Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club

Welcome to the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club (ACARC) serving the greater Wilmington area ham radio operators.  The club encourages ham radio activity in all the areas open to amateur radio operators and all facets of the hobby.  The mission of the club is to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members to (1) promote radio knowledge, individual operating efficiency, and sociality, (2) provide a service to the community at large, (3) conduct club programs and activities to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community and (4) provide enjoyment through amateur radio.

The club participates in events and contests throughout the year that allow members, prospective members, and those interested in pursuing licensed amateur radio activities, an opportunity to learn, improve communications skills and otherwise have fun.  Some of these include:

    -Programs at regular club meetings -Special training programs -FCC exams

    -ARRL Field Day and Winter Field Day -Battleship USS NC operating events -NC OSO party

    -Opportunities for communications support for local events such as the Iron Man Triathlon, Wilmington Marathon, MS Walk, and Veterans Day Parade.

The club maintains and operates the 147.180 MHz repeater (+0.6 MHz offset and 88.5 access tone) and the 442.500 MHz repeater (+5.0 MHz offset and 88.5 access tone) under the club callsign AC4RC.  These are open repeaters and do not require club membership for use.  The repeaters are located on the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Hospital on 17^th Street and provides general local coverage.  

Beginning 2026, voting membership dues will be $40 per year for for an individual or all family members living at the same home address. Non voting/student dues will remain at $20 per year  Club dues are used to support the club activities and maintain the club equipment.  Dues are to be paid at the first of each new year.

Our monthly meetings on every 3rd Tuesday of the month, with mentor and social hour at 6:00 pm and the formal meeting starting at 7:00 pm at Pine Valley Baptist Church at 3914 Shipyard BLVD in Wilmington.   Mentors are available at 6pm before the regular meeting to answer any questions.  Any changes to or special meetings will be announced.  Club members are also invited to the informal Friday Lunch Bunch that meets around 11:30am at a different restaurant each week.   Announcements for meeting locations are posted weekly prior to Friday via email to the club’s ACARC reflector and on the website calendar.

Important:

    -Announcements, information, and an e-newsletter are published to all club members who have a valid e-mail address.

    -Keep in routine contact with the club website at http://www.ac4rc.org for up-to-date information regarding the club and ham radio in general.

    -We encourage and welcome all hams to participate in our weekly net Monday nights at 9:00 PM on the 147.180 repeater We welcome unlicensed people interested in obtaining their amateur radio license to listen to the weekly net on Monday evenings until ready to take the FCC license exam for Technician.  .

Club meetings and activities are open to everyone.  Club membership is not required however only members may vote on club matters.

The officers of the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club encourage you to become active in the club and its activities so that you receive maximum benefit.  We welcome you and hope that your experience with the club is a good one.

General guidelines for use of the club repeaters.  

· All FCC rules are to be strictly followed

· Repeater Trustee and Transmissions responsibility:  The TRUSTEE is the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the repeater including being responsible for the information that passes over the repeater.  The current club trustees are listed on the club website.  Anyone making illegal or offensive transmissions will be held responsible and accountable for what they transmit.  Because of this responsibility, control operators monitor the repeater.  If, in the opinion of a control operator, there are transmissions that are illegal or offensive in nature, the control operator will shut down the repeater until such time as the transmission have ceased.  Illegal transmissions include any business discussion or discussion that is otherwise illegal or offensive in nature.  Offensive transmissions include controversial subjects.  Control operators are not to be challenged and the Trustee has final undisputed authority with regard to the operational d use of the repeater.  Please help to insure that no illegal or offensive transmission occur on the repeater so that the repeater experience is a good one for everyone.

· All operators making use of the repeater are expected to be courteous and adhere to FCC rules and regulations.

AZALEA COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB     P.O. Box 4044     Wilmington, NC  28406