It was a hot, humid evening as members of the EAWA gathered for the business meeting, announcements, to preview some Fall and Winter club activities, and enjoy a short presentation.
The meeting was conducted by Joan W1DLC, Secretary/Treasurer, and John KQ1P, President, as seen in the photo on the left. Also in the photo are Bernie KI4VCR and Past President Jeff KA1DBE running the Zoom. In the second photo, Marion W1GRL was recognized as the Maine Ham Radio Operator of the Year and Barbara KC1SSY was recognized as the new Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Hancock County.
Here is a quick preview of some of the Fall activities:
**Weekend Sessions are starting up again, with the first session on September 14. These sessions start at noon and usually last around 2 hours. These catch-all sessions often include mentoring and assisting with new equipment or equipment repairs, and discussions around club events and emergency communications activities. It’s common to hear at Clandestine Coffee, “Well, you bring that and I’ll bring my soldering iron and we’ll fix it at the next weekend session.” You can find directions to our meeting place and the dates of the sessions on the Regular Events page of this website.
**The September 11th club meeting will include the Lend and Learn Library project. Twice a year the club encourages members and friends to bring in books or other items they are willing to loan for educational purposes. It is the responsibility of each person who brings something to work out the process with the borrower. In the past EAWA members have brought in things to give away as well, such as radio magazines and study books for license upgrades. Exchanges will occur before and after the regular meeting as well as during the intermission between the business meeting and the program. Feel free to speak up if there is a resource you would like to borrow. Two good ways to get the word out are posting in the Facebook group or sharing at Clandestine Coffee.
**Planning will begin soon for the Emergency Communications activities for the MDI Marathon, October 19. Unlike other club activities, participating in this event requires involvement in the planning and training meetings. There are opportunities to shadow operators during the event. Contact Barbara KC1SSY or send a note through the Contact Us on this website for more information.
**Plans are underway for a Club POTA gathering on a Saturday in October. Details will be announced at the September club meeting. Our goal is to have anyone who desires to bring their equipment out to set up and operate, while also offering a chance for those new to operating, operating portable, working POTA, or new to particular radios or antennas a chance to learn more. If you haven’t operated yet, even if you don’t have a license, you’ll have a chance to make a few contacts if you want to. We are likely to have Morse code and Digital stations going as well and voice (phone).
Phil N1EP shared a brief overview of Radiograms and the National Traffic System, some of the ways hams share vital information during emergencies.
Following the business meeting and a short break, Phil N1EP gave a short program titled, “Radiograms & ICS-213’s: When & How To Use Them.” He gave some history and descriptions of Radiograms and the National Traffic System. He shared some of the built-in processes designed to lessen chances of errors and information is passed through NTS nets. Several message forms were presented and explained in terms of how to fill in the information and when to choose specific forms. The pros and cons of voice and digital message handling were also mentioned. Most importantly, Phil wanted to spread the word that Jim KY2D will offer an excellent training session on Sunday, September 14 at 5PM on the Maine emergency Communications Net, 3.940 MHz. Jim will be offering this training session on the second Sunday of September, October, November and December.
Scout, the POTA Buddy, says, “Hope to see you at the next club meeting, September 11, at 7:00pm!”
What an exciting journey it has been over these last 18 months! As the primary blogger here, I’m usually writing about someone else. It feels odd to write about myself, but I must say THANK YOU to all who have inspired and helped me along my radio journey. I’ve felt the joy of being part of an active club, support from an extensive YouTube and social media community, inspiration and encouragement from radio friends, the thrill of POTAs and contesting, and strengthened companionship with my husband, Stan W1BOY, as we share this hobby.
I was completely surprised when Phil N1EP said I was the Maine Ham Radio Operator of the Year! What an honor!
When I became active in ham radio, January 1, 2024, I decided to keep a radio journal. After browsing my entries it’s clear that three things about this hobby have been foundational to my radio journey: Continued personal challenges Involvement in the EAWA Engaging the world-wide ham radio community.
I’ll spare you the task of reading a resume or brag sheet of my modest accomplishments. I’ve learned that the more I invest in the art and science of amateur radio, the more enjoyment and sense of accomplishment I gain from it. The more I engage in the world-wide radio community, the more my circle of radio friends grows and the more opportunities come my way.
Currently my favorite radio activities are SSB and Digital contests, POTA activations, and of course Field Day with the EAWA!
There are too many people to name and too many stories to tell in this short space. Again, thanks to everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey, particularly W1BOY.
What a wonderful compliment to be featured in a Facebook post from the Heart of Ellsworth, and to be hosted each week by Flexit Cafe! One of the primary functions of the radio club is to offer ways for hams to get together to discuss all things radio. We are a lively bunch!
We meet every Wednesday around 9:30am, at Flexit Cafe, 142 Main Street, Ellsworth
Perhaps you will stop by? Ask us about ham radio, find out more about the club, or learn how the radio connects amateur radio operators around the world, 24/7. The ham radio community is a wonderful community! Written by Marion W1GRL
Saturday, August 2, was a beautiful day for EAWA members and friends to make their way to the Augusta Civic Center for the ARRL Maine State Convention and Hamfest. It was great to see our friends from other parts of the state and other clubs, as well as hear the presentations and browse items on the vendors tables.
Our Maine ARRL Section Manager, Phil N1EP, was on hand to share literature and answer questions.
As is usually the case, many people closely studied the vendor tables throughout the morning. Others were in and out of presentations and group meetings.
How many EAWA members and friends can you spot in these two photos?
Among these presentations given were Parks on the Air, with Kevin W1DED, the ARRL Forum, with the New England Director and Vice Director, Tom K1KI and Phil K9HI respectively, an ARRL ARES Meet & Greet, with Maine Section Emergency Coordinator, Derrick KW1A, and a Quarter Century Wireless Association Chapter Meeting.
Kevin W1DED gave a “how to get started in POTA” presentation, inviting the audience to share experiences and tips. Tom K1KI shared some of the current issues and concerns facing the ARRL Board of Directors.
As part of the ARRL Forum, Phil N1EP presented two awards. Phil recognized Jim KY2D for his continued passion and commitment to the National Traffic System. Jim routinely handles a large number of messages along with offering frequent traffic handling training sessions. Phil also presented the Maine Ham Radio Operator of the Year to yours truly, Marion, W1GRL.
Congratulations to Jim KY2D! Marion W1GRL will be featured in an EAWA story to come. In the meantime, Congratulations to Marion W1GRL for being named the Maine Ham Radio Operator of the Year!
Even with the activities, there was time to hang out with friends and, for some, start some shenanigans! In the photos below, Mark W1ABY and Stan W1BOY share vendor notes, while Joan W1DLC, Marion W1GRL, and Barbara KC1SSY share the morning’s news. Marion and Stan were happy to catch up with their friend, Kevin W1DED. There’s something fishy about the bottom right photo…
About the bottom right photo, have you ever felt like someone was staring at you from behind (Matt, KC1VLH)?The morning ended with some chats around the Women Operators of Maine table and the final prize drawings.
What a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning! Many thanks to Cory KU1U and the Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club for organizing this time honored event! Written by Marion, W1GRL
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!
You never know who will show up to the coffee gathering, but it’s often 10 to 15 EAWA members and friends. The record attendance is 23! The bottom right photo features Dick W1KRP, the founder and primary energy behind Clandestine Coffee.
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!”
Barbara KC1SSY is a regular net controller, along with Joan W1DLC, Mel W1MEB, Chuck AC1BS, and Sean KC1SSW.
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.
The bottom left photo shows Matt KC1VLH at this first successful POTA activation, July 8th. These photos were taken at Thompson Island in Acadia National Park and at a later activation at Moose Point State Park in Searsport.
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.
Greg’s log reveals that he contacted a few EAWA members on these recent SOTA activations. What a view in Donnell Pond State Preserve!
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.)
Jeff KA1DBE shared the first of his the 13 Colonies QSL cards. Also, Joan W1DLC, who is always encouraging women radio operators to get on and stay active, shared her log on the Women Operators of Maine Facebook group.
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.
Marion W1GRL said, “I’m always trying to get one more QSO than I did the last time,” as she prepared to start the ARRL contest. Stan, W1BOY shares a similar love of ‘casual contesting.’ The map of his RTTY contacts shows his signal was getting out in this North American contest.
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.”
Jeff KA1DBE refurbished the Heathkit Cantenna for EAWA member Matt W1MRH’s vintage station. In particular, he needed to repair a pin hole in the bottom of the can.
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!
For Stan, W1BOY, these creations will make POTA activations easier when a picnic table isn’t available. Cords hold the radio and magnets hold the key in place. The power pole conversation makes radio set up easier. The bottom left shows Rob W8HAP’s antenna in the air and ready for action.
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!
While the ISS special transmissions are over, there is always SSTV (slow speed television) transmissions to be found. The top right photo shows Mel W1MEB and Mark W1ABY discussing DX. The bottom right photo is Marion W1GRL preparing for her second guest appearance on the European Ham Radio Show.
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 