Vice President’s Message: The Enduring Power & Benefits of Ham Radio
As we settle into the crisp autumn air of October 2026, it is a wonderful time to reflect on why amateur radio continues to thrive in an era dominated by smartphones, internet connectivity, and satellite broadband. Ham radio is far more than a hobby—it is a vital community lifeline, a technical playground, and an incredible brotherhood.
First and foremost, amateur radio offers unmatched emergency preparedness. When severe weather or commercial grid failures strike Central Minnesota, amateur radio operators stand ready to provide reliable, decentralized communication when standard infrastructure fails. Beyond emergency service, ham radio fosters lifelong technical learning, connecting us with fellow operators across the street, around the globe, and even orbiting above us on the International Space Station.
Whether you are building your first antenna, ragchewing on our local repeaters, experimenting with digital modes like FT8 and JS8Call, or participating in Field Day, your involvement strengthens our entire community. Thank you for making the St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club such an active and welcoming community. 73!
— Jeff Dickerson, N0JFY | Vice President
Upcoming Events: October & November 2026
Mark your calendars for our upcoming club meetings, community service events, and technical workshops:
- October 13, 2026 — SCARC Monthly Club Meeting: Join us for our regular monthly meeting at the clubhouse / community center. Topic: Fall Antenna Maintenance & Lightning Protection. Coffee and social time starts at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM.
- October 17, 2026 — Laurel VE License Testing: Laurel VE amateur radio license testing sessions will be held at the clubhouse starting at 10:00 AM. Please Pre-Resister at w0sv.club; please bring photo ID and your current license (if upgrading) / FRN.
- November 10, 2026 — November Club Meeting & Elections: Our annual business meeting featuring director elections for the upcoming term. Have your voice heard in club leadership! This will be held at the Moose Club at 5 PM.
Monday Activity & Tech Nights
Every Monday evening at 7:00 PM local time, members gather informally for hands-on projects, elmering sessions, and technical discussions. Whether you need help programming your HT, want to test out a new mobile rig, or are curious about soldering and coax connectors, drop by or tune into our local frequency!
SCARC Weekly Net Schedule
Check into our weekly nets to practice procedures, test your gear, and catch up with local hams:
| Net Name / Day | Frequency / Repeater | Description / Purpose |
| SCARC Nightly Net (M, W, F at 7:00 PM) |
146.940 MHz (Tone 100 Hz) |
Regular evening check-in, announcements, and ragchew. |
| ARES Net (Tuesdays at 7:00 PM) |
146.550 MHz (Simplex) |
Emergency preparedness, roster check, and tactical communications. |
| System Fusion Net (Sundays at 7:00 PM) |
146.940 MHz (DN / C4FM Mode) |
System Fusion digital voice operations and discussion. |
| Duce 2M SSB Net (Thursdays at 7:00 PM) |
144.240 MHz / USB | Weak-signal VHF SSB operation and ragchew. |
| Elmer Net (Saturdays at 9:00 AM) |
146.940 MHz | Mentoring, technical Q&A, and Elmering for all skill levels. |
Club Executive Board & Officers
Reach out to any of our officers with questions, ideas, or membership inquiries via their individual officer emails below.
| Name | Office | Call Sign | |
| Randy Welsand | President | WJ0L | wj0l@w0sv.club |
| Jeff Dickerson | Vice President | N0JFY | n0jfy@w0sv.club |
| Kay Welsand | Treasurer | KB0CEF | kb0cef@w0sv.club |
| Kristin Greenwald | Secretary | KF0RYZ | kf0ryz@w0sv.club |
Member Interest Corner: Hybrid Zoom Meetings
As we evaluate how best to serve our entire membership—including snowbirds, members living outside the immediate St. Cloud area, or those unable to travel during inclement winter weather—the executive board is exploring the implementation of hybrid Zoom/in-person meetings.
| We Want Your Feedback! Would you be more likely to attend monthly meetings if a high-quality hybrid Zoom link were available? How important is in-person socializing versus remote accessibility for you? Please send your thoughts, recommendations, and feedback to us at w0sv@w0sv.club. Your input will help guide our technical setup and club decisions this winter! |
Club Information & Mailing Address
St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club (SCARC)
Club Station / Mailing Address:
401 4th Street N
Waite Park, MN 56387
General Email: w0sv@w0sv.club
Website: www.w0sv.club