The purpose of the Multi-County Amateur Radio Coalition is to provide the ability for the radio organizations of the seven county area and any other interested radio amateurs to work together on subjects of mutual interest. The prime functions of the coalition are regularly held meetings of the various organizations, the development of projects too large for just one club, and scheduled training. The overall puropse of the coalition is to develop closer ties and friendship among the HAM operators in the seven county area.
Originating at the C.A.R.A facility in the spring of 1998, meetings have been scheduled four times a year at three month intervals. These meetings move from county to county to provide equal opportunity for all HAMS to attend, and to provide the chance for each county to host an event. These events have maintained interest and continued growth.
Results: Between 25 and 50 amateurs attend these meetings and a wonderful mutual friendship has been developed among the seven county HAM organizations. Many fellow HAMS have had the opportunity to meet for the first time and develop long lasting friendships. Additionally, the development of three two meter repeaters being linked together to provide total radio coverage for emergencies or just to communicate. In addition, the development of a communication policy and procedure provides cross-county communications during severe weather or other emergencies. Technical and operational training presentations of subjects of interest to the ham community, and ham classes have been developed. Multi-county social events such as family picnics and Christmas parties have been developed. Multi-club contest events are in the planning stages, along with fox hunts, special event operations, and construction projects.
In 1914, Roy Waller 8CL was the first wireless station on the air in Cambridge. He founded the first commercial broadcast station, WEBE, which later was changed to WALR in Zanesville, which eventually became WHIZ. Roy’s son, Clarence “Clancy” Waller W8CL, is a member of the Cambridge Amateur Radio Association today.
J. Clayton “Nick” Nicholson, a native of Cambridge, obtained his first license 8CFM in 1919, at age 13, and became a very active and avid “CW” operator. He became an expert, and it is said that he handled hundreds, even close to a thousand messages each month. Nicholson was a sub-dealer in ham radio equipment and a prime mover in the old Cambridge Radio Club. In 1928 his call was changed to “W8VP.” It is said that the phonetics for his call were “W8 Vest Pocket”… but he was never known to use phone.
In March of 1935 Nicholson was elected President of The Cambridge Amateur Radio Association and prime founder of the “hamfests” of 1935 and June 1937 in the National Hotel in Cambridge. (These hamfests were similar to the Dayton Hamvention in that they combined a hamfest with a national convention which including many gifted technical speakers and major equipment sponsors.) Nicholson was a Chief Radioman (RMC) in the U.S. Navy Reserve and was teaching radio in a Navy Communications School in Indianapolis, Indiana, when he was taken ill and later passed away, while receiving treatment in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1943.
In 1949, The Cambridge Amateur Radio Association obtained permission from Nicholson’s family to adopt his call, W8VP, as their own, in his honor. The ensuing petition to the FCC was granted. W8VP is now heard as the identifier, both voice and CW, on the club’s repeater system.
In the 1950s and 60s, two former presidents, Al Blancett W8BMS and Clarence Waller W8RVU (Roy’s son, now W8CL) were the main driving forces with the organization, and Joe Wagner WA8AHV helped form a radio club at Cambridge High School. During this period, alignment with the Civil Defense of the county was forged, and many technical achievements through amateur radio were developed which are in use today.
Then, in the 1970s came the development of the high frequency repeater systems. Former president, Ron Rogers WB8ERB (now WW8RR), developed and placed into operation the first computer controlled repeater system in the state. An updated version of this system is still in operation today.
Later in the 1980s and 90s, space communications began here when CARA made a radio contact with the 1st space shuttle ham in space, Owen Garriot W5LFL. Technology then began to include ham satellites and moon bounce communications. CARA set many national VHF communication competition records; some still stand today.
With the turn of the 21st century, amateur TV and digital communications appeared. CARA members continue to be at the leading edge of technology, following the example set by our founders. Hams communicate across town and around the globe using various technologies such as CW, voice, video, and computers.
Through the years our “hams” have experienced the evolution of “wireless communications” – the birth of “solid-state” electronics; the arrival and departure of the vacuum tube and the advent of enhanced digital communications. Gone are the days of the “spark gap”… and the days of reveling over a radio contact with your colleague just across town. Even transmitting and receiving video via SSTV (slow scan TV) with amateurs around the world is a common practice.
Today, all sorts of awards are offered to operators for such activities as Working All States, Working All Zones (of the world), working a hundred (or more) countries, Islands On The Air (IOTA’s), lighthouses, grid squares, etc., for those who like to collect QSL cards, often referred to as “wallpaper,” from everywhere and everyone, to commemorate their radio contacts. Of course, just having a casual conversation with other operators, across town, in another State or in a Country on the opposite side of the globe is quite often a memorable experience! The old adage: “It’s a Small World” becomes readily apparent.
There is also a serious side to the members of The Cambridge Amateur Radio Association. They take public service activities to heart and participate in community activities and provide communications wherever needed, such as fires, floods, parades or special events and celebrations in the area. Several members are involved with ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) and the Civil Defense Agency, which is now the EMA (Emergency Management Agency). ARES members are National Incident Management System, Citizens Emergency Response Team, and SKYWARN weather spotter certified. Some also have radiological and hazardous material trained as well. CARA members practice their communications skills each Tuesday at 8 PM during the weather reporting net and again at 8:15 PM for handling messages and exchanging information on 146.850 MHz (with a PL tone of 91.5). Where there is a need for communications, CARA is ready to serve!
Each year the folks with W8VP erect stations & antennas at a remote location and attempt to communicate with as many stations as they possibly can, using emergency power etc., to hone their skills in preparation for an emergency, and this is coordinated with the other hams across the United States. Also known as Field Day, this is one of the few times that they can “have fun” while serving a useful purpose!
The Cambridge Amateur Radio Association (W8VP) currently, consists of approximately 50 members led by President George “Sonny” Alfman. Sonny has been an active driving force since 1962 and has been the club’s president more than twenty years, leading mentor (teaching fifty radio classes), and technical adviser.
In 1999, with CARA’s assistance, Alfman formed an organization called the Multi-County Coalition of Eastern Ohio (MCC). The MCC consists of about 110 hams from nine counties who meet three to four times a year to coordinate radio communications for disasters and large public events.
Past presidents of the club include Roy Waller, Paul Simcox, Clayton Nick” Nicholson, Al Blancett, Clancy Waller, Ron Rogers, Rankin Cohagan, Jim Hoag, Dick Barrett, Charles Galloway, Steve Brown, Dean Jenkins, Cam McCartney, Bert Nagy, Frank Hyder, Fred Barton, Evelyn Barton, Bruce Homer, and G. Sonny Alfman.
The club currently meets on the last Monday of the month--March through September, the last Saturday of the month--October through February except December. There is no formal meeting in December, but there is a Holiday Awards Banquet. Visitors are always welcome, and occasionally classes are held for those aspiring to pursue the hobby.
For more information on CARA’s history read Radio Boys Leave A Legacy by R.R. Ballantine .
