A break in the snow-every-three-days cycle and sunny skies made for an inviting day to get together with other hams. EAWA members and friends met up to share radio stories, knowledge, and gear. Among the topics and projects were: **A home-brew touch-sensitive CW paddle **Setting up APRS on a hand-held **Troubleshooting a radio glitch **Packet radio **A QSL card from Antarctica **Interviews for upcoming website articles **Upcoming YL POTA day (March 8)
A relaxing, productive two hours goes quickly!
There are three Weekend Sessions left for this season – March 9, 23, and April 19. These hands-on sessions provide mentoring opportunities, trouble-shooting opportunities, and time to chat about all things radio. Perhaps you will join us next time? 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
Article in the Mt Desert Islander, February 20th, page A6
Once again, heavy snow changed club plans, moving the February meeting to Zoom. Even so, the meeting was enjoyable and informative as we tend to be lively bunch! The opening question asked us to share the longest amount of time spent on a QSO. While most shared stories of relatively brief QSOs, with some stretching 15 or 20 minutes, there were couple of reports of QSOs lasting a couple of hours.
Zoom Bingo anyone?
Here are a few friendly announcements and reminders from the meeting: *Dues for 2025 should be turned in if you haven’t done so; *Please get your survey to Clinton Spaulding if you haven’t yet; *Next Sunday Session is February 23; *Bring those Lend and Learn Library items to the March meeting; *Keep an eye out for more information about the Symposium, “ Technology & Preparedness,” to be held on April 5 from noon to 4:00.
The highlighted website was Wireless Society of Southern Maine (ws1sm.com). John KQ1P highlighted several sections of the website, including their own awards and a projects page. These items sparked some thoughts as to how the EAWA website might grow in the future.
ws1sm.com
Following the business meeting, the program focused on EmComm and volunteer needs for the Sea of Blue Autism Awareness Walk/5K/10K. The presenter, Matt KC1VLH, is an EAWA member and the director of the event. Matt shared an overview of the event which takes place April 26 in Northeast Harbor. He then shared a map of the various race routes and descriptions of the services needed. Several EAWA members expressed interest in volunteering. Barbara KC1SSY, Joan W1DLC, and Jeff KA1DBE, will work closely with Matt to coordinate Emergency Communications for the event.
Contact Matt KC1VLH or Barbara KC1SSY if you would like to volunteer some time to this important fund-raiser.
Thanks, John KQ1P, for a well-run meeting under difficult circumstances! It’s unfortunate that the frequent snow storms have interrupted so many club events. Let’s hope the trend ends soon! 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.
Clandestine Coffee often includes “musical chairs” as people move around the table to join other conversations.
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!
Marion working stations from home
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!
Matt shares the art of PSK with Barbara
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!
Joan powering through 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!
N1S met many objectives, including the WFD Special Event Bulletin
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
W1TU 