Ham Radio Club to hold December meeting

Club President Charles Wells visits with Tex Herson and Bill Saylor before a recent meeting. (Courtesy Photo)

Press release

It happens every year about this time. People wrap their presents and take them to a party and they are stolen. On purpose in this case. Yes, it’s time for the annual gift-stealing and recycling meeting of the Cedar Creek (ham) Amateur Radio Club.

The idea is for each member to bring an electronic-related item that works, but they haven’t used in a long time. Make sure it is wrapped or in a bag. We draw numbers and each member who brought a package gets to pick from the pile. However according to Christmas Czar Jeff Irion, you won’t necessarily be able to keep that selection. The next pickers can take it away from you, in fact it can be “stolen” twice before the final recipient can keep it. It is all quite a lot of fun and exciting.

If you need to purchase something new for the event, don’t spend more than $20. Here is a chance to pick up something new while getting rid of something old. We will also have updates on various club activities and information about disaster operations.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Mabank Café on Hwy 198 in Mabank. The club meets the second Saturday of each month there. The meeting starts at 9 a.m., but many come early for the breakfast buffet. Anyone interested in technology is welcome.

The Cedar Creek ARC has over forty members from the tri-county area. It maintains a VHF and UHF repeater system that provide hand-held radio coverage to hams in the lake area, and mobile and base coverage throughout the three counties. CCARC participates in the National Weather Service SKYWARN program and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. The club also provides classes to those wishing to join the ranks of Amateur “ham” Radio. There no longer is a requirement or test for Morse code. For more information visit www.k5ccl.org.