LAST UPDATE 04/21/19

Exam information also available at:

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

Below you will find a list of EXAM and HAMFEST DATES. We will do our best to keep this list up-to-date. Please send along any additions and corrections to Joy Lynne Foss, Public Information Coordinator at k1sew@arrl.net

 

TESTING SESSIONS

 Saturday April 27th 9:00am Knox Co. EMA Office 301 Park St Rockland Walk-ins are welcome Sponsor: PenBay ARC Contact: Joseph Devonshire 549-0061 trainbee@aol.com

 

UP COMING TESTING SESSIONSM

Wednesday May1st 6:00 pm Portland

Thursday May 2nd 7:00 pm South Portland

Monday May 6th 6:00 pm Topsham

Friday, May 17th 6:00 pm Caribou

 

These are tentative dates only. Please check with the contact person before traveling to verify date, time, location and exams being offered.  Bring two forms of identification, including a photo I-D as well as the original and photocopies of all current FCC licenses and certificates of successful completion of exam. The photocopies will not be returned. Persons needing special accommodations should check with the contact person in advance of the exam date. 

 

REMINDER -- When preparing for an exam, be sure you are studying the current question pool.

*Technician Class (Element 2) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2018, and will be valid until June 30, 2021

**General Class (Element 3) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2015, and will be valid until June 30, 2019. 

***Amateur Extra Class (Element 4) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2016, and will be valid until JUNE 30, 2020. 

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 *****Web site addresses for today’s announcements are on the ARRL Maine Section Web Page as a Link for your convenience. www.arrl-me.org   *****

 

 

GENERAL CLASS (Element 3) question pool valid until JUNE 30. 2019. You will need a new book  as of July 1st.

 

 

CLUB MEETINGS COMING UP

Androscoggin Club Breakfast Wednesday April 24th 7:00 am at Conv and Deli, 715 Webster Street, Lewiston

 

Greater Kennebec Valley Wireless, Caffeine, Donut, Muffin, & Marching Society - Every Wednesday, 6:00 a.m., and later at Dave's Diner, Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner

 

VOLUNTEERS: 

Needed speakers and presenters for the 2019 ARRL New England Division Convention (re-branded as “Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro”)  Friday, September 6th - Sunday, September 8th 

The story can be found at: (links provided on the web page)

https://ema.arrl.org/2019/03/31/2019-arrl-new-england-division-convention-call-for-presentations/

To register as a presenter, please go to:

http://www.hamxposition.org/forums-and-classes/speaker-signup or email me if you have additional questions contact;. Phil Temples, K9HI, k9hi@hamxposition.org Program Chair Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro

 

Volunteers needed for this year’s American Diabetes Association bike event, the Tour de Cure, Sunday,  June 9th.  The Start/Finish will be at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm in Wells , Maine. The event will include several different length courses so we are looking for several ham radio operators to man communications at Rest Stops.

Required equipment would be a 2 meter mobile radio (hand held radios will not provide reliable communications in this terrain). A Hi-Viz safety vest would be beneficial.

For more information or to volunteer please contact Barry Kray, KB1VX@arrl.net.

 

HAMFEST:

ARRL BULLETIN:

ARRL Bulletin 14  ARLB014

From ARRL Headquarters 

Newington CT  April 17, 2019

To all radio amateurs

ARRL and FCC Sign Memorandum to Implement New Volunteer Monitor Program

ARRL and the FCC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that paves the way to implement the new and enhanced Volunteer Monitor program. The memorandum establishes the Volunteer Monitors as a replacement for the Official Observers (OO) program. Current OOs have been encouraged to participate in the new program.

 

ARRL has contracted with retired FCC special counsel and former Atlantic Division Vice Director Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, to oversee the ARRL's role in the development and implementation of the Volunteer Monitor program.

 

The intent of this program is to re-energize enforcement efforts in the Amateur Radio bands. It was proposed by the FCC in the wake of several FCC regional office closures and a reduction in field staff.

 

ARRL officials estimate that within 6 to 9 months the first Volunteer Monitors will be in place and ready to begin their duties.

 

 

CLASSES & TRAINING:

 

Please help Joy out.. Computer and back up crashed and is in need of emails before April 13th about current testing sessions, events coming up, email addresses and links. Any emails is greatly appreciated. email her at k1sew@uninets.net. Emails after the 13th have been received.

 

New Repeater up and running!!

The new repeater at the bunker is on the air! Time to give it a try--a workout actually. please do a report of your experience with it day or night mobile or fixed. 449.225, negative offset, with a 103.5 TS for more information and send a report Contact: Pete, KC1DFO connectme2pw@gmail.com 

 

FUTURE EVENETS:

 

ARRL TEAMS UP WITH THE RED CROSS

The ARRL has been requested by senior directors at the Red Cross to provide a demonstration of Amateur Radio’s ability to deliver messages without commercial power, infrastructure or permanently established stations.  The demonstration will take place Thursday, May 23, 9:30 – 11:30.  During a joint meeting with Red Cross and FEMA in Baltimore, MD.  Executives from Red Cross and FEMA will be observing this display of Amateur Radio.  

This exercise will be big media event and an excellent opportunity for Amateur Radio. ARRL Communication Manager, Dave Isgur N1RSN will be coordinating publicity with Red Cross public relations people and through your PIOs.

In addition to the portable stations, a Red Cross representative will be at ARRL HQ as W1AW collects messages from the field and forwards them digitally to the Baltimore station where the meeting is being held.

The exercise will require ARRL volunteers to set up Field Day style with portable stations for this event. Stations in the following States are needed:

New England Division:

ME, VT, NH, MA, CT (W1AW), RI

other divisions are:

Hudson Division:

Atlantic Division:

Roanoke Division:

W1AW at ARRL HQ will act as NCS.

Station Capabilities

Field Stations should be capable of transmitting 100 watts (minimum) and receiving SSB and MT63-2KL, an AFSK digital mode, on the 40m or 80m Amateur band from a portable location using non-commercial power, such as battery or generator. Stations are required to use a portable antenna. 

As soon as we have a list of participants the plan will be distributed. Everyone at HQ is very excited about this and expect to put on a first class show. for more information please contact: 

Norm Fusaro, W3IZ  ARRL Director of Operations w3iz@arrl.org 

 

New England QSO Party - Saturday May 4th 4pm - 1am  and Sunday 
May 5th 9am - 8pm 

The NEQP is a great time to check out antenna systems and offers a moderately paced opportunity to work new states and countries.  Even mobile. You'll find a wide variety of participants.

We're working to make sure that all of the New England counties are active again this year and would appreciate your help.  Get on for at least an hour or two and join in on the fun. 

Operate on CW, SSB and digital modes on 80-40-20-15-10 meters.   For each QSO you'll give your callsign, a signal report and your county/state.  

Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who makes 25 QSOs and sends in a log will get a certificate. 

The full NEQP rules are here ->  http://www.neqp.org/rules.html

The results from past years are posted: http://www.neqp.org/results.html

For more information or to sign up with your county please email  info@neqp.org if you can put in any time at all so we can work on activity from the rarest counties

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National Weather Service-Caribou, Maine  

http://www.weather.gov/car/Outreach_Spotters             

National Weather   Service-Gray, Maine   https://www.weather.gov/gyx/skywarn

 Weather Spotter Training - Free and open to the public. Sessions Run  1 hr - 2 hr

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So Now What?

:"All about Safety"  is the focus as of  April 18th episode of the "So Now What?" podcast for Amateur Radio newcomers.  This biweekly podcast has answers to your questions! New episodes will be posted every other Thursday, 

 

The Doctor Will See You Now!  

"Listening Outside the Ham Bands" is the topic of the latest  as of April 11th  Listen... and learn all things technical. You can also email your questions to doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor may answer them in a future podcast.Pod Casts episodes are archived on the ARRL Website. 

 

SUPPORT THE ARRL THROUGH AMAZON SMILE.

Just make ARRL as your charity of choice on the Amazon web page. With every purchase you make Amazon will make a contribution to ARRL www.smile.amazon.com

 

PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT

If you are responsible for a testing sessions, ham fest  or other events, please make sure to send your listing in as soon as you have the date and other info. All info to: Joy Lynne Foss, Public Information Coordinator

Joy Lynne Foss, K1SEW, Public Information Coordinator P.O. Box 59, Burnham ME 04922 k1sew@arrl.net OR k1sew@uninets.net

207-948-6222  

 

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 Tuesday evening,  J. W. Oliver, Lincoln county News:

We are pleased to report a successful Meeting of Boy Scout Troop #142 took place at the Waldoboro Legion Hall, 181 Jefferson St, Waldoboro Monday evening 18 March 2019 under the Leadership of Scoutmaster, Cheryl Stone, Waldoboro, ME.

Ceremony took place sharply at 6 PM with Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Honors & Duties. The picture shows from left to right Amateur Radio Instructor, Alan Johnson, N1IEJ; Tim Crawford, Master-at-Arms, American Legion; Brock Chandler, Scout; Edwin Stone, Scout; & Blane Stone, Scout. also in attendance were: Cheryl Stone, Scoutmaster; Sara Smith, parent; Peter McCrea, Amateur Radio Instructor, KC1IPZ; Ethan Smith, Scout & Al Sirois, N1MHC, Asst. Section Mgr. & Merit Badge Counselor BSA. Peter McCrea lead the BSA Merit Badge training covering Radio Wave Propagation. He brought a globe of earth and explained how radio signals are able to travel from Vancouver, BC around the world keeping in touch the progress of the singlehanded sailboat. Direct communications and relays from around the world cruising sailboat were continuing  from Waldoboro, ME, Florida and another Ham in Canada. Peter McCrea is also an active sailor in his 36 ft sloop "Panacea" and lives in Thomaston, ME.

 

A very important part of the BSA Radio Merit Badge is understanding antennas and the frequencies of operation. Alan Johnson, N1IEJ also did a fine job and demonstrated the "468 RULE". The Scouts were able to identify all the different types of antennas they were familiar with, and are now able to identify what frequency is been utilized at these different locations. Conversely, when designing & building an antenna for radio operations, Scouts will be able to find out just how long the wire antenna will operate at it's most efficient length.

 

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)  is a Boy Scout Activity completed once a year in a thousand locations all over the USA & Canada. This year it will be held the 3/rd week in October, and the location in Maine has not yet been determined. Al Sirois, N1MHC, also an Instructor explained his participation in a JOTA which took place at the Brunswick Naval Air Base in Brunswick, Maine where over 1000 Scouts participated. The Maine Amateur Radio Community supports this activity and provides Operator Controlled Stations, normally in tents,  to facilitate Scouts to attain Radio Merit Badges completing the last phase requirement, making contacts with other Scouts in the USA & Canada.

It is very import to keep our youth in an organized, safe, challenging, and healthy environment. The Boy Scouts of America and Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), Newington, CT has been supporting this concept for many years. Under the Direction of Scoutmaster, Cheryl 

Stone, we welcome NEW Scouts or hope to become Scouts to weekly meetings, 6 PM at the American Legion Hall, 181 Jefferson St, Waldoboro, ME. For more information call Cheryl at 207-790-0696

Submitted & photo by Al Sirois, POB-2, East Boothbay, ME, 04544

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ARRL Bulletin 9  ARLB009

From ARRL Headquarters  

Newington CT 

March 15, 2019

To all radio amateurs   

Commenting Electronically on FCC Proceedings  

Those interested in posting brief comments on Petitions for Rulemaking (PRMs) to the FCC, such as the ARRL using the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) should access FCC Electronic Comment Filing System Express at,     https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express 

In the "Proceeding(s)" field, enter the number of the PRM, complete all required fields, and enter brief comments in the box provided. You may review your post before filing. All information you provide, including name and address, will be publicly available once you post your comment(s).  Visit "How to Comment on FCC Proceedings" for additional information at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-comment .

 

 

***Check out the SWAP NET on Sunday Evenings at 6:30 pm on the link system with Miriam, kc1aih as your net contol, You never know what bargins you can find.  Looking for something put it on the swap net someone just might have it. .Just listening check in anyway to let Miriam know you are there***

 

NEWCOMERS ROUND TABLE NET 

Check out a great net on every Sunday at 6:45 pm on the 147.090 W1QUI ( 100+pl)  repeater in Falmouth. New or long time hams are all welcome to join in the  newcomers round table net. Interesting topics are always discussed. Your net controller is Paul Courchene. KJ6JBH

NEW REPEATER ON - THE AIR

Livermore ME at Tim WT1A's residence.146.895MHz - 103.5Hz(input AND output) Like the Lewiston 146.610MHz-88.5Hz and Poland 147.135MHz+103.5Hz this is a Yeasu Fusion C4FM Digital/Analog Repeater. check for channel activity in other modes before transmitting

Maine Packet Group
https://groups.io/g/MainePacketRadio/topics


1st and 2nd Wednesday 4pm Mt. Washington Repeater 146.655MHz- 100.0MHz HARP Net -Hospital Amateur Radio Program http://gblakesl.net/N1GB/N1GB_HARP.html

 

Lewiston Net on 146.610MHz-88.5Hz Repeater every Thursday, currently is at 7pm. As of January 3rd it will be held at  it's new time 7:30pm.