LAST UPDATE: 1/25/2015

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

Wednesday, January 28^th - 5:30 pm, University of Maine Barrows Hall Last Conference Room 165 Orono Walk-ins are Welcome, Sponsor: University of Maine ARC Contact: Richard Eason 581-2242 aa1pj@eastron.com

Monday, February 2nd - 6:00 pm Topsham American Red Cross, 16 Community Way, Topsham.  Walk-ins are welcome, $15.00 cash only.  Sponsored by Merrymeeting Amateur Radio Association.  Contact Donald Wakeman, KA1WAL 207-751-1166 or ka1wal.dsw@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 4th - 6:00 pm Narraguagus Estates Lower Community Hall, Estates RD, Cherryfield. Walk-ins are welcome. Sponsor: Poverty Hill Amateur Radio Group. Contact Phil Duggan N1EP 546-1575
n1ep@arrl.net 

Web Site http://www.qsl.net/hrde Talk-in frequency simplex 146.595 Mhz

Wednesday, February 4th - 7:00 pm National Weather Service Forecast Office 1 Weather Lane Gray, Walk-ins are Welcome; Sponsor: Wireless Society of South MR Contact: Thomas Watson 839-0402 w1wmg@yahoo.com

Saturday, February 7th - 10:00 am Calumet Club, 334 West River Rd (Route 104), Augusta. Walk-ins are Welcome Sponsor: Augusta ARC Contact: Ron Manson, 702-4255, w1ssf@hotmail.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 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.

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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. *****

 

2015 ARRL Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications! Applications must be completed on-line and received by January 31st. Transcripts must be received by February 13th. http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program

 

CLUB MEETINGS COMING UP:

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

FUTURE EVENTS:

 

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 CLASSES & TRAINING

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Weather Spotter Training -

Free and open to the public. 1 hr - 2 hr sessions

Training Classes

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CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT

The 5th annual Maine 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge.Sunday, February 15th - from 12-4 pm.  Last year offered the most competitive challenge yet, with only 1 QSO separating first and second overall, and a dead heat in the Mobile QRP category. The Medium Fixed category was also very close, with only 2 multipliers separating the top two.

Taking part is easy and you don't have to have a high power contest station to compete. There's categories for mobile and fixed stations, as well as QRP (5 watts), Medium (5-99 watts) and High power (100 watts or more). The exchange is simple too - just give your call sign, the name of the town, city, or township that you're transmitting from, and your power level. Then, choose a category, and get on the air! Best of luck!  For more information: http://www.qsl.net/ws1sm/contest.html?utm_source=Maine+SKYWARN&utm_campaign=8696f89e85-Contest_Announcement_Maine1_25_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3255943ca2-8696f89e85-87384513
 

NET NEWS 

Lincoln County ARES Monday nights 1900 on Dicky Glidden's k1nyy repeater 147.39+ 179.9 pl tone Backup is  on the w1pbr system 147.06+ and 145.49- 91.5 pl
Jose, kb1tcd is the coordinator of that event

HAMFESTS 2015

WINTERFEST IS COMING!!!

Saturday, February 7th - 8:00 to 12 noon Calumet Club, 334 West River Road (Route 104), Augusta. Admission $5.00. Flea market tables free, first come, first served. Gates open to vendors at 7:30. ATM and light refreshments available on site, ARRL VEC testing at 10:00. Grand prizes for the ham fest are two Baofeng UV-5B dual band HTs, to be drawn separately at noon.  The winning ticket must be present to win.  http://www.w1tlc.com

MASS HAMFEST - Saturday, February 14th - 9:00 am at 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School 25 Union St, Marlborough MA Sponor: Algonquin Amateur Radio Club. Doors open to vendors at 6:30 AM. General admission is $5. Vendor tables cost $15 by February 6th or $20 at the door. More vender information www.n1em.org Contact: fleamarket@n1em.org

 Maine State Convention is coming up on March 27th and 28th. So mark your calendars. For more information http://w1npp.org

 

GENERAL NOTICES .

Dear Amateur Radio Operators

Don’t forget to support ARRL by Shopping at AmazonSmile! Just make ARRL as your charity of choice on the amazon web page. www.smile.amazon.com With every purchase you make Amazon will make a contribution to ARRL.

 

Fran Chase, K1BBJ (SK)

Fran Chase, K1BBJ became a silent key last Thursday, January 22nd. 
Marjorie, KX1I MARA Treasurer received a call from Fran's daughter, Kimberley Burns.  She said that Fran went to the ER on Jan 12th with shortness of breath.  It turned out to be pneumonia.  Kimberley and Fran's two sons, Dan and Mark, were with him when he passed.

Kimberly said that Fran had over 200 countries. At least Fran got on the MARA Executive Board, if only for 22 days. Fran also fondly remembered his time in the Merchant Marine and he was a graduate or the Maine Maritime Academy.

The obituary notice was sent to several papers, including the Times Record,and may appear Monday.  There will be a service at 5-7pm on Wednesday, Jan 28th at the Brackett Funeral Home in Brunswick. 
Then the plan is to move to Fran's son's place at 5 Chebeague Land, in Brunswick for refreshments.  HAM radio meant a lot to Fran, and at some point Kimberly would love to have someone from the radio community say something.

Cards may be sent to: 
Kimberley Burns at 17 Free Street, South Portland, 04106

Kimberley will make sure that her brothers, Dan and Mark Chase, along with other family members see the cards.

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Androscoggin ARES/RACES Net Thursday 7 pm (half hour earlier starting in JANUARY) New time will be for all future nets until further notice. 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 Monday nights 1900 on Dicky Glidden's k1nyy repeater 147.39+ 179.9 pl tone Backup is  on the w1pbr system 147.06+ and 145.49- 91.5 pl Jose, kb1tcd is the coordinator

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.

Waldo County Emergency Management Agency's RACES/ARES HF digital training net every Wednesday at 1930 on 3.583 MHz. Early check-ins are taken at 1915. The net opens with Olivia 8-500, then switches to
Thor 50x1, both centered at 1000Hz on the waterfall. This is a training net and amateurs new to the digital modes are encouraged to check-in and will be “elmered”. We use the 147.270 (+,PL 136.5) Aborn Hill repeater for coordination. For those who cannot hit Aborn, we use the instant messaging program SPARK. For details on SPARK, the net and other digital “how-to” see www.midcoastdigiham.belljar.net

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.

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OTHER MAINE NETS OF INTEREST

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

Elmer Net/Class Started on Wednesday November 5th at 7:30 pm the Somerset County EMCOM/ARES team will be doing an Elmer net on the Madison repeater (146.730 PL tone 91.5). The net will run every other Wednesday. It will be moderated by Steve KA1C steverod@myfairpoint.net and Net Control is Dave, W1DSA w1dsa@beeline-online.net, All amateurs are welcome, from newcomers to oldtimers. Questions and comments will be welcome during the net.

Maine NBEMS VHF Net every Sunday at 1900 on the KQ1L linked repeater system, KB1TCE net manager. This net is a continuation of the Midcoast NBEMS Net that met on the Waldo County W1EMA 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 Swap Net 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.

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)

Somerset County EMCOM/ARES team will be doing an Elmer net on the Madison repeater (146.730 PL tone 91.5). The net will run every other Wednesday. It will be moderated by Steve KA1C.

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

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.

 

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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/

 

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PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT

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

Have a ham-related picture for posting. 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

Public Information Coordinator

P.O. Box 59

20 Leonard Ln

Burnham ME 04922

207-948-6222

k1sew@arrl.net

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