Our Purpose
The Charlotte Amateur Radio Society, located in Charlotte County, Florida, is an ARRL-affiliated amateur radio organization supporting ARES emergency auxiliary communications, radio and electronics experimentation, education and science.
Our Story
The Charlotte Amateur Radio Society (CARS) was organized in 1974 making CARS the oldest operating amateur radio club in Charlotte County. We are the southernmost county in the 10-county West Central Florida Section of the Florida ARRL.
Club membership is open to all ham radio operators and to those who want to become ham radio operators. Please visit us at one of our monthly club meetings held at the New Life Church, Lenox Hall, 507 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there and to meeting you on the air!
Meet the Leaders
These are the amateur radio operators who spend endless hours guiding the club and planning all of the wonderful activities for our members.
Paul
Buchanan
KO4QWS
President
Paul earned his ham license in 2022 and joined CARS, a vibrant ham radio club in Punta Gorda, FL, with over 150 members. We host monthly activities, two annual field days, and educational presentations at meetings. Our morning nets, WX4E Sunshine Net, operate on 444.975 +5 tone 136.5 and 146.745 – tone 136.5.
Ariele
Merone,
N1AMM
Vice-President
Ariele, licensed in February 2024 and earning her General license by June, enjoys HF, contesting, and SSB. A native Floridian, she moved to Charlotte County in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew. Following college at USF and service in the Army, she returned to Port Charlotte to be near family.
Steve
Carey,
KO4SPC
Treasurer
Steve is a retired Banker who received his General License in 2020. He and his wife, Lena, were Snowbirds for 5 years before moving to Punta Gorda from Pennsylvania full time in 2018. Steve enjoys participating in club activities especially POTA and Field Days.
Steve is also a long-time collector of Antique cars. He currently has three cars that he shows at the local shows.
Michael
Owens,
KQ4ZOP
Secretary
Mike is a retired cybersecurity architect/engineer who earned his General license in January 2025. He is also a US Army veteran with 8 years spent in Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) for nuclear and non-nuclear missile and rocket systems. He greatly enjoys POTA hunting and playing in the digital modes.
Next Steps…
If you would like to join the Charlotte Amateur Radio Society, simply click on the button to the right. This will allow you to complete an application and make payment online or mail a check to us.