The Cambridge Amateur Radio Association (CARA) is a very active organization. Below is a list of some of our activities that we participate in.
SCHOOL DEMONSTRATION
CARA put on Amateur Radio Demonstrations in the local schools for years in the past but not the last couple of years. However, CARA is going to try to revive the school demonstrations.
ARES BOOTH
The ARES members set up a demonstration and booth at the Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting on the first Saturday in April. The booth is usually set up close to the American Red Cross, New Concord Volunteer Fire Department, Citizens Corp, and D.A.R.E.
ARRL FIELD DAY EXERCISE
On the last full weekend in June, CARA members take to the field and set up emergency communications for a 24- hour period. They erect a tower, put up several antennas, set up stations, and operate for a 24-hour period. They invite the public to stop by to observe, to ask questions, and maybe get on the air.
HAMFEST & COMPUTER SHOW
In 2008, CARA held its first hamfest since the late 1940s. The hamfest is held in late August at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center just west of Cambridge.
ANNUAL PICNIC IN THE PARK
CARA used to have its picnic at Salt Fork State Park. In recent years, it has been held in the Cambridge City Park. Typically it is held on Sunday at the end of the Guernsey County Fair week in September.
SIREN TESTING EXERCISE
On the Wednesday of Severe Weather Week, usually the last Wednesday in March, at 9:50 AM cities and villages across Ohio test their tornado sirens. On that morning CARA members listen from wherever they can hear the siren test at 9:50 AM. Someone, usually the President or the Guernsey County Emergency Coordinator calls up the net. Members report in their location and whether or not the siren was heard. This information is then forwarded to the local EMA offices.
SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST DRILL
During the first weekend In October, the County Emergency Coordinator will design a scenario and have the ARES members participate in a drill in preparation for a county-wide disaster.
JAMBOREE ON THE AIR
Several CARA members set up amateur radio station(s) at the local Boy Scout Camp and help the scouts in camp to get “On-The-Air.” This event occurs the third weekend in October.
CAMBRIDGE CHRISTMAS PARADE
Since the parade’s conception (over 20 years ago), CARA members have been assisting the local parade committee in lining up the entries and providing communications for the parade. This is CARA’s biggest public service event of the year.
HOLIDAY AWARDS BANQUET
The CARA Holiday Awards Banquet has traditionally been in a covered-dish affair. The Ham of the Year is announced and various awards are presented. Sometimes there is a presentation of the year in review.
CARA SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS
Members participate in Special Event operations at least once a year. For several years they did three special events. CARA has had special events commemorating Hopalong Cassidy, the John and Annie Glenn Museum opening, two of the local “S” bridges, four covered bridges, the Big Muskie (large strip mining bucket operation), the Zane’s Trace, and 100th Anniversary of Scouting. CARA has also set up special event stations to activate several local “rare” counties during the Ohio QSO Party. And recently, CARA members have activated several state parks for the Ohio State Parks On The Air Contest.
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY
CARA has adopted a two-mile stretch of US 40 east of Cambridge between SR 285 and Hidden Acres. CARA is responsible for during a minimum of four cleanups a year.
COMMUNICATIONS
CARA has provided communications for many different parades in the last 25 plus years. It has also provided communications for Civil War Re-enactments, 5-and-10 K runs, bicycle events such as GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure), and other events as requested.
DEERASSIC CLASSIC
CARA has parked cars during this event for more than five years. More than a thousand vehicles are parked each day.
FOX HUNTS
CARA has participated in this fun training drill. A hidden transmitter a.k.a. the “fox” is hidden, and the participants must triangulate on the intermittent signal put out by the “fox” and find its hidden position first.
AMATEUR RADIO DISPLAY CASE
For the last few years, CARA has had a display at the local branch library on different aspects of amateur radio for one month each year.
VOLUNTEER EXAM SESSIONS
In 2008, CARA formed a group of volunteer examiners and held its first exam session at its hamfest. The VE Examiners are considering setting up regularly scheduled VE Examinations or at least as needed.
TECH CRAM COURSE
President Sonny Alfman has taught several Technician and General Cram classes over the last few years. He does try to do one or two a year if the interest in the class is there.