ARRL  Maine Section Web Page

Update: 4/25/2024

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 24-003

Ellsworth Ham Radio Symposium

The Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association is sponsoring another ham
radio symposium, this one will be on the 233rd birthday of Samuel Morse
and he will be our keynote speaker. It will be Saturday, April 27 from
noon until 4PM. Okay, maybe Morse will not appear, but Marion Mason,
N3OA, will give a brief presentation on Morse’s life, including his
contribution to our beloved hobby. Jerry Burns Jr, K1GUP, will talk
about the Maine Seagull Net now in its 85th year. Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE,
and Phil Duggan, N1EP, will give presentation/demos on raspberry pi’s
and ham radio. Ian Richards, KC1SZB, will give a presentation on his
Morse Code 2.0 Arduino Project. There will be a Go-Kit competition and
packet radio demo. There will be door prizes and refreshments. Admission
is by donation: $1, $10, or a million bucks, your choice. Proceeds will
benefit our host facility, which is Meadow View Apartments Phase IV
Dining Hall, 25 Tweedie Lane in Ellsworth. 

 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

04/27/2024 

WARREN ME

9am (no walk-ins, must register) at Warren Sanitary District, 442 Cushing rd (rt 97). Contact Joseph Devonshire to register trainbee@aol.com 207-549-0061.

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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

Maine Ham Radio Society

Merrymeeting Amateur Radio Association

Pen Bay Amateur Radio Club

Pine State Amateur Radio Club

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