Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance

03/31/2025

Doppler Radar update as of 3:00 PM EDT (March 31, 2025).

03/31/2025

Storms are beginning to move into the Charlotte Metropolitan Area as of 2:40 PM EDT. Just a reminder that we are under an Enhanced Risk for severe weather today along with a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 7:00 PM EDT this evening.

03/20/2025

The Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance invites you to check into one (or all!) of the weekly nets on the Tower of Power repeater (145.350 -82.5) in Dallas, NC! Whether you’re looking to stay informed, connect with fellow operators, or share in fellowship, there’s something for everyone on the airwaves.

📅 Weekly Net Schedule:
🔹 Hornets Nest Net – Tuesday @ 7 PM ET
🔹 Gaston County ARES Net – Friday @ 8 PM ET
🔹 Usual Suspects Net – Saturday @ 8 PM ET (NEW time!)
🔹 Piedmont Youth Net – Sunday @ 6:30 PM ET
🔹 Prayer Net (hosted by Rev. Kevin Pitts) – Sunday @ 8 PM ET

Join us on the Tower of Power and keep the bands alive with great conversations, emergency preparedness, and community spirit! 73!

03/20/2025

Meet Our Founder & President: Jake Huffman (KO4TJP/WSGW481)

The Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance is proud to introduce our Founder and current President, Jacob “Jake” Huffman!

Jake has been a licensed amateur radio operator since September 2021, currently holding an Amateur Extra class license (KO4TJP) and a General Mobile Radio Service license (WSGW481). His passion for radio communication and emergency preparedness led him to establish the Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance, fostering a community for operators across the region.

Beyond the Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance, Jake is active in:
• Gaston County Amateur Radio Society
• Gaston Radio Club
• Gaston County ARES
• SKYWARN
• Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society (Volunteer Examiner)

Join us in thanking Jake for his leadership and dedication to the amateur radio community! 73!

03/19/2025

Check out our new alliance name tags. This one happens to belong to Jake Huffman, our founder and current President. These are available to paid members of Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance, and membership comes with other great perks, including a personalized certificate, a membership card, and access to our group and website (once it is complete).

More information is coming soon on how to become an official member of the Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance, so stay tuned!!!

03/07/2025

Stay Safe During Thunderstorms!

Lightning is a serious threat to outdoor activities, including amateur radio operations. Whether you’re setting up an antenna or just enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to know how to stay safe when storms roll in.

✅ DO:
✔️ Go inside when you hear thunder or see lightning
✔️ Find a sturdy house, building, or a car with a hard-top roof
✔️ Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap

❌ DON’T:
❌ Seek shelter in dugouts, sheds, pavilions, or picnic shelters
❌ Use or touch electronics, outlets, or corded phones
❌ Stand under tall trees, swim, or be near metal objects and windows

As amateur radio operators, we rely on preparedness and situational awareness. Let’s keep ourselves and our communities safe!

For more lightning safety tips, visit weather.gov/lightning.

*NORTH CAROLINA SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK*

Learn what to do, and what not to do, when it comes to lightning. weather.gov/safety/lightning

03/07/2025

The US National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC determined after completing their storm survey that an EF1 touched down in Union County, NC on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, with no injuries nor fatalities reported. More information can be found at the post below.

Storm survey team determined an EF1 tornado touched down near the Porter Ridge High School in Union County, NC. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities. More details here: https://www.weather.gov/gsp/newTornadoMap

03/07/2025

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance Withdraws from 2025 Charlotte Ham Fest

Earlier this week, the Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance (PARA) made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2025 Charlotte Ham Fest following several incidents of harassment targeting one of our members. This decision, made unanimously by our members, was not taken lightly. However, we firmly believe in standing in solidarity with all of our members, and if one does not feel 100% safe to attend, then we will not attend either.

PARA remains committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and harassment-free environment for all amateur radio operators. We do not tolerate harassment in any form and believe that every member of the amateur radio community should feel safe and valued.

We regret that we will not be participating in this year’s event, but we stand behind our decision. We encourage all amateur radio organizations to uphold the highest standards of respect, inclusion, and accountability within our shared community.

For any inquiries regarding this decision, please contact us at [email protected]

03/07/2025

The wait is finally over, as today is the start of the 2025 Charlotte Ham Fest!!!

03/06/2025

PRESS STATEMENT

MARCH 6, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2025

Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance Withdraws from Charlotte Ham Fest Due to Safety Concerns

The Piedmont Amateur Radio Alliance (PARA) regrets to announce that we will not be attending the Charlotte Ham Fest as originally planned. This decision was made in response to multiple INCIDENTS OF HARASSMENT directed at one of our members. Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of their safety, we have chosen to withdraw from the event.

PARA strongly condemns any and all ACTS OF HARASSMENT made against our MEMBERS. Such actions have no place in the amateur radio community or in society as a whole. We remain committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all amateur radio operators and will not tolerate intimidation or harassment of any kind.

We appreciate the understanding and support of our fellow operators, event organizers, and the broader amateur radio community. We look forward to participating in future events and continuing our mission of promoting amateur radio in a safe and inclusive manner.

03/06/2025

Just one more day to go until the 2025 Charlotte Ham Fest.