ARRL  Maine Section Web Page

Update: 1/12/2023

Happy New Year! Wishing all Maine ham radio operators a healthy and prosperous 2023! 73 from Phil Duggan, N1EP, Maine Section Manager

Thank you for visiting the Maine ARRL section official web site, where you will find the latest news, upcoming test sessions, hamfests and other events, bulletins, and links to Maine's ARRL affiliated ham radio clubs. Check back often for the latests updates!

 Maine Amateur Radio Bulletin

 HELP NEEDED FOR CANAM CROWN DOG SLED RACES

Organizers of the CanAm Dog Sled Races in Aroostook County are looking for more ham radio volunteers to help provide communications for the event. The event is March 4 - 6 but volunteers can attend a Mar 3 planning meeting and are also invited to the dinner and awards ceremony on March 7.

Derrick Ouelette, KW1A, is requesting more amateur radio operators to help with communications, especially in Allagash March 5-6,  and he also may need a net control station. 

Past ham volunteers have said that the dog sled race communications is an amazing public service event and one well worth participating in. Contact Derrick if you can help. He can give you all the details on lodging, and other information. Email kw1a@arrl.net

Take It To The Field!

Check out this awesome article by Maine Assistant Section Manager Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, about portable operations. Click on below link and then scroll down a bit. Great article, Jeff!

https://mainearrl.org

Worked All Maine Award

The Pine State Amateur Radio Club sponsors a "Worked All Maine" award where if you get a confirmed contact in all 16 Maine counties, you can apply for a Worked All Maine certificate. If you need more wallpaper, here is your chance! Details are listed at https://n1me.org/home/all_maine_award.php

 VOTA 2023

The ARRL's Volunteers On The Air event is going to be a year-long operating activity that is sure to be fun! I already have plans to be on the air often to give participants my 175 points as a section mananger. Folks will upload their logs to Logbook of the World and will be able to earn certificates and awards. Every state will also be actived twice in 2023 for week-long W1AW portable activations. What a great way to earn your Worked All States award! Point systems, state schedules, and other details are listed at http://www.arrl.org/volunteers-on-the-air

Much appreciation to John Huffman, K1ESE, who has volunteered to be Maine's W1AW Activation Copordinator. As it stands now, Maine's activation for W1AW will be next September and in December. But you can get on the air anyday and everyday making contacts, earning points, and having a blast during VOTA 2023!

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 TESTING SESSIONS

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Bring a legal photo ID or two alternate forms of ID as listed at (http://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session) and your FRN (FCC Registration Number) gotten prior to the testing session. web page: fcc.gov  for free. Bring the FRN and any certificates of successful completion of examinations, and copy of amateur radio license if applicable. The photocopies will not be returned. Persons needing special accommodations should check with the contact person. Face Masks may be required. Check with contact person for details and to confirm session dates, pre-registration, etc.

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

Technician Class (Element 2) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2022, and will be valid until June 30, 2026

**General Class (Element 3) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2019, and will be valid until June 30, 2023. 

***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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01/14/2023

Sponsor: Pine State ARC
Date: Jan 14 2023
Time: 9:00 AM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Peter Bither
(207) 944-2616
Email: redbeard104@aol.com
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Calvary Chapel
154 River Rd
Orrington ME 04470

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From James Jalbert

Aroostook Amateur Radio Association

The club is hosting a test session Saturday January 28, 2023, it will begin at 11:00am at the Presque Isle Library. 

I am going to host a two day class on Saturday Jan 21, and Sunday January 22, 2023 at the County EOC here in Caribou. The class would run from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, and from 12:00pm to 4:00pm on Sunday, with a remote followup for any last minute questions or extra help on Friday January 27, 2023 through a session zoom from 6:00pm to 8:00pm or so(this session is not mandatory, only if you have questions, very informal pop in and out as needed)

If you know anyone interested in the class and/or testing, please let me know who and their information, and I will reach out to them, or have anyone interested contact me. I have 5 for the class so far.

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02/11/2023

Sponsor: Augusta ARA
Date: Feb 11 2023
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Joseph G. Devonshire
(207) 549-0061
Email: trainbee@aol.com
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Le Club Calumet
334 West River Rd
Augusta ME 04330

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BULLETINS

Boat Anchor Hamfest FEB 11, 2023

Don't miss the Boat Anchor Hamfest that is from 0800 to noon on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Calumet Club, 334 West River RD, Augusta, ME. Admission is $5.  Come find a great deal on ham radio and other electronics gadgets. Maine Section Emergency Coordinator Keith Anoe, KE4UCW will be a guest speaker to discuss the state of Maine Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Hamfest coordinator is George Szadis, K1GDI, email grszadis@aol.com. There will be a VE exam session during the event at 9AM. (See exams above.)

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Androscoggin ARC Hamfest & Maine State ARRL Convention March  24 - 25, 2023

Ham radio gear, electronics equipment, and more will be at your fingertips during the hamfest and convention. There will be featured speakers and presentations on Friday evening. Saturday morning is the hamfest and more featured speakers and presentations, as well as a VE exam session.Hamfest Chairman is Ivan Lazure, N1OXA, email n1oxa@yahoo.com

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ELMERS/MENTORS NEEDED

If you would like to assist a new or perspective ham or even an experienced ham in need of help, please ask N1EP to add you to the Maine Statewide Mentoring list. You can provide advice, actual physical assistance or whatever level of amateur radio help you are comfortable with. Your name and local region of Maine will be listed at https://www.mainearrl.org/mentors-elmers BUT your contact info will remain private. If someone needs help from your region, we will put you in contact with them.

PLEASE become an Elmer! Contact person Phil Duggan, N1EP Maine Section manager, email  n1ep@arrl.net 598-5397 

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Maine ARRL Affiliated Clubs

Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club

Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association

Maine Ham Radio Society

Merrymeeting Amateur Radio Association

Pen Bay Amateur Radio Club

Pine State Amateur Radio Club

Piscataquis Amateur Radio Club

Saint Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club

Saint John Valley Amateur Radio Association

Waldo County Amateur Radio Association

Waterville Area Wireless Association

Wireless Society of Southern Maine