Category: Articles

Let’s try this again. This story was posted for the February club meeting, which was moved to Zoom due to difficult weather conditions. Lend & Learn is on for March! Maybe this will spark you to do a little Spring cleaning?!

Do you have extra amateur radio books or items to lend or give away? For example, we have several hams studying for their next license – are you going to use that old study guide? Perhaps you’ve upgraded some equipment, such as a soldering iron, or purchased the latest version of a book and the earlier edition is just sitting around? Someone who is just starting down that path may appreciate borrowing or taking some of those things that are just taking up extra space on your work bench or book shelf. 

Please bring any items you are willing to loan or give away to the next club meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at 7:00pm. Exchanges may occur before the meeting, during the break before the program, and after the program. Last August we held the first “EAWA Lend and Learn Library” event with good success! It was fun to see the items people brought and shared. Marion W1GRL borrowed a book on CW from Barbara KC1SSY and found it very helpful.

Each person who is willing to loan out an item is responsible for working out with the recipient how and when the item will be returned. Each person bringing items to give away is responsible for taking home whatever is left of what they brought. 

We are all in this together! Perhaps you have something to share that would make another hams journey a little better.
Written by W1GRL

You can see the joy on their faces and hear the commitment in their voices as Barbara KC1SSY and Bill KC2NMK talk about their respective roles in the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS). They volunteer their time, radios, and skills to assist in various operations in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard. MARS includes the U.S. Army, Navy-Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force.

Barbara KC1SSY has had some connection to the military for many years. In high school she was in the Civil Air Patrol, later served in the U.S. Air Force for 8 years in the 1990s, and has remained active in veterans organizations. As her interest in amateur radio grew and she gained her licenses, she also began to learn more about the MARS. At the 2024 HamXposition in Marlborough, Massachusetts, she took the opportunity to meet with MARS operators and decided to join.

Barbara uses her equipment at home to execute her responsibilities.

Barbara is in the 1st wing of the U.S. Air Force MARS. The U.S. has 10 wings, with each operating up to two nets a day with digital and voice capabilities.They also engage in numerous preparatory exercises, from the wing to transglobal levels, along with providing services such as HF radio-telephone service for personnel. MARS support reaches to the DOD and the Pentagon by providing communications to airborne assets, message handling and delivery to the National Command Center. As a member of the MARS, Barbara spends approximately 8 to 10 hours a week in training or educational exercises and engagement with weekly nets. It’s clear that the friendships she’s made and the frequent contacts with MARS members brings Barbara much happiness and a sense of purpose.

Bill KC2NMK served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years in the 1970s, and then life took him in other directions. He reconnected with the military, specifically, the U.S. Coast Guard, when he relocated in Maine. After some inquiries, he quickly learned that amateur radio operations and being a part of the Coast Guard were good matches for him, and the station in Southwest Harbor, Maine, provided the perfect location. 

As a part of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Telecommunication system, Bill engages in many roles, including quality control for weather monitoring. One of his primary roles is to serve as a Watchstander. Along with telecommunications assets, Watchstanders use HF, VHF, and repeater communications to support surface and air missions, including Marine Domain Awareness and joint military operations. Watchstanders participate in preparatory exercises so that during the loss of normal communications they can provide radio-based support for alerting, personnel recall, and the distributions of messages to officers and agencies in need of such information. In addition, participating in regional and district nets is essential. Bill spends approximately 16 hours a week in his auxiliary work, with most of that happening at the coast guard station. During this interview, his biggest smile came as he talked about times he has received a phone call asking if he could come to the station to help out. Similar to Barbara’s account, it’s clear Bill finds much happiness and sense of purpose in his auxiliary role.

Both Barbara KC1SSY and Bill KC2NMK possess a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for their respective programs. It’s gratifying to know that, in addition to the many facets of radio operations most of us know, there is a strong, dedicated group working quietly to support our military personnel, exercises and missions.
Written by Marion W1GRL

Save the date of April 5th for this year’s symposium, “Technology & Preparedness.” There will be presentations and live demonstrations of amateur radio satellite communications, Raspberry Pi 5 For Radio Amateurs, and Emergency Preparedness. Some of the featured cutting-edge technologies include software-defined radio and radios capable of making long-distance contacts via satellites orbiting the Earth. The ‘preparedness’ presentations will include some old and new techniques for dealing with a loss of commercial power, cell phone communications, or internet communications.

Phil N1EP has done a great job in pulling together topics, presenters, and door prizes for this year’s event. He also secured the ARRL designation “ARRL-Sanctioned Operating Specialty Convention” for the event. You may have seen the press releases and stories in the local papers.

All are welcome to attend! The symposium will include door prizes and refreshments. Admission is by donation, which will be forwarded to the host facility. The event will take place on Saturday, April 5, from noon to 4:00pm, at the Meadow View Apartments Phase IV Dining Hall (see map here). 
Article written by Marion W1GRL

Clandestine Coffee was the place to be Wednesday morning. The twelve or so EAWA members and friends met, as all are invited to do each week, to discuss a wide range of ham radio related topics. The group starts arriving at Flexit Cafe around 9:30 and often stays for a couple of hours. This week, topics heard among the conversations were moxon antenna cases, Field Day, emergency communications during this series of snow storms, good HF radios to buy, confirming QSOs, recent and upcoming contests, and the club meeting scheduled for February 13th.

The recent series of snow storms has, unfortunately, forced the cancellation of, or serious curtailed the attendance at, several recent EAWA activities. If any meeting or event is cancelled or changed due to weather concerns, notices will be posted on this website, the EAWA Facebook Group, and in email from an EAWA officer. Another to learn of any club changes is to join in the weekly nets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Written by Marion, W1GRL

The annual Winter Field Day (WFD) was held last weekend, January 25 & 26. The WFD website indicates that 1,517 logs were submitted — that’s a strong showing! This year EAWA members participated in their own way. Their various experiences highlight the diverse ways ham radio operators joined in the exercise.

Like some WFD participants, Marion W1GRL, operated casually from home. For her, the experience was reminiscent of the ARRL Field Day in June. There were more younger and feminine voices on than is typical in contests, and often it was clear that there were two people working together. Also, she heard more Mainers on the air than usual. Congrats to Marion who set modest goals, met them, and enjoyed the experience!

Barbara KC1SSY, participated in WFD by visiting Joan W1DLC at her operating station, and Jeff KA1DBE, and Matt W1MRH at their field site. Matt demonstrated PSK and she was able to make some digital contacts. Reflecting on her experience, Barbara remarked at the innovative ways club members approached WFD, using their personal resources in unique ways. Congrats to Barbara for her clever way of gaining ham experience and supporting others in WFD!

As an example of those who activated solo, Joan W1DLC operated in a small shack, relying on a generator and a battery. For her, WFD is a test of her equipment, skills, and stamina. She set up a 40 meter EFHW for 20 meters, and low power 40/20 linked dipole for 15 and 40 meters. Having Barbara stop by to see her operation was a highlight. Joan met her goals in all areas – preparations, operations, and take-down — all while working alone. Congratulations to Joan for a great WFD!

Like those WFD participants who operated with friends or their club, Matt W1MRH and Jeff KA1DBE set up an extensive station at Matt’s lake-side camp. Operating as N1S, they worked to meet many of the WFD objectives and multipliers set out in the new 2025 rules. They were also gracious in opening their camp to several friends, a goal that is always present in field day activities. Congratulations to Jeff and Matt for a successful WFD, excelling in objectives and outreach!

Whether it is casual involvement from home, a solo experience in an outdoor shelter, or a full-on multi-operator camp experience, WFD has something for all hams. It will be some time before scores and winners are announced, but in many ways that is secondary to the fun and learning opportunities experienced by the participants. Now it is time to look ahead to the ARRL Field Day, June 28-29, 2025. 
Written by Marion W1GRL