Upcoming events & Hamfests
The Ridge ARC Tailgate Party
The Ridge Amateur Radio Club Tailgate Party
HAMFEST/CONVENTION
04/05/2025 0800 - 1200
Location: Shealy's Bar-B-Que Parking Lot
340 E. Columbia Ave.
Batesburg-Leesville , SC
Website: http://www.w4rrc.org
Sponsor: The Ridge Amateur Radio Club
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 147.255+ 123.0 Tone
Public Contact: Matthew Crook , W1MRC
220 Star Hill Ln Lexington, SC 29072-6948
Phone: 803-386-1069
Email: W1MRC@outlook.com
American Legion Post 26 W4RTO Swapmeet
ALP 26 W4RTO Tailgate & Swapmeet
Location: American Legion W4RTO Radio Club
636 Old Airport Road, Aiken, SC 29801
Sponsor: American Legion Post 26
Public Contact: Darryl Williams , KQ4FGT
Phone: 585-615-2160
Email: Darrylw7097@gmail.com
Columbia ARC Swapfest
The Columbia Amateur Radio Club (CARC) is thrilled to invite amateur radio enthusiasts, hobbyists, and collectors to our Annual Swapfest in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina! This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a fantastic opportunity to buy, sell, and trade amateur radio gear, meet fellow hams, and participate in the vibrant community of amateur radio operators.
Event Details:
Event Name: Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC
Admission: FREE. See the Important Information section for vendor/seller details.
Talk-In Frequency: 147.330 + PL 156.7Hz
Event Highlights:
Flea Market / Tailgating: Browse an exciting range of amateur radio equipment, parts, accessories, and more. From radios and antennas to tools and vintage gear, you’re bound to find something you need (or didn’t know you needed!). Bring your items to sell or trade in the tailgating section, where you can set up your own space to swap with fellow hams.
Handicap Access: The venue is fully accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy the event.
Tailgating/Vendor Spots (Parking): Vendor spots (parking) are $10, and tables are not included. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your products or equipment to a broad audience.
Important Information:
Exams: No exams will be offered at this event.
Admission Fees: FREE for everyone – no advance or at-the-door admission fee required.
Vendor Spots/Parking Fee: $10 per vendor (for more information, vendors can contact the club by emailing ColumbiaARC@gmail.com).
Anticipated Attendance: 75-100 people – don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to meet and network with other amateur radio operators!
Contact Information:
For more details, vendor questions, or any questions, please contact:
Chairman: Jim Lathan, W4JLP
Email: Jim.Lathan@gmail.com
Phone: 803-669-6135 (Day and Evening)
Event Sponsor:
This event is proudly sponsored by the Columbia Amateur Radio Club, a local organization dedicated to advancing the hobby of amateur radio and providing services to our community through emergency communications and public service events.
Additional Features:
Fun, Fellowship, and Learning: Beyond the trading, you’ll have the chance to meet like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and maybe even learn something new about amateur radio. It’s a great chance to connect with others who share your passion!
Mark Your Calendar!
We look forward to seeing you on April 26, 2025, at the North Trenholm Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. Whether you’re a seasoned operator, a beginner, or just curious about the world of amateur radio, the Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest is the place to be!
Don’t forget to visit our website at www.w4cae.com for updates and additional event information. We can’t wait to see you there!
Florence ARC Tailgate
Florence Hamfest
Other Features (optional): Raffle
Exams being given: NO Exams
Talk-In Freq: 146.85 PL 123.0
Advance admission fee: None
At-door admission fee: None
Table fee: None- bring your own
Event Web URL: http://www.w4ulh.com
Public contact name: Scott Thompson, KG4HIE
Public contact phone: 843-479-4794
Public contact email: scothompson@bellsouth.net
GARSFest
Greenwood Amateur Radio Society
GARSFest
Saturday, January 11, 2025
9:00 a.m. − 2:00 p.m.
New location!
St. Mark United Methodist Church Rivers Street Campus
1633 Rivers Street
Greenwood, SC 29649
Vendor/Flea Market
School Groups, Scouts, Families: $10 per adult
(includes admission for up to 5 children ages 5-13)
Vendors − Flea Market − Door Prizes − 50/50 Raffle
Try Before You Buy Booth − Presentations − Kid's Activities
Handicap Accessible − Food Trucks Sorry − No Tailgating Allowed
Tickets at the Door
Vendor/Flea Market/General Admission: $10.00
*Vendor/Flea Market Tables: $15.00
Electricity: $10.00 (if available)
For more information contact AG4DR@garsfest.com
Rock Hill Hamfest South Carolina Section Convention
Rock Hill Hamfest, ARRL South Carolina Section Convention
HAMFEST/CONVENTION
10/12/2024
Start Date: 10/12/2024
End Date: 10/12/2024
Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church
1830 Celanese Rd.
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Website: http://www.ycars.org
Sponsor: York County Amateur Radio Society
Type: ARRL Convention
Talk-In: 147.030
Public Contact: Theo Moore , K4TTM
2764 Pleasant Road Suite A PMB 10134 Fort MIll , SC 29708
Phone: 803-981-3677
Email: k4ttm@ycars.org
Florence Amateur Radio Club Tailgate Style Hamfest
Location: West Florence Fire Station Annex
3379 Pine Needles Road
Florence, SC 29501
Sponsor: Florence Amateur Radio Club
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 146.85 PL 123.0
Public Contact: Donald Bryant , KB4RRC
624 Garden Hills Drive Florence, SC 29505
Phone: 843-615-0277
Email: kb4rrc@yahoo.com
Shelby Hamfest
Friday August 30, 2024
9:00 AM until 5:00 PM (Buildings & Flea Market)
Saturday August 31, 2024
Gates open at 7:00 AM (Outside Vendors)
Inside Vendor Buildings 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday September 1, 2024
Gates open at 7:00 AM (Outside Vendors)
Inside Vendor Buildings 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
W4CHR - Chester Tailgate / Mini Hamfest
Chester Ham Club W4CHR tailgate / Mini Hamfest August 10th 2024 - 8am to Noon
New Life Batist Church
1044 Columbia Rd
Chester, SC 29706
Free Admission, Free Parking, Free Tailgate spot
Come set up under a shade tree to sale, swap, trade, buy that needed item and enjoy the fellowship.
Hope to see you there.
talk-in: W4CHR 145.310 - offset PL 167.9 & KW4BET 442.475 + offset PL 162.2 Ecolink W4CHR-R & KW4BET-R
Rain date 8/24/2024
From more info contact KW4BET - Brian - KW4BET@arrl.net cell 803-374-9211
Tailgate location beacon on APRS
13 Colonies Special Event
More info visit 13colonies.us
All HF bands will be in play, including the WARC bands, with the exception of 60 meters. Simplex on 2 meters and 6 meters is encouraged.
The SE stations are on the east coast and, are very close to each other. It will be harder for these states to contact each other so, use of 40m-160m is encouraged.
All modes of operation may be represented - SSB, CW, RTTY, Digital, Etc. - The mode of operation is up to the individual colony state station. Please refer to the State information pages for details.
The 13 Colonies Special Event is a not for profit event. All donations are used to fund the next years event, and to defray any expenses occurred. All donations are used for operating costs, supplies, equipment, and 13 Colony Group initiatives. Donation is voluntary. If you have difficulty with a donation, tell us on your log sheet, and we will send you the certificate earned-No Questions Asked!.
Summer Field Day
2024 ARRL Field Day is Next Week!
06/14/2024
The amateur radio event of the year is just a few short days away, June 22-23. Hundreds of thousands of hams around North America and beyond will participate in the beloved operating event. If you’re still looking for a place to go, use the Field Day locator tool at www.arrl.org/field-day-locator.
As clubs and individual operators make their last-minute checks on gear (have you checked all of your cables and jumpers?) ARRL Contest Branch Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, wants to remind organizers to check on the human factors in a good operation. “This is a good time to call everyone who said they wanted to come out and operate at Field Day and make sure they can still come,” he said.
Bourque noted that June is a busy time of year for family obligations and a reminder check-in could be helpful to both clubs and operators. “You also want to make sure you have enough water and sunscreen around, or to have people bring some. It could be very hot depending on where you are, and you’ve got to take care of the most important aspect of the event: the people,” he said.
The June 2024 issue of QST magazine has a special Field Day section, which includes a checklist of all of the ARRL and Radio Amateurs of Canada Sections that count. “Print that out and take it with you. Use it as a fun checklist,” said Bourque.
There’s always a debate as to the purpose of ARRL Field Day. “It is part emergency communications exercise, part social gathering, part open house for ham radio – it is what the local club makes of it. No matter what goal your activation has, ARRL hopes it is a safe, fun, and rewarding event for each club,” said ARRL Radiosport and Regulatory Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ.
Find more information, the complete rules packet, and information on submitting logs at www.arrl.org/field-day.