Hams find a way to do radio-related things, no matter how busy the summer gets. As we approach August, it seems like a good time to share how some hams have stayed busy with the hobby, and perhaps inspire some readers to turn on that radio more often! Here are a few examples of EAWA members and friends hamming it up.
One of the most common activities is to join in the radio chats at our weekly Clandestine Coffee gathering. Topics often include radios, antennas, logging software, DX chasing, POTAs & SOTAs, ARRL items, learning CW, and more. People come and go during the 2 hours or so we spend at Flexit. As Bill KC2NMK is fond of saying, “There is a wealth of knowledge around this table.” We are a mix of from new hams and long-time operators. Come join in the conversation!
Another common activity is to check in to the nets on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, run by EAWA members. (Details here.) This is a great place to learn names and call signs, and to catch up on ham activities. Recently, Joshua KO6CNF, who was visiting Maine, decided to join in the net. Barbara KC1SSY was the net controller that night. She chatted further with Joshua after the net and they exchanged QSL cards. Exchanges like this are, as Barbara wrote, “why I love ham radio!”
Perhaps the most popular summer activity is participating in POTA (Parks On The Air) and SOTA (Summits On The Air). There are too many POTA/SOTA activators and hunters in the EAWA to start listing everyone. One particularly special recent POTA day was when new ham Matt KC1VLH achieved his first successful POTA activation. Matt wrote, “I have really enjoyed getting together with other club members to do POTA. It has encouraged me to research Maine state parks and gets me to the place I love – the outdoors.” Matt has continued successfully activating parks with Joan W1DLC and Barbara KC1SSY.
Greg KC1RID is an avid SOTA activator, often in areas that count both as SOTA and POTA. Recently, in Donnell Pond State Preserve, he hiked a mile up Caribou Mountain, achieving 12 SSB contacts including one in France. He also hiked about 5 miles up Black Mountain, achieving 11 SSB contacts.
Special events stations are always fun, and for EAWA members, the 13 Colonies Special Event reigns supreme! Whether in the EAWA Facebook group or at the coffee gathering, many hams will share how they are progressing on a clean sweep, which is getting all the colonies and special sites within a one week window. For example, Joan W1DLC posted, “Finally worked NJ for the sweep.” Some will complete the sweep with a mix of modes while others try to get them all in a particular mode. You can find the ongoing list of special events stations in QST Magazine or at the ARRL website. (Note: You can do a general search, such as filling in just “USA” in the form.)
While contests are not as numerous in the summer, there are plenty of opportunities to join in for a few hours or get those competitive juices going and see what you can do! In June, Marion W1GRL participated in the ARRL International Digital (FT8/FT4) contest. Stan W1BOY recently spent over 6 hours with North American QSO Party RTTY contest. The NA QSO Party CW is set for August 2, and the NA QSO Party SSB is scheduled for August 16. State QSO parties are starting up again as well. You can find these and more at the Contest Calendar website.
Summertime is also a good time to work on equipment repairs, modifications, and new installations. Jeff KA1DBE, for example, refurbished a Heathkit Cantenna earlier and is now cleaning up two Alinco DR-110 2 meter mobile rigs. Jeff wrote, “Not terribly exciting but I love the work.”
Stan W1BOY has been busy with POTA upgrades, making lapboards to hold his radio and CW key, and installing an easier-to-use power pole conversion kit on his Yaesu FT-891. Also, EAWA friends of Rob W8HAP recently gathered to help repair and raise his tower which had been down for some time. It was a group effort that resulted in success!
And the list goes on. Jeff KA1DBE was downloading satellite images from the International Space Station. Some have been studying and passing exams, such as Matt KC1VLH who recently upgraded to General. Some have been chasing DX, such as Mark W1ABY who recently worked Qatar, Vietnam, and Benin, and some have achieved new milestones, such as Matt W1MRH who just completed DXCC QRP. Some have taken on new roles, such as Sean KC1SSW recently volunteered to serve as an additional net control operator. And, yours truly, has been bragging about the EAWA both on this site and on a couple of ham radio YouTube shows. We are a busy bunch!
Before reading this you may have thought that all we do this time of year is Field Day. Clearly that’s not the case. How can you stay informed? Most of the day-to-day radio chat happens on our group Facebook page (EAWA) and at Clandestine Coffee. You can also find out what’s happening by joining in the weekly nets, keeping up with this website, attending club meetings (in person or on Zoom), and receiving the club meeting minutes. My apologies to anyone who wishes they were mentioned in the article. Most of the information came from a “call for contributions” on the Facebook group and chats at Clandestine Coffee. The good news is you don’t need to feel left out – come join in the fun.
Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 