Author: Marion Mason

Saturday, May 18, found several Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association (EAWA) members and friends out in area parks for the Maine-Wide Parks on the Air Day. The event was organized by the Assistant Section Manager for Maine and EAWA President Jeff Hanscom KA1DBE. 

The largest group of EAWA members gathered at Thompson Island, part of Acadia National Park (US-0001). Bob AB1EP completed his first POTA activation on phone, while Mark W1ABY activated the park using FT8. Greg KC1RID and Barbara KC1SSY also took turns operating phone. Dick W1KRP, the one behind the camera, played a critical role in keeping the operation running smoothly.

Egypt Bay Wildlife Management Area (US-8498) was activated by both Jeff KA1DBE on CW and Andrew N1WMR on phone. Fighting overgrowth by bushwhacking their way in, and then feeling the assault of mosquitos, they persevered for the 10 QSOs each.

Joan W1DLC, operating phone, activated Rangeley Lake State Park (US-2406). Scout assisted with the antenna. As was the case with several activations, rainy weather encouraged operating from inside a vehicle. (On Sunday Joan completed her first CW activation at Strong Wildlife Management Area, US-8478).

Rob W8HAP operated CW QRP to activate Lamoine State Park (US-2393), using his KX3 and a 17’ vertical antenna. 

Marion N3OA, with her husband Stan K3PW doing the logging, completed her first POTA activation at Fort Point State Park (US-2389). Frequent rain showers kept the operation in the vehicle. 

John KQ1P battled the poor conditions sending CW QRP from Sandy Point Wildlife Management Area (US-8446).

It’s likely a few operators were missed in this review. Also, it’s a safe bet that there were numerous hunters as well. This was a great day to celebrate Maine parks, Maine amateur radio operators and introduce a few EAWA members to activating. Even though both the weather and band conditions were challenging, it was great fun. As the organizer, Jeff KA1DBE said, “All in all I think it was a success!”
Written by Marion W1GRL

This is an active time of year for the EAWA, and the May club meeting reflected that! In addition to business matters, the members discussed the recent Ham Radio Symposium with an eye toward maintaining the success of last month’s gathering. Most of the meeting was taken with an introduction to Parks on the Air. Saturday, May 18, is Maine-Wide POTA Day. This even, organized by EAWA President Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, seeks to activate the 32 state parks, 4 national parks, and other POTA entities in Maine. The Parks on the Air website provides a spotting page, list of Maine entities, and rules for POTA awards (https://parksontheair.com).

Field Day, June 22-23, was also a topic of discussion. The next EAWA meeting, June 13, will be dedicated to Field Day planning and preparations. Those planning to participate with the EAWA in Field Day may want to review the rules for Field Day prior to the next club meeting. Starting with the main Field Day page, https://www.arrl.org/field-day, you can find information for those new to Field Day as well as the full set of rules. There is also an ARRL Field Day Facebook Group.

Also in the busy stretch is the 2024 ARRL Maine State Convention and Hamfest in Augusta on Saturday, June 15. You can more about the speakers, vendors, and accommodations at the Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club website, https://www.w1npp.org/2024-maine-state-convention/.

Written by Marion W1GRL

Stories of the eclipse, peppered with eclipse ham radio activations, were the first topics of the evening. Announcements included reminders of the upcoming QRP to the Field on April 20, the Ham Radio Symposium on April 27, and the Maine Parks on the Air (POTA) Day on May 18. A special round of applause was given to Matt W1MRH for attaining the monumental 5 band DXCC. A special welcome was also given to several first-time attendees.

The program on Contest Logging with N1MM, presented by Stan K3PW, continued the theme of exploring logging software over several previous club presentations. Following an introduction to explain how and why contest logging software is unique, Stan introduced “the least you need to know” basics. He also shared insights into the more sophisticated capabilities of N1MM and how some of those features might be used to improve Field Day performance. He demonstrated some of these features using two networked laptops with one connected to his ICOM IC-705.

Written by Marion W1GRL

In the business part of the meeting attendees received updates on the program for the upcoming Ham Radio Symposium on April 27, a licensing exam session to be held on April 6, weekly net controls, and upcoming contests. Discussion topics included ways we have promoted ham radio recently and activities related to the upcoming solar eclipse. In recognition of her first HF contact, Barbara KC1SSY was presented a certificate from Phil N1EP, the Maine Section Manager, as he was her first contact.

The program, “Introduction to Logging,” was presented by Phil N1EP. He began with pencil-and-paper logs, emphasizing the important pieces of information to include in a log. He shared bits from his personal logs, including contacts with other club members. Phil then moved to a quick overview of popular computer logging programs, with a special focus on N3FJP.