As the EAWA grows in membership and energy, the list of fun opportunities and activities grows as well. While every EAWA member has their favorite radio activities, as a club we tend to focus on ways to share our own radio skills with the others in the club and the wider community. At the September meeting we had both important announcements of ways to share with the community and examples of ways we mentor each other.
First, here are some opportunities you may want to join in:
Tremont First Responders Day, Saturday, September 13, 9am-1pm
Listed among the many presentations and demonstrations (click here) is “On the Air: Amateur Radio with Hancock County Emergency Management.” That’s us! EAWA members and friends will be on hand to share the world of amateur radio to all who stop by. In addition to go-kits and an information table, the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency trailer and tables will be set up with radios and antennas to use in the way a special events station would operate, using W1TU. There are several ways you can participate.
**If you would like to join several EAWA members as part of the demonstration team, please arrive at 7am for set-up and a brief organizational meeting.
**Stop by, encourage those working the station, perhaps get on the air, and maybe chat with visitors who want to know more about ham radio.
**Bring a go-kit for display.
**If you are not on site, you can help by checking in on the 146.91 repeater at 10am for a net demonstration, or any other time to show activity.
**If you are not on site, send a WinLink message to the server that will be set up on site.
**Stop by at 1pm to help folks who have been there since 7am pack things up.
Weekend Sessions, Sundays Sept 14 and 28, Noon-2pm, at Meadow View Apts (map here)
Bring your gear to show off, learn to use new gear, or repair equipment. Bring your laptop for help with software, such as setting up WinLink, programming your handheld, or logging software. Come hang out to see what everyone else is doing. Weekend sessions are free-flowing, hands-on, radio workshop events.
Amateur Radio Demonstration, Sunday October 5, Camp Beech Cliff
Matt W1HRM asked for volunteers to present amateur radio to a group during the Camp’s Fall Outdoor Skills Day. Please contact Matt W1MRH (contact via QRZ) if you are interested.
Race Communications for the MDI Marathon, October club meeting, Thursday October 9
Unlike other EAWA activities, race communications requires participation in planning meetings. If you would like to participate but cannot attend the next club meeting, please contact Barbara KC1SSY (contact via QRZ).
EAWA Parks on the Air (POTA), Saturday October 11, 10am-1pm, Lamoine State Park
You can participate in this as you like. Bring your equipment and operate, check out the many radios and antennas, listen to others operate and get to know POTA better, or just hang out with some really cool people!
Simulated Emergency Test, October 25, 8am-noon
Barbara asked for volunteers to participate in a networking exercise, using standard equipment most of us have. Basically volunteers need to be available to receive a message and send back a response to it. Although it sounds simple, it is critical that lines of communication are practiced, reliable, and working smoothly. Contact Barbara KC1SSY if you would like to volunteer.
Second, after the brief business meeting, Jeff KA1DBE shared an informative presentation on Introduction to WinLink 2000. While WinLink started back in the 1980s as a way for sailors to send email to the mainland, today it’s also used extensively as a way to send data via the airwaves. It was first used widely in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, sending data out from devastated areas. Jeff shared how WinLink has developed to support many standard templates and forms used in emergency situations. For those not familiar with the process, it resembles sending email or filling out a digital form. He also showed how easy it is to set up an account, fill out a message, and select the routing path for that message. In an emergency, when there is no internet or cell service, operators can send precise information, such as someone’s medication needs, through a portable WinLink set-up.
We packed a tremendous amount of information, announcements, useful knowledge, and sharing via the Lend & Learn Library in that 90 minute meeting! If you are a not a regular attender, perhaps you will join us at our next club meeting, Thursday, October 9, at 7pm. If you are newly licensed, your club membership is free for the first year! That said, you don’t need to be a club member to attend. We hope to see you at some of these many events.
Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 