Local ham radio club announced that they will begin meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
They will meet at the United Methodist Church on Peak Street in downtown Columbus. All ages are welcome.
The Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club (TBARC) meetings will be focused on helping people earn their ham radio license.
There will be educational presentations at each meeting. For example, at the first evening we plan to demonstrate how you can convert a bicycle to create electricity to power your cell phone, ham radio or recharge a battery to power other devices.
At each meeting, we will spend some time training attendees on how to get their amateur radio license. (We are an approved testing facility so you can take your test locally.)
The public is becoming aware of the possibility of a catastrophic event where they might lose electricity, heat, food, cell phones and connections to loved ones. They want to spend some time learning how to prepare and have fun doing it.
Ham radio should be involved, since your cell phone probably won’t be working.
TBARC will continue to also meet the last Wednesday of each month at noon at the United Methodist Church. Attendees can come to either or both meetings, attending the Wednesday meetings at noon, and/or the Tuesday evening meetings.
The dues are per year, not per month at this time. However, there is a charge per person to attend the meetings until the ham radio license is obtained. You may choose to join TBARC at that time, and pay annual dues.  For further information or for cost, call 828-606-6922.
The Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club also meets on the radio, each Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
This radio network gives radio operators experience in using their radio in the case of an emergency.
It is fun to learn from supportive experts who will mentor in proper procedures.

– article submitted
by Richard Day