About Us

Invitation
Dear fellow Amateur Radio Operator,

We would like to officially welcome you to the California Amateur Radio Linking Association.

C.A.R.L.A. isn't a club, per se. To borrow a phrase from Orson Scott Card, we've got "no members, no clergy, no doctrine, and NO collection plate!" (although if you wish to Support C.A.R.L.A. we won't mind, we promise). Out mission statement is as follows:

“  The Mission of the California Amateur Radio Linking Association
is to provide a wide ranging, robust radio communications system
to facilitate daily, routine communication and also provide emergency
communications resources to local and state agencies and departments
in times of disaster or public need.
 ”
We try to place our repeater systems in areas that serve well locally and that can link together to help disseminate radio traffic and vital information between areas that may become isolated or overwhelmed during an emergency or disaster. Our systems have been in use in varying situations for communications from public sponsored charity walks, races and special events to disaster training sessions, search and rescue efforts, fires, floods and earthquakes.

As with any not for profit endeavor, it has cost tens of thousands of dollars to purchase, implement and maintain the systems we have in place today. No small feat by any means for a small handful of people committed to a hobby. Nonetheless, we heartily welcome support from those individuals who enjoy and benefit from the use of our systems and believe in what we are trying to accomplish.

By no means is C.A.R.L.A. a completed project. It is a continuously evolving venture looking for ways to improve itself and implement the features and resources that we would like to see it offer. The only requirements for using any of the systems is that you are a licensed Amateur Radio Operator and that we ask you to use good amateur practice while using our network of machines. You are not required to contribute to or support C.A.R.L.A. unless you would like to. Please review our website and Support page for more information on supporting our efforts. Again, welcome and thanks for your use and support of our systems.

Sincerely,
The California Amateur Radio Linking Association