CARA Facts

Our general interest amateur radio club focuses on advancing technical knowledge, operating skills, fraternalism, and public service. In-person meetings on the second Friday of the month at the Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department, 59 Stony Hill Road (Route 6) in Bethel, CT. Check Activities section of this website to confirm meeting location.

CARA has members from the Greater Danbury area and is among the longest established clubs (since 1946) in the Constitution State.

CARA has been an ARRL-affiliated Club since 1946 and an ARRL-designated Special Service Club for many years. A plaque from the ARRL Board of Directors recognizing 75 years of CARA's ARRL Affiliation was presented to CARA on September 11, 2021.

On March 21, 2024, CARA was designated a Special Service Club, by the American Radio Relay League,  for CARA’s commitment to improve the visibility of amateur radio as a positive force in the community by assisting in emergencies, and providing and encouraging training; as well as to further club activities for the betterment of the membership and amateur radio service. 

CARA is an IRS 501(C)3 tax status non-profit organization. We gratefully accept tax-deductible donations to the Association to advance our mission. The CARA tax ID number is: 262451911.

CARA annually sponsors the First Place Connecticut Single Operator plaque for the New England QSO Party. The NEQP is usually held on the first weekend in May. 

CARA sponsors and administers the WACC - Worked All Connecticut Counties Award.  There is no charge for this award. Qualified applicants will receive an emailed PDF document file of a WACC Certificate suitable for printing and framing. Band & Mode endorsements are available.  See WACC under the About CARA Tab on this website.

CARA's VE (Volunteer Examiner) Team periodically holds amateur radio license exam sessions. at the Stony Hill Fire Dept. in Bethel, CT. Follow this link for more information: http://arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session.  

CARA conducts a weekly TEAMS Mentoring Session at 8:00 pm Sunday evening to assist newcomers to prepare for license exams, plus answer technical, operating, and related issues. A TEAMs meeting credential is emailed to CARA members via the Club's Groups I.O. distribution.