The Wreaths Across America Special Event was a huge success! MHRS members worked hundreds of hams across the nation and overseas, honoring the Wreaths Across America staff and volunteers, and our nation's veterans.
Our operators worked many hams who expressed their gratitude for the club's special event. Many had family members buried at Arlington National Cemetery, or other veterans' cemeteries. Several active duty military members also worked W1A during the December 2022 event.
Dozens of QSL card requests have already been received and our special W1A cards went out in the mail earlier this week.
The Wreaths Across America Day special operating event is sure to become an annual tradition. Thank you to all who participated!
Washington County Amateur Radio Face Threats of Restrictive Ordinances
(Update 2 - The Town of Jonesboro approved an ordinance restricting amateur radio antennas and tower structures last month. The final ordimnance included the less severe restrictions that had been discussed. You can get a copy of the ordinance at the Jonesboro town office.)
(Update - as of early Sep 2022, the Jonesboro Planning Board was still considering an ordinance, but one that was more reasonable than the initial plans. Time will tell.)
Jonesboro Officials Willing To Discuss Restrictions With Hams
MHRS president Phil Duggan, N1EP and member Peter Stackpole N1MLE spoke at the March 24, 2022 Public Hearing regarding the proposed ordinance that would severely restrict amateur radio station antennas and support structures. The ordinance is a result of a huge amateur radio contest station with numerous towers and antennas that was constructed adjacent RT-1 in town. Other similar antenna farms have sprouted up in other areas of Washington County the past few years, and there are reports that other towns may consider restrictive ordinances.
N1EP is also the Washington County ARES EC, and he read a statement regarding the valuable service hams provide local, state, and national agencies during and after disastsers. He also provided copies of federal and state law that prohibit local goverment from enacting unreasonable restrictions applicable to amateur radio operators. Town officials and most residents that were present at the meeting seemed appreciative of that information, and the selectmen and town clerk voiced their willingness to delay any such ordinance before they have a meeting with the amateur radio community and emergency officials.
Holidays Social Sweepsakes
Fun was had by all on Novemeber 20, 2021 when club members held a meeting/Social SSB Sweepstakes at the home of N1EP and N1ZPV.
After a brief business meeting, folks enjoyed great food and company during the social, and at 1600 (4pm) some members used the club call KB1CEJ and N1EP's shack to make 68 contacts during the late afternoon/early evening. They worked stations on the west coast, the US Virgin Islands, Canada, and across the USA.
Recording Memories Before They Are Gone!
Meet Dave Cobb, W1HHU
One of the primary objectives of our MHRS Mainely HamRadio Youtube channel is interviewing hams, primarily in Maine and New England, to learn about their interesting stories. Yes, we will also do some ham radio demos and "how-To" type videos as well, but capturing the personal ham radio-related history and perspectives is important.
I recently interviewed Dave Cobb, W1HHU, of Vermont. He is a frequent check-in to the Maine Seagull Net and a familiar voice on 3940 KHz both from his home in Vermont, and remotely from his wintertime residence in Florida. Dave told us some fascinating information about a friend of his, who happened to be the very first licensed ham radio operator in the United States. This friend even knew and obtained equipment from the father of amateur radio, Marconi himself!
Check it out for yourself and watch the video Meet Dave Cobb, W1HHU. BTW, we only need six more subscribers to hit the 100 mark and then we are elible for a custom Youtube URL as a shortcut to our videos. So Subscribe Please!
Engaging Young People And New Hams!
A Must-See MHRS video featuring Fredd Kemmerer, AB1OC and his presentation on space station comms, high altitude ballooning, and much more that he and his club are doing with schools and other groups!
Remember The Squalus
The submarine USS Squalus sank in the Gulf of Maine on May 23, 1939. Twenty-six of its crew were lost, but miraculously, 33 others were saved.
The Maine Ham Radio Society conducted a special event in May using the call sign W1S. We made 260 contacts and have received many QSL requests. Most qsl certificates have been mailed out, but there are a few more headed to the post office soon. Thanks go out to all who supported and particpated in this special event!
MHRS RadioActive - YL: Women in Amateur Radio
Soldering and Kit-Building
MHRS RadioActive Latest Youtube Video!
MHRS RadioActive Youtube Videos
This video features N1EP, AC1BS, and KA1DBE demonstrating and discussing Morse code, straight keys, and portable events. Click here: Morse Code Fun an More!
The Maine Seagull Net features Jerry Burns, K1GUP talking about the rich history of the Seagull Net and more...
MHRS Swap Net
The Maine Ham Radio Society conducts a monthly swap net on the last Thursday of each month. The remaining Thursdays are the regular weekly MHRS nets on the K1HF Marshfield Repeater 146.775- (PL 192.8) on Thursdays at 7pm. During the swap net, ham radio operators may list their for sale or want items, the condition of any sale items, asking price, and contact information. There will be no bartering on the air. Any negotiations of sales will be done off the air via telephone or email. Covid-19 might have put a damper on in-person hamfests, but we will get 'er done on the MHRS Swap Net!
Items From The Swap Net
MFJ-814 HF SWR Wattmeter. Measures power up to 2 KW. Works fine. $25 Contact n1ep@yahoo.com
MFJ-16010 Random Wire Antenna Tuner. $20, contact n1ep@yahoo.com
PK-232 Packet TNC from W1DEY. $35. Contact n1ep and further contact info will be relayed.
MFJ-259C Antenna SWR Analyser. Needs minor repair. (Broken know. Loose parts.) N1IRH asking $100 or BO. Proceeds benefit MHRS
Solid State Linear Amp for sale:
A friend asked me to post this:
Yaesu VL-7000 liner amp
Email Susan to negotiate price. The item is in Wells, but Jim W1JHG said he could bring it Downeast if hams in this region want it.
Susan suny@roadrunner.com
For listed items above, email n1ep@yahoo.com and he will give you the proper contact info for the items. All of these items are offered "as is" with no implied guarantee.
Big thank you to Greg Beal N1IRH for his generous donation to the club!
ARRL International DX Phone Contest!
MHRS members and other interested hams: Consider operating in this annual contest March 6-7, 2021. It is offered to help American and Canadian hams to expand their knowledge of propagation, and dx operating skills. This is a great opportunity to improve one or two aspects of your station in advance of the contest. Get your antenna up higher or put up a more efficient 20 meter antenna. Replace that old coax with some new low loss cable. Either way, join in the fun of DXing and participate, even if only for a few hours. Rules and details are available on the ARRL web site HERE.
Try The FM Birds!
Phil, N1EP, gave a presentation on working the amateur radio FM satellites during the November MHRS meeting in Machias. He specifically talked about AO-91, AO-92, and SO-50. Since then a couple club members have been programming their radios and listening to selected passes. Brian KC1FXF recently noted during a weekly simplex net that he was ready to jump in and get his feet wet. Good luck Brian!
You can find more information about the fm birds at amsat.org There are several web pages and apps that help ou track satellites. Heavens-Above website is one of my favorites. If you have a Linux computer, the Gpredeict program also works well.
Jonesport Antenna Farm
Ham radio operators driving through Downeast Maine should take a side trip down RT-187 in Jonesport and check out the humungus amateur radio antenna farm that was recently erected. K1LZ remote operates the many stacked yagis and phased arrays from his QTH in Massachusetts. He reportedly recently won a 160 meter contest using the impressive system.
Jerry N1QLL, suggests looking up K1LZ on QRZ.COM to check out the avid contester/DXer and his many impressive achievements!
NBEMS & Message Forms
The Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS) suite of programs are perfectly adapted to emergency communications, but are also great digital fun for DXing, ragchewing, and other activities.
FLDIGI is the main component and you can communicate using psk-31, olivia, rtty, and many more modes. N1EP gave an FLDIGI demo during the Feb 5 club Zoom meeting and highlighted FLDIGI and FLMSG. The FLMSG allows you to send and receive multiple message forms, such as radiograms, digitally via the amateur radio airwaves. It is a faster and more accurate way of relaying message traffic than doing so by voice.
You can get more information on the entire NBEMS suite at www.w1hkj.com
