LAST UPDATE:  09/22/17

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, September 30th 9:00 am Knox Country EMA Office 1 Park street Rockland, Walk-ins are welcome. Sponsor: Pen Bay ARC Contact: Joseph G. Devonshire, 549-0061 trainbee@aol.com 

Tuesday, October 17th 5 PM Caribou Public Library 30 High St Caribou Walk-ins are Welcome Sponsor: WB1ILS VE TEAM Contact: Brandin S. Hess 496-8802  wb1ils@linuxmail.org

Thursday, October 19th 6:00 pm Stewart Morrill American Legion #35 413 Broadway South Portland Walk-ins are Welcome. Sponsor: PAWA Contact: John W. Bogner 776-2288 jbogner1@maine.rr.com

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, 2014, and will be valid until June 30, 2018.

**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   *****

CLUB MEETINGS COMING UP:

Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club Club Breakfast Wednesday September 27th 0730 EDT It will be at  Ramada Inn, 490 Pleasant St., 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.

ARRL Bulletin 17  ARLB017

From ARRL Headquarters  

Newington CT  September 8th

To all radio amateurs 

ARLB017 Operating Procedures During Hurricane Irma

Please be aware that due to this series of weather events, numerous emergency and public service nets are in session, especially on the 80, 40, and 20 meter bands. US licensees are reminded that Part 97.101 (c) always gives priority to stations providing emergency communications. In order for Amateur Radio to play an effective role in supporting humanitarian efforts, it is key that all licensees cooperate to minimize potential on-air problems. 

Primary users on the 60-meter channels are using those channels extensively. Amateur stations, as secondary users, must ensure that their communications are conducted in such a manner to ensure that Federal government stations can have immediate use of any 60-meter channel.

Amateurs, please make sure you are leaving adequate breaks between transmissions to allow the primary stations to use the frequency. 

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, it is human nature for persons outside of the affected area to seek information on their loved ones. Those wishing to send Health and Welfare queries are encouraged to use the American Red Cross's ''Safe and Well'' website to facilitate those contacts: link on Maine Section Web Page

https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

ARRL Bulletin 18  ARLB018

From ARRL Headquarters  

Newington CT  September 15, 2017

To all radio amateurs 

FCC Opens 630- and 2200-Meter Bands; Stations Must Notify UTC Before Operating

The FCC has announced that the Office of Management and Budget has approved, for 3 years, the information-collection requirement of the Commission's March 29th Report and Order (R&O) that spelled out Amateur Radio service rules for the two new bands - 630 meters and 2200 meters. The R&O in PDF Link is on the ARRL Maine Section Web Page

https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-33A1.pdf 

Notice of the action appears in today's edition of the Federal Register. Before using either band, stations must notify the Utilities Technology Council (UTC), formerly the Utilities Telecom Council, that they plan to do so, and if UTC does not respond within 30 days, they may commence operation. The new rules do not permit any mobile operation.

The website to notify the UTC link is on the ARRL Maine Section Web Page. https://utc.org/plc-database-amateur-notification-process/ 

Amateur stations will be permitted to commence operations after a 30-day period, unless UTC notifies the station that its fixed location is located within 1 kilometer of Power Line Carrier (PLC)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

HAMFEST:

 NEAR-Fest XXII

October 13th & 14th Deerfield, New Hampshire.

This summer there have been some major changes at the Deerfield Fairgrounds. This will affect how and where we get on the Fairgrounds and how we access the camping area. For more information, tickets and updates please go to thier web site near-fest.com 

FUTURE EVENTS:.

The 2017 Maine QSO Party is right around the corner! This year's contest takes place September 23rd -24th for 24 hours, beginning at 1200 UTC on 9/23. Be sure to mark your calendars and get your county on the air! for more information go to the link on the Maine Section Web Page

http://www.qsl.net/ws1sm/Maine_QSO_Party.html

CLASSES & TRAINING

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Weather Spotter Training -

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

National Weather Service-Caribou, Maine  

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

National Weather   Service-Gray, Maine     http://www.weather.gov/gyx/skywarn_skywarn.htm .

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Don't forget the Swap Net is on the air Sunday's 6:30 pm on the link system.

The Doctor Will See You Now! 

This podcast is a lively discussion of all things technical. Current topic "How High is High Enough" as of September 14th. Email your questions to: doctor@arrl.org They just might be answered on the air. Pod Casts episodes will be 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,  20 Leonard Lane, Burnham ME 04922 k1sew@arrl.net 207-948-6222