March Club Mtg: Ready, Set, Go!

Posted on by Marion Mason

The March meeting started with introductions and the question, “Do you have a spring antenna project planned?” Responses varied between new projects and repairs stemming from a snowy Maine winter. As usual, there were many reminders and announcements. This year the EAWA will have club tee shirts for Field Day. Look for details in email regarding cost and payment. Please direct any tee shirt questions to Barbara KC1SSY. Also, there was a gentle reminder to those who have not paid their 2026 dues to get in touch with our treasurer, Joan W1DLC.

Even on a snowy evening, the core of the EAWA members and friends ventured out for the meeting.

Planning is well underway for two big annual events. First on the calendar, the symposium is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from noon to 4pm. The theme for this year is Focused Communications: Choosing the Best Tools. Volunteers are needed for early set up and the clean up afterward. Please direct any symposium questions to Jeff, KA1DBE. The second event is the emergency communications for the Sea of Blue Race, happening Saturday, April 25. Communications volunteers should arrive at the Neighborhood House for an organizational meeting at 7:30am. Final details for both events will be discussed at the next club meeting, April 9. Please direct any Sea of Blue communications questions to Joan W1DLC.

The group congratulated Jeff KA1DBE on his ARRL Trident Award. This award signifies confirmed contacts with 100 countries (DXCC) on each of the three primary modes: Phone (voice), CW (Morse Code), and Digital (FTx, RTTY, PSK, etc.).

The program, presented by Marion W1GRL, was titled “CW Practice Tools for Beginners and Operators.” She began with a brief demonstration of learning techniques for those in the audience who had not yet tried leaning CW (aka Morse Code). She then highlighted several tools, focusing on the recordings at the Morse Code Ninja website, the app Morse Mania, the webpage Morsle.fun, and software program Morse Runner. All of these tools can be simplified for the beginner, or made more challenging and helpful to the most proficient of operators. She encouraged listeners to review the Morse Code Ninja Resources page for an exhaustive list of practice tools.

Marion W1GRL, has been practicing and developing her basic CW skills since the fall of 2023. She enjoys sharing what she has learned on her ham radio journey.

The meeting was well attended and peppered with lively conversation. EAWA members and friends, mark your calendars and plan to be a part of the many upcoming events. For those who are just getting to know us, the symposium is a great way to learn more about current ham radio topics and get to know the EAWA — we hope to see you there!
Written by Marion W1GRL

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