Category: Club News

As usual, the meeting started with introductions and the question, “What is your favorite mode to operate?” Most responses were Phone and CW, with an added nod to FT8 and RTTY. The primary topics on the agenda were a review of Field Day and looking forward to upcoming events. (See our Field Day post here.) We did take time to share our performance in the 13 Colonies Special Event. Many of those present had a clean sweep!

The Field Day review began with the highly anticipated summary of our points. Our 2026 performance was our best in 5 years, with an estimated point total of 7,150 points. This is a 24% improvement over last year! Points come from QSOs, but also from educational, safety, and outreach efforts. We hit most of the bonus opportunities, with only two missing.

The After-Action Review portion of the meeting was structured such that station captains reported, then everyone had a turn to share. The focus was on (1) things that went well, (2) areas of improvement, and (3) suggestions for next year. Many comments focused on the cooperation and perseverance of operators and trouble-shooters. Remarks also focused on local visitors and first-time HF operators. In terms of improvements, the attack of Murphy prompted much discussion of additional pre-testing of equipment and back-up plans.

The other major topic of the meeting was looking forward to upcoming events. Among those mentioned were:
**July 11, Saturday, Hermon Hamfest (website)
**August 1, Saturday, Maine State Convention & Hamfest (website)
**August 14-16, Friday-Sunday, Northeast HamXposition (website)
Several club members will be at all of these events. For those attending the Northeast HamXposition, consider joining the “Downeast Maine” banquet table on Friday and Saturday evenings. Club member and Hancock County Emergency Coordinator, Barbara KC1SSY, announced an upcoming exercise on September 16th from noon to 8pm called the “Maine Strong” event. Details will be announced later.

There is a sense of pride and accomplishment as we move on from our largest, most complex event of our calendar year. More than any other activity, Field Day brings our community together in the most basic ways. Across 3 long days, we share food, equipment, knowledge, encouragement, the love of ham radio, and the desire to be the best we can be, should a disaster strike. It won’t be long before we are planning for 2027. It’s amazing what this small, dedicated group of amateur radio operators do across the year! If you haven’t been involved, perhaps you’ll join us soon!
Written by Marion, W1GRL

If you are looking for the “Invitation to Field Day,” it’s the story below this one. (Click here for quick access.)

If you are looking for a review of the June club meeting, then you are in the right place! As everyone’s attention is on the upcoming Field Day event, the opening question was, “What is your favorite part of Field Day?” Responses varied from “when everything works,” to the time spent with other hams, to “working CW at 3am.”

Later in the program the Field Day Coordinator, Jeff KA1DBE, went over more of the details and reminders for the special weekend. Things are falling into place! Thanks to the Station Captains, Rob W8HAP on CW (Morse Code), Mark W1ABY on SSB (Phone), Barbara KC1SSY on 6 meters (Bonus Station), Jeff KA1DBE on Digital & Satellite, and Joan W1DLC on GOTA (Get On The Air station, open all visitors, including children). Also, thanks goes to the team of people working on the publicity, including Dick W1KRP, Barbara KC1SSY, Bob AB1EP, Matt KC1VLH, Alex KC1ZBO, and Marion W1GRL. All those attending received printed copies of our Field Day flyer and new club business cards featuring our website address.

Also in preparation for Field Day, Barbara KC1SSY passed out the new club t-shirts! Many thanks goes to Barbara for taking this process from first thoughts to completion!

As spoken by Steve KD1O, with an enthusiastic round of applause, the EAWA would like to formally thank Phil N1EP for his many years as the ARRL Maine Section Manager. Phil has been active in his role, visiting clubs and events, informing all of us on ARRL happenings, and encouraging us to participate in ARRL activities. Although we will sorely miss Phil’s leadership, we are happy that he now has more time to enjoy this wonderful hobby!

The program for the evening was “Bring A Favorite Gadget for Show & Tell.” Among the variety of items were a 3D printed toroid holder for winding, home-made box shade for the radio during POTA, battery boxes, nano VNA, antenna analyzer, Leatherman multitool, 22yr old Alinco HT, mini microprocessor-controlled capacitance/induction meter, coax connector kit, and a drone attachment for dropping fishing line over trees for antenna set-up. Perhaps the most unexpected item presented was a hula girl brought in by Jeff KA1DBE. She was the mascot of the W4UG (Virginia Beach ARC) Digital/Satellite Station. When Jeff returned to Maine, she came with him to reside in his ham shack.

As summer arrives, there are many fun ways to incorporate radio time into outdoor activities. Here’s to a successful Field Day, fun on-the-air activities, such as Tiles on the Air and Parks on the Air (POTA). We hope to see all the club members, friend, guests, visitors … we hope to see everyone who is interested in radio at our Field Day event! Details are in the story below.
Written by Marion W1GRL

In light of Maine State POTA Day coming up in two days (Saturday, May 16), the opening question to accompany introductions was, “Do you have a favorite location to operate portable.” While many EAWA members enjoy POTA, the responses were as varied as the number of parks in our area. Regarding the Maine State POTA Day, we were reminded that while many operate on 20 meters, we are more likely to contact others in Maine on 40 meters.

The business section of the meeting offered several noteworthy items. Barbara KC1SSY, the Emergency Coordinator for Hancock County, announced that there will be EmComm exercises in the fall that we may participate in. Andrew W1AXS, Hancock County EMA Director, gave an update on the new facilities which are currently under construction.

Two major club events have occurred since the last meeting, thus After Action Reports were on the agenda. The annual Symposium, held April 18, was a great success. (See article here.) The topics presented were of general interest, and the presenters were able to speak to the new operators as well as the experienced operators in the room. Many thanks go to the team of volunteers, headed by Jeff KA1DBE. The annual Sea of Blue Walk/5k/10k, held April 25, was also a great success. (See article here.) Everyone felt the Emergency Communications Team worked well together and performed excellently throughout the exercise. Again, many thanks to the team of volunteers, headed by Matt KC1VLH, Joan W1DLC, and Barbara KC1SSY. The Race Coordinators, Matt & Sue Heel, expressed their sincere thanks to the club.

Phil N1EP, the ARRL Section Manager for Maine, surprised Jeff KA1DBE by presenting him with the Maine Ham Radio Operator of the Year for 2026 award. Congratulations to Jeff! Anyone in the local and regional ham radio community knows Jeff is among the most active, dedicated, and generous amateur radio operators around. There will be a separate article sharing more of Jeff’s radio experiences and accomplishments coming soon.

The remainder of the meeting focused on the detailed planning of the upcoming Field Day weekend, June 27-28. The exercise has two primary themes. It serves as an opportunity to invite the public to learn about amateur radio while the stations are in operation, and if they choose, to get on the air with the help of a mentor to guide them through the process. It also serves as a challenge to clubs to try as many ways as possible to send radio waves through the air while totally off-grid, and to maintain those efforts as much as possible for a full 24 hours.

Field Day set up starts on Friday, June 26, at 10am at the Trenton Elementary School. Everything — from tents to tables, generators to radios to antennas — must be set-up in the parking lot and ball fields. Saturday, June 27, begins at 8am with any last minute set-up, educational and safety meetings, and a quick lunch. The 24 hour operations period starts at 2pm on Saturday. Many club members will be wearing club t-shirts, which Barbara kindly coordinated, ordered and shared at the meeting. (There are a few left, contact Joan W1DLC or Barbara KC1SSY for purchase.) Across the 24 hours, EAWA members and friends, and members of the public will come and go. The task of taking everything down and cleaning up the space will begin around noon on Sunday, June 28.

There will be a press-release, information to share, and many announcements coming over the next several weeks. If you have any questions, please contact:
*Field Day Coordinator, Jeff KA1DBE
*CW Captain, Rob W8HAP
*SSB Captain, Bob AB1EP
*Digital & Satellite Captain, Jeff KA1DBE
*GOTA Captain, Joan W1DLC
You may also contact our information officers, Dick W1KRP and Marion W1GRL, for press releases and other information.

For a group that sees each other frequently, whether it is at radio events or the Clandestine Coffee gatherings on Wednesdays, we still seem to have much to talk about before and after the meetings. Looking ahead, our next meeting is scheduled for June 11. All members and friends are invited to bring favorite radio “gadgets” to share with the group. This is always a fun meeting. We hope to see you there!
Written by Marion W1GRL

The April club meeting started in the traditional way, with introductions and a question: What is your favorite radio to use? Responses ranged from “my first radio” to “the radio that works” to radios known for their excellence. Among the meeting highlights was the EmComm report given by Barbara KC1SSY. She and several other EAWA members and friends participated in an emergency exercise that simulated radio responses to hurricane damage. The exercise, named “Angry Moose,” involved the local receiving and sending of precise information across 4 counties.

We also had several people bring in books, magazines, and lots of small equipment items for the Lend and Learn Library.

Jeff KA1DBE reviewed the plans for the upcoming ham radio symposium to be held Saturday, April 18th, from Noon to 4:00, titled, “Focused Communications: Choosing the Best Tools” (see details here). The event includes 5 presentations, numerous information tables, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes, and light refreshments. All proceeds go the facility, Meadow View Apartments. The symposium has been well-publicized in the local press and the ARRL Letter, as well as through many regional nets. Jeff requested that all presenters and those helping with set-up be on site at 10:00am. It would also be a great help to have volunteers to assist with the clean-up afterward.

Barbara KC1SSY and Matt KC1VLH reviewed the plans for our EmComm operations for the Sea of Blue Walk/5K/10K (see website) on Saturday, April 25. There will be 6 communications stations, staffed by EAWA members and friends, ready to relay information to the Net Control. Everyone involved in the EmComm operations should be at the Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor at 7:30am for an organizational meeting. The walk starts at 9:30 and the races at 10:00. Any hams who would like to observe the process are welcomed to attend.

We are never without things to plan and activate! On the horizon we have the New England QSO Party on May 2 and 3, the Maine-Wide POTA Day on May 16, and of course, Field Day on the weekend of June 27 and 28. As the weather gets nicer it’s time to get all your gear prepped, your calendar filled, and most of, get on the radio!
Written by Marion, W1GRL

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.

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 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.

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