In a world obsessed with lightning-fast messaging, apps and smart everything, a passionate group in Fayetteville works to keep alive a form of communication that predates the internet: One that still works, even when the rest of the world goes silent.
Amateur, or ham, radio.
Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society (CFARS) is made up of a group of dedicated amateur radio operators, also known as hams, who work to establish connections near and far. In their technical world, where antennas tangle with tree branches, radio waves bounce off the moon, and friendships stretch across continents, the members of this group hope to engage people of all ages and keep amateur radio thriving.
Signals near and far
Founded in 1969, the Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society is a friendly group of tinkerers, tech lovers and service-minded folks. They try to meet monthly, CFARS Vice President Rod MacLean told CityView, holding events, participating in competitions and practicing their skills on all varieties of radio equipment.
“Except in July and August, because it’s too bloody hot,” MacLean said with a chuckle.
On any given weekend, CFARS members might be checking into regional radio nets, testing new antenna designs in their backyards, or chatting with someone in Slovenia just for the fun of it.
MacLean explained that the organization has many members, with about 50 regular meeting attendees and over 150 people on their current roster. Some have moved away due to military service or other work obligations, but they remain members of CFARS for life.
In February, the organization participated in the N.C. QSO Party, a competition where amateur radio clubs try to make contact with as many other operators or organizations as possible, in order to rack up points. A QSO refers to contact made between two operators or stations through the radio. Each station and operator is given a unique call sign, which consists of a string of letters and numbers that makes them easily identifiable when contacting other operators and stations. Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society goes by the call sign “K4MN.” CFARS President David Winfree told CityView that the organization won in their division of the N.C. QSO Party this year. They were also named a “bonus station,” for which outside stations would earn an extra 50 points should they be able to track down K4MN and make contact.
Some CFARS members who participated in the N.C. QSO Party include Mike Prevatte, Nina Maier, Juan Serra, David Cowart and more.
Alongside their victory in the N.C. QSO Party, CFARS is making preparations for the upcoming National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL) Field Day, a two-day event held June 28-29. During the annual field day, over 31,000 amateur radio operators throughout North America will make contact with as many other stations as possible, according to ARRL.
“This one is like the Super Bowl for ham radio. Once again, we will be out of the house and off grid, testing our skill set to make contacts in the field and compete against other clubs for the best score,” Winfree told CityView.
What is ham radio?
Imagine being able to talk to someone across town, across the country or halfway around the world without cell towers or Wi-Fi. That’s ham radio in a nutshell.
But how exactly does ham radio work? How can someone in North Carolina talk to someone in Finland, Australia or India without a phone, the internet or a postage stamp? It may sound otherworldly, but it’s really a mix of science, skill and the magic of radio waves.
Using specialized radio equipment and a deep well of technical knowledge, licensed amateur operators transmit voice, text, images and even data through invisible frequencies that span the globe.
At its core, ham radio is about sending and receiving signals through the air. You use a radio, with costs that can range from $25 to several thousands for more advanced models. The radio converts your voice into an electrical signal. That signal travels through a wire or antenna, shoots off into the sky as a radio wave and is picked up by another antenna, sometimes thousands of miles away. On the other end, someone else’s radio converts that signal back into sound.
Presto, you’re having a conversation, no cell towers or Wi-Fi signal required.
Ham radio isn’t limited to verbal communication either. Modes like CW, or Continuous Wave, allow operators to send strings of Morse code to others, which is especially useful when operators may be experiencing weak signal conditions.
ARRL reports that Morse code was the only way to communicate by radio for about the first decade of the practice, which began in the 19th century.
Still, other options like Digital Data Modes — which make use of radio waves via laptop or other devices — offer even wider opportunities for operators to talk around the world and specialize in whichever mode they like best.
Some signals are beamed into space, ricocheting off the moon or meteors, while others travel by bouncing off the Earth’s ionosphere, a part of Earth’s upper atmosphere, before boomeranging back to other radio operators. With the use of satellites and the International Space Station supporting and reflecting ham frequencies, the sky is no longer the limit.
It’s science, it’s skill and it’s open to anyone willing to learn.
Putting it to the test
Ham radio operates on a specific range of frequencies that are outlined by the Federal Communications Commission. All amateur radio operators in the United States must be licensed through the FCC, and are issued a unique call sign.
MacLean, call sign “KQ4FNO,” has been a licensed operator since 2023. He told CityView that the exam to earn a license is extensive, but not difficult.
There are three different licenses available in the U.S. — technician, general and extra — and each comes with varying degrees of difficulty and study time. Between the three licensing exams, hopeful operators are expected to answer 120 questions out of a pool of over 1,500 questions.
“The general and the tech are, generally speaking, not too difficult to get. The general gives you most of the activity that you’re trying to do,” he said. “You have to learn the material that’s going to be presented on the test.”
In an age of TikTok and text messages, ham radio might sound quaint, but it’s anything but outdated or unpopular. In the U.S., there are an estimated 700,000 licensed amateur radio operators from coast to coast, and about 3 million worldwide, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
When everything else fails
Beyond communicating through radio waves as a hobby, ham radio systems can be integral during emergency situations, especially when phone lines, internet connectivity or even electricity go dark.
Operators can set up local networks between towns, counties or regions in order to efficiently and effectively communicate during times of trouble. According to ARRL, many amateur operators are active after disasters, establishing communication when other systems like phone and cellular infrastructure have been damaged. Many operators volunteer to assist local public safety organizations, and are recognized as a resource for national organizations like the National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security.
Most recently, ham radio operators across the Southeast region sprang to action when communication systems were destroyed during Hurricane Helene, which devastated western North Carolina and east Tennessee in September 2024. Operators worked closely with local law enforcement and emergency services to relay critical information about the storm, people affected and resources needed, according to ARRL.
“What happens when your telephone goes out?” MacLean asked. He explained that even when systems go down, a connection can be established using just a radio and any spare parts fashioned into an antenna. “You can tune a trash can,” he mused.
“It’s another capability of communicating. Yes, it’s a bit ‘nerdish,’ but all the stuff that developed your cell phone came through ham radio,” MacLean said.
CFARS offers a list of emergency shelters in Cumberland County, complete with antenna coordinates, to help operators easily find a signal and relay time sensitive information during crises.
Winfree explained that CFARS trains regularly, staying ready to assist during times of emergency.
“The club trains for this once a quarter to keep our skill sets tested and ready to go,” Winfree wrote. “We use the MARS system to send messages for the Military and FEMA as needed when we are asked to deploy.” The U.S. Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (AMARS) is a network of citizen volunteers that are trained by the Department of Defense on amateur radio operation to assist during times of need.
Winfree also explained that the organization trains for emergency situations by performing a drill called a “fox hunt.” In this drill, members group up and practice locating a radio that has been hidden in a random location in town or in the woods. This practice would come in particularly handy if a lost or injured person was attempting to make contact over the air.
Inspiring the next generation
CFARS is on a mission to spark that same wonder for frequencies and moon-bounce communication among Cumberland County’s younger generation. MacLean said that the organization partners with local schools to teach young people about the capabilities and benefits that come with operating a ham radio.
“We’re starting to get into the schools, working with STEM programs,” he said. “And there’s more interest from the younger people. We are trying to get more younger people interested.”
Winfree said CFARS members have given talks to students and children at places throughout Cumberland County, from Fayetteville State University to Fort Bragg to public libraries.
“This is more than just setting up a radio. We explain how it works, what the frequencies are and how they work. How the sun plays a big part in what bands we are going to use and also depends on what area we are trying to reach, as well as what time of day,” Winfree told CityView. “The hobby is based on science, and it is pretty detailed. We try and meet the school students on the level that they are at. So far, it has been a great time with a lot of people in the club helping out.”
Join the conversation
At Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, members are eager to show newcomers the ropes … or cables, frequencies and call signs.
“Anybody can join the society, there’s no big deal about that. You are not required to be a licensed operator to join the club,” MacLean said. “We will do our best to make you an operator,” he added with a chuckle.
Through ham radio, operators communicate, compete and build connections across the globe. Fostering both friendship and friendly sport is a main pillar for the amateur radio community, but growing as a local community is just as important.
Winfree, who said he has enough memories from ham radio to fill a book, finds that listening to the older members of CFARS and learning from them has been one of the most notable aspects of the hobby.
“The stories they tell and watching how they work the radio has taught me a lot,” Winfree told CityView. “There is always something to learn and these guys have a lot of knowledge on how the radios work and how to build an antenna out of wire to get on the air.”
With science, passion and the power of radio waves, the Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society works to create a wide net of communication. When the lights go out, the hams light up the airwaves — and they’re always ready to listen.
Editors note: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled two Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society member’s names as David Cowait and Nina Mire. The correct spelling is David Cowart and Nina Maier. CityView apologizes for this error.
