest in using your emergency communication skills to help the citizens of Richland County? Consider joining Richland County CERT!
Richland CERT Member Overview and EOC Virtual Tour Rev 2.16.26
How to join the Richland County Communication CERT:
1) Complete and submit the application (CERT Application linked below) Forward the completed application to: SASSAMAN.DAVID@richlandcountysc.gov
2) Attend the FEMA online class IS 317.a, linked here / Provide a copy of a completion document. https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-317.a
3) Pass the background check.
4) Attend the RC CERT /EOC Training at the RCEOC (3) hours. Feel free to share. We will set a class date as soon as we get some applications back.
D.E. Bagwell Jr. Division Captain, Richland County Emergency Services Department
Link to CERT application: Revised CERT Application 11.20.2025 Fillable Form
Link to KC4ERT Constitution and By-Laws Richland CERT – Club KC4ERT – Constitution and By-Laws Rev. 11.20.2025