Amateur radio is such a diverse topic that it is impossible to explain in one paragraph. The hobby consists of people who like to communicate and learn about the various methods involved in establishing two-way radio communications. Have you ever wanted to talk to someone in another country to discover what it was like to live there? Amateur radio is your gateway to that dream. Using radio equipment, the amateur operator is able to accomplish this task that might otherwise seem impossible or expensive. Amateur radio allows you to talk to others using voice (radiotelephony), data, or Morse code. The possibilities of amateur radio are endless.
The amateur service is established not only in America under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but globally under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The amateur service exists for those people who wish to communicate without any pecuniary interest. It provides opportunities for licensed operators not only to communicate but also to learn about electronics and radiocommunication and to help with communications during emergencies.
The Clemson University Amateur Radio Club, CUARC, was established to promote the hobby of Amateur Radio. Currently the club has a station located on top of Kite Hill in which members may work on projects and use club equipment to communicate. The club is also dedicated to helping new members become licensed by providing materials and assistance to study for amateur license exams. The club also works to increase awareness of the amateur service in the community.
The reasons for joining CUARC varies from person to person. CUARC provides opportunities to learn about radio communications, electronics, and the amateur service as well as becoming a licensed operator and communicating. The field of amateur radio is extremely diverse and can teach anyone skills and lessons to last a lifetime.
Anyone who has an interest radio communication, electronics, or the amateur service. No radio license is required to be a member, though being licensed does allow you to use the club's equipment. If you wish to obtain your license, the club desires to help you to achieve your goal through the provision of study aids and interaction with licensed amateur radio operators.
Anyone, except representatives of foreign nations, may obtain an amateur radio license from the FCC. The only requirement is that you pass one or more examinations, depending on what license level you seek to obtain. One can always go and take additional exams to upgrade ones license, however, so there is no limitation of growth. As one of our goals states, CUARC is dedicated to helping members become licensed. Getting a license does not mean you have to get a radio of your own, however, club members may use the club's radio equipment that they are licensed to use. This is one of the greatest advantages of working with a club, rather than working by yourself. As a club, CUARC has equipment that most people could not easily get for themselves, such as repeaters, which extend the range of communications capable by small, low-power, portable devices, or a HF band transciever that can be used to make contacts around the world.
If you are interested in finding out more about CUARC or amateur radio in general, then please feel free to attend a meeting and ask us in person or even send us an email. The date and time of our next meeting can be found in the News section of our website. We are glad to answer your questions. The application can be found in the Information section here.
You can email the club at amrad@clemson.edu or you can contact us by snail mail at:
CUARC
7809 University Station
Clemson, SC, 29632