Maine
Contact Information
- Section Name:
- Maine
- Contact:
- Phil Duggan N1EP
- Daytime Phone:
- 598-5397
- Evening Phone:
- 598-5397
- Fax:
- na
- Email:
- n1ep@arrl.org
Basic Information
- Division:
- New England
- Description:
-
ARRL Maine Section Web Page
Update: 2/9/2024
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!
ALERT! Major Change At NearFest
There has been a significant change for the spring version of NearFest in NH for April 2024. There will be no hamfest on that Satuday. Instead it will be Thursday and Friday. Check out the details here: https://near-fest.com/
MAINE BULLETIN 24-002
Boat Anchor Hamfest
The Boat Anchor Hamfest will be a great place to buy, sell, swap used and new ham radio gear and other items. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet your fellow hams in person and break the winter blues with some socializing and fun. It will be held Saturday, February 10 from 8am until noon at the Club Calumet, 334 W River RD, Augusta, ME. VE exams will be held at 9:30am. VE Team Liaison is Joseph G. Devonshire, AB1YO email trainbee@aol.com. Hamfest coordinator is George Szadis, K1GDI. Food and refreshments will be available.
MAINE BULLETIN 24-001
Start Scanning and Replying Please
One of the reasons eighty percent of new hams vanish from the ham radio scene within a year of earning their license is that they rarely get replies when they get on a VHF/UHF repeater or simplex frequencies. Some regions have more activity than others but all are being underused. Let's start scanning or monitoring the 2-meter and 70cm bands again and welcome these new hams to the world of amateur radio. Please scan FM, Fusion, DMR, and DSTAR memory banks and let's communicate like hams and bring these bands back to life, for the sake of amateur radio's future!
Communicate - Collaborate!
Ask your club officers to assist with the Maine section goal to better communicate and collaborate between ham rado clubs, as well as between ARES/RACES groups. The May 18 Maine-wide POTA event could be one opportunity, but potential for teamwork all year long is high! It will be fun, rewarding, and enhance our hobby and service.
MAINE BULLETIN 23-001!
Parks On The Air
MAINE-WIDE POTA DAY!
Jeff Hanscom KA1DBE, president of the Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association and Assistant Section Manager, is organizing a state-wide POTA activation for Maine. The selected date is Saturday, May 18, 2024. Clubs and individual hams are asked to activate a state or federal park on that date. This will be widely promoted to give POTA fans far and wide a heads up to work Maine parks on that day. What a fun event this can be for yourself and club members. ARES teams and other groups are also encouraged to join in the fun. There are 32 state parks, 4 national parks, and a multitude of national wildlife areas and other entities in Maine that can be activated. Check out parksontheair.com for rules, a map and other details of sites near you. Direct any questions to Jeff - email j.hanscom@gmail.com
Maine Simulated Emergency Test Friday, Oct 27, and Saturday, Oct 28. Contact your local ARES EC or Maine SEC Keith Anoe keith@anoe.us for more info.
ACTION NEEDED! Deadline Extended To Comment On FCC Proposal To Change & Reduce Amateurs' 60M Priviliges!
https://www.arrl.org/news/deadline-extended-to-november-28-2023-for-60-meter-comments
Membership Challenge
Many of you have already heard of the ARRL board decision to increase membership dues and make changes in the way we receive magazines, such as QST. If not, I invite you to read ARRL President Rick Roderick’s (K5UR) letter dated July 23, 2023 in an ARRL bulletin. It is available on the ARRL web site.
For the past year or so, our division directors and other League officials have been warning us about the serious financial situation that the ARRL has been in the past few years, caused primarily from inflation, especially the rampart cost increases of print media such as QST. In May, members were asked to take the membership dues survey. About 20% of ARRL membership answered that call and the Board has taken the results of that survey and made the tough choices.
Like many of you, I do not relish the idea of a dues increase, and especially I do not like that the print magazines will no longer be part of the membership benefits (you still get the digital versions of all the magazines free with membership). Now to receive a printed QST, On The Air, NCJ, or QEX magazine, you have to subscribe separately. I am one of those that still likes to hold a paper book or magazine.
But then, I think how much the ARRL, ham radio clubs (most of them ARRL-affiliated) and my fellow amateur radio operators mean to me. It boils down to people, to friendship, and camaraderie. If not for the ARRL and for all of the clubs and ham radio events, I would miss out on the great friendships I have forged through the past 27 years. It is my relationship with the League, affiliated clubs and all the individuals I have met through them that has made such a positive impact on my life. I love the coffee meets, hamfest gatherings, convention get-togethers, club suppers, and all the ham radio nets where we get to chat, laugh, innovate, maybe even instigate, and otherwise socialize.
There is no doubt in my mind that this amazing hobby and service would not exist as it is today without the ARRL. The League’s advocacy and lobbying is why we have so many amateur radio bands and modes. There are many other commercial entities that want some of our spectrum. It is a constant battle that continues today. What chance would we have in keeping our frequency privileges without the ARRL’s effort? Very little in my opinion.
Instead of seeing these dues increases and other changes at the ARRL as a negative, let’s instead support the League even further. Last year the ARRL lost about a million dollars. This year that figure is expected to more than double. Dues increases alone will not make up for all of that.
If you can afford it, I challenge you to do one or more of the following:
1. Upgrade to one of the Diamond Club memberships. The additional financial support will help close the gap and get the League into better financial health.
2. Donate to one of the ARRL funds, such as Spectrum Defense, Education & Technology, W1AW Endowment, or the General fund. https://home.arrl.org/action/Donate
3. If you are a Life Member, consider making a monthly or annual donation.
4. If you are not already an ARRL member, become one!
Some may think the ARRL has not been a good steward of our membership money. While any business can benefit from frequent analysis of expenditures and tightening of the belt at times, I do not believe the ARRL is wasting our money. As Maine section manager, I have met and continue to meet many League officials in person and on-line and they are doing their best in a difficult inflationary time.
Today I made a donation to the ARRL general fund. In November when my membership is due to renew, I will upgrade to the Diamond Club. I will adapt and get used to reading QST on my iPad. I appreciate all that the League continues to do, and I am thankful for all the friendships I have made because of the ARRL and affiliated clubs. Please, if you can afford to do so, accept my challenge. Turn a negative into a positive!
73,
Phil Duggan N1EP
Maine ARRL Section Manager
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
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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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EXAM SESSION
02/10/2024
Sponsor: Augusta ARA
Date: Feb 10 2024
Time: 9:30 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- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
EXAM SESSION
03/02/2024 Sponsor: WA1WA Waterville Area Wireless
Date: Mar 02 2024
Time: 10:00 AM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Weldon R. Black
(207) 873-3869
Email: weldon.black00@yahoo.com
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Winslow Public Library
136 Halifax St
Meeting Room
Winslow ME 04901-7656- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
EXAM SESSION
04/06/2024
Sponsor: Poverty Hill ARG
Date: Apr 06 2024
Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Philip W. Duggan
(207) 598-5397
Email: n1ep@yahoo.com
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Meadow View Apts
25 Tweedie Ln
Phase IV Dining Hall
Ellsworth ME 04605-1541
Website: https://n1ep.com/pharg.html=====================================================================
BULLETINS
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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
Merrymeeting Amateur Radio Association
Piscataquis Amateur Radio Club
Portland Amateur Wireless Association
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
Maine Officials
-
Section Manager
Philip W. Duggan N1EP -
Public Info Coordinator
Deborah Leonard KB1DEB -
Assistant Section Manager
Cory M. Golob KU1U -
Assistant Section Manager
Jeffrey D. Hanscom KA1DBE -
Assistant Section Manager,
Peter L. Hatem KC1HBM
State Government Liaison -
Assistant Section Manager
Derrick P. Ouellette KW1A -
Assistant Section Manager,
Joseph M. Grace W1SK
Affiliated Club Coordinator -
Section Emergency Coordinator
Keith E. Anoe KE4UCW -
Assistant Section Manager
Joan D. Hildreth W1DLC -
Technical Coordinator
Leo H. Langelier N1BOK -
Section Traffic Manager
Dennis Lee Bosley WA1URS -
Section Youth Coordinator
Bradley M. Brown KC1JMH