LAST UPDATE: 7/29/2014

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, K1SEW at k1sew@arrl.net

 

TESTING SESSIONS

Thursday, July 31^st   - 7:00 pm Wassamki Springs Campground 56 Saco St Banquet Hall Scarborough Walk-ins are welcome Sponsor: Wireless Society of Southern ME Contact: Thomas Watson 839-0402 w1wmg@yahoo.com

Monday Aug 4th - 6:00 pm Mid-Coast American Red Cross 16 Community Drive Topsham Walk-ins are welcome Sponsor: Merrymeeting ARA Contact: Donals Wakeman, KA1WAL 751-1166 ka1wal.dsw@gmail.com

Saturday, Aug 9th - 9 am American Legion 18 W. Main Street Milo Post Walk-ins are welcome Sponsor: Piscataquis Amateur Radio Club Contact Ben Kittredge 943-2849 benkit@rcn.com

Saturday, Sept 20th - 10:00 am Alexander Elementary School Route 9 Alexander Walk-ins are welcome Sponsor St. Croix Valley ARC Contact William McGarvery 853-2951 aa1zr@roadrunner.com

Saturday September 27th - 9:00 am Knox County Emergency Management Bldg. 301 Park St Rockland ME Walk-ins are welcome Sponsor: Pen Bay ARC Contact: Norman R. Smith NY1B (207) 354-6853 ny1b@toast.net
 

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 accomodations should check with the contact person in advance of the exam date.

REMINDER -- The current Technician Class (Element 2) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2014, and will be valid until June 30, 2018.  The current General Class (Element 3) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2011, and will be valid until June 30, 2015.  The current Amateur Extra Class (Element 4) question pool has been in effect since July 1, 2012, and will be valid until June 30, 2016.  When preparing for an exam, be sure you are studying the current question pool.

 

TECHNICIAN CLASS LEVEL CLASS

"The Piscataquis Amateur Radio Club will be holding Technician Class (entry level) FCC Amateur Radio license classes at Mayo Regional Hospital in the Sebec Room in preparation for FCC exams.

The classes will be held on 4 nights from 6 to 8 pm, Friday August 1st; Monday, August 4th; Wednesday August 6th; and Friday August 9th, 2014.
Exams for this class will be given on Saturday, August 9th at 9 am at the Milo American Legion building during the 2014 Three Rivers Hamfest. 
  For more information on this class, please call Dr. Ben Kittredge at 943-2849 or email at benkit@rcn.com.  Please RSVP so we can order a study guide for you."  Seating is limited, so please call and reserve your seat ASAP!"

==========================================================

 

HAM EVENTS FOR 2014

PISCATAQUIS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB THREE RIVERS HAMFEST!
AN ARRL AFFILIATED EVENT

Saturday, August 9th 8:00 am – Noon American Legion Hall 18 West Main Street Milo, Maine Talk-In: 147.210 (PL 71.9); backup 147.105 (PL 103.5)
there will be Buy, sell and swap, Amazing demos, License exams, Unbelievable prizes, Live radio contacts, and the GRAND PRIZE is a X-30A Diamond 2M/440 3.0/5, 5 DB vertical antenna Contact; George Dean WA1JMM 207-441-6112  wa1jmm@roadrunner.com For further information: http://www.k1pq.org



Emergency Communications Meeting

Everyone interested in amateur radio's role in emergency commubnications is invited to attend the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) meeting scheduled for 10:30 am at the Three Rivers Hamfest in Milo on Saturday, August 9.

Maine Section Emergency Coordinator Phil Duggan, N1EP, will address the role of ham radio public service communications within the State of Maine, and solicit input from ARES and other EmComm group members.

Embracing modern digital modes, and getting back to the fundamentals of older but reliable modes such as packet radio, CW, and voice will be discussed.

The Three Rivers Hamfest will be held at: American Legion Post 41
18 West Main Street, Milo Contact N1EP if you have any questions: Email n1ep@arrl.net or call 546-1575.
 

*****All long web site addresses for today’s announcements are on the Maine Section Web Page as a Link for your convenience. *****

 

FUTURE EVENTS:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The MS Great Maine Get Away. This is a 2 day event based out of UNE in Biddeford. Both days have multiple routes that need commuications. The dates for this event is Sat and Sun Aug 9-10 volunteers can contact Gary, N1ZNJ or preferably register online at: http://bikemam.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/MAMBikeEvents?fr_id=22534&pg=entry  click on volunteer  

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

In September, the 2nd annual BIKE MAINE trek is taking place. This is a week long event and I know that giving up an entire week for most is near to impossible. So what we are asking for are daily volunteers to be at one of the two daily rest stops along the route that is closest to you. We will be traveling daily from one community to another and then spending the night in that community. Between the start and the finish will be 2 rest stops, and that is where you come in.

Listed below are the day and locations of the rest stops:

Sun Sept 7th Standish and Casco

Mon Sept 8th Turner and YMCA Camp in Winthrop.

Tues Sept 9th Belgrade and Sidney

Wed Sept 10th Whitefield and Newcastle

Thurs Sept 11th NONE, LAYOVER DAY

Fri Sept 12th Edgecomb and Dresden

Sat Sept 13th Freeport  

If you live near any of those areas and are available on those days we could and would appreciate your help. As a thank you, you would be welcome to join us at the finish line on the day you volunteer for that evenings meal. For more information on the ride check out http://ride.bikemaine.org/ You can contact myself (Gary) or Steve, but it is PREFERABLE that you register online.

Thank you,
Gary Gilman, N1ZNJ
AEC. Oxford County CERT Comm.
Oxford County IMAT Team
COML
ALA Trek Across Maine, Communications Volunteer Lead.

 

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Loon Echo Hike and Bike Trek. is on Saturday, September 20th. This is a one day event that starts and ends at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton. It is a multiple route bike trek along with a hike route up the side of Pleasant Mountain.Hams are needed for the hike route, rest stops along the bike routes and SAG vehicles. Anyone who wants to volunteer for this event can go to: http://www.loonechotrek.org/event-details/ and click on the volunteer tab or contact Gary, N1ZNJ by email, n1znj@yahoo.com and be sure to include your t-shirt size Thank you,
Gary Gilman, N1ZNJ
AEC. Oxford County CERT Comm.
Oxford County IMAT Team
COML
ALA Trek Across Maine, Communications Volunteer Lead 

     

CLUB MEETINGS COMING UP:

Andy Club Breakfast meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 30th at 0730 EDT at the Ramada Inn on Pleasant Street in Lewiston, ME

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

 

 

=========================================================

 CLASSES & TRAINING

Weather Spotter Training - Free and open to the public.

 

========================================================== 

 

SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS

NEW ANALOG AND DIGITAL REPEATER

The Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club is now using a new analog and
digital repeater on 146.610. It receives and transmits the new C4FM
digital mode from Yaesu and can also be used like the normal .61
analog repeater always has been.

Up Date**** read until 8/10/14

****The 146.61 Auburn, Me repeater is adding a PL of 88.5 both RX and TX. This will take effect on Aug 08, 2014 at 1400 Local time. Any questions contact Ivan, N1OXA at email at ilazure@roadrunner.com.

The digital mode sounds a lot like static from an open squelch on your
radio. If you would rather not hear that digital noise you can set
your analog radios' receiver to use the 88.5 PL tone the repeater
transmits to block the digital noise and only hear analog
conversations. As usual there is no PL tone needed on the repeater
input frequency to key up the analog mode of the repeater. Analog
users who use the 88.5 receive tone squelch please check your signal
meters before keying up the repeater to make sure not to interfere
with someone you can't hear who is working the digital mode.

The club is beta testing this new repeater for the manufacturer who invites hams to use all the repeaters functions, digital or analog, you are able to and wants your comments on the new repeaters operation. Email your comments to dickknight@gmail.com along with your name and callsign so they can be forwarded to the project manager.

For more information on the System Fusion digital and analog repeater
go to www.w1npp.org 

 

Space Bulletin 003 ARLS003

From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT July 22, 2014
To all radio amateurs

Launched into low Earth orbit in 2005, the VO-52 micro-satellite carried two Amateur Radio transponders for SSB and CW. B.A. “Mani”, VU2WMY/KJ6LRS, of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said that VO-52’s lithium-ion batteries had failed, and the satellite was officially decommissioned on July 21st.

VO-52 had been designed to remain operational for just a year, but it exceeded expectations by continuing to run for more than 9 years.

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/india-s-vo-52-satellite-goes-dark

==========================================================

GENERAL NOTICES

GLENN BAXTER NOW EX-K1MAN, NO LONGER LICENSED 

Glenn Baxter of Belgrade Lakes, former license holder of the callsign K1MAN, has lost his on-going battle with the FCC.  On June 23, the Commission dismissed his license renewal application, which had been pending since 2005, because Baxter has failed to pay a $10,000 fine assessed because of violations of FCC regulations.  The dismissal took effect immediately.

For the full story, go to:

http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-invokes-red-light-rule-in-denying-k1man-license-renewal-application

For the full story, go to:

Up here in Maine, the Yarmouth Radio Club got an outstanding front page hit in this past Tuesday's (7/1/14) "Portland Daily Sun"!!

For the full story, go to:

http://www.portlanddailysun.me/index.php/newsx/local-news/12398-yarmouth-amateur-radio-hobbyists-ham-radio-was-the-first-internet

"Waldo County Hams Well-Equipped, Skilled in Emergency Communications" Article by Phil Duggan N1EP, Maine ARES
Section Emergency Coordinator put on line by the Bangor Daily News and the Penbay  Pilot.

For the full story, go to

http://bangordailynews.com/community/waldo-county-hams-well-equipped-skilled-in-emergency-communications/

http://www.penbaypilot.com/article/ham-radio-volunteers-are-essential-waldo-county-emergencies/36901
 

Phil Duggan N1EP
Maine ARES
Section Emergency Coordinator writes....

I joined Waldo County RACES/ARES in a Mass Casualty Exercise yesterday
in Thorndike. I posted a short article and photos on my web site. I
was really impressed with how the NBEMS/FLDIGI suite of software
worked to transmit ICS forms from the scene back to the EOC. Many thanks to Dale Rowley, Brit Rothrock and the rest of the Waldo County EMA, First Responders and RACES/ARES crew for the exercise.

Check out the "News" link on  http://www.qsl.net/hrde 

Digital Communications Coordinator

Steve Hansen, KB1TCE, has been appointed as the Maine Amateur Radio
Emergency Service® (ARES) Digital Communications Coordinator. Steve’s
primary mission is to promote and assist in the expansion of Packet
Radio and the Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System within Maine.
These digital modes are not only valuable emergency communications
tools, with forms and messages tailored to many served agencies, but
they are also a whole lot of fun. The NBEMS suite of programs can be
downloaded at http://www.w1hkj.com. Maine hams are encouraged to dust
off their TNCs and put packet nodes and digipeaters back on the air.
Some fun digital events and surprises are in the planning, so don’t
miss out on all the excitement! For questions and assistance, contact
Steve by email shansen@belljar.net or telephone 594-4597.
 

 Seymour Charles, KB1OWT (SK)

SKOWHEGAN - Seymour W. Charles, 53, died Friday, July 25 while cutting wood in Chesterville. He was born Dec. 24, 1960, in Skowhegan. Seymour grew up in Norridgewock and lived in Skowhegan for many years. He was a self-employed logger who valued his independence and loved the outdoors.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and talking with family and friends. Some of his best times were spent at the stock car races in Unity with his friend Scott Albee. Always curious about new activities, he learned to tie flies, earned his ham radio license - KB1OWT - and tackled any practical problem that came his way from small engine repair to installing home arsenic filters. Seymour could build anything out of metal or wood that he set his mind to - from a wood stove to steps for his new truck.

He was predeceased by his father, David H. Charles; uncle, Preston Charles; and aunt, Lenita Charles.

Seymour is survived by his partner of many years, Julie Brown; stepchildren, Scott and Emma Brown; mother, Betty Charles; sister, Sharise Charles Nason and brother-in-law Bob Nason; sister, Janine Charles and brother-in-law Rick Condon; sister Joleen Charles French and brother-in-law Glen Jones; brother, James Roche and his wife Christine; nieces, Ashley Roche, Hailey Grace, Raylyn Charles, and Isabel French, Olivia French, Sophia French; great-nephew, Colt; uncle Harley Dunlap; aunt Farrilyn Chase; and many other relatives.

Seymour will be sorely missed by all who were touched by his kindness.

Family and friends may visit from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 31 at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday Aug. 1 at Sunset View Cemetery, Route 2, Norridgewock with Pastor Robert Farley officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Norridgewock Sportsmen Association, P.O. Box 115, Norridgewock, ME 04957; www.norrsports.org.

Published in Morning Sentinel on July 28, 2014

- See more at: http://obituaries.onlinesentinel.com/obituaries/mainetoday-morningsentinel/obituary.aspx?n=seymour-w-charles&pid=171881111&fhid=11523#sthash.GXEkTfpW.dpuf

=========================================================

MAINE ARES & EMERGENCY NETS

Androscoggin ARES/RACES Net Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on the 146.610 MHz (no PL) repeater. Backup frequency 146.450 MHz simplex.  Monthly meeting on the third Wednesday at 6 p.m., Androscoggin Unified EMA Office, basement of Central Fire Station, 2 College St., Lewiston http://w1npp.org/pages/aresraces.html

Aroostook Emergency Net Monday at 8:00 p.m. on the 146.730  (no PL) repeater

Cumberland County ARES Net meets every Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. on the 146.730 - (PL 100 HZ) machine.

Franklin County ARES Net meets every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on the 147.180  (PL 123 HZ) Farmington repeater.  The team meets on the first Wednesday at the Franklin County Courthouse, 140 Main Street, Farmington, at 6:00 p.m.  All are welcome.

Hancock County EMCOMM (ARES) Net Every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., on the 146.910 (PL 151.4 HZ) repeater. All licensed operators are welcome and encouraged to check-in and participate.

Kennebec County ARES Net Sunday at 7:00 p.m. on the 145.390 repeater (PL 100 HZ).

Lincoln County ARES Net Sunday at 7:00 p.m.on the 146.985 MHz (no PL) repeater

Maine Emergency Communications Net Sunday at 5:00 p.m.on 3940 KHz (alternate freq. 7180 KHz).  K1JJS, Net Manager.

Maine Public Service Net Sunday at 9:00 a.m., 3940 KHz..  K1NIT, Section Manager, conducts administrative duties as Net Control the last Sunday of each month. FMI contact Al Sirois, N1MHC, Net Manager and Lincoln County ARES Emergency Coordinator.

Midcoast ARES Net Monday at 7:30 p.m.on the 147.210 repeater (PL 100 Hz).

Oxford County ARES Net second, third, fourth, (fifth) Monday at 7:30 p.m.on the KQ1L 146.88 (PL 100 Hz) repeater

Penobscot County ARES Net fourth Wednesdays, 7pm local time on the 145.450 (WA1RES) repeater (pl tone is 67.0).  We do monitor the N1ME repeater in case someone cannot reach the WA1RES repeater. Kevin 'Doc' Badger, N0UKM American Red Cross ME region Communications Lead, Penobscot County ARES Emergency Coordinator,  Penobscot County RACES County Radio Officer

Piscataquis County ARES Net Wednesdays, following the Piscataquis ARC on-the-air weekly meeting (which starts at 7:00 p.m.), 147.105 MHz repeater (PL 103.5).

Somerset County EmComm Net first and third Mondays on the 146.970 (PL 100 HZ) Sugarloaf repeater and on the second, fourth, and fifth Mondays on the 146.730 (PL 91.5 Hz) Madison repeater. All nets start at 7:30 p.m.

Twelve County Emergency Net opens around 9:30 a.m. (at the close of the Public Service Net on 75 meters) each Sunday, on the KQ1L linked  repeater system. Net manager: KA1RFD.

Waldo County ARES/RACES Net Monday (except the first Monday) at 7:30 p.m.on the 147.27 (PL 136.5 HZ) repeater.

Washington County ARES on-the-air meeting Monday on the 147.330 (PL 118.8 Hz) repeater at 7:00 p.m. All licensed amateurs are invited to check in.

York County ARES Training Net, Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Mt. Hope repeater (145.210 MHz, 156.7 pl tone).  Group meets first Thursday, 6:00 p.m., York County Government Building, 149 Jordan Springs Rd. (Route 4), Alfred.

28/88 VHF ARES Traffic Net  Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on KQ1L linked repeater system.  Join W1LWT in learning and sharing information to build your knowledge and skill about emergency preparedness and message handling

=========================================================

OTHER MAINE NETS OF INTEREST

Central Maine Swap Net Sunday 7:00 on the KQ1L link system.  Buy, sell, or trade ham and computer gear.  KB1GVS net manager.

Chimes Net Daily at 8:00 p.m. on the 147.060 (PL 91.5) repeater

Maine Seagull Net Monday thru Saturday at 5:00 p.m., 3940 KHz, LSB. Handling traffic into, out of, and throughout the State of Maine.  K1GUP net manager.

Maine Slow Speed Net  Monday thru Friday, 6:00 p.m. 3585 KHz.  Traffic handling at slow speeds.  W1JX net manager.

Maine Swap Net Sunday 7:00 p.m. on the KQ1L link system.  W1SSF net control.  Buy, sell, or swap amateur radio and computer items.

Maine Pine Tree Net  Daily at 7:00 p.m. on 3596 KHz. Traffic into and out of the State of Maine.  W1KX net manager.

Midcoast NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System) VHF Digital Net Sunday at 7:00 on the 147.060 (PL 91.5) repeater. This net is for practice in using W1HKJ's Fldigi, Flwrap and Flmsg applications for the transmission of messages and files

New England Party Line Net Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. on 14.293 Mhz USB.  W1UZR net manager

New England Weather Net  Daily 5:30 a.m. 3905 KHz LSB.  www.newn.org N1MHC net manager

Piscataquis ARC On-Air Meeting Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. on 147.105 repeater (PL103.5)

Radio Adventurers of Maine Sunday, 8:00 p.m., KIQ1L link system.  W1LWT net manager

Southern Aroostook Repeater Group Thursday, 7:00 p.m., KQ1L link system.

SSTV Net, KQ1L Link System; Friday at 7:30 p.m.  Send and receive Slow Scan TV Pictures (Martin 2 format).  W1SSF net manager

Waterville Area Wireless Association (WAWA) Net Wednesday 7:30 p.m. on the KQ1L system. Bulletins, club news and activities. Everyone welcome.

WX1GYX Skywarn Training Net  Wednesday at 8:00 p.m and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., KQ1L Link System. K1WTX net manager. Please visit and bookmark the NEW http://www.wx1gyx.org/ web site and discussions at: http://groups.google.com/group/gyx-skywarn

YL Net every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on the KQ1L linked repeater system. The net is open to all hams, but especially YLs, and has a rotating group of net control stations and weekly topics of interest.

 

=========================================================

MAINE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB WEB SITES

Maine has many amateur radio clubs which support the repeaters, run the VE test sessions, play mentor, assist with events, etc. These clubs can use your membership dollars to help support their activities, as well as advance ham radio in Maine. Help boost ham radio --SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB.  Check with other hams in your area to find out about the clubs near you and around the state, or ask about clubs on a repeater; you're bound to get a reply.

 

Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club www.w1npp.org/

Aroostook Amateur Radio Association http://k1fs.org/

Hancock County EMCOMM Blog hancockcountyemcomm.blogspot.com

Merrymeeting Amateur Radio Association www.ks1r.org

Pen Bay Amateur Radio Club www.penbayarc.org

Penobscot County ARES www.penobscotcountyares.weebly.com/

Pine State Amateur Radio Club www.n1me.org

Piscataquis Amateur Radio Club (PARC)  www.k1pq.org/

Piscataquis County ARES www.piscataquisares.org

Portland Amateur Wireless Assoc. www.qsl.net/pawa

St Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club   www.stcroixvalleyamateurradioclub.org

St John Valley ARA www.sjvara.com 

Waldo  County ARA www.wcara.org/

Waterville Amateur Wireless Association www.wa1wa.net

Wide Area Amateur Radio Network (WAARN) www.wa1arn.net/cmgmnt/

Wireless Society of Southern Maine www.qsl.net/ws1sm

Yankee Amateur Radio Club www.yarcme.org

Yarmouth Radio Club www.YarmouthRadioClub.org

York County ARES www.yorkcountymaineares.blogspot.com/

 

=====================================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT

If you are responsible for a testing session, hamfest or other event, 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 K1SEW@arrl.net. 207-948-6222 (home)

Have a ham-related picture for posting maybe something from field day?? Forward a .JPEG image to Joy Lynne Foss K1SEW@arrl.net and include some basic info (who or what the pic is; where taken, who shot it, etc.) get it posted to Maine Section web page to share.

 

Joy Lynne Foss, K1SEW

P.O. Box 59

20 Leonard Ln

Burnham ME 04922

k1sew@arrl.net

===========================================