Main Page

Next VE Test Session Sat. 18 December 2024 - 7:00pm

CARC meeting Information 1st & 3rd Wed of each month 7:00 pm

Repeater status

Casper Area Repeaters and current status

VHF - 2M
Freq	Tone	Purpose/Location	Status	Description/notes
145.235-	100 hz	Casper Mtn.	UP	W7VNJ - PL on RX and TX - Autopatch.
146.940-	123 hz	Casper Mnt	UP	Linked to NWARC PL on RX and TX
147.280+	DCS 032	Metro Area - WyoMed Roof	UP	System Fusion Auto input - Auto output, (Analog or Digital)
APRS
144.390	None	Copper Mnt	UP	APRS Digipeater - W7BEQ
UHF - 70cm
Freq	Tone	Purpose/Location	Status	Description/notes
449.500-	100.0hz	Casper Mtn.	UP	NB7I
449.575-	173.8 hz	Metro Area plus - WyoMed Roof	Up	IRLP node 7707 PL on RX and TX
449.9875-	CC11	DMR - Wide area	UP	Wyoming DMR Project

W7VNJ - Casper Amateur Radio Club

Welcome to the online home of the Casper Amateur Radio club - W7VNJ

CARC - Amateur Radio in Natrona County since 1937.

Casper ARC, W7VNJ is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

View this 'slide show' that describes the Casper Amateur Radio Club here. Click on each slide to progress to the next.

To contact CARC - please see the About page.

Site Notes

October 2024

• Due to the need for increased security on email servers, creating new accounts here is a bit bothersome - ie. it's not automagic like I want it to be. Please, contact KA7O directly if you want an account.
• Remember, all an account does is allow you to create and edit pages here on the site. You do not need an account to view the site. Vast majority of folk - even club members - won't need an account.

Activities

Here is where we list upcoming activities - this is a manual edit so please be patient. If there's something you'd like added, just let us know. thanks!

See The Activities page for the list and details

Meetings

See The Meetingss page for info on when, where, whate we're doing and how to get there.

Membership

What is membership in CARC, how do you become a member? Visit the membership page for all the details.

What is Ham Radio?

Well, the ARRL says: Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) is a popular hobby and service in which licensed Amateur Radio operators (hams) operate communications equipment.

But that just barely even begins to scratch the surface! Other sites say, "Ham radio is people...", and yet others tout the Amateur Service as a national resource.

We can define Amateur (ham) radio from many perspectives. But, truth be told, ham radio is what you make it.

Read this to find more. Then attend attend one of our meetings and join in the fun!

Want to be a Ham?

Visit our page, So, you want to become an Amateur Radio Operator?

W7VNJ Online

Amateur Radio is on ISS as ARISS. Click picture for a larger, high resolution image. Credit:Crew of STS-133

This site is a Wiki

In fact, it uses the same software as the 'famous' Wikipedia.

Roughly, a Wiki is a user edited and maintained site. That means you, after logging in can add to, edit, modify and create pages or their content and are encouraged to do so!

Of course, that means you must first create an account with us. Please use the Request Account link here or in the upper right hand corner of each page. If it gives you problems, please let KA7O know.

However, that also means there are no assurances that menus or links exist to everything that may be here. To find what you're looking for, use the 'search' box near the top on the right of every page. If you don't find what you're looking for - create it! The idea is whatever you don't know, someone else will come along and fill in the missing bits for you.

If you know something that may be of benefit to the Ham Community - create a page for it or find a related page and add to it. Of course, we'd like you to be a member of CARC, but that's not a requirement to contribute to this site. As long as it's ham radio related - you and your ideas are welcome here. Ultimately, this site's users will create its content and keep it up to date.

Sad to say, that all edits, additions, etc are subject to review, correction and the like. Wish we didn't have to do that, but some people...

You must have a user account with a verified email address and be logged in to make any changes.

See the Create an Account page. If you have an account, use the Log in Page. You do not need to be logged in to view the site.

Email Reflector

Anyone interested in ham radio is invited to subscribe to CARC's Private Email Reflector. We use this reflector to share activities, updates and sometimes to help make plans.

The reflector traffic is not moderated, however subscriptions are. This is to prevent spammers from subscribing and passing their junk on to everyone on the list. Everyone else is welcome and encouraged to subscribe.

Only subscribers can view the email reflector's membership list. CARC won't share your email address with anyone else. Please do respect other's privacy and do NOT share addresses that are not your own.

If you've any questions or concerns, please: ask away. If you aren't familiar with what an email reflector is, This will explain it.

CASPERARC on Facebook

Facebook

You can also contact and find us on Facebook

License information

See these pages on the ARRL web site for information on how to use the FCC Universal Licensing System to perform Administrative Updates, Vanity requests and License Renewals.

Volunteer Examiner (VE) Testing Sessions

The Casper Amateur Radio Club is pleased to announce that we are offer VE test sessions for ALL CLASSES of Amateur Radio licenses!

See the VE Page for news and info on VE tests in the Casper area as well as links to State wide information.

Casper area repeaters and other infrastructure

So, what is a Repeater anyway and why would I care?

The Casper Area Repeaters page has a list of repeaters.

Coverage Maps

Local coverage maps for some of our repeaters are also available. Slightly outdated, motivate me to do more <g>. And yes, I'd be happy to do these for other repeaters as well, just let me know (ka7o).

IRLP

YES! The Casper IRLP node is up and fully operational - and the repeater it works through - 449.575 is back to full health!. Just access the repeater just as you would any other and you're accessing the IRLP node as well. If you don't have another node connected, it really *IS* just a normal UHF repeater. At your option, you may use the DTMF pad on your radio to connect to a node or reflector. See the 70cm Repeaters section for information on the local IRLP node. And visit the IRLP DTMF page for details on operation and local shortcuts.
For information on IRLP, visit their homepage. The only way to access the IRLP system is via RF.

EchoLink

Currently, there isn't an EchoLink node in Casper. And as far as I know - no plans to set one up. If you'd like to use EchoLink - you don't need a radio. Just a PC and an internet connection. To download the EchoLink software (Windows only), visit the EchoLink homepage. Using the EchoLink software, your own computer, microphone and speakers (I suggest a headset) and an internet connection - you can access the system without a radio. But your callsign must be registered in their system. Plan ahead, it can take a few days for a registration to complete.

APRS

• Information on the local APRS infrastructure can be found on the Area Repeaters page.
• Generic information on APRS and more detail on APRS in the Casper area can be found on our APRS page.
• The APRS Wiki - sort of The online clearing house for things APRS.

Local Autopatch

See The Autopatch Rules page for information on the Autopatch.

Wyoming Repeaters

See what we have on the Wyoming Repeaters page. Pretty good actually. Beats the latest "Repeater Guide" by a long shot!

Casper Area Repeaters

We have a page dedicated just to Casper Area Repeaters

WyoComm

WyoComm was a linked repeater system covering several areas of the state. Now called NWARC

WY 2m FM Info

See the 2m_simplex page for information on simplex operation.

WY 70cm FM Info

See the Wyoming Bandplan Frequency Coordinators page on 70cm for Band-plan, call freq, etc

Band Plans

This page explains some of what a band plan is, and what frequencies define what band groupings and more. Good info for those studying for an exam.

Nets - HF/VHF

Here's where you find out times, frequencies and purposes for the local VHF and regional HF nets.

Wyoming Swap Shop

Paul, KB7FGN does all of us a service by coordinating the Wyoming Swap Shop. He distributes the weekly listing via an email reflector, sometimes called an 'electronic mailing list'. To receive the weekly listings, you have to be subscribed to the reflector. All you need to subscribe is an email address. You can do that here. Other wanted and for sale items might be found in the Classifieds section of our discussion board. View the reflector archives here.

Operations and Projects

The operations page is a place to gather information about the hows, where's and who's of ham radio in the area. Idea is to make information available that is of more interest to the ham operator, but not take up space on this front page for the casual 'surfer'.

The Projects page includes ideas and possibly plans for radio related projects. Including station setup, power systems, mobile operations, alternative energy and more.

ARES-RACES

See the ARES-RACES page for information on training and participation.

Field Day

Object: To work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12- meter bands) and in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio.

Field Day-2024

Resources

Just some links that may be of interest to radio enthusiasts

Starting with: Our online library

CARC in the News

This page has links to video clips and stories of W7VNJ in the local media.