147.120+ PL100HZ - Check In Net Every Sunday 19:30
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W3ACH
W3ACH
Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club
Since 1977, W3ACH has been at the heart of amateur radio in the Cumberland Valley, connecting people through curiosity, communication, and a shared love for exploring the airwaves. Our club is a place where innovation meets tradition, welcoming everyone!
We share a common goal: to keep the spirit of amateur radio alive and accessible to all. Let's get on the air together.
Amateur Radio - Hobby | Art | Community | Service
Amateur Radio - Hobby | Art | Community | Service
W3ACH, a community club where amateur radio goes beyond the dial to bring people together through curiosity, connection, and hands-on discovery. For some, radio has been a lifelong companion, a passion sparked in childhood by the hum of ham bands or the fun of making that first contact.
For others, it's a new adventure, a way to explore communication, technology, and innovation in a dynamic, ever-evolving hobby. Whatever your background, if you're here, you already share the spirit of exploration that makes amateur radio so special.
Our members include operators with decades of experience, enthusiastic newcomers just earning their licenses, and everyone in between.
Amateur radio isn't just communication, it's adventure on the airwaves. Imagine bouncing signals off the moon or the earth's ionosphere to talk with someone on the other side of Earth, chat with astronauts as they orbit overhead at 17,000 miles per hour, or decoding digital messages that travel thousands of miles on less power than a night light uses.
The Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) has been a long-standing organization dedicated to fostering amateur radio as both a skill and a passion. The club has served as a vital resource for radio operators in the Cumberland Valley region. Over the decades, we have provided a space for education, experimentation, and communication for hams of all experience levels.
Amateur radio combines serious science with serious fun, practical applications with pure adventure. Ready to discover what amateur radio can do for you?
Weekly Net Operations
Weekly Net Operations
Every Sunday evening at 7:30 PM, W3ACH members gather on 147.120 MHz (PL 100.0 Hz) for our weekly net. This regular check-in provides practice for net control operators, updates on club activities, and a chance for members to connect throughout the week. New operators learn proper procedures while experienced hams share technical tips and local information.
Club Meetings
Club Meetings
Our open to public monthly gatherings happen the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM, bringing together amateur radio operators from across the Cumberland Valley. These meetings blend technical presentations with friendly conversation, project show-and-tell with club business, and learning opportunities with social connections.
Special Events
Special Events
From commemorative stations like our Fort Loudoun historical event to Parks on the Air activations, W3ACH creates memorable amateur radio experiences throughout the year. Our special events showcase amateur radio to the public while giving members opportunities to operate from different locations and try new equipment.
Development
Development
W3ACH supports member growth through licensing classes, technical workshops, and hands-on project assistance. Our experienced members mentor newcomers in everything from basic operating procedures to advanced antenna modeling. We maintain a technical library, and provide access to test equipment for member projects.
Our Repeater: 147.120 MHz - +0.600 MHZ Offset + PL 100 Hz
Our Repeater: 147.120 MHz - +0.600 MHZ Offset + PL 100 Hz
Based on repeaterbook map.
Red = Base Stations
Green = HT
Purple = Mobile
Our repeater hosts our club's on-air activities and a resource for the amateur radio community. Located atop Clarks Knob, roughly nine miles northwest of Chambersburg, PA. Its elevated placement ensures exceptional coverage across a wide area across the area.
Our club repeater serves not only Franklin County and parts of Fulton County, but it also extends its reach beyond Pennsylvania. Operators in Hagerstown, MD, surrounding areas, and even parts of West Virginia can access the repeater.
The W3ACH repeater is open 24/7 to all licensed amateurs.
Sunday Night Net: Every Sunday at 20:30, our repeater hosts a check in with the voices of the club during our weekly net. This is a time for sharing updates, exchanging technical knowledge, and enjoying camaraderie with fellow operators.
Everyday Use: Beyond structured nets, the repeater is perfect for casual chats, coordinating with friends, or testing your signal.
2025 Club Leadership
2025 Club Leadership
The current active club leadership
KC7MRY - John
KC7MRY - John
Club President
K3WVU - Dwight
Vice President
KC3WHF - Matt
KC3WHF - Matt
Treasure
KC3FUN - Dave
KC3FUN - Dave
Public Relations / Public Information Officer
N3LTQ - Milt
N3LTQ - Milt
Trustee/Technical
K3WVU - Dwight
K3WVU - Dwight
Net Control Administrator
Get Licensed and Upgrade with LARC VEC
Get Licensed and Upgrade with LARC VEC
Becoming a licensed amateur radio operator has never been easier! W3ACH proudly partners with the Laurel Amateur Radio Club Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (LARC VEC) to provide free FCC-accredited testing sessions for new and upgrading hams.
We don't just use one meters, We use all meters.
We don't just use one meters, We use all meters.
-Jim KB3ICU
Looking to the Future
Looking to the Future
We see amateur radio as more than a hobby, it's a gateway to discovery and a vital service for our community. As we look to the future, we remain committed to growing and evolving with the technology, while staying rooted in the values that have guided us since our founding.
We are dedicated to enhancing our repeater infrastructure to ensure even broader coverage and improved reliability, making it a trusted resource for both everyday use and emergency communications. We are also embracing new technologies such as digital modes and software-defined radios, we aim to remain at the forefront of innovation in amateur radio.
Education and outreach remain central to our mission. We strive to offer more opportunities for hands-on learning, from workshops on antenna design to beginner-friendly sessions for new operators. Our goal is to inspire and equip the next generation of hams, ensuring the continued growth and vitality of the hobby.
As a club, we also recognize the importance of community. We will continue to serve as a hub for operators of all experience levels, creating a space where people can come together to share knowledge, solve problems, and celebrate the joy of amateur radio. Whether through public service, club events, or simply keeping the airwaves active.
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