About CARA.
 The Calvert Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Often called CARA. Is the oldest amateur radio (ham) club operating in Calvert County.  Besides having fun talking locally or around the world to hams everywhere, we provide emergency communications and public services by supporting Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) and Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES).
We support various public service events needing communications.  Please contact us if you need communication support for your event.  We are a long standing Special Services Club of the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL).

Our History

Calvert Amateur Radio Association was founded in 1954, and is the oldest amateur radio (ham) club operating in Calvert County, Maryland. CARA was originally located on the Naval Base at Chesapeake Beach.
CARA’s founders were:
  • Woody Schwartz / W3ZNW (SK)
  • Don Liddy / WB3JKV
  • Gail Griner / W3IRE (SK)
  • Vince Thrasher / KB3FS (SK)
Around 1972, the club moved from the Naval Base to the Mt. Hope Community Center. Because of the poor acoustics in the Mt. Hope meeting rooms, it was later decided we should meet at another location.  The county provided a meeting room for us to use at the County Services Building.  A new meeting room is now at the Public Safety Building EOC Room, 315 Stafford Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678 .
Calvert Amateur Radio Association incorporated in the state of Maryland in July, 2012, to become the Calvert Amateur Radio Association, Inc.  A new Constitution and new By-Laws were adopted to reflect CARA’s incorporation and non-profit tax status.  The Calvert Amateur Radio Association, Inc. name has been registered by the State of Maryland on January 4, 2013.  CARA’s application for non-profit 501(c)3 status has been approved by the IRS.

Club Meetings

​We normally meet on the SECOND Thursday every month (except December) at the Public Safety Building EOC Room, 315 Stafford Road in Prince Frederick Maryland at 7:30 PM.  See our Posts  on the Home Page for any changes to the location of our meetings.  All hams or anyone interested in ham radio are welcome to attend our meetings.

Club Repeaters

The Association operates two Repeaters in the county and a Club Station located at the Mount Hope Community Center in Sunderland, Maryland.  The Club Station may be used by members and guest operators by appointment.

We're Here for You! Club Net

Our Weekly Net is held every Monday at 7:30 PM
Join us for the CARA weekly net on the K3CAL repeater system.
You can use the two meter repeater in Sunderland, 146.985/146.385 with a 156.7 PL. Or the 70 cm repeater in Lusby, 444.950/449.950 also with a PL of 156.7. Or WorldWide on our Echolink node, K3CAL-R node # 389207. All amateurs are Welcome!

Calvert Amateur Radio Association Incorporated
P.O. Box 306
Huntingtown, Maryland 20639