About W3ACH
Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club - Serving the community since 1954
Our Story
Seven decades of amateur radio innovation and community service
Founded 1954
W3ACH was established in the heart of Cumberland Valley by a group of dedicated amateur radio operators who shared a vision of technical excellence and community service. Our founding members laid the groundwork for what would become one of Pennsylvania's most active amateur radio clubs.
Contest Excellence
The W3ACH On-Air Activities Program began in the 1980s, starting with local contests and evolving into our signature seasonal contest series. Our innovative approach to amateur radio contests has influenced clubs nationwide and attracted participants from across the globe.
Club Milestones
- 1954: Club founded with 12 charter members
- 1962: First repeater installed on Blue Mountain
- 1975: Emergency communications network established
- 1983: First annual W3ACH Contest held
- 1995: Seasonal contest series inaugurated
- 2010: Digital modes program launched
- 2020: On-Air Activities Program goes global online
Mission & Values
Our commitment to amateur radio excellence and community service
Our Mission
To promote amateur radio through innovative on-air activities, technical education, and community service while fostering lifelong friendships among radio enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Our Vision
To be the leading amateur radio club in innovative contest design and technical education, inspiring the next generation of amateur radio operators while serving our community with excellence.
Our Values
Integrity, innovation, inclusivity, and service to others. We believe in the amateur radio spirit of experimentation, learning, and helping fellow operators achieve their goals.
Club Leadership
Meet the dedicated volunteers who guide W3ACH
John Smith
W3ABC - President
Licensed since 1978, John has been leading contest operations and technical projects for over two decades. He holds an Extra Class license and specializes in antenna design.
Jane Doe
W3XYZ - Vice President
A General Class operator since 1985, Jane manages our educational programs and new member outreach. She's also a Volunteer Examiner and leads our license upgrade sessions.
Mike Johnson
W3DEF - Contest Manager
The architect of our contest program, Mike has been managing contest operations since 1990. He's an expert in HF propagation and contest station design.
Sarah Wilson
W3GHI - Secretary
Sarah maintains our club records and communications. She's been instrumental in organizing our digital archives and modernizing our documentation systems.
Bob Anderson
W3JKL - Treasurer
A retired accountant and Extra Class operator, Bob manages our club finances and helps coordinate major equipment purchases and facility improvements.
Tom Davis
W3MNO - Technical Chair
Tom leads our technical committee and manages our repeater systems. He's a professional RF engineer with expertise in digital communications and microwave systems.
Club Facilities
Modern facilities supporting our amateur radio activities
Meeting Facility
Location: Cumberland Valley Public Library
Community Room - Mechanicsburg, PA
Features: 60-person capacity, projection system, wireless internet, parking, and accessibility accommodations for all members.
Schedule: Regular monthly meetings every second Tuesday at 7:00 PM, with special events and training sessions throughout the year.
Radio Infrastructure
Primary Repeater: 147.060 MHz (+600 kHz offset)
PL Tone: 123.0 Hz - Located on Blue Mountain
Contest Station: Multi-operator HF station with modern transceivers, amplifiers, and optimized antenna systems for contest operations.
Emergency Communications: Backup power systems, mobile command center, and coordination with local emergency services.
Community Impact
How W3ACH serves Cumberland Valley and beyond
Emergency Communications
Providing backup communications for local emergency services, disaster response coordination, and public service events throughout Cumberland County.
STEM Education
Partnering with local schools to teach STEM concepts through amateur radio, conducting career day presentations, and inspiring the next generation.
Technology Innovation
Advancing amateur radio through technical innovation, publishing research, and sharing knowledge with the global amateur radio community.
Join Our Legacy
Be part of W3ACH's next chapter. Whether you're interested in contests, technical projects, emergency communications, or simply connecting with fellow amateur radio operators, we welcome you to our community.