July Club Mtg: Field Day Results

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The July club meeting started with a loaded question: How did you get interested in ham radio? The stories were unique, and yet demonstrated some common themes. Most attendees became interested in amateur radio when they were young, many were in and out of the hobby, and all were happy to be active today. There were several items of old and new business, including a quick recap of how we did with the 13 Colonies Special Event.

Field Day results were the topic of the evening.

Rob W8HAP gave an informative, detailed summary of our Field Day performance. We were successful in achieving most of the bonus points available. Overall, we completed 1,155 QSOs spanning 22 hours of operation. We made contacts on four continents (NA, EU, OC, and AS) and in 10 CQ zones.

Other highlights included:
*Contacts with 48 states, missing Oregon and Alaska
*Most contacted states were Florida and Illinois
*Contacted 17 countries, including Ukraine, Turkey, and Tonga
*Most contacted countries were USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico
*GOTA station had several visitors, with 23 contacts

During the discussion of Field Day there were many views expressed regarding things that went well and areas where we could improve. Most of the discussion revealed that we are delighted with the amount of energy, dedication, and perseverance demonstrated by all involved. Considering the challenging weather conditions, most felt the stations ran well. Everyone enjoyed the networked logging, specifically the ability to see where other stations are operating and the number of QSOs each station had completed. We had at least 19 visitors, a reflection of an increased emphasis on advertising. The discussion of operations ended with an action plan for ways to improve next year.

Before and after meeting there’s always time for some conversation.

As this was the first time many of us had been together since Field Day, stories of funny incidents, serious challenges, and good food were shared. The event is truly the highlight of our year, not only in terms of the size and length of the event, but also for community-building and creating shared memories. Field Day 2025 provided a strong foundation for moving into upcoming summer and fall radio events.
Written by Marion W1GRL

Field Day 2025: Dedication In Action!

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The ARRL describes Field Day as bringing together “public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event.” The EAWA members and friends did that and more in challenging weather conditions. Our success on Field Day was a combination of planning, the kind-hearted sharing of shelters and equipment from local hams, the help of all those who supported the operations with food and fuel of all sorts, and the sharing of operating time such that all who wanted to get on the air in any capacity had time to do so.

The photos in this piece were taken by several people – THANK YOU! We usually list the name and call sign of everyone in a photo, but in this case there’s a good chance someone would be left out as many EAWA members and friends were involved (whether pictured or standing just out of camera view).

On Friday, June 27, we spent the afternoon surveying the site at Trenton Elementary School, inventorying all the equipment boxes, and setting up shelters and antennas. We were thankful for the good weather … we knew the forecast for Saturday was less than ideal.

The event began with a pep talk from our Maine ARRL Section Manager, Phil N1EP, and a quick round of “how are you doing” conversations. Then it was time to get to work.
Much of Friday was spent setting up the Phone tent (top left), the hex beam antenna for the Phone station (top right), the CrankIR antenna for the CW station (bottom left) and the satellite antenna (bottom right). Not shown are atennas for the Digital station, the Get-On-The-Air station, and a second antenna for the Phone station.
Saturday morning activities included final checks of the antennas, setup the Get-On-The-Air station (tent and canopy), and hanging the welcome sign. Saturday also brought rain … lots of rain.
Prior to the operating start-time (2pm), we listened to a briefing from our Safety Officer, Barbara KC1SSY, had lunch, provided by Bernie KI4VCR, and enjoyed an educational, interactive presentation from our club president, John KQ1P. We also gathered up the materials to give to visitors.
Our Field Day Captain, Jeff KA1DBE, built a LAN for logging QSOs. It was great to see who was operating at each station, what band they were on, and how many QSOs each station had completed.

There were many photos taken during the non-operating times. Once the event started however, it was all hands on the radios and not on cameras! Even though it rained much of the time, we had several visitors from the public stop by to learn more about amateur radio. We also had visits from many EAWA members and friends.

The Get-On-The-Air station, organized and run by Captain Joan W1DLC, was visited by several new hams and interested people from the public. Matt KC1VLH (pictured) and Matt KC1WYF spent many hours learning and practicing phone QSOs.
The Phone (SSB) station was a busy place! The Captain, Bob AB1EP (top right), helped organize, set up, and get operations started. Mark W1ABY and Mel W1MEB spent many hours there, along with Marion W1GRL. Other EAWA members took turns working SSB as well.
The Digital and Satellite Station, led by Captain Jeff KA1DBE (top left), was also busy. Bill KC2NMK and Barbara KC1SSY, along with some guests, kept the digital QSOs flowing. Jeff kept up with satellite passes, ARRL messages, networking, and filling-in as needed.
The most modest (in terms of photos) and most productive station, the CW station, was led by Captain Rob W8HAP (top photos). Two members of the group of CW operators, Stan W1BOY and Howard K2AAU (bottom left), were on board for the entire experience.

Sunday, June 28, brought dryer weather conditions, sleepy eyes, the last big push for QSOs, and the site clean-up. Most people stayed the full 30+ hours, napping in their car or the elementary school gym when needed.

Sunday daybreak brought a wonderful, warm breakfast cooked by Matt KC1VLH. We continued to operate until noon, and then it was time to break everything down, pack up, and clean up the site.

Was it a perfect Field Day experience? Yes! In its own rustic, home-grown way, it was perfect. We made several new friends, met new hams and possibly recruited some folks to join the club, and best of all, we may have introduced ham radio to some who will follow up and get their license. We further solidified the bonds in our radio community by working together, sharing food and radio time, trouble-shooting, and managing to keep each other awake for hours to make sure the radios were active as much as possible. We left the grounds better than we found them, and left the event with pride and sense of accomplishment. Yes, it was perfect. And Field Day 2026 will be perfect too.
Written by Marion, W1GRL

You Are Invited!

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ARRL Field Day events are open the public, and Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association (EAWA) hopes to see you at our Field Day exercise! Join us at the Trenton Elementary School, across from the Bar Harbor Airport on Route 3, for demonstrations of how amateur radio works. The nation-wide event starts at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 28, and runs until around noon on Sunday, June 29.

We will have a Get-On-The-Air station for anyone who wants to experience talking with another radio operator. The helpers at this station will be with you every step of the way, explaining how the process works. We also have many handouts with information.

In addition, you can stop by several stations where operators will be making radio contacts with voice communications, Morse Code, satellite communications, and computer-over-the-airwaves communications. You will also see multiple types of antennas and radios in action.

Amateur radio is a hobby of a thousand hobbies. Stop by during the Field Day activities, or any other EAWA event, to find out more about this compelling and useful hobby. 

Look for the banner at the Trenton Elementary School, 51 School Road in Trenton, across from the Bar Harbor Airport on Route 3.

June Club Mtg: Field Day and More

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The June club meeting was mostly dedicated to final planning for the 2025 Field Day (June 28-29), punctuated with many stories from previous Field Day events..

Rules, Public Relations Information, Posters, and more can be found at the ARRL Field Day website.

A theme that ran through the various announcements and stories is that the EAWA community is at it’s best when all are involved — and there are many ways you can be involved. For example, there were two noteworthy announcements:

*We are in need of Net Control Operators. If you want some basic information about the two local nets, check out our recently published story, “The EAWA Weekly Net is 30 Years Old!”. Please contact Joan W1DLC if you are interested.

*An Emergency Communications Survey was sent out recently to determine how EAWA members may be involved should an emergency arise and the types of emergency-related training we may be interested in. There is still time to fill out the survey. There will be a presentation on the results at the July club meeting. Contact Barbara KC1SSY if you need the link to the online survey.

The meeting was well attended, particularly considering we are in the season for vacations, graduations, weddings, etc.

Most of the meeting centered on Field Day Planning. EAWA members and friends will gather on Friday, June 27, at 1:00, at Trenton Elementary School for an afternoon of prep work. On Saturday we will get started by 9am. We need to set up numerous antennas, position the Hancock County Emergency Management Trailer, set up all the shelters, equipment, literature, banners, and test everything. This year we are networking all the logging computers, so that will need to be tested as well. In addition, prior to 2:00pm, we have several presentations and lunch.

Field Day sites around the country can be found at the ARRL Field Day Station Locator.

Once the event officially starts at 2:00pm, we hope to keep the CW, SSB and Digital stations going for 22-24 hours. The GOTA (Get-On-The-Air) station will be ready to go Saturday and Sunday should any guests want to experience talking on the radio. EAWA members and friends who are not active are also eligible to use the GOTA station and, in doing so, provide meaningful points to our overall score for the weekend. While it is easy to get focused on radio operations, a major part of this event is to share the hobby of ham radio with others. STOP BY! PARTICIPATE! BRING YOUR FRIENDS! 

Trenton Elementary School is across from the Bar Harbor Airport, at 21 School Road (just off Route 3). This year, on Saturday, we will share the space with the Trenton Days Festival and the Butterfly Festival.

If you have any specific 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

Finally, when things wind down Sunday afternoon, we need to take everything apart, pack up, and clean up the area. A fresh set of hands is always appreciated during the clean-up! It is a meaningful way to participate in Field Day as we all make sure we are leaving the grounds as good or better than how we found them.

The conversation always continues after the meeting.

The EAWA functions best when everyone comes together to share their skills and energy. Whether it is net control, filling out a survey, or helping in Field Day, it is the way we come together when needed that makes this group so special. See you at Field Day!
Written by Marion, W1GRL

Radio Activities in Challenging Weather

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It seems weather has dominated the radio conversations lately, whether it is the continuing pattern of weekend rain or space weather disrupting propagation. Depending on where you live in the area, we’ve had 12 or more weekends of rain, putting a damper on some anticipated radio events. For example, the combination of rain, thunder storms, and geomagnetic storms made for a rather difficult Maine-wide POTA day. Several EAWA members attempted POTA activations or hunting, with a few reaching their goals. Those who persevered were proud of their efforts!

Jeff KA1DBE operated from Fort Point, while Stan W1BOY and Marion W1GRL operated from Acadia National Park. Several others were operating in the challenging conditions, including Joan W1DLC.

Another highlight for many EAWA members is the Hermon Hamfest. Scheduled for yet another rainy Saturday, the event moved indoors. Those who attended had a great time.

Several EAWA members and friends made their way to the Hermon Hamfest, including Joan W1DLC, Barbara KC1SSY, Mark W1ABY, Mel W1MEB, Phil N1EP, Steve KD1O, and Becky Ann W1LIC.

As we prepare for the club meeting on June 12, and then turn our attention to Field Day (June 28-29), there are several fun radio activities to keep us going. Earth and space weather permitting, there are always opportunities to participate in contests (see the Contest Calendar) and special events stations (see the ARRL Special Events Calendar online or in QST). Opportunities for POTA, SOTA, DX hunting, and nets are always available too. Eyeball QSOs at Clandestine Coffee are fun no matter what the weather is outside!

Any given Wednesday around 9:30am at Flexit Cafe in Ellsworth, you’ll find 10 – 20 EAWA members and friends discussing radio and club-related topics.

A couple of special events occurring soon that many EAWA members enjoy include the Museum Battleships on the Air, and the first of the trifecta of multi-day special events, the Lewis & Clark Trail on the Air. The 13 Colonies event occurs in July and the Route 66 event occurs in September.

Both events have operators in multiple modes and nice QSL cards and certificates.

We all know that at some point the rain will slow, or at least come mid-week rather than every weekend, and the space weather will calm, allowing for strong signals again. In the meantime, we persevere and embrace the challenge!
Written by Marion W1GRL