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Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service

Welcome to the online home of the Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service - The new face of Amateur Radio in Cleveland County!

CCARS exists for several reasons: to support emergency communications, promote the hobby of amateur radio and to give the amateurs in and around Cleveland County, North Carolina a way to have fun with amateur radio.

To accomplish these goals, there are several things we must do:

  • We must recruit new hams: To keep the hobby, as well as the base of amateur radio operators growing, we must recruit new members. In the coming months, we will be doing a number of things to get people interested in the hobby.
  • We must train new hams: It does no good to have a large number of people who are interested in this hobby if they cannot get licensed or participate in the inevitable emergency. So, we will be offering a number of different types of training: both for the new ham as well as the experienced Elmer!
  • We must get inactive hams back in the hobby: There is a wealth of experience out there that new hams need. One of our goals it to get these experienced hams, who have lost interest in the hobby for one reason or another, back on the air! If you are one of these, WE NEED YOUR EXPERIENCE!
  • We must mentor the newly licensed hams: So you've got your license, now what?
  • We must draw on the base of expierenced HAMS already in the county:  It would be impossible to do anyof these things if we only have a group of inexpierenced hams trying to accomplish these goals.  We need the expierenced hams in and around Cleveland County to rally around CCARS and help us help the new hams.
  • We have to keep it all fun: If it isn't fun, no one will come back. It is that simple!

We hope to do all of these things, and keep it fun! So, if you have any interest in amateur radio at all, come out and visit. We would love to see you here! If you are not able to attend our club meetings, then keep checking back here. We hope to see this website develop into an online community. Even if you cannot come out to a meeting, your experience and knowledge can help us all!

Special Events Station
Kings Mountain Battleground Special Events Station.

Kings Mountain MemorialThomas Jefferson called it "The turn of the tide of success." The battle of Kings Mountain, fought October 7th, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. The park preserves the site of this important battle.

Yearly, on the weekend nearest to the actual battle date, the US Parks Service commerates the battle with a number of events on the park including a recreation of the actual battle.  

This year, we joined the US Parks Service in the commeration of the 228th anniversary of the battle.  Many of you joined us on the air!  

If you made contact with us, please send us a QSL card.  

QSL Information:

If you would like a standard QSL Card, send a SASE to the PO Box (see below).  If would prefer a 8.5 x 11 certificate, please send either a large (9" x 10") SASE or a check or money order for $3 (postage, supplies) to CCARS at the PO Box.  Please indicate on the check or MO that this is for the KM Battleground Special Events Station.  

Address:
CCARS
PO Box 864
Shelby, NC 28151
JOTA - 2008
Jamboree-On-The-Air

When Scouts want to meet young people from another state, or even country, they usually think of attending a World Jamboree. Few people realize that some 400,000 Scouts and Guides “get together” over the airwaves every year in October for Jamboree-on-the-air (JOTA). On Saturday, October 18th, local scouts of the Piedmont Council together with licensed amateur radio operators from the Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service (CCARS) participated locally in the 51st annual Jamboree-on-the-Air.

Club members of CCARS provided the opportunity for local scouts to speak to other scouts all over the world via means of amateur radio contacts. Antennas were constructed and multiple radio stations set up on site. Numerous contacts were made during the all day event, and the boys were able to use three different working stations, one on the 40 meter radio band, one on the 20 meter band, and a 2 meter band, as well as try their hands at using a morse code keyer.  

Club members took shifts during the day to serve as station managers, allowing the boys to take over the mike. Contacts were made as close as Grover and Patterson Springs, and as far away as Germany, Poland, and Croatia.   One particularly interesting contact was with a special events station off the North Carolina coast which was commemorating the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 69th anniversary.  

Many hams on hand during the day shared details of the hobby and answered questions. A display of hundreds of QSL cards (cards exchanged between ham radio operators to confirm radio transmissions) and a collection of over 20 years of the coveted JOTA patch were on display as well.

Amateur radio operators must be licensed, and must pass a technical examination to obtain this license. During JOTA, they are there to act as station operators. Scouts and leaders were given information on the different classes of licenses and how to obtain study materials for becoming a ham radio operator. 

JOTA is an annual international event (always the third full weekend of October), and many boys return year after year, some becoming hams themselves. Participation in the event satisfies various requirements for the Communications badge.

Upcoming Events at CCARS

Upcoming Events at CCARS

Date / Time

Event
18 Nov 2008 Regular Club Meeting:
Vote on new officers
Sam Greer, Navy MARS, will be presenting the Military Amateur Radio Service.
16 Dec 2008 Regular Club Meeting:
Christmas Party
Installation of new officers

Recent News
  • SWNCTN (2008/9/3)
    SWNCTN, What is that?

    That is the Southwest North Carolina Traffic Net and I am please to announce that the Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service has brought NTS Traffic back to southwestern NC!

    Beginning soon, if you are in the area, you will be able to tune in to the Bear Wallow Mountain repeater on 145.270 nightly and pickup or send your NTS traffic.

    Of...
  • Foothills Weather Net (2008/7/26)
    After some turmoil, the Foothills Weather Net is almost up and running.

    Please visit the Foothills Weather Net for more information!
  • CCARS In The News... (2008/5/13)
    Please visit this link (CLICK HERE) to read about how CCARS has been helpful to the local media outlets during recent storms.

    There is no doubt that the timely dissemination of information during a storm saves lives. SKYWARN Spotters are the eyes on the ground prov...
  • Foothills SKYWARN (2008/5/12)
    The Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service is very pleased to announce the formation of the Foothills SKYWARN group.

    SKYWARN is an organization of trained storm spotters (not storm chasers) who assist the National Weather Service by literally becoming their eyes on the ground. While the meteorologists can see the data from various sensors, including advanced Doppler radar, often the...
  • April 2008 Minutes (2008/4/24)
    Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service

    Minutes of meeting held: Tuesday, April 15, 2008

    The meeting convened at 7 P.M. at Harvest Works, 891 North Post Road. The meeting was the brought to order by Randy Ross (KI4ZJI), the Vice-President. Sixteen members were present.

    Reports and Discussions:

    Randy (KI4ZJI) reported that there is a...
  • Record Breaking Net! (2008/3/11)
    The group has been steadily growing, but last night was a record.

    Every Monday night, we hold the CCARS Simplex net on 147.505. Until now, the record was 21. Last night, we broke that record with 23 participants.

    It was a good net, but it was a good net because all of you took time out to stop by! Thanks to all of you who made this a great net.
  • Minutes of meeting he... (2008/3/11)
    Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service

    Minutes of meeting held: Tuesday, February 19, 2008


    The meeting convened at 7 P.M. at Harvest Works, 891 North Post Road. The meeting was the brought to order by Vince Motes (KF4LVC), the President. Attendees were led in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Fifteen members and two guests were present. A list of the ...
  • 2 Meter Simplex (2008/2/5)
    I was browsing another forum, and I found an interesting link to a new online club. This particular club promotes the use of two-meter simplex! You can get to the Yahoo Groups page at this link 73Simplex. There is also a website dedicated to two-meter simplex. It is at thi...
  • What a Net! (2008/2/4)
    What a net tonight! It may not be a large number, compared to some, but we set a record tonight with 20 people checking in. The amazing thing was where people were calling from. We had two people check in from Tryon, NC and one person check in from Batesburg-Leesvile. From my location, Batesburg-Leesville is 91.8 miles, straight line.

    Be sure to check in with us. The simplex ne...
  • It's Official!!! (2008/1/16)
    We had a wonderful meeting last night!

    After a short discussion, we were able to quickly ratify the constitution of CCARS. That means it's official -- The Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service is BORN!

    It was very exciting to see several new faces. There is no doubt that these faces were present as a result of the advertising we had worked so hard on. In fact, one o...

How to find us...

We usually meet and train at 'HARVESTWORKS.. HARVESTWORKS is located at 891 N. Post Rd, Shebly, NC.

Directions
Please understand, these directions do not represent the most direct, or shortest route to HarvestWorks.  Rather, these directions are intended to be the simplest directions which are least likely to get you lost.

From the WEST
Travel to Shelby on Hwy 74.  As you enter into Shelby, Hwy 74 will split into Hwy 74 BUSINESS and Hwy 74 BYPASS.  You will want to continue east on the BYPASS.  Look for WAL-MART on the left.  After you pass WAL-MART, you will want to get into the left lane.  Turn LEFT at the FORD dealership.  There will also be a convenience store / Bojangles at the intersection.  You are now on S. Post Rd.  Continue NORTH on S. Post Rd.  You will pass a community college.  After the community college, you will go through a light as you cross Hwy 74 Business.  At this point, S. Post Rd becomes N. Post Rd.  Continue north on N. Post Rd.  You will pass a large church on the left, go through another light and pass a farm equipment and tractor dealer on the left.  The road will become a two-lane road.  Within about three-quarters of a mile, you will see HarvestWorks on the left.  If you come to another stop light (hwy 150), you have gone too far.

From the EAST
Travel into Shelby on Hwy 74. As you enter Shelby, Hwy 74 will split into Hwy 74 BUSINESS and Hwy 74 BYPASS.  You will want to bear right onto the BYPASS.  At this point, the mall should be on your left.  You will pass the Cleveland County Fairgrounds on the right and the community college on the left.  You will turn right onto N. Post Rd (this will be the second light).  Continue north on N. Post Rd.  You will pas a large church on the left, go through another light and pass a farm equipment and tractor dealer on the left.  The road will become a two-lane road.  Within about three-quarters of a mile, you will see HarvestWorks on the left.  If you come to another stop light (hwy 150), you have gone too far.

From the SOUTH
Take I-85 north to exit 96 (Hwy 18).  Travel north on Hwy 18 until you reach an intersection with a flashing light.  Turn right onto Hwy 180 (S. Post Rd).  As you turn, you will pass Faith Baptist Church on your left.  Continue on S. Post Rd until you come to a stop light.  Turn left. You will pass a 'One-Stop' immediately on the left.  If you pass a fire department, you are going the wrong way.  Continue north for about two and a half miles.  You will see a "Mike's" (a convenience store / gas station) on the left. You will turn right.  You are still on S. Post Rd.  Continue NORTH on S. Post Rd.  You will pass a community college.  After the community college, you will go through a light as you cross Hwy 74 Business.  At this point, S. Post Rd becomes N. Post Rd.  Continue north on N. Post Rd.  You will pas a large church on the left, go through another light and pass a farm equipment and tractor dealer on the left.  The road will become a two-lane road.  Within about three-quarters of a mile, you will see HarvestWorks on the left.  If you come to another stop light (hwy 150), you have gone too far.

If you get to a stop light with a PIZZA HUT, turn right at that light and follow the 'From the EAST' directions from the WAL-MART.

From the NORTH
From Fallston, etc.:  Travel south on 18 to hwy 180.  Turn left on 180.  Cross hwy 150.  After you cross 150, look for HARVESTWORKS on the right.  If you get to the point where the two-lane becomes a four-lane road, you've gone too far.

From Cherryville, etc.:  Travel south on 150 to 180.  Turn left on 180, look for HARVESTWORKS on the right. If you get to the point where the two-lane becomes a four-lane road, you've gone too far.

If you would like a GOOGLE MAP, please click here.
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Simplex Net

Please join us every Monday night at 9:00 PM for the Cleveland County Simplex Net.

The net will be held on 147.505

If you are interested in promoting amateur radio in Cleveland County, please be sure to come out to our meeting on third Tuesday of every month!
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New Members
Bob Jinx 2008/11/13
KJ4ENS 2008/6/9
K4GED 2008/5/25
Nancy 2008/3/20
Robert 2008/3/20