The New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club (NJKCARC) is a 501(c)(3) organization, registered as a charity in the State of New Jersey.  We are comprised solely of Knights of Columbus and FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operators.  Our goal is to obtain an Amateur Radio Communications Vehicle that can be used for disaster relief, education, and community service.

 

We are raising funds to obtain an Amateur Radio Communications Vehicle (ARC-V), to be used mainly for disaster relief services after natural disasters have occurred, where landline or cellular infrastructure has not yet been re-established in the affected area.  The vehicle would allow us to deploy to affected areas with radios, antennas, and related accessories in a compartmentalized location, ready for use following loss of communications infrastructure after a natural disaster.

 

Amateur Radio Operators have routinely provided health and welfare communications to those affected by natural disasters where communications infrastructure has not yet been re-established.  Amateur Radio Operators communicate the status of those affected to other Amateur Radio Operators outside of the affected area; upon contact with friends or family of the affected individual, they will be informed as to the status of the well-being of that affected individual.

 

In order to provide such a service, a reliable means of transportation, containing contemporary Amateur Radio means of communication, must exist.  Our equipment should enable us to make seamless communications with other Amateur Radio Operators worldwide, to allow for the variety of conditions that may exist in the affected area.

 

In addition to its primary purpose of providing communications following natural disasters, the ARC-V will also be an Amateur Radio school on wheels.  We will be able to provide classes and testing for those interested in becoming Amateur Radio Operators.  We can also provide a different aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) for students interested in that educational area.  Amateur Radio offers real-life use of algebra, physics, solar weather, foreign language and more.

  

The third way the vehicle would be used would be to assist our priests and fellow Knights of Columbus.  The New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club provides our services at milestone special events.  If a parish is holding a 50th Anniversary celebration, or the Knights of Columbus are holding a popular event, we will set up a Special Event Station, attempting to make as many contacts over the radio as possible, during the event.

 

A Special Event Station is run for a limited amount of time--a day, or a weekend, but usually no more than 15 days--with the goal being to make as many contacts as possible during that time frame.  Amateur Radio Operators exchange QSL cards--postcards--confirming the on-air contact, and bearing the callsign of the operator, and contact information such as the date and time of the contact and the frequency upon which the contact was made.  Those QSL cards received by us are turned over to the priests or Knight of Columbus holding the celebration, for display as they wish.

 

Since the inception of our club, we have operated the following Special Event Stations:

 

·         New Jersey Knights of Columbus 2023 State Convention;

·         New Jersey Knights of Columbus 2024 State Convention;

·         New Jersey Knights of Columbus Free Throw 2024 State Finals;

·         New Jersey Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee 2024 State Finals;

·         New Jersey Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge 2024 State Finals;

·         National Eucharistic Revival, 2024 Procession;

·         50th Anniversary of Discovery House;

·         50th Anniversary of Holy Family Parish;

·         New Jersey Knights of Columbus "Thank You" Picnic;

·         Knights of Columbus 2024 Supreme Convention in Quebec, Canada; 

·         Celebration of Birth, Death, and Feast Day of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, 2024;

·         Celebration of Columbus Day, 2024;

·         Celebration of Beatification of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, 2024.

 

We have more Special Event Stations planned for 2025 and beyond.

 

Setting up the Special Event Stations has prepared us should we have to deploy to an affected area, as locating a pow er source, setting up the radio, antenna and accessories is not always a simple task.

 

The ARC-V would be available for community events, parades and the like, showing those around us who we are, and what we can do for the community.

 

Some of the benefits of sponsorship of the NJKCARC and the ARC-V are listed below.  Please contact us at NJKCARC@gmail.com for the parameters that need to be met to obtain the benefits.

 

·         Your logo will be placed upon the ARC-V, visible to both those on the highway and to those who we will personally assist.

·         Presentation of the vehicle at your sponsored event;

·         Your logo will be placed on our letterhead, website, and social media sites as sponsors of NJKCARC and the ARC-V;

·         You will receive periodic updates as to the acquisition of the ARC-V and its contents;

·         You will receive an invitation to the official unveiling of the ARC-V;.

 

Other funding opportunities exist for those businesses who wish to provide funds for the following:

 

·         Vehicle Registration, Insurance and Garaging;

·         Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, Including Tires;

·         Amateur Radios (multiple funding opportunities exist);

·         Antennas (multiple funding opportunities exist);

·         Laptops and External Monitors (multiple funding opportunities exist);

·         Radio Peripherals (multiple funding opportunities exist);

·         Coaxial Cables and Connectors:

·         Generators and Power Sources;

·         Other, Including Chairs, Cabinets etc., required for everyday operation.

 

Please contact us at NJKCARC@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or concerns.

 

Thomas M. Perrotti

President

New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club