We are the Catastrophic Amateur Tactical Squad (CATS) of Central Virginia, an extra-social club dedicated to exploring amateur radio and furthering camaraderie among Richmond-area ham radio operators.

The Cats meet weekly, monthly, and quarterly to enjoy good company, eat food, play radio and send SSTV images.

View our Constitution & By-Laws and Membership Application.

You'll hear us on 146.535 voice simplex, 145.500 calling CQ SSTV mode PD290, can find meeting locations on APRS, and as KC4TS on Winlink. We run the KC4TS-10 VHF Winlink gateway on 145.730, and an APRS TX-igate.

The KC4TS Volunteer Examiner Team provides ARRL license exam sessions in the Richmond area on the 1st Saturday of every month.

Unless indicated below, exams are being given at the Gospel Light Baptist Church at 2109 Anderson Highway in Powhatan, VA. (Map)

Check-in is between 10am and 12pm and we stay as long as needed to finish all the exams. Walk-in candidates are welcome! You just need a valid ID, an individual FCC FRN, and the testing fee of $15 which goes directly to the ARRL (cash or check made payable to "ARRL VEC"). We can provide pencils and a very simple calculator or you can bring your own.

Starting in June 2022, the testing fee is $5 for youths under the age of 18, and the ARRL will reimburse the FCC processing fee of $35 for new licenses. For more information, see the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program. Make sure to bring an ID with proof of age.

The next exams are:

1. May 4, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA
2. June 1, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA


3. June 22, 2024 - ARRL Summer Field Day
   Fighting Creek Park, Large Pavilion
   2505 Mann Road, Powhatan, VA 23139
   Map


4. August 3, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA
5. September 7, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA
6. October 5, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA
7. November 2, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA
8. December 7, 2024 - Gospel Light Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA

Need to get your FCC FRN? Click here for a document with instructions on where and how to register as an individual with the FCC.

Ready to sign up for an exam session? Click here for a form to pre-register for an upcoming session.

The members of the Cats:

• David KN4LQN, President
• Bill N4WLC, Vice-President
• Judi N4JDI, Treasurer
• Ray KN4OJB, Secretary
• Doug KK4LSE, Director
• Reid N1VCU, Director
• James KN4QGR, Director
• Jason KD4LEM
• Ian W4WCP
• Jeff KN4SYE
• Larry KN4KNL
• Steve KX4EF
• Hunter K4DOV
• Mike W4MAF
• David KF4RAL
• Lewis
• Sarah
• David WD3O
• Mike KM4WSA
• Rich AE4OK
• Jim W4PKR
• David KN4SYJ
• Glenn KW4TO
• Jim KM4YXL
• Richie KN4QGU
• Hunter KN4QGW
• Mark N4MDR
• Jedidiah KL7JL
• Jenny KL7CJ
• Rich K4HVY
• Ginger KN4GLG
• Josh KN4OVK
• Jim KK4IUH
• Scott KO4DFM
• Nathaniel W1OLE
• DJ N4WFR
• David KO4RNT
• Dennis KO4UOQ
• John KX4QC