Maine SM eNews, April 2022

Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes on the ARRL Members list:

Spring is here and hopefully the warmer days will be as well. Perfect time to bring your portable gear outside for some ham radio fun. I am looking forward to throwing a wire up over a tree limb at the local park and putting my Elecraft KX3 or Yaesu FT-817 to good use!

In Maine amateur radio news, I share the following with you:

– Longtime Maine Slow Speed Net manager and net control station Bobbie Donohue, W1JX, has retired from these positions. Bobbie was MSSN Manager for nine years and served as net control for more than 25 years! She was also a past net controller for the Maine Seagull Net. On behalf of the Maine section, I thank her for her dedication and contribution to the National Traffic System and amateur radio.  Her other half—Tom W1QU—also a past net manager, also retired as MSSN net control station. Bravo Zulu to Tom as well! Steve Sozanski, WA1HHK, has taken the helm of the MSSN. The cw net runs Monday through Friday at 6:00PM on 3.585 MHz.

– The Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club Hamfest & State Convention was a huge success. There were plenty of vendors, interesting speakers, and shoppers! The Women Radio Operators of Maine made their first appearance to a Maine Hamfest. They are a new group recently formed by Maine ARRL Assistant Section Manager and YL Champ Joan Hildreth, W1DLC. Congrats to Hamfest chairman Ivan Lazure, N1OXA, and all who helped put the event together.

– ARRL New England Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, presented awards to two clubs at the hamfest and convention. The Androscoggin ARC was recognized as the longest running club in Maine and for 70 years ARRL affiliation. The Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association was lauded for 60 years of ARRL affiliation and for many contributions to amateur radio in Downeast Maine. Both clubs received plaques from the ARRL Board of Directors, and framed certificates listing their achievements.

– The Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Great Falls Model Railroad Club, 144 Mill Street, Auburn. If you live in the area, attend their meeting and help grow the club!

– The new FCC fees are starting effective April 19. The $35 application fee applies to new license and renewal applications, and vanity call sign applications. Make sure you do your research on vanity calls. If your requested call is not available, you will not get a refund. The new fee does not apply to name, address, contact updates or license upgrades. The ARRL Board has approved a reduced ARRL VEC rate for kids under 18 and that fee will be $5 instead of $15, and the board also voted for a one-time reimbursement for the $35 FCC fee for kids under age 18 The ARRL is now working on how this reduced VE fee and reimbursement will be implemented starting April 19.  When an applicant takes an exam, they will only pay the VE team the $15 VE fee (or $5 child under 18), but will have to pay the FCC fee directly to the FCC.  It is important to very clearly list a working email address on the form 605. After the VEC sends the files to the FCC, then you will receive an email from the FCC with a link on how to pay the $35. Your application will not be accepted until you pay the fee.

– The new England QSO Party is May 7 – 8 this year. Don’t miss it.  Lots of hams will be looking for contacts from the six New England states. Let’s get Maine on-the-air in force for this contest. Details are available at neqp.org.

-Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is getting more prevalent these days with all sorts of offending devices including wall warts, solar installations, electric fences, grow lights, and computers. There is an effort to form RFI Teams throughout New England supported by the ARRL.  Here in Maine I would like volunteers to form at least 5 teams. Members should have some technical know-how and also be able to work cooperatively with residents, businesses, and public utilities, as sometimes this is necessary.  The ARRL will provide RFI training to team members. Most RFI Team efforts will likely be over the phone, but some will require traveling to the location with test equipment to sniff out the RFI source. If you would like to be part of an RFI Team for your region of Maine, please email me n1ep@arrl.org.

-Field Day!  June will be here before you know it. Start making your Field Day plans now. Club or group stations should consider Field Day sites in public view, so we can promote this great hobby and service.  Don’t forget to make sure your Field Day operation is safe from RF exposure as well as electrical and physically safe!

-Join an amateur radio club if you haven’t done so already. There is a lot of fun associated with clubs. Operating events, interesting presentations, usually lots of food, and definitely great fellowship.  Here is a link where you can find a club in your area: http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club

-No club in your area? Then form one! Here is a link to instructions on how to form a ham radio club: https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Clubs/Starting%20a%20New%20Club.pdf

-NH Digital Training Net uses the NBEMS FLDIGI and meets Saturdays at 0700 for checkins and then the net runs from 0730 to 0800 on 3.582 MHz USB (1500 Hz offset) and usually uses modes THOR22 or MFSK32. In addition to FLDIGI, you will need FLAMP and FLMSG. These programs are all available for free on sourceforge.net. This is a great way to get up and running and proficient on some of the digital modes, and especially for emergency communications.

-I am still building the statewide Elmer (Mentoring) list and need more experienced hams to volunteer to help potential or new hams, and even longtime hams that need a helping hand. Any assistance you can provide, whether over the phone advice, or in-person help, would be greatly appreciated. Your name and region of Maine will be listed on our web site, but your contact info will not be made public. Instead, the person needing assistance will contact me, and then I will refer them to you.  The web site is listed here. I will be updating it ASAP.  https://www.mainearrl.org/mentors-elmers

-If you have any questions or need assistance, please email me n1ep@arrl.org.

73

Phil Duggan, N1EP
Maine ARRL Section Manager
——————————————————————–
ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
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Feedback to ARRL

Chuck Motes, K1DFS, writes on the ct-ares announce list:
 
ARRL has updated/upgraded their webpage.  They have established a “feedback” entry address.  Feel free to send in your comments, suggestions.  Please be nice.  Positive recommendations for improvements, tweaks, etc.
 

Chuck Motes, K1DFS
Section Manager, Connecticut

Fun Outdoor Activities in Ellsworth (ME) Harbor Park and Milbridge

Maine Ham Radio Society logoPhil Duggan, N1EP, writes in the MHRS CARRIERWave:

Warmer temperatures are here and [the Maine Ham Radio Society] will be planning several outdoors portable operating events for you to join in on the fun. Plus, the Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association will most definitely be scheduling some fun activities at the Ellsworth Harbor Park on the Union River throughout the spring and summer months.

Bring a favorite QRP rig, or join in on using other’s setups, or just come and join in on the fellowship. All are welcome! MHRS’s first spring event will be held Saturday, May 21 at N1EP property in Milbridge. Let’s test some antenna designs! Sunscreen and bug spray a must!

May 2022 QST Paper

ARRL logoApril 5, 2022

As many organizations and industries have struggled with supply chain issues, ARRL has been no exception. The supply of paper has become constrained for many reasons, and despite the best efforts of our publishing partner LSC Communications (formerly R.R. Donnelley) to mitigate those problems, getting paper for the May 2022 issue of QST was a challenge to ensure it was printed and distributed to members — and on time.

While other magazines have struggled to get their print edition delivered to subscribers, we were not going to let this be an issue for our members. As a result, we went to paper brokers to get paper, to ensure QST would be delivered. Regrettably, as you have probably seen, the paper is printed on different paper than readers are used to, and not what we would have liked. However, we are happy to know that members have been receiving their copies and enjoying them, despite the difference in this issue’s paper.

Please note that this is not a new direction for QST. We have not made a conscious decision to change the paper QST is printed on every month. Even though going to paper brokers is an expensive proposition, the ARRL Board and Staff will do what is necessary to keep the presses running for our membership journal. We are committed to ensuring that our members receive QST on a timely basis.

Even before the current supply chain problems, we were facing the reality that there are, today, fewer printers, fewer paper mills, and always-rising costs for paper, transportation, and mailing. This is not a short term problem – it will require our continued close attention as we manage the print side of our organization.

The good news is that ARRL committed to developing a parallel print-and-digital publishing competency over 10 years ago. Today, all members can access all four ARRL periodicals — QST, On the Air, NCJ, and QEX — in fully searchable digital editions. These are available to you any time and from anywhere.

73

David A. Minster, NA2AA

ARRL Chief Executive Officer

Amateur Radio Tower Ordinance Being Debated in Jonesboro, Maine

Contest station towers in Jonesboro, ME
Amateur contest station towers, Jonesboro, Maine

Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes in the April, 2022 issue of Signals Downeast:

The antenna farm pictured here is right adjacent to RT-1 in Jonesboro. This upset many locals who wanted to ban or severely restrict amateur radio antennas and support structures via a proposed ordinance. A public hearing was held on March 25 and Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, and Peter Stackpole, N1MLE, informed town officials and residents at the hearing of the value of ham radio as a public service and emergency communications asset for the community and regions.

The selectmen, town clerk, and most of the residents seemed amendable to meet with members of the amateur radio community and emergency services to discuss drafting a more reasonable ordinance that comply with federal and state laws, but would still prevent any further large installations as pictured above.

Other towns will probably be watching what Jonesboro does in regard to amateur radio restrictions, as similar stations have been erected in other parts of the county. The Maine Ham Radio Society will continue to monitor the situation, and will be following up with Jonesboro officials to make sure we do get input in any new proposed ordinance.

RFI Troubleshooting Guide now Available for Comment

The New England Division RFI Troubleshooting Guide is a resource for all radio amateurs in the New England Division and part of a process in place to help hams in the Division with their RFI issues.  The seven New England sections are recruiting RFI Team members to assist Division hams who work through the Guide and need additional help to resolve their RFI issues.  The teams will help to interface with the ARRL Lab and utilities, build credibility with both and build up a body of information that can be used as a reference.

The noise floor on our bands has risen dramatically in recent years due to the proliferation of many RF-generating technologies:  solar energy systems, LED’s, especially grow lights and municipal lighting systems, internet-connected devices, cable leakage, power system component failures and many more.  The creation of this RFI Troubleshooting Guide and the RFI Teams are an effort to improve the quality of our spectrum and our ability to mobilize in response to threats to that spectrum.

As we ramp up the RFI Teams and the use of the RFI Troubleshooting Guide, we welcome your suggestions to improve the process.

 

Rocky Neck Relay Race, Communicators Needed, East Lyme, CT, April 24, 2022

Tim Rodgers, KC1TWR, writes on the Radio Amateur Society of Norwich (CT) mailing list:

Communicators needed! 

The 2022 Rocky Neck Relay Race is scheduled for Sunday, April 24, 2022. This is a new event for us this year. The course is all within Rocky Neck State Park. The race starts at 8 AM and the award ceremony at noon. Report time at the Region 4 Mobile Communications Unit will be 645 AM to 7:30 AM.

Attached are the maps for the trail and road course. The road course is all within Rocky Neck State Park. . I am working on the Comm Plan that will have checkpoint numbers. In the mean t5ime the checkpoint locations are marked on the maps with big yellow stars. 

This is a GREAT opportunity to introduce newly licensed amateurs or persons interested in getting licensed to public service.  Please ask someone to join you!

If you are available, please send an email to: TimKC1TWR@gmail.com 
Please include your cell and home phone numbers for the COMM Plan even if you have sent them for previous events.  Include your T-Shirt size as well. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

73,
Tim KC1TWR

Tim Rodgers KC1TWR
TimKC1TWR@gmail.com

New ARRL.org Sign-in Instructions to Membership Management Page

Following ARRL’s conversion to a new membership management system, these steps should be followed to sign in and access ARRL website features and services.

Thank you for your patience during the conversion!

If you need help, we’re here for you. Call us Monday – Thursday from 8 am – 7 pm (ET) and on Friday from 8 am – 5 pm (ET) or e-mail us at membership@arrl.org.

New ARRL sign-in page

Important Message from ARRL VEC

ARRL logoImportant Message from ARRL VEC

By Maria Somma, AB1FM, ARRL VEC Manager

The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission’s authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.

The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, renewal, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application.

Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and modification applications to upgrade an amateur radio licensee’s operator class*, will be exempt from fees. (*this new information was just confirmed by FCC staff on Tuesday, March 29.)

VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect the $35 fee at exam sessions.

Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual and pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system. VEC and VE team licensing procedures will not change.

When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each qualifying candidate. The candidate will have 10 calendar days, from the date of the application file number being issued, to pay. After the fee is paid, and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license or, in very rare instances, an explanation for why the application was dismissed or denied. The link will be valid for 30 days.

Per usual procedures, examinees that pass multiple exams at one session, will have one application transmitted to the FCC reflecting the highest-level license class earned. Again, our procedures will not change. The new license candidates will have an extra step before the license is issued. VE teams can point candidates to our FCC Application Fee webpage. Our new ARRL VEC CSCEs also include information about the application fee and points candidates to the webpage. The FCC rule pertaining to CSCEs will not change. CSCE credit will continue to be valid for 365 days, starting from the date of issuance.

For VE teams holding exam sessions the weekend before April 19, the FCC advised that applications not received by the FCC before April 19 will be subjected to the fee. The ARRL VEC urges teams to upload sessions via our documents upload page to get your sessions to us as quickly as possible. Assuming the FCC electronic batch filing (EBF) system is functioning properly on Monday, April 18, the VEC staff will work to get these to the FCC before April 19. Email the VEC department at VEC@arrl.org for the upload instructions.

Additionally, the FCC stated that the fee for applications processed and dismissed will not be refundable. This includes vanity requests where the applicant does not receive the requested call sign. However, returned applications that are missing information will not require an additional fee, if the missing information is submitted to the FCC within the proper amount of time.

Youth Licensing Grant Program

Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board of Directors, approved the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program in July 2021. Under the program, ARRL will cover a one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC. ARRL is finalizing details for administering the program.

Further news and instructions will follow as the FCC releases them. Details for the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program will be posted when available. For additional information, visit the resources below.

ARRL VEC Application Fees webpage:

arrl.org/fcc-application-fee

ARRL News Story: arrl.org/news/new-amateur-radio-license-applications-fee-to-become-effective-april-19-2022

FCC CORES Video Tutorials: fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fcc-registration-system-cores/commission-registration-system-video-tutorials

FCC Registration Help: apps.fcc.gov/cores/publicHome.do?help=true