The last Sunday Session gathering occurred December 29th. The good weather brought out quite a few people who were anxious to get out of their winter digs.
EAWA members and friends enjoying good conversations!
Topics of conversation (and related equipment) included packet radio, SMS messaging via APRS, EmComms for the Sea of Blue Run in Northeast Harbor, an old Oak Hills Research CW transceiver, touch-sensitive CW paddles, a Yaesu FT-818ND, the Buddistick Pro, and preparations for the upcoming Winter Field Day.
There’s still a lot of holiday spirit in the air!
It was fun to move around to various clusters of folks to learn more about their projects. There are more Sunday Sessions scheduled for 2025 — perhaps you will join us?! Written by Marion W1GRL
The weather for the December club meeting and potluck luncheon was challenging, keeping many members and friends at home. Despite that, the hardy souls who attended enjoyed a spirited business meeting and shared lunch. One important announcement was that annual membership dues will be collected in January. Dues are $15 for an individual and $20 for a family. A second important announcement was a reminder that club members will elect officers at the January meeting. EAWA members may review the proposed slate of officers in the December meeting minutes.
Everyone was focused … on the meeting and the adjournment, signaling the beginning of the potluck luncheon.
A touching part of the meeting came when the president, Jeff KA1DBE gave out certificates of appreciation to those went above and beyond in moving the club forward in 2024. The following people were recognized with certificates and a gift: * Joan W1DLC and Barbara KC1SSY for their roles in organizing the MDI Marathon Communications plan * Dick W1KRP for his role in organizing the Clandestine Coffee meetings that have resulted in the sharing of creative and productive ideas for the EAWA * Stan W1BOY for establishing and maintaining this website and Marion W1GRL for her regular notices, updates and news items * Phil N1EP for his contributions to the Sunday Sessions, volunteer testing, program presentations, and general support of the EAWA
President, Jeff KA1DBE
Certificates awarded to Dick W1KRP and Joan W1DLC at the luncheon, and later presentations were made to Barbara KC1SSY, Stan W1BOY, and Marion W1GRL
These certificate presentations were followed by some raffle drawings and a wonderful potluck luncheon. While the EAWA members and friends come together because of shared enjoyment of the hobby, the annual holiday get-together offers a chance to eat, chat, and catch-up with old and new friends. Written by W1GRL
The November club meeting agenda unfolded as usual, with a business meeting and a presentation. Two key events were reviewed: Field Day and the MDI Marathon Communications. As mentioned in an earlier post, the EAWA proved their skills by scoring in the top 10% in the country and second in Maine in their class. The review of the Emergency Communications for the MDI Marathon received an equally glowing evaluation. All those involved reported that the radio transmissions were clear, giving an accurate and timely picture of the racers’ progression along the course.
Arrive early to catch up on the latest news with other members and friends.
Among the other news items, it’s time to look forward and consider putting your name on the ballot for an officer’s position in the EAWA. If you’re interested, contact the nominating committee — Dick W1KRP and Phil N1EP. If you would like to get more involved but feel an officer’s position is too much, please reach out to the EAWA President, Jeff KA1DBE, or any other EAWA member in leadership.
Also looking forward, a new group is forming around the topic of local training for emergency situations, with a specific focus on emergency communications. Anyone may join in, whether an EAWA member or not, or whether a licensed amateur radio operator or not. If you’d like to know more, contact Dick W1KRP at res.w1krp@gmail.
Corey KU1U provided the club with the most up-to-date news on AREDN in Maine
Next up, AREDN, the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network that connects hams and stations, was the focus of the Zoom presentation given by Cory KU1U. The network uses a series of commercial off-the-shelf low-cost wireless equipment to create a radio-based way to send data. As stated in an AREDN brochure, “The AREDN Project’s focus is Emergency Communications (EmComm). It seeks to provide hams a means to implement this technology in practical ways to support local and regional emergency communications needs.” Through volunteers, donations, and secured grant money, the New Hampshire to Maine connection is extending further along the eastern parts of Maine. For more information, check out these resources: YouTube Presentation for Mainers, https://youtu.be/xKhghQm82cU?si=1OIxvTZB4I5zXi6J YouTube General Introduction, https://youtu.be/T78v7lOWZQ0?si=AQJOq7zL-mGgIDgR AREDN website, https://www.arednmesh.org/ Contact Cory KU1U at ku1u@nedev.arrl.org
This concluded a very informative club meeting. Oh, before you move on, the December meeting will be held on Sunday, December 8, at noon, at our usual location (the Meadow View Community Room). The annual Holiday Potluck Luncheon will take the place of the program. Written by Marion W1GRL
Along with Field Day, providing amateur radio coverage for the MDI Marathon is among the most important exercises in the EAWA calendar year. While most of the meeting focused on the marathon event, there were other items on the agenda, such as a reminder that it’s time to consider running for an office in the EAWA leadership. Other items included an announcement that the next Maine Parks on the Air day will be held on May 17, 2025, and that representatives from the National Weather Service at Caribou will hold an in-person Skywarn training in our area in November (details will be shared when announced).
Among the first items of business for the Marathon event is the distribution of t-shirts. The first photo below shows EAWA members and friends who are participating. Moving along the back row, left to right, is Chris AB1PZ, Owen KC1IRK, Jim W1JHG, Jeff KA1DBE, Bill KC2NMK, Mark W1ABY, and Mel W1MEB. The women, left to right, are Bernie KI4VCR, Joan W1DLC, Evie KA1BRA, and Barbara KC1SSY. Other EAWA members participating include Chris K1WJY, and Rob W8HAP.
Joan W1DLC, Barbara KC1SSY, and Evie KA1BRA, shown above, have taken leadership roles in planning and preparing for the marathon event.
As the MDI Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 20th, the club meeting was probably the last time the group would be together. Barbara KC1SSY went over several key points and last-minute reminders. After going over the course and positions for each volunteer, Barbara emphasized: (1) make sure all your equipment works, particularly at your assigned location, (2) bring extra equipment and make sure you have batteries, antennas, etc. for the duration of the day, (3) bring snacks and water for the entire day, and (4) prepare yourself and your equipment for any kind of weather. Chris AB1PZ answered questions about the arrangements at the finish line and communications on the net.
The meeting concluded with club president Jeff KA1DBE giving a review of net etiquette as it applied to the marathon communications. He emphasized the need for one person to monitor all the communication, maintaining order and brevity on the network. Serving in this role for the marathon as Net Control is Chris AB1PZ. Jeff reviewed how to break into the net with routine information as well as with a medical emergency. There are also procedures for talking with another person on the net and how to let the Net Control know when you are leaving the net. The most important things are to listen before breaking in and to keep your comments brief, sharing only the necessary information.
Providing the MDI Marathon radio coverage is a major event in the EAWA calendar that many members look forward to. Here’s wishing all the runners and everyone who supports them a great performance! Written by Marion W1GRL
The second Sunday Session, September 22nd, included an old antenna owned by Chris’s (K1WJY) grandfather and a new QRP Labs QMX transceiver with a small CW paddle brought in by Rob W8HAP. The ten hams who gathered enjoyed chatting while sharing projects and tinkering with items. Chris K1WJY set up the 20-year-old “Outbacker” antenna and was able to tune it for several bands. He then set up JS8Call and later WSJT-X.
Each tap (notch) in the antenna corresponds with a different band.
Jeff KA1DBE demonstrated how he is able to run FT8 on his phone, and even made a contact with Chris K1WJY! Jeff set up his kit-built QRP Labs QDX Transceiver and used the display on his phone, running FT8CN to work FT8 QSOs during the session.
The top photos shows W8HAP’s QMX and KA1DBE’s FT8 set up and the bottom photos show the set up for programming a Baofeng handheld radio.
Another table at the Sunday Session found Dick W1KRP setting up CHIRP software and then programming local repeater addresses into a new Baofeng HT. Rob W8HAP brought in a Tufteln N6ARA TinyPaddle that can be used on portable rigs as well as few other items. In addition to demonstrations and set-ups, there are always small jobs to take care of such as changing batteries.
CW Keyer and a tuner in need of new batteries.
Conversations ranged from new DX QSOs to the upcoming Maine State QSO Party. Mel W1MEB and Stan W1BOY spent time discussing the troubleshooting options on an occasionally erratic automatic antenna tuner. Sunday Sessions are always a grab bag, and always worth the trip! Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 